Asahi Hoshikawa
“DIGGING A GRAVE IS HARD WORK.”
The Teacher by Freida McFadden.
“It’s a lesson she’ll never forget”
Now I can’t say that I enjoyed the book that much, but it wasn’t As bad as I expected since everyone was talking about how much they hated this book!
I don’t know, but I liked it. I read it without having that feeling in my stomach that I was obliged to read it just because I started it or because of this year’s reading challenge.
But what’s more interesting ,in this reading experience I had with this book, is that every chapter came with a twist that had me put my hands on my head and jaw on the floor!
“Life nearly passed me
by
Then she
Young and alive
With smooth hands
And pink cheeks
Showed me myself
Took away my breath
With cherry-red lips
Gave me life once again”
—Nathaniel Bennet
The twists were so amazing and unexpected. Well, I thought at first that they will be expected since a lot of people didn’t like this book, so I thought it might be because of this. However; this wasn’t the case. There were many twists that you can’t think of them, and that poem especially has flipped my brain for real, considering to whom we think it is written for at the beginning of the story, and then discovering to whom it was originally written is such a Boom.
I enjoyed the book to be honest and I don’t regret giving it a chance. It is not like it’s my favorite of all times or anything, this book feels fine and maybe 3 stars is enough, but I am giving it a plus since I judged it by people’s opinions. If I have read it with higher expectation I would have gave it less, because obviously I am sure it wouldn’t reach or match my expectation.
Confessions by Kanae Minato
4.5 Stars
This book has kept me hooked since the first page. I mean at first the teacher's speech was just another level.
At first I doubted my excitement for the book and felt afraid I might DNF it, but I didn't. It actually had something which is not to my preference "First person POV" (I don't hate it or anything, I just don't prefer it). BUT, according to the title "Confessions" it must be written that way. All the chapters have been in the first person's POV because it is the only way we can understand or feel the story.
I don't know if I feel any novelty since I am familiar with Japanese animations. I feel like the story was familiar, in a sense that it is Japanese not that I have seen such a thing before or anywhere else, but overall I like it so much I mean this book was so cool. Even though it is not what I expected it to be at all. However; this is the first time a book doesn't meet my expectations and turns out to be this GOOD!
{Pre-read review (o′┏▽┓｀o) }
I am so excited to be honest, I wish it will be a good entry to the Japanese literature.
and it's short wow (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)
This book is the first book chosen by the spinning wheel for this month. (if you want to see all details about this reading challenge you can visit my profile on Substack which is @asahihoshina
Brilliant!
My review after having sometime to think about the book. I was too shocked to be able to write an instant review, so I had to think a bit before writing an organized review. That's why I only wrote one word immediately as I finished reading.
When Robert Hunter received the first phone call, it felt like "WOW! The action is started from page 1".
It didn't feel like justice by the end because the victims had already died and the killer's plan was achieved, but the game he played was so complicated that it frustrated me and also confused me how quick Hunter was at finding out who he was. (It wasn't that fast though, but still) But overall, this book is a brilliant 5 star read. I don't regret any minute of reading it. I feel happy this was in my 2026 reading challenge.
My favorite quotes:
"We always have a choice, do we? What about the choices that other people make that end up completely changing your life, not theirs. Where is our choice there, then?"
― Chris Carter, One by One
“Anger and emotional pain are good things," ... "They show that we are still alive. That we still care.”
― Chris Carter, One by One
“We don't always have a choice. Sometimes choices are made for us by others, and there's nothing we, as humans, can do about it, except react.”
― Chris Carter, One by One
This book deserves more than just 5 stars, to be honest. I find it difficult to fully express my feelings about it. I truly enjoyed the story and wished it would never end. The characters felt incredibly real; they never seemed fictional. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I especially loved the romance in it; I admired how pure and heartfelt it was.
I have read the second part right after finishing the 1st but I was so socked at the facts the writer revealed and how much it was important to not play with time. it just makes you reflect on the times you wished to go back in time and change what you've done. It makes you deeply think of how hard to your heart it will be to discover the hidden truths God doesn't show us, for our weak hearts. If he knew we can handle it he would gave us the ability to travel back in time, and I believe the world won't be a better place if we had this ability.
This book was a great option for someone who needed a huge hug of love and satisfaction. But overall the book wasn't this much heavy like other books, so it's suitable for those who get bored at other scholars books. Still not that much good, because it doesn't help much for someone who's looking for a strong relationship with Allah (God).
I never thought I would find such joy reading English literature, but this book was such a perfect experience that I could not forget. I'm so excited to forget all the events so I can read it again.
The plot was so amazing, and the writing style kept me hooked since page 1. I also was so surprised at the plot twist, it really twisted my brain.