SLIDER

Good Things Grow

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Release Date: April 2011
Publisher: Penguin | Plume
Pages: 323 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Kindle e-book
Amazon Goodreads

Summary (from Amazon)
"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say...?

Thoughts on Attachments
I first heard about Attachments when two smart ladies, Estelle from Rather Be Reading and Elena from Novel Sounds, recommended it to me. When they BOTH told me to read it, I knew that I had to listen up and put this one on my TBR.

As soon as I started reading it, I absolutely couldn't put it down. I was flying through, flipping pages frantically, and alternating between smiling and sighing over it. I cannot begin to tell you how refreshing this book was for me! 

So, here is a list of five reasons you should drop everything and read this book:

1. The Format.
Attachments has a really unique format that alternates from chapter-to-chapter. About half of the chapters are email exchanges between friends, Beth and Jennifer, while they are at work. The other chapters focus on Lincoln, whose job as an "internet security monitor" requires him to read all emails that are flagged due to certain criteria.

I'm going to be honest and say that I typically hate when books have emails or text message conversations included. I think it's because I often feel that it breaks up the flow while I'm reading and they feel like they're just thrown in with no purpose. What I loved about Attachments, however, is that the email concept was central to the story and made sense. I legitimately looked forward to reading Beth and Jennifer's conversations - but I also couldn't wait to spend more time with Lincoln! It wasn't like I preferred one over the other, which was so nice.

2. The Friendship
As I mentioned in the previous bullet point, Jennifer and Beth's emails to each other are a huge part of this story. Because of that, we really get to know them. I was so invested in their friendship! And I absolutely loved the way they joked with each other but were there for each other in the serious moments, too. 

So many books that involve female friendship make me sad because they show the bad side - cattiness, gossip, etc. I just adored how you could just see how much they cared for one another just by reading what they typed back and forth.

Even Lincoln recognized the depth of their friendship:
He may as well admit that, to himself. He was never going to send them a warning. Because he liked them. Because he thought they were nice and smart and funny. Really funny— sometimes they made him laugh out loud at his desk. He liked how they teased each other and looked out for each other. He wished that he had a friend at work he could talk to like that.
Don't we all want to have at least one friend like that? I just loved this aspect of Rowell's book!

3. The Fella.
Here's the thing - Lincoln is a nerd. He's still living at home, and he lets his mom make his lunch. When he's not reading comics or wasting time, he plays Dungeons & Dragons. He had his heart broken by the only girl he ever loved, and it's like he never quite recovered after that. He's stuck in a state of limbo, and just needs that extra push. Lincoln is the heart and soul of Attachments - and it's one I found myself cheering for over and over again!

When he finally starts making progress, he admits to his sister that he's overwhelmed by how far he has left to go. I just loved her advice:
“So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.” 
And that's exactly what he does. His pile of good things starts growing, and he absolutely steals your heart in the process. As he starts caring about these girls he's never met, you can't help but sit on the edge of your seat just waiting for what comes next. He may not be your typical swoony romantic lead, but he's the kind that feels things deeply and quietly wins your heart. Just trust me. You want to get to know him.

4. The Funnies.
There were so many moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. While it's certainly a book with heart, it's also got a great sense of humor. To support my case, here is one of my favorite email exchanges from the very beginning of the book.
< < Jennifer to Beth > > It’s here. Return to your usual programming.

< < Beth to Jennifer > > It?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > You know  … it, the thing that tells you you’re not pregnant.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > It? Do you mean your period? Your monthly? Did your aunt Ruby arrive for a five-to seven-day visit? Is it … that time? Why are you talking like you’re in a feminine napkin commercial?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > I’m trying to be more careful. I don’t want to trigger one of those red flags and send some company watchdog computer into a frenzy, just because I sent an e-mail about it.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > I can’t imagine that any of the company’s red-flag words involve menstruation.
< < Jennifer to Beth > > So you’re not worried about it?
< < Beth to Jennifer > > About your period?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > No, about that note we got. The one that warned us not to send personal e-mails. The one that said we could be fired for improper use of our computers.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > Am I worried that the bad guys from Tron are reading our e-mail? Uh, no. All this security stuff isn’t aimed at people like us. They’re trying to catch the pervs. The online porn addicts, the Internet blackjack players, the corporate spies …
< < Jennifer to Beth > > Those are probably all red-flag words. Pervs. Porn. Spies. I bet red flag is a red flag.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > I don’t care if they are reading our mail. Bring it on, Tron! I dare you. Try to take away my freedom of expression. I’m a journalist. A free-speech warrior. I serve in the Army of the First Amendment. I didn’t take this job for the bad money and the regressive health care coverage. I’m here for the truth, the sunshine, the casting open of closed doors!
I know, right? You better be dying to read it now!

5. The Feelings.
Finally, this book has some serious feelings. I don't even want to tell you too much, but I want you to know they exist. Honestly, I was hardcore gripping the edge of my Kindle while reading at one point. I had legit bookish anxiety about the ending - I didn't even know how my nerves were going to take it if certain things didn't happen in the end. I'll say no more. Just read this book!

So Quotable
"There are moments when you can’t believe something wonderful is happening. And there are moments when your entire consciousness is filled with knowing absolutely that something wonderful is happening. Lincoln felt like he’d dunked his head into a sink full of Pop Rocks and turned on the water."

24 comments

  1. I'm so glad you loved this one!! I feel like I need to re-read because I enjoyed it, but didn't end up loving it. I really love how Rainbow pulls off these decade-specific books! So much fun :)

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    1. Oh I love rereading - even if I only liked a book the first time around. Sometimes I'll end up loving it more :) Hope that's what happens with this one!

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  2. I am super excited to read this! I've had my copy for a month now, and it's still unread. It looks like I may just have to pick it up soon, and take a break from all the YA to read what sounds like a refreshing, quirky story.

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    1. It's so good, Alexa! Hope you get to read it soon :)

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  3. I was thinking of listening to this one but you have me convinced I need to read it instead.

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    1. Ooohh I wonder what this would be like on audio! I think it'd be easier to read the email aspect, but it would be cool to hear this, too. Either way - hope you love the book!

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  4. I absolutely loved this book, basically for all the same reasons you listed! haha. Like you I loved the friendship between Jennifer and Beth. I always enjoy positive portrayals of female friends (there aren't enough of them!). And Lincoln.. I did not expect to relate to him or root for him as much as I did. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Rachel! And so glad I liked the same things you did :) I love positive female friendships, too, because there really aren't enough of them.

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  5. Ah! I feel like it's already been too long since I read this (not really) because I didn't remember that gem of a quote from Lincoln's sister. That is such a good one, and I think you and I should keep that in mind a lot. Tape it to our mirrors? haha. I loved the male perspective here, especially the overbearing mom and Lincoln's thought process through that. You don't see that enough in books. Ah. I'm sighing. Because this is a great one. Love how you broke this down!

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    1. YES! Totally thought of you, too, when I read that quote. I'm sure it jumped out of me because of our conversations and such. I'm so so so glad you recommended this one - thanks lady!

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  6. I loved this one so darn much. So so good. I made my bff read it, and she called me laughing because it was SO us.

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you loved it! And I love even more that it was so similar to you and your friend's relationship :)

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  7. Aw, this book looks so adorable! Like you, I’m not a huge fan of email/text messages getting incorporated into a novel, but it seems like in this case it’s actually for a good reason. And Lincoln sounds so awkward and huggable—I can’t wait to meet him!

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    1. Yeah, I'm really not a fan of them typically but it just worked in this one. Hope you enjoy it! Lincoln is definitely awkward but huggable. Such a great guy to root for!

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  8. haha i love THE FUNNIES!! this book looks great!! i still haven't read Eleanor and Park.... maybe i'll add this one to the list and have a Rainbow Rowell readathon one weekend. :) i also love that it focuses on a friendship. i admit... i get severely wrapped up in the fella of a book.... but i do appreciate gal pals!!

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    1. This book IS great! Read it Betty :) And I haven't read Eleanor and Park either... fail! But gal pals rock in this one. And the fella is awesome, too. Not your normal type, but still someone you'll enjoy!

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  9. I really, really need to read this book! It does sound fantastic, and, really, I just want to find more adult fiction books to read. I am not really a fan of non-traditionally told stories. I think the format can slow down reading if it's not done well, but this does sound like it makes a lot of sense. I also like the idea of dual narratives, one traditionally told by a male. To me, that turns this book into something more than simply chick lit.

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    1. It's really great! I love adult fiction, but I haven't read as much of it lately. But this one is definitely recommended! I'm not a fan of emails and such in books either, but it really didn't slow me down in this one. Hope you enjoy this one :)

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  10. LOVE THIS BOOK! AND your review, of course! I am SO glad you told me to read this and ironically enough, my review of this is going up tonight, great minds, right? I adored Lincoln, too AND I totally agree with the friendship in that they are so funny and brutal to each other but so sweet and caring of each other at the same time. This book had my heart breaking and laughing my butt off all at the same time :) Great review, as always Hannah! :)

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    1. WOOHOO! So glad I bossed you into reading this one and that you loved it :)

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  11. I just read this one too, and had the same anxiety towards the end! Rainbow Rowell is totally one of my new favourite authors and I can't WAIT to read more of her books :)

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    1. I'm excited to read more from her, too! I bought Eleanor and Park but still haven't read it. FAIL!

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  12. After loving Eleanor & Park, I had to buy this book for more of Rainbow Rowell's amazing writing. I am glad that this is a bit lighter though (yes, the conversation between Jennifer and Beth made me laugh out loud). But I'm glad it also has a heart, just like E&P. Can't wait to get into this :)

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    1. I STILL haven't read E&P... I know, I know. But I will soon - I promise! Hope you love this one :)

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