Bingo Square: So Popular
While I had only read seven of the ten books from the “So Popular” list, I chose a reread. I knew Divergent as a series had not lived up to the first novel; while I enjoyed Gillian Flynn, I am kind of over that genre (is it still a twist if we expect it?) which meant no Girl on a Train; and even though I know everyone loves The Fault in our Stars, I just have little interest in reading a novel about teens dying of cancer. My Sister’s Keeper was enough in that category.
Given that this novel is on the “So Popular” list and I’ve seen at least four people review it for Bingo, I am going to skip the plot summary and dive straight into the spoilers and some reactions to the ending. While I thought it was an incredibly cute romance my first time reading it (even with the potential creep/ick factor), my reaction to the ending is a bit different this time around. The romantic part was too rushed to truly feel comfortable, and my hesitance in accepting the happily ever after isn’t even based on the invasion of privacy and the email reading (though it probably should be).
I still quite liked Attachments and still thought all the characters in it were sweet and easy to root for. It’s still amazing how Rowell could make Lincoln so likable despite the ethical lines he crosses. And yet, this time around, while I wanted good things for all the characters, I didn’t want Lincoln and Beth to end up together. It doesn’t bother me that they did but I also wasn’t hoping for it the way I did the first time I read it.
After being with Chris, Beth absolutely deserves someone that will love her and be devoted to her, and not be scared of the deep feelings that come with love. And Lincoln did start figuring himself out as an individual before he and Beth finally became a couple. However, I still feel that Lincoln’s approach to love might be too much like his old pattern where he let his love for Sam consume and guide everything. Beth should have someone that loves and appreciates her but I still feel like Lincoln might let himself more deeply than is healthy for either him or the person he loves? It seems like Beth might enjoy the ease in the beginning compared to her relationship with Chris, but it could also have the potential to become suffocating. I don’t know if that quite makes sense, maybe I have become cynical after years of singleness or maybe it’s simply age and perspective, because years ago, I loved that they ended up together in the last few pages despite myself.
Bingo Square: So Popular!
Bingo 6! Row 1 (Underrepresented, Alabama Pink, So Popular!, Brain Candy, Home Somewhere Home)
I do agree. My favourite part of this book was not that they ended up together, but that the characters took necessary steps to better their lives.