Maybe it’s because I watched the movie with the same name first but this book just didn’t do it for me. The movie, featuring Susan Sarandon as Adele and Natalie Portman as Ann, was so much better. Natalie Portman was hot and everyone can relate to an overbearing parent. The book was long, boring and drawn out. The author manages to describe every little thing in excruciating detail from the clothes the characters wear to the difference between off-white and eggshell-white. It was a disappointment because I like the movie so much.

During the slow, lazy days of summer, everyone is looking for a book that’s fun and upbeat. Anywhere But Here does not fit the bill. Skip it and just watch the movie during a night in.