Additional Reviews:

High Fidelity By: Nick Hornby

Recommended by: Brianne L.
Plot: The main character of High Fidelity is Rob, the owner of a failing record store who can not seem to make his relationships work. He was recently left by his girlfriend of many years named Laura. This heartbreak sparks Rob’s desire to rehash his past and discover why he has such bad luck with relationships. One of Rob’s quirks is to list his “top five’s” so as a result, Rob lists his top five most memorable breakups. All of these girls, ranging from his elementary school girlfriend to his college sweetheart, have severely effected him. As Rob tracks down these women of his past, he learns so much more about himself than he could have imagined.

Why read? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. It is very humorous while still having a serious topic. I think many people can relate to Rob and the various emotions he faces in his journey of self discovery. Unfortunately, I did not really like the ending, but I still believe it was a great novel. Nick Hornby creates such wonderful characters that I think any person would greatly enjoy reading about their lives.

Recommended by: Olivia L.
Plot: Rob is a thirty-something, record store owner. His life is organized into Top 5 lists and the chronological order of records he bought. He spends his days sulking in his deteriorating record shop where business is slow and glum, but moving at a faster and cheerier pace then his actual life. When Laura leaves Rob, for the guy upstairs, he is forced to face the dim and empty reality which is his life. Having time to focus his attention on himself, he reevaluates the way he has been living and the choices he has made which have left him so unsuccessful in both the bedroom and the boardroom. Unsatisfied with his career and his relationship status, Rob goes through a period of self discovery riddled with music references, dating catastrophes, and the comical interruptions of his two store clerks.

Why read? Hornby manages to capture the very essence of the male conscious, and exposes the thoughts behind the infamous, mysterious, and unreadable male façade. With clever wit and hilarious comments, Hornby creates a typical, average, middle-aged man who is more realistic then the personalities men today create for themselves. Rob is an honest portrayal of a heartbroken and confused man with commitment issues. Any reader will enjoy this light-hearted comedy with deeper overall messages, however the effect will be different based upon gender. Women will read this book and laugh at Rob’s confessions and feelings while men will nod along with sad and knowing agreement. Either way, this book offers great insight to a doomed relationship, and just a great read overall.

Recommended by: Sarah O.
Plot: Set in 1990’s England, the novel depicts the story of an lovable and witty man enduring the hardships of heartbreak. The book is centered around the main character Rob Fitzgerald, an insecure yet humorous record store owner. In the first chapter, Rob suffers a heartbreak as his girlfriend, Laura, leaves him. Throughout the novel, Rob attempts to get over Laura by exploring his romantic options, however, consistently runs into the same problems.
Why_read?This novel keeps the reader interested throughout the story, and always looking out for Rob and hoping the best for him. Furthermore, the book is hilarious and will keep you laughing out loud constantly. This book can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages and interests. If you enjoyed Catcher in the Rye, you will enjoy this novel, as it is about someone lonely and just searching for a good conversation, and is also written in and out of stream of consciousness.

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