Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel | Bryn Greenwood
As the daughter of a drug dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. It's safer to keep her mouth shut and stay out of sight. Struggling to raise her little brother, Donal, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible adult around. Obsessed with the constellations, she finds peace in the starry night sky above the fields behind her house, until one night her star gazing causes an accident. After witnessing his motorcycle wreck, she forms an unusual friendship with one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold.By the time Wavy is a teenager, her relationship with Kellen is the only tender thing in a brutal world of addicts and debauchery. When tragedy rips Wavy's family apart, a well-meaning aunt steps in, and what is beautiful to Wavy looks ugly under the scrutiny of the outside world. Kellen may not be innocent, but he is the fixed point in Wavy and Donal's chaotic universe. Instead of playing it safe, Wavy has to learn to fight for Kellen, for her brother, and for herself.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
beccaortiz
post image
Mehso-so

I don‘t know how to feel about this book. All The Ugly and Wonderful Things is probably the most well written story I‘ve read in a while. The plot is controversial and there were many times I had to put it down and I thought I may not finish it. I wouldn‘t recommend the book to everyone but, I would recommend the author!

review
marleed
post image
Pickpick

This may be the most disturbing book I ever liked. I had to put it down a couple times and wasn‘t sure if I‘d make my way back. But I couldn‘t stop thinking about Wavy and had to read my way to her final page. This really makes me grateful for my life and the life I was able to give my kids.

#14books14weeks2023 Book 10
@TheHeartlandBookFairy

Reggie Yeah in life we‘re all the aunt in here, but I still rooted for her and Kellan in here no matter how crazy it sounded. 1y
marleed @Reggie I‘m still thinking about it and asking myself how I rooted for that relationship. Credit to the author for making me feel those feels! 1y
Suet624 @Reggie same. Big time. 1y
CBee @Reggie YES! Exactly. 1y
CBee @marleed I still think about this one too. Definitely creds to the author for creating such a lasting impression! 1y
83 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

I think this one would be a great #discussionbook I personally did not care for it. You either love it or you‘re disgusted by it, I am the latter… probably for personal reasons 🤷🏻‍♀️ Did you read it? What did you think?

#MayMontage

TrishB I didn‘t read it. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TrishB you didn‘t miss anything! The opinions on this one are so strong! 2y
EKonrad Such a hard book to rave about because of the content. But I did think it was beautifully written. 2y
See All 6 Comments
TrishB I just didn‘t feel comfortable with the content so didn‘t bother. 2y
Julsmarshall Beautifully written and a thoughtful take in human relationships, but the content is difficult and upsetting for many. 2y
Eggs Made me uncomfortable… 2y
55 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
reading_rainbow
post image
Mehso-so

This will be the last book I force myself to finish. Life‘s too short. This book is written well and the characters are well written and interesting. The content was not for me. I would not have picked this book up had I known the age gap. lots of parts made me uncomfortable and I couldn‘t justify the relationship. I did hope to see things work out for Wavy and her brother so I finished it. ⭐️⭐️1/2 #botm

28 likes1 stack add
blurb
Ladygodiva7
post image
64 likes1 stack add
review
hdhubbard
Pickpick

12/10

I read this in one sitting, I could not stop reading. Wavy and Kellen are characters that will stay with me. I laughed, cried, and will read this again

review
Roxanareads
post image
Pickpick

A heartbreaking story following young Wavy from childhood to early adulthood and the unconventional way she grew up. As an 8 year old child she becomes friends with Kellem an associate of her father who is a meth dealer. This unlikely friendship grows into a relationship over time. The book is very moving and highlights how complicated all types of relationships can be.

blurb
Eggs
post image

Happy Wednesday ~ Happy Week!! Here are your questions

1-🤔 💔 🏍 😣

2-Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman

3-Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff: 3! Couldn‘t hold a candle to other Jenoffs I‘ve read

Enjoy, and thanks for playing 💗

Bookbuyingaddict 1. 🧔🏿‍♂️🚢🇬🇧🏙🌫✊🏿 2. Daisy Jones and the six . I‘d love ❤️ a sequel .3. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett quietly 🤫brilliant a 5 star ⭐️ read 😁 2y
Eggs @Karons1 Love Daisy Jones 2y
62 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
MeJeMiller
post image
Mehso-so

Honestly this was just a background while I worked. But this wasn‘t a bad book.

blurb
Vickia

The moral dilemma and effects of abuse in this book still has Wavy sitting on my heart. Loved this story!

2 likes1 stack add
blurb
hes7
post image

I‘ve been in a slump for the past year, but I‘m wanting to get back to reading regularly soon—and hoping #BookSpin will help me. 🤞🏻 March will be for focusing on my unread #BOTM picks. #doublespin #bookspinbingo

Simona Nice list, and I hope that it will help you 🤞 3y
swishandflick All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is one of my all-time favorite BOTM picks! 3y
AWahle I‘m happy to learn I‘m not the only one with unread BOTM books! Trying to work through mine as well. 3y
See All 7 Comments
eeclayton Good luck! I loved Anxious People 😊 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Glad to see you back!! Also I totally got your package with the #LMPBC books - thank you for sending them along!!! 3y
MemoirsForMe #BookSpin always helps get us back into our reading groove! 3y
bthegood I just started the #BookSpinBingo this year - it just adds a little something to reading each day - I hope you enjoy it - 🙂 3y
69 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
EvieBee
post image
Panpan

I hate read this for my book club. I‘m not a violent person, but I want to punch this book in the face. And now…I can‘t unread what I read. That is all.

DGRachel I‘ve had a few of those. Love the review! 3y
mklong Couldn‘t agree more! God, I hated this book. 3y
EvieBee @DGRachel Don‘t you hate that?! 3y
See All 12 Comments
EvieBee @mklong Lol! Yaaas! 3y
DGRachel I think the worst is hate-reading for book club and being the only one who suffered through the entire book. 3y
EvieBee @DGRachel This is my first book club but it‘s the reason why I always hesitated to join. I think from here on out, I‘m going to give myself permission to bail if it‘s disturbing. I do that with my regular reading all the time. 3y
Megabooks Yeah, this was pretty gross. 3y
EvieBee @Megabooks Mos def! 3y
Lesliereads “I want to punch this book in the face”😩 3y
EvieBee @Lesliereads Oh no, you love it? 3y
Lesliereads @EvieBee oh no - I haven‘t read it; I was just feeling your pain! Lol! 3y
EvieBee @Lesliereads Oh, lol! Phew. It was painful. 3y
52 likes1 stack add12 comments
review
Foragingfantasy
Pickpick

The title is fitting. It‘s an ugly and wonderful book.

quote
Jerlynn
post image

Feeling dead was better than when my heart hurt. Sometimes I thought it might burn through my ribs while I was asleep, and smolder in the sheets until the whole house caught fire.

review
Jerlynn
post image
Pickpick

This is a beautiful book. The writing, the characters, the emotion, all absolutely stunning. This story refuses to leave my thoughts and I know Wavy will never leave me. I love her character so much it brings tears to my eyes. I just wanted her happy, and her happiness was always Kellan. I understand the hate this book brings, but please listen to the awards and endless 5 star reviews it has. It deserves so much love, just like Wavy and Kellan.

42 likes1 stack add
review
starlight97
post image
Pickpick

"I was lying on the tracks under a train I was in love with."
? wutheringstacks on instagram
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

30 likes1 stack add
review
Mrs.C
post image
Mehso-so

I do not know how to rate this book. Although the writing is really well done, the content is hard to stomach.

blurb
Mrs.C
post image

Just started this and it‘s already pulling at the heart strings!

quote
meglynn86
post image

Tonight‘s read! #latenightreading

FelinesAndFelonies So difficult to explain my reaction to this book. Definitely a work of art despite the difficult subject matter. I hope you enjoy it!! 4y
meglynn86 @FelinesAndFelonies I finished the book this afternoon. I think I am in the same boat at you. It was definitely different. I can see it being triggering for some but for me it was just very different. 4y
11 likes2 comments
review
AvidlyAlexis
post image
Pickpick

12/100, 5☆ This is an extremely controversial book so I don't want to do a lengthy review. All I want to convey is that the writing is stellar and the characters are so raw and unique. Is it uncomfortable to read? Yes. But I found the discomfort worth it to read something so gut clenchingly honest and different than the standard fiction.

28 likes1 stack add
review
FelinesAndFelonies
post image
Pickpick

I finished this book more than a week ago and couldn't come up with a good way to review it. I really loved the writing style and the rhythm of the book. Every time that I put it down, I was anxiously waiting to pick it back up. It was challenging because of the relationship dynamics and the obvious illegal conduct.
One thing that I can't seem to decide on is whether the behavior of Kellen is grooming behavior or inappropriate and misplaced⬇️

FelinesAndFelonies (continued) feelings for Wavy. I'm going to school for social work and I feel like if this case was reported to me then it would be easily identified as abuse. But something about the care and emotions between the characters causes me to struggle with labeling Kellen an abuser. 4y
FelinesAndFelonies If nothing else, it provided me with a lot to think about and challenged the knee-jerk reaction I had expected to experience with this book. 4y
LazyLibrary This has been on my list forever 4y
See All 7 Comments
FelinesAndFelonies @LazyLibrary I'm so glad I picked it up. It's a 5⭐book for me. 4y
AmyG It felt so wrong and yet not. I loved this book. 4y
FelinesAndFelonies @AmyG exactly. Like the tenderness he showed toward her in the absence of any other source of love and security. Without age as a factor it was a beautiful love story. With age as a consideration it morphed into a heartbreaking look of abandonment and emotional trauma and resilience. 4y
AmyG Very well said. Only a good writer could have made this story work. 4y
35 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
TheEllieMo
post image

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 100
#BooksToRead #TBRPile #TBRMountain

review
cenesseth
Pickpick

Loved this book! Didn't expect to like it as much as I did.

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#Unpopularopinion
I‘m not going to say that I hated this book because that‘s a strong word, but I strongly disliked this book! Having gone through sexual abuse at a young age I probably never should have read it. But this is definitely an #unconventionalLoveStory it‘s the first book I thought of 🤷‍♀️I even gave mine away!

#Showmesomelove

TheKidUpstairs Not every book is right for every reader! 4y
Deblovestoread I hear such positives things about this book and am sure I want to read it and then remember the subject matter and am pretty positive I don‘t. Life on the seesaw of indecision. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
aa_guer2021 Hmmm, that‘s on the TBR still. Maybe later 🤷🏻‍♀️🤔 4y
See All 10 Comments
tracey38 Just sending love to you, my friend. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @tracey38 love you too!! 💕 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ruskigurl16 this book has a lot of love from most people! You may like it 🤷‍♀️ 4y
aa_guer2021 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it‘s a subject matter that is a ⚠️ to me. Even reading You was an adventure, and I tackled that. So 🤷🏻‍♀️. Just thankful I came across this review, that‘s all. 💕💕 4y
63 likes10 comments
review
AlisBookNookCorner
post image
Pickpick

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 https://suspensebookreviews.home.blog/2021/01/29/all-the-ugly-and-wonderful-thin...

WOW! Please excuse me while I pick my heart up off the floor. This novel made me feel every emotion plus some. This was raw, disturbing, heart-shattering, moving, sad, & truthfully one of the most difficult books I have read. I wanted to hate it, but I loved it and I feel almost guilty doing so. I lost a piece of me to this.

FelinesAndFelonies I chose this as a BOTM add-on. I'm dying to read it. 4y
AlisBookNookCorner @FelinesAndFelonies This book challenged me mentally and emotionally. Some of the content was difficult to get through, but o my, it made me feel so many emotions. The author has stated in interviews that although the book is fiction, a lot of it is based on her real-life experiences. One of the hardest and greatest books I've read. 4y
FelinesAndFelonies My Dark Vanessa was like that for me but I absolutely loved it. Ugg. I am in need of a 5 ⭐ book. 4y
AlisBookNookCorner @FelinesAndFelonies I've heard My Dark Vanessa touches similar topics, but are very different in the context of the relationship. If you liked My Dark Vanessa, you would probably enjoy this one. 4y
22 likes4 comments
blurb
AlisBookNookCorner
post image

This novel is complex, gripping, intelligent, ambiguous, and heart-shattering. I'm only a little over 100 pages in and I am finding myself needing to take breaks just to catch my breath. There are so many emotions surrounding the events and characters that I can't help but go back in an attempt to understand it all. As difficult as it is at times, this book has made me feel more than most books I've read in my lifetime.

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
AlisBookNookCorner
post image

I was pretty set on reading, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, until I realized that this has been on my TBR for quite some time as well. This book has had readers and reviewers in an absolute uproar about the disturbing content touched in this novel. I personally enjoy reading out-of-the-box and taboo novels. the ones where authors touch topics that most cringe from. I'm apprehensive about starting this but curious about the hype.

16 likes1 stack add
review
KindleAddict
post image
Pickpick

This book was very well written and really drew me in...and i will walk away from thia book feeling sadder about the world than i was before i read it...if u are triggered by pedophilia DO NOT READ THIS...i literally feel like crying after finishing this 😳

blurb
TheLibrarian
post image

Since this is a BOTM giveaway, I‘m selecting my favorite one - All the Ugly and Wonderful Things! Not only is it beautifully written and the story is amazing, but there are so many great discussions you can have about this book.

Thanks for the giveaway!

#goodbyebotm

candority All The Ugly and Wonderful Things was the first book I bought on my Kobo years ago, but I still haven‘t read it 😭 4y
Hooked_on_books Thanks for entering! I tend to avoid books wherein parents willfully endanger or damage their kids, so I‘m wary of this one. But I‘m definitely interested in her follow-up book. 4y
68 likes2 comments
blurb
KindleAddict
post image

The sadness this book leaves me with everytime i put it down is indescribable

review
AudiobookingWithLeah
post image
Pickpick

❐ Overall Rating 4½ | Narration 5
Grit-Lit with fantastic writing...that hurt to listen too...but once I knew Wavy and Kellan's whole sordid story, I couldn't help but feel for them.

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
Theressadoriott
post image

Diving into this one between ubering my children between dance and hockey.

review
BooksNBowls
post image
Mehso-so

TW: pedophilia, child abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse

Okay, so I finished it.. finally. This book is beautifully written with a clever POV that kept me very intrigued despite how seriously messed up the whole situation was. I still feel like this book is romanticizing pedophilia and trying to sympathize with a man who clearly groomed an 8 year old girl, but whatever. I guess the author accomplished what she wanted to- she got people talking.

KindleAddict I just finished this and i agree it feels like they were romanticizing pedophilia 4y
25 likes1 comment
blurb
dariazeoli
post image

I‘m posting one book per day from my ever-increasing TBR. No description. No explanation. Just books to read. Join the fun if you want.

Day 24.

#fromthetbrstacks

31 likes1 stack add
blurb
BooksNBowls
post image

About half way through and kinda want to bail, but there‘s so many good reviews and I kinda want to see what happens to Wavy. But yikes, can we stop romanticizing pedophilia?!? It‘s not cute, it‘s creepy. Idc how much of a “good guy” Kellan is. Ugh if I can get through My Dark Vanessa, I can get through this but it‘ll be awhile before I dive into a book about this content again..

Megabooks Agree this is a creepy AF book. Well written but creepy! 4y
BooksNBowls @Megabooks it is incredibly well written and I enjoy hearing the story through all the different characters. If it wasn‘t for that, I would have already bailed tbh. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This one was not for me... I was not ok with what was going on and gave it away as soon as possible! 4y
BooksNBowls @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank god I didn‘t spend actual money on this book it‘s just a hold from the library 4y
22 likes4 comments
quote
BooksNBowls

“...there was no sense in rushing toward being dead. It would find you soon enough, and before it did there were pleasures to make your heart hurt less.”

review
OriginalCyn620
post image
Pickpick

I flew through this one! My emotions were all over the place, from uncomfortable to angry to sympathetic. Yes, the subject matter is difficult but the author pulled me into the story. It‘s beautifully written, thought-provoking, and really makes you question if things are always so black and white/right or wrong. A very haunting story, for sure.
#bookspinbingo
#booked2020 #bookclubworthy

Cinfhen This was one of my first #BOTM choices and I LOVED it!! GREAT CHOICE 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 4y
mrsthilkey I loooove this book! 4y
53 likes3 comments
review
paulareadsallthetime
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was hard to read. At one point, I put it down and did not pick it back up until a few days later. It was a very good book, but the subject matter was hard. I am still not sure how I fee about the relationship between Wavy and Kellen.

review
BlueBowBooks
Pickpick

Well-told story, unusual setting and characters. I found it really difficult to get past the grossness of the romantic relationship between the child and the adult, though. I‘m looking forward to reading more from this author; she‘s talented and is a great story teller.

3 likes1 comment
blurb
LittlePixels
post image

Coming up with #3Books that made me uncomfortable was pretty hard. I'm just not made uncomfortable that easily in my reading. These two books definitely did it though. The tagged book because of the subject matter and A Little Life because it was just so, so brutal. I actually had to just put it down for a bit a couple of times to take a break from all the sadness. Still, it's one of my favorite books from the past several years. ❤️💔

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks The tagged book was my choice also, but I was too busy to post that day... I‘m also rarely made uncomfortable in my reading... 4y
20 likes1 comment
review
booknerdlawren
post image
Panpan

This sympathizes pedophilia. Period. She‘s 13 and he‘s a grown man. Period. This is exactly what is wrong with the world we live in. It has a 4.06 star rating on goodreads with almost 93,000 ratings. Let that sink in. Yeah, it‘s fiction, but it‘s still sympathizing pedophilia and I‘m tired of being quiet about it. “But the writing is beautiful.” I don‘t care. “But he‘s a good guy.” I don‘t CARE. Stop sexualizing children. It‘s not normal!

review
KaylaD
post image
Pickpick

For some reason I think it‘s a good idea to pick up a new book at midnight all the time!! 🙄😬 I was up until 6 or 7 reading it and I couldn‘t not put it down or to wait until I woke up to read some more!! I had to wait until I got out of work to finish it! But it was definitely good!! #BOTM #mustread #pageturner💜💜💜💜

blurb
Erinreadsthebooks
post image

#wonderouswednesday
Thanks, @Cosmos_Moon for the tag 💜🤩 @Eggs

1.Cleaning, definitely cleaning 🧹
2.Tagged-July was a GREAT reading month for me 🔥
3.Emma Stone, the redheaded version 👩🏻‍🦰

Eggs Thanks for the thoughtful responses 👏🏻📚🤗 4y
15 likes1 comment
review
Erinreadsthebooks
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Wow. This book is one of the most perfect books I‘ve ever read. To have so many narrators and each voice sound unique (I ❤️ Renee) is a testament to Greenwood‘s talent. Secondly, to take a subject that seems to be so blatantly wrong and turn it into such a gray area isn‘t an easy feat and Greenwood does it like a champ. She‘s an auto-buy author for me now. This book is everything. It‘s not for everyone but easily in my all-time top 5.

38 likes2 stack adds