hemauers's review against another edition
2.0
Well developed characters, but it ended with a resounding thud, like the author was sick of writing and decided it should just be over. Unsatisfying.
csifbi23's review against another edition
2.0
It was such a great book, I was so enraptured--and then I read the super disappointing end. I just can't look at this book the same way knowing how unhappy the ending left me.
masel_93's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anatomydetective's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Better than your average fluff, interesting concept.
devon's review against another edition
5.0
Lately I have found myself venturing away from the type of book that I would normally read and becoming a more well rounded literature and fiction reader. Most often I have been pleasantly surprised by my selections and The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker was definitely a pleasant surprise! When I read the synopsis on the back of the book I expected something completely different from what I got from this compelling first novel. I thought that I was reading a light hearted book about a woman who read peoples futures by interpreting the songs that were in their heads and while this plot point is what this novel was centered around it certainly was not what it was about. The Song Reader, told through the eyes of fourteen year old Leeann is about how two sisters cope with the breakdown of their family, how it effects them as people and how their love for one another gets them through some particularly difficult times.
When older sister Mary Beth's song reading takes off the entire town begins singing her praises and Mary Beth feels as though she has finally found her calling. However, when she reveals a long suppressed secret involving one of the towns most beloved citizens all of her former clients turn against her and her family. Mary Beth spirals into a deep depression leaving Leeanne to pick up the pieces of their life as well as uncover the deep routed secrets of her family that may have caused her sisters depression to run even deeper than first imagined.
Tucker reveals the secrets of this unconventional family in a way that makes it almost impossible to put this book down. My only gripe was that I wished the ending were fleshed out a bit more and the reader wasn't left with so many unanswered questions, however, this is a tiny flaw in an otherwise engrossing novel, 4 1/2 stars.
When older sister Mary Beth's song reading takes off the entire town begins singing her praises and Mary Beth feels as though she has finally found her calling. However, when she reveals a long suppressed secret involving one of the towns most beloved citizens all of her former clients turn against her and her family. Mary Beth spirals into a deep depression leaving Leeanne to pick up the pieces of their life as well as uncover the deep routed secrets of her family that may have caused her sisters depression to run even deeper than first imagined.
Tucker reveals the secrets of this unconventional family in a way that makes it almost impossible to put this book down. My only gripe was that I wished the ending were fleshed out a bit more and the reader wasn't left with so many unanswered questions, however, this is a tiny flaw in an otherwise engrossing novel, 4 1/2 stars.
survivalisinsufficient's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars based mostly on the first half of this book, which was pretty entertaining...I liked the idea of psychoanalyzing someone based on the songs stuck in their head. The end was kind of annoying (but I didn't really feel it was ambiguous like other reviewers), and I didn't like the whole development of the song-reading sister.
yazimariel's review against another edition
3.0
This was a strong book and I certainly enjoyed, but I feel as if the ending came as a surprise, and it was too abrupt.
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Good and engrossing.
Read in one sitting.
Sad too, though
Read in one sitting.
Sad too, though
aimee70807's review against another edition
5.0
Although completely different, this book reminds me of Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. Both feel at first like ordinary chick lit, then begin to delve deeper into mental illness...only to regress to chick lit at the end (but not quite enough in this case for me to dock a star).
The Song Reader seems to be exploring that fascinating middle ground between genius and madness. Unfortunately, it feels like the author hasn't really dealt with mental illness, so the ending doesn't really ring true for me. On the other hand, there was a bit of the feel of To Kill a Mockingbird mixed in, which added to the positive. Definitely a page turner.
The Song Reader seems to be exploring that fascinating middle ground between genius and madness. Unfortunately, it feels like the author hasn't really dealt with mental illness, so the ending doesn't really ring true for me. On the other hand, there was a bit of the feel of To Kill a Mockingbird mixed in, which added to the positive. Definitely a page turner.