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andiabcs's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book with a distinctive writing style. It was poetically written but I just wasn't grabbed by the story. It may have been timing but I liked it, not loved it.
whosbradpitt's review against another edition
2.0
This book should have been perfect for me: a fluff novel about a high school girl finding herself in a summer "geek" camp focused on literature. It fell flat.
Gloria is a vapid, judgmental character who keeps trying to be profound but isn't quite mature enough to make it work. Her moments of self-awareness come off as trying too hard rather than growing up or truly learning anything. The author leaves us with a lot of disappointing sub plots - foreshadowing a political debate about coal vs. environment that ends up petering out pathetically in the space of a few pages, for example.
Everything about this book seems rather half-baked. It sounds like it's going to be about dramatic transformation that upends her entire plan for her life, but it isn't. It sounds like it's going to be a story about a girl getting on after the death of her beloved grandmother, but it isn't. Then it sounds like it will be a mysterious adventure with an inspiring teacher, but it isn't. The closest we get to satisfying is the friend group of the four classmates, a lovely group of unlikely friends bonded by proximity for an entire summer. Calvin was adorable and much more interesting than Gloria, and Chloe had spunk and passion that could have been explored so much more.
All in all, it kept me reading and it wasn't exactly painful, but I wouldn't recommend it and probably won't even remember it in a few weeks.
[Book with a meal in the title (1/2, Breakfast): Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2014][Book set in Kentucky: 50 Books 50 States][Book set in high school: PopSugar Book Challenge 2015]
Gloria is a vapid, judgmental character who keeps trying to be profound but isn't quite mature enough to make it work. Her moments of self-awareness come off as trying too hard rather than growing up or truly learning anything. The author leaves us with a lot of disappointing sub plots - foreshadowing a political debate about coal vs. environment that ends up petering out pathetically in the space of a few pages, for example.
Everything about this book seems rather half-baked. It sounds like it's going to be about dramatic transformation that upends her entire plan for her life, but it isn't. It sounds like it's going to be a story about a girl getting on after the death of her beloved grandmother, but it isn't. Then it sounds like it will be a mysterious adventure with an inspiring teacher, but it isn't. The closest we get to satisfying is the friend group of the four classmates, a lovely group of unlikely friends bonded by proximity for an entire summer. Calvin was adorable and much more interesting than Gloria, and Chloe had spunk and passion that could have been explored so much more.
All in all, it kept me reading and it wasn't exactly painful, but I wouldn't recommend it and probably won't even remember it in a few weeks.
[Book with a meal in the title (1/2, Breakfast): Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2014][Book set in Kentucky: 50 Books 50 States][Book set in high school: PopSugar Book Challenge 2015]
kitkatchonk's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 2.5
This grew on me, I admit. This was a 2 star book right until the very end. The main character Gloria was incredibly irrational and a tad annoying at times which made me REALLY dislike her. Thankfully, she got much better later on in the book and had some decent character development. Other characters were 'meh' for me personally with exception of Chloe (who found a cute girlfriend during the book and who's sexuality was met with complete and utter acceptance and 0 silly questions so props to author for adding that!) and Calvin (who has a farm and is ridiculously smart but wants to stay at home even though he could make a great living in a big city).
Amazing cover, a ton of good ideas but sadly this left me a little unsatisfied. I do see others enjoying this more than me though.
This grew on me, I admit. This was a 2 star book right until the very end. The main character Gloria was incredibly irrational and a tad annoying at times which made me REALLY dislike her. Thankfully, she got much better later on in the book and had some decent character development. Other characters were 'meh' for me personally with exception of Chloe (who found a cute girlfriend during the book and who's sexuality was met with complete and utter acceptance and 0 silly questions so props to author for adding that!) and Calvin (who has a farm and is ridiculously smart but wants to stay at home even though he could make a great living in a big city).
Amazing cover, a ton of good ideas but sadly this left me a little unsatisfied. I do see others enjoying this more than me though.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Ack, my time with Gloria and her Geek Camp friends passed way too quickly! I got to the last page and kept swiping my tablet in disbelief, hoping for another chapter or two.
Sarah Combs' tale of a high school girl who spends 4 weeks at Kentucky University as part of a summer camp for gifted teens felt exactly how being a teenager on the verge of "real life" should be. The writing and characters felt authentic without being cliche, and, as mind blowing as it is to admit, I desperately wished I was my awkward teenage self again, smack dab in the middle of it all. The ending was satisfying, although it came too quickly for my taste, and Ms. Combs did a superb job of balancing the serious moments with the humorous ones, the heartbreak with the joy. A lovely book for late middle and high school girls who enjoy realistic fiction and well-rounded, believable characters.
Sarah Combs' tale of a high school girl who spends 4 weeks at Kentucky University as part of a summer camp for gifted teens felt exactly how being a teenager on the verge of "real life" should be. The writing and characters felt authentic without being cliche, and, as mind blowing as it is to admit, I desperately wished I was my awkward teenage self again, smack dab in the middle of it all. The ending was satisfying, although it came too quickly for my taste, and Ms. Combs did a superb job of balancing the serious moments with the humorous ones, the heartbreak with the joy. A lovely book for late middle and high school girls who enjoy realistic fiction and well-rounded, believable characters.
mellamaron's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good. Was it brilliant? I didn't think so. The main character was very annoying and her random thoughts were also weird. I hated how it seemed like she could never pay attention to one thing. She always lost track of her thoughts or had random crap up there.
I sort of liked Mason but the whole "almost romance" was not enough for me. I wasn't feeling it.
Then there's the whole mountain top removal stuff! Why bring it into the book if it's only really in ONE chapter?! It was really a silly thing to add-in, if everyone were so passionate about it then why wasn't it mentioned more?
I just think the author had too many ideas and plots in this book. She needed to cut back and actually develop plots instead of creating new ones.
But Calvin? I loved that boy. ;)
I sort of liked Mason but the whole "almost romance" was not enough for me. I wasn't feeling it.
Then there's the whole mountain top removal stuff! Why bring it into the book if it's only really in ONE chapter?! It was really a silly thing to add-in, if everyone were so passionate about it then why wasn't it mentioned more?
I just think the author had too many ideas and plots in this book. She needed to cut back and actually develop plots instead of creating new ones.
But Calvin? I loved that boy. ;)
lizpatanders's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this book was objectively good, but it wasn't really for me. I wasn't a fan of the voice in this book. Gloria is very judgemental of others and while I know I was that way as a teen, it's still really hard to read sometimes. In some ways, I also got her frustration.
This is a story about taking owenrship of one's life and coming of age. It's also about moving on after loss. I thought the story handled these themes well enough, and aside from the Geek Camp aspect fo the story, it felt like it handled them in a way that had felt done before.
It also felt like this one wrapped up almost a bit too neatly.
I get the appeal of this story, it just didn't work for me.
This is a story about taking owenrship of one's life and coming of age. It's also about moving on after loss. I thought the story handled these themes well enough, and aside from the Geek Camp aspect fo the story, it felt like it handled them in a way that had felt done before.
It also felt like this one wrapped up almost a bit too neatly.
I get the appeal of this story, it just didn't work for me.
fallonwilloughby's review against another edition
5.0
A friend recommended this book to me, saying it was the best Young Adult book at the Southern Kentucky Bookfest this year. I trusted her advice and it made it one of my selections and I am glad that I did. I met the author when hosting one of the Young Adult panels on the Friday of Bookfest, and she was really nice. She signed my book, and said she would steal my name! She is not on social media however, which could work against her in this day and age.
The book follows a young seventeen year old girl, Gloria, as she prepares to make one of the most important decisions of her life - which college to attend. It helps the story that she falls in love along the way. Even better, it is set in Kentucky, and Gloria, is fixing to go to “geek camp” for four weeks. It is an exclusive program for the bright and talented Kentucky kids, who are then offered a scholarship to attend a Kentucky college for free. The program works to try and keep the best and brightest of those in Kentucky IN Kentucky.
Gloria is a typical teenage girl, with typical teenage problems. This makes the book ever more relatable. She isn’t perfect. Always a good sign. One unique fact about Gloria, however, is that her mother abandoned her and her father, and this is a topic Gloria muses on several times. Listening to her ranting and rambling voice took me back to my seventeenth year, and I greatly enjoyed it. Gloria’s voice shines through and is what truly makes this book worth the read. The book is incredibly well written. I often flag my book, noting special quotes or passages I particularly like. I usually wind up with three or four but this book has 11. One of which was:
“She would murder a perfectly good moment just to take a picture of it, I swear.”
As has been mentioned, the book is set within Kentucky. Gloria herself is from Louisville, so her point a few is different from the other teenagers she talks to who come from rural towns within Kentucky. One of my favorite characters is from a farm his parents own that has been in his family for generations, and though he wishes to get a college degree, his life plans revolve around that farm. The book presents us with characters who know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and characters (like Gloria) who are not so certain anymore what they wish to do. This is very realistic, and great to experience for all.
However, one topic lightly brought up a few times is mountaintop removal and mining. From the synopsis I truly thought mountaintop removal was going to be more of a main point throughout the story. It is not. It causes a couple of fights. They go and visit a site of mountain removal. That’s it. Boom. Bang. Done. I really thought that this could have been a topic brought more into focus. However, the novel achieves what it was meant to within the context of a four week “geek camp” and the character growth of Gloria is a very worthwhile read. It brings to the forefront some of the best things about Kentucky, and that is always a plus.
Young Adult books usually give us romance, and this book does not fail on that front. We see several young relationships, breakups and trouble. Gloria herself also battles with love, and it is a hilarious experience for her. The pace of the book is well set with the plot. There is intrigue, fun and true teenage moments.
Another great advantage to this book is that it gives us a snapshot of the future lives of each individual we come close to, without it being cheesy or simply an addition to the end. I always wonder where the characters will wind up or what choices they will make. This book gave me the answers to this question in a cool, unique way for most of the characters we encounter. I appreciate that more than the author can know.
This book is a very specific genre – Young Adult - as I mentioned. If stories told from a teenage girl’s point of view are not your thing, you will not enjoy it. That is all a matter of preference. However, if you are (at any age!), then pick this one up. It’s a great read, has some wonderful moments in it, and is lighthearted enough to you laugh out loud at least once. If you love to read, and discuss books, you will also enjoy the camp that Gloria attends, and all the moments that come from it.
The book follows a young seventeen year old girl, Gloria, as she prepares to make one of the most important decisions of her life - which college to attend. It helps the story that she falls in love along the way. Even better, it is set in Kentucky, and Gloria, is fixing to go to “geek camp” for four weeks. It is an exclusive program for the bright and talented Kentucky kids, who are then offered a scholarship to attend a Kentucky college for free. The program works to try and keep the best and brightest of those in Kentucky IN Kentucky.
Gloria is a typical teenage girl, with typical teenage problems. This makes the book ever more relatable. She isn’t perfect. Always a good sign. One unique fact about Gloria, however, is that her mother abandoned her and her father, and this is a topic Gloria muses on several times. Listening to her ranting and rambling voice took me back to my seventeenth year, and I greatly enjoyed it. Gloria’s voice shines through and is what truly makes this book worth the read. The book is incredibly well written. I often flag my book, noting special quotes or passages I particularly like. I usually wind up with three or four but this book has 11. One of which was:
“She would murder a perfectly good moment just to take a picture of it, I swear.”
As has been mentioned, the book is set within Kentucky. Gloria herself is from Louisville, so her point a few is different from the other teenagers she talks to who come from rural towns within Kentucky. One of my favorite characters is from a farm his parents own that has been in his family for generations, and though he wishes to get a college degree, his life plans revolve around that farm. The book presents us with characters who know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and characters (like Gloria) who are not so certain anymore what they wish to do. This is very realistic, and great to experience for all.
However, one topic lightly brought up a few times is mountaintop removal and mining. From the synopsis I truly thought mountaintop removal was going to be more of a main point throughout the story. It is not. It causes a couple of fights. They go and visit a site of mountain removal. That’s it. Boom. Bang. Done. I really thought that this could have been a topic brought more into focus. However, the novel achieves what it was meant to within the context of a four week “geek camp” and the character growth of Gloria is a very worthwhile read. It brings to the forefront some of the best things about Kentucky, and that is always a plus.
Young Adult books usually give us romance, and this book does not fail on that front. We see several young relationships, breakups and trouble. Gloria herself also battles with love, and it is a hilarious experience for her. The pace of the book is well set with the plot. There is intrigue, fun and true teenage moments.
Another great advantage to this book is that it gives us a snapshot of the future lives of each individual we come close to, without it being cheesy or simply an addition to the end. I always wonder where the characters will wind up or what choices they will make. This book gave me the answers to this question in a cool, unique way for most of the characters we encounter. I appreciate that more than the author can know.
This book is a very specific genre – Young Adult - as I mentioned. If stories told from a teenage girl’s point of view are not your thing, you will not enjoy it. That is all a matter of preference. However, if you are (at any age!), then pick this one up. It’s a great read, has some wonderful moments in it, and is lighthearted enough to you laugh out loud at least once. If you love to read, and discuss books, you will also enjoy the camp that Gloria attends, and all the moments that come from it.
glire's review against another edition
2.0
Breakfast served anytime, es la historia de Gloria quien ha sido seleccionada para participar en una escuela de verano que simula la vida universitaria. Durante un mes vivirá en un campus y asistirá a clases de: Secretos de la palabra escrita.
Una clase dictada por el Profesor X, quien les advierte a todos los que se hayan anotado en su curso que para poder participar deberán deshacerse de cualquier conexión con el mundo moderno, es decir cero celulares, computadoras e Internet. Y quien además coloca una serie de pistas que los alumnos deben seguir para poder descubrir su identidad.
Suena interesante, ¿cierto? El problema es que... allí acaba la trama.
El Profesor X aparece demasiado pronto (35%) tras solo DOS pistas. Y resulta ser un hombre inseguro, con poco carácter y que le gusta fumar marihuana. Así que lo mas interesante de todo el personaje es el nombre.
A partir de allí la historia solo decae.
Porque NO PASA NADA.
No es mas que una serie de pensamientos de Gloria (al mejor estilo de El guardián entre el centeno) y de todo lo que odia a su alrededor. Porque lo odia TODO.
Las luces fluorescentes. Los silbidos. Las cámaras fotográficas. Los niños. Los perros. Los conflictos. Las personas.
Juro que Gloria es uno de los personajes más desagradables que he leído en mi vida. Tiene un grave complejo de superioridad, y como todo el libro es desde su punto de vista me resultó realmente difícil no abandonar la lectura, porque no pude conectar con ella en ningún momento.
El resto de los personajes son meh. Se sienten formulados y poco reales.
La escritura tiene sus momentos donde es visualmente hermosa, la escena de la luna y de las mariposas volando por el campo, me gustaron. Pero en general es un libro que NO le recomendaría a NADIE.
Una clase dictada por el Profesor X, quien les advierte a todos los que se hayan anotado en su curso que para poder participar deberán deshacerse de cualquier conexión con el mundo moderno, es decir cero celulares, computadoras e Internet. Y quien además coloca una serie de pistas que los alumnos deben seguir para poder descubrir su identidad.
Suena interesante, ¿cierto? El problema es que... allí acaba la trama.
El Profesor X aparece demasiado pronto (35%) tras solo DOS pistas. Y resulta ser un hombre inseguro, con poco carácter y que le gusta fumar marihuana. Así que lo mas interesante de todo el personaje es el nombre.
A partir de allí la historia solo decae.
Porque NO PASA NADA.
No es mas que una serie de pensamientos de Gloria (al mejor estilo de El guardián entre el centeno) y de todo lo que odia a su alrededor. Porque lo odia TODO.
Las luces fluorescentes. Los silbidos. Las cámaras fotográficas. Los niños. Los perros. Los conflictos. Las personas.
Juro que Gloria es uno de los personajes más desagradables que he leído en mi vida. Tiene un grave complejo de superioridad, y como todo el libro es desde su punto de vista me resultó realmente difícil no abandonar la lectura, porque no pude conectar con ella en ningún momento.
El resto de los personajes son meh. Se sienten formulados y poco reales.
La escritura tiene sus momentos donde es visualmente hermosa, la escena de la luna y de las mariposas volando por el campo, me gustaron. Pero en general es un libro que NO le recomendaría a NADIE.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the angst and growth of the characters, and I'd have probably given it 4 stars if a Dewey Decimal Call Number was not misidentified as a Library of Congress one. Note some mild content may not be suitable for all readers.