Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Maya's Notebook
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
Mayas Notebook is a startling novel of suspense from New York Times bestselling author Isabel Allende. This contemporary coming-of-age story centers upon Maya Vidal, a remarkable teenager abandoned by her parents. Maya grew up in a rambling old house in Berkeley with her grandmother Nini, whose formidable strength helped her build a new life after emigrating from Chile in 1973 with a young son, and her grandfather Popo, a gentle African-American astronomer. When Popo dies, Maya goes off the rails. Along with a circle of girlfriends known as "the vampires," she turns to drugs, alcohol, and petty crime--a downward spiral that eventually leads to Las Vegas and a dangerous underworld, with Maya caught between warring forces: a gang of assassins, the police, the FBI, and Interpol. Her one chance for survival is Nini, who helps her escape to a remote island off the coast of Chile. In the care of her grandmothers old friend, Manuel Arias, and surrounded by strange new acquaintances, Maya begins to record her story in her notebook, as she tries to make sense of her past and unravel the mysteries of her family and her own life.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
quote
QueenJ
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende

I glimpsed love, and the light was unbearable. My popo said love makes us good. It doesn't matter who we love,

My Popo said that love makes us good. It does not matter who we love, it does not matter to be reciprocated or if the relationship is lasting. The experience of loving is enough, that transforms us.

review
Skygoddess1
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Mehso-so

This was an interesting, if at times long winded, story looking at a young girl who following the death of her grandfather makes some really bad decisions and as a result has to flee the country and go into hiding to escape those who are after her. #AuthorAMonth #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
6 likes1 comment
review
ilyssa.g
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Mehso-so

Finished this recently! I think Isabel Allende is a wonderful writer; however, I didn't like this book too much. I liked the beginning but then it went downhill for me. I especially did not like the portrayals of addiction, rape, and mental illness. These portrayals and explanations were very stereotypical. Complex issues were treated simplistically. I wanted Maya's character development to be more thorough.

blurb
Texreader
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Ebook on sale today. Allende is our #authoramonth for December. @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Oh hey! That‘s great, thanks for sharing! 3y
See All 14 Comments
slategreyskies Thanks for the tip! :) 3y
Gogobooks Thanks 3y
Bklover Thanks Soubhi!❤️❤️ 3y
Julsmarshall Ooh, thanks! 3y
Mitch U.K. Kindle doesn‘t seem to be so in sync with #authoramonth! Perhaps we should send them our yearlong list of authors to help them ?🤣 @Soubhiville 3y
Soubhiville @Mitch I love that idea!!! 3y
BookwormAHN Thanks 😺 3y
Andrew65 Thanks for the tag 😊 3y
alisiakae I have a signed copy of this book, I saw her when she was on book tour. It‘s so good! 3y
57 likes14 comments
blurb
JenReadsAlot
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Tagged book is the only book I've read by #IsabelAllende and this one has been on my shelf for ages! #AugustAuthors @OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
24 likes1 comment
review
riversong153
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
Pickpick

Really great but tough read. So many trigger warnings apply here. If you can handle it I definitely recommend.

18 likes1 stack add
review
alisonrose
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
Panpan

Had a long, tough week & rather than a nice distraction, this book made it feel longer. Disappointed b/c I keep hoping to find another Allende book as good as The House of the Spirits. This ain‘t it. Liked the beginning & the setting in Chiloe, & some side characters were interesting. But Maya was annoying & damn, this story went off the freaking rails. Her descent into delinquency was cartoonishly bad & nigh impossible to believe. Sigh. 2/5 ⭐️

blurb
alisonrose
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende

One of my biggest bookish pet peeves rears its inexplicable head again: The constant use of characters‘ full names over and over, on the same page, in the same paragraph. WHY DO AUTHORS DO THIS??? Like, am I going to read a sentence about Brandon Leeman and then two sentences later forget who he is if it just says Brandon? No. I am not. If any of y‘all are writers, please, I beg you—don‘t ever do this in your books. It‘s inane and annoying.

phantomx It's a custom in many Latin American countries or households to address a person by their full name, especially when you are not familiar with them or if the person has a particular position in society. Also, addressing someone by full name in a Spanish-language story shows readers that there is signs of respect or firmly address or be attentive to this character. Gabriel Garcia Marquez uses the custom of addressing characters by full names. 4y
alisonrose @phantomx Right, I know it‘s more customary in certain other languages/cultures. But she‘s doing it here with non-Latinx people who...let‘s just say are definitely not deserving of that kind of respect. And it‘s random—two or three mentions with the full name, then two without, then one with, and so on. And I‘ve encountered it in books by and about white people, too. 4y
26 likes2 comments
quote
alisonrose
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende

Pain like that, pain of the soul, does not go away with remedies, therapy, or vacations; you simply endure it deep down, fully, as you should.

blurb
alisonrose
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

It‘s been a difficult couple of days and it‘s not over yet—personal family stuff going on, don‘t want to go into detail. I‘m not sure if reading will help or if I will be in that “read the same paragraph over and over because nothing is actually being absorbed by your brain” kind of place, but I‘ll give it a try. #nowreading

Megabooks Sending hugs 💕💕 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sending love ❤️ 4y
Leftcoastzen Hope things improve.💕 4y
See All 6 Comments
BookishTrish Take care 4y
BookishTrish Take care 4y
alisonrose @Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Leftcoastzen @BookishTrish thanks all 💗 things are definitely getting better (at least regarding this situation, heh) 4y
41 likes6 comments
review
hike.read.repeat
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Te Araroa kilometers tramped: 2622.1 of 3005.3

Days on trail: 114

Books completed on trail: 48

It dragged on a bit towards the end but I still enjoyed it. I love how Allende gives rich back stories to side characters. Maya‘s being in hiding in an obscure village in Chile appealed to me, save for being on the run from the law and criminals. #libby

review
FeatherV
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
Pickpick

This book had such a sense of calm with it. Yes there was chaos from her past that she was telling you about but it was looped in with her new slow way of life that just settles an overall calm on you while you read it

2 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Emily2002
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Reading Maya‘s Notebook by Isabel Allende for my book club in High School! 📚📚📖📖

review
Samplergal
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

It wasn‘t what I needed to read atm but it was a good book. And the library was snatching it back tomorrow morning. I like her other stuff much better, but I think it might be where my head is currently. 3.5 ⭐️

Annashep It is different to her other books but I enjoyed it 📚😊 5y
107 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Samplergal
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

My newest audiobook. Doing a little audiobook baking this morning.

74 likes3 stack adds
blurb
loveytime
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Always wanting to know what's going on. 🐈👀 #loveytime ❤📚 #mayasnotebook #ajthecat 🐱

Chelleo Cute #catsoflitsy! Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. #LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
RaimeyGallant Adorable! And welcome! 6y
loveytime Thank you so much! 6y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 📖💙 6y
CarolynM Welcome to Litsy 🌼 6y
9 likes2 stack adds6 comments
quote
Rjrashiii
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

RaimeyGallant Nice quote. :) And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo just put some together. 6y
3 likes1 comment
review
TheAnitaAlvarez
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

This is one of my favorites among Allende‘s latest work (my copy was signed by her and I almost died). Maybe it‘s because it‘s set in a part of Chile I know very well, but this novel was exciting and fascinating. I love stories that deal with identity and growing up between different cultures and histories.

Velvetfur This sounds so good! Both from the synopsis and your fab review 😊 I've had her 'Aphrodite' for years and have included it in the #MountTBR challenge, I can't wait to read it to find out what her style is like, I've heard so many good things. So jealous of you meeting her! But happy for you as well 😀 Put a pic of the bit she signed!! 6y
TheAnitaAlvarez “Aphrodite” is very different from her novels. It‘s like aphrodisiac recipes and reflexions on love, sex, and womanhood (from what I remember). She was signing books in Santiago and I decided to go and see her. I would‘ve shown the autograph, but this is my mum‘s copy! 🙈 6y
huntersmom1977 Have you read Daughter of Fortune? I loved it! 😊 6y
See All 11 Comments
TheAnitaAlvarez @huntersmom1977 YES! I love it too! 6y
Yeah_I_Read This wasn‘t one of my favorites by her but I enjoyed it! 6y
Aleida My favorite is still House of the Spirits. I thought this was a sweet coming of age, but maybe better categorized as YA. 6y
DefLeppard I absolutely adored this one but then I am a big fan of Allende. I had this one for my birthday last year. :) 6y
TheAnitaAlvarez @Yeah_I_Read I mean, her early work is a lot better, but out of the last ten years, this one is my fave 6y
TheAnitaAlvarez @Aleida House of the Spirits is wonderful! And yes, this one is sort of YA 6y
TheAnitaAlvarez @Tamora1979 hahaha, I‘ve read almost all her books (can‘t think right now which one I‘m missing), because they are enjoyable and a fun read (edited) 6y
DefLeppard @TheAnitaAlvarez The last one I read of hers was The Japanese lover. 😊 6y
95 likes4 stack adds11 comments
blurb
ardismargrethe
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

What I was supose to read this summer 🌞 almost finished Monstrous Regiment and started on Maya, haha I'm so slow and read to much at the same time
#booksbooksbooks #reading #summerread #terrypratchet #loki #norsemythology #booklove #bookworm #readinginthesun

review
Pedrocamacho
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

This book is both florid and deeply personal. It is a great read.

blurb
transemr
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Up next - Central American author set in Central America #bookriot #readharder2017 #readharder17 #readharderchallenge

review
CaroPi
El cuaderno de Maya | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

#riotgrams #noteboosjounals #journal so for this task I picked up two things. One that is a notebook (actually a journal) and the second one is my own journal. If you ever read before #isabelallende you know she always use the notebooks /journal as a narrator. I really like it this one

review
Dope
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
Pickpick

I really liked the plot and how is described Maya's psychology, but there's a little part I dislike: Daniel.

3 likes1 stack add
quote
Dope
Il quaderno di Maya | Isabel Allende
post image

"Per quanto riguarda l'anno scorso, ho la sensazione di essere caduta precipitosamente in un mondo buio. Mentre ero sotto terra, come un seme o un tubero, un'altra Maya Vidal spingeva per emergere; m sono poi spuntati sottili filamenti in cerca dell'umidità, poi le radici come dita a caccia di cibo e alla fine un germoglio tenace e foglie in cerca di luce. In questo momento probabilmente sto fiorendo ed è per questo che posso riconoscere l'amore."

quote
Dope
Il quaderno di Maya | Isabel Allende

"Non ti sembra fantastico, Maya, che noi granelli di sabbia siamo in grado di concepire il prodigio dell'universo? Un astronomo ha più bisogno di immaginazione poetica che di buon senso, perché la magnifica complessità dell'universo non può essere misurata e spiegata, ma solo intuita."

geodynamical_nonfiction Benvenuto a Litsy! Welcome! 7y
Dope @geodynamical thank you :) 7y
1 like2 comments
blurb
Nerdy_chic
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

My pendings both in English and Spanish.. #bookhoarder

6 likes1 comment
blurb
SharonGoforth
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Still under the weather, but have to do some cleaning (Dinah thinks it's beneath her) so I'm doing short spurts then taking breaks with this book. I've never read anything by Isabel Allende before. This isn't quite what I was expecting, but I'm enjoying it so far. #bookclub

52 likes2 stack adds
review
LDuffN
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three Stars for Maya's Notebook. Overall this was a pretty good book but it dragged along for me taking over 2 weeks to read. It was full of detail and I felt transported to the small Chilean village where story took place. Full review at http://whatchatreadin.blogspot.com

blurb
LDuffN
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

What I'm reading now! So far I really like this story. So much so that I spent $13 on a kindle copy even though I have a copy from the library. My book light is missing and I wanted to read but couldn't turn on a light because of a sick husband(baby).

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
SharonGoforth
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

This is what happens when I try to keep anxiety under control. Not an excuse, it is what it is. In fairness, the Allende title is for next month's book club. The House of the Dead was reviewed in last week's NY Times and is the history of Siberian exile under the Tsars. #nosuchthingastoomanybooks

BookishMarginalia Hug 💜 -- enjoy the books! 7y
MicheleinPhilly Hey, we do what we gotta do. Anxiety sucks, books don't. ❤ 7y
See All 23 Comments
Graciouswarriorprincess Hugs! Reading helps! I know it does for me and my anxiety/ADD. 👍🏻😀 7y
tricours Buying books is my greatest joy in life. I also really want to get Idaho and History of Wolves. What's that Zyzzyva book? 7y
SharonGoforth @BookishMarginalia Thanks, I will 😊 7y
SharonGoforth @MicheleinPhilly Thanks! You are absolutely right 😊 7y
SharonGoforth @Graciouswarriorprincess Thanks! Sometimes reading helps, but today I've been restless 😕. Appreciate the thought! (edited) 7y
SharonGoforth @tricours Mine too 😊. Zyzzyva is a lit magazine that I found at Barnes and Nobles. It has contemporary fiction and poetry. I thought maybe some variety might help. 7y
CherylDeFranceschi Retail therapy is an amazingly effective medicine! Nice haul! 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @SharonGoforth Aww, hugs and feel better! 7y
Joybishoptx Feel better. I do the same thing. Hugs ❤❤❤ 7y
saresmoore I am very much empathizing right now! Deep breaths and hugs all around. 7y
SharonGoforth @saresmoore Thanks 😊 7y
Cinfhen ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
58 likes23 comments
blurb
bookishnerd
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Isabel Allende is probably my favourite author that doesn't start out in English, but my copies are! #seasonsreadings2016

Jaimelire I love her books, but this one was my least favourite. 7y
44 likes1 comment
quote
dylanisreading
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

I've been striking out with books lately. Everything I've picked up just hasn't held my interest for very long. But I love this epigraph. Hopefully this book changes the pattern.

blurb
reneelyons
Maya's Notebook: A Novel | Isabel Allende
post image

Sometimes it's nice to jump into a book that you don't know much about.

1 like1 stack add