aprilsingsalot's review
Too frenetic. Energy of main character was scattered and lots of self doubt…not an energy I want in my reading!
thebookishpersuasion's review
5.0
Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors in the last six months and this is the third book of hers that I have absolutely burned through. I was not disappointed. What You Wish For tells the story of eccentric school librarian Sam and goofball teacher-turned-stickler principal Duncan as they clash and connect over the private school where they both work. Sam has worked there for several years when Duncan, a teacher from her old school who she crushed on for years, shows up as the new principal. However, he's nothing like she remembered and they continuously clash over his ideas for making the school safer at the cost of its individuality and creativity. As they get closer, however, Sam realizes the hurt that lays at the root of his strictness and she starts a mission to help him find joy in life again.
This book was phenomenal. It had poignant humor, emotional impact, hilarious dialogue, and fantastic characters. It's everything I love about contemporary fiction--funny and impactful at the same time. The characters are well rounded, Center brings you right into the world of private school teachers, and you can't help but care deeply about everyone. I highly recommend this book. It was a fantastic read.
This book was phenomenal. It had poignant humor, emotional impact, hilarious dialogue, and fantastic characters. It's everything I love about contemporary fiction--funny and impactful at the same time. The characters are well rounded, Center brings you right into the world of private school teachers, and you can't help but care deeply about everyone. I highly recommend this book. It was a fantastic read.
puzzlesatoz's review
4.0
I enjoyed the audiobook but I feel like the narrator was a bit cheesy/over the top
chickiebean_loves_books's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Five things about What You Wish For by Katherine Center 📚📚📚📚📚
1. This is my third Katherine Center book this year. I am so enamored with her storytelling!
2. “Choose joy on purpose” is the thread that pulls this one together.
3. There are moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. Moments I tested up. Moments I wanted to throttle several characters.
4. The roller coaster! The date you to not dance. The whale. Oh how I love this book!
5. With new to me book I read by Center, I find myself increasingly grateful that I finally discovered her this year. How did it take me so long?
1. This is my third Katherine Center book this year. I am so enamored with her storytelling!
2. “Choose joy on purpose” is the thread that pulls this one together.
3. There are moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. Moments I tested up. Moments I wanted to throttle several characters.
4. The roller coaster! The date you to not dance. The whale. Oh how I love this book!
5. With new to me book I read by Center, I find myself increasingly grateful that I finally discovered her this year. How did it take me so long?
termfor's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fink1129's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
elste's review
3.0
”I wasn’t a stranger to grieving, to the way it drowned you but didn’t kill you—only kept you submerged for so long you forgot what air and sunshine felt like…and the only way out was through.”
Fear is a powerful thing. Sometimes I think it's stronger than love. And Sam, our sometimes brave and other times feeling brittle to the core, librarian—was embarking on a journey of self-discovery that could not be found in books.
Sam was on a mission. She was desperately trying to drag, coerce, finagle, tease and bribe—essentially do whatever it takes, to bring the man she loves back to the world of the living. But she never stopped to consider taking point on her own lesson plan.
The thing is, “What You Wish For” more often than not, will come knocking at your door, but it comes with a price. The question is—Are you brave enough to foot the bill?
”Life doesn’t ever give you what you want just the way you want it. Life doesn’t ever make things easy. What an incredibly spoiled idea—that anything should come easy? Taking risks makes it better because it’s terrifying. That’s how it works.”
(3.5 Stars, a most enjoyable read ... just not quite as good as "Things You Save in a Fire.")
Fear is a powerful thing. Sometimes I think it's stronger than love. And Sam, our sometimes brave and other times feeling brittle to the core, librarian—was embarking on a journey of self-discovery that could not be found in books.
Sam was on a mission. She was desperately trying to drag, coerce, finagle, tease and bribe—essentially do whatever it takes, to bring the man she loves back to the world of the living. But she never stopped to consider taking point on her own lesson plan.
The thing is, “What You Wish For” more often than not, will come knocking at your door, but it comes with a price. The question is—Are you brave enough to foot the bill?
”Life doesn’t ever give you what you want just the way you want it. Life doesn’t ever make things easy. What an incredibly spoiled idea—that anything should come easy? Taking risks makes it better because it’s terrifying. That’s how it works.”
(3.5 Stars, a most enjoyable read ... just not quite as good as "Things You Save in a Fire.")
31_camillagoh's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nicolemims17's review
4.0
I haven’t read/finished a book in a long time. I picked this book because I knew I would love it and I wouldn’t be able to put it down. And those were very true statements; however, I didn’t love it as much as the others. I think I wanted more of them together. More of their story to play out and a better/juicier epilogue. I still will read any book she puts out because she is amazing!