There are many reasons not to like a book.  However there is one and only ONE reason that I didn’t like this particular book.  One. Big. Reason.

A few months ago, I entered a giveaway on Instagram to win a copy of The Girl Who Reads on the Metro.  I had never heard of it and the synopsis sounded so great!  I was ecstatic when I won and couldn’t wait for my new book to arrive.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Juliette leads a perfectly ordinary life in Paris, working a slow office job, dating a string of not-quite-right men, and fighting off melancholy. The only bright spots in her day are her metro rides across the city and the stories she dreams up about the strangers reading books across from her: the old lady, the math student, the amateur ornithologist, the woman in love, the girl who always tears up at page 247.

One morning, avoiding the office for as long as she can, Juliette finds herself on a new block, in front of a rusty gate wedged open with a book. Unable to resist, Juliette walks through, into the bizarre and enchanting lives of Soliman and his young daughter, Zaide. Before she realizes entirely what is happening, Juliette agrees to become a passeur, Soliman’s name for the booksellers he hires to take stacks of used books out of his store and into the world, using their imagination and intuition to match books with readers. Suddenly, Juliette’s daydreaming becomes her reality, and when Soliman asks her to move in to their store to take care of Zaide while he goes away, she has to decide if she is ready to throw herself headfirst into this new life.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

The Synopsis sounds great, right?!?

I have read a few books which have been translated from their original language and the more of them I read, the more sure I am in my thought that some books just shouldn’t be translated.  The Girl Who Reads on the Metro is most definitely one of them.

This book was completely disjointed in every single way.  The characters, the settings, and the storylines all blended together in a way which left me confused and frustrated!  I couldn’t follow this book and just as I was starting to…it would go in a completely separate direction.   Reading this book felt like a chore, it was so hard to follow and understand.

HOWEVER…

I still think the synopsis sounds so amazing!  I’m saddened that I just couldn’t get through this book because I truly believe it has such amazing potential.  I honestly would love to read it in it’s original language…something tells me that it’s a lovely book when read how it was originally written.

The one and only reason that I hated this book is because of the translation.  I think so much of this little gem got lost along the way.  Such an incredible shame.

It’s such a tiny book (172 pages) and I couldn’t even bring myself to finish.  I made it about halfway through when I decided that I had no choice but to call it quits.

Au revoir, The Girl Who Reads on the Metro.  Au revoir.

Bottom Line:

If I ever decide to learn French (highly unlikely), the first book I will pick up will be this one…in French.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

This Is Not How It Ends Giveaway Winner

Oh how I loved reading everyone’s answers to this one!  If you haven’t read through the comments on that post, I would highly suggest checking them out.  You guys shared some really special and beautiful love stories! I loved, loved, loved reading through each of them 🙂

Here is a video of me choosing the winner of 1 signed copy of This Is Not How It Ends:

 

Xo,

Jenny

I obviously would NOT recommend The Girl Who Reads on the Metro…but you might just love it??? Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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