mandi
Where do I begin? I think this is a new all time favorite. I've always felt like an outcast whether that be for my size, sexuality, or my lack of understanding of my gender and expression. In the space of Coney Island, I felt like I belonged. All the characters felt real, like I could ask them questions and they would be able to honestly answer. The desire to hang out with the Luna Park cast is so high. I love that Benigno got to bond with every character in the cast and that we got to see it on the page. Río is a breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed how Benigno and Río were patient with each other when they're building their relationship. It was believable and I was rooting for their relationship. I could smell and feel the sea breeze when I was reading. It will take a while for this story to leave me. I took the story in slowly because I wanted to live in it as long as I could. Can I go back?
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
This book is so timeless. I believe it should be required reading for kids and adults. The sentiment throughout the book that adults tend to forget how it is to be a child is so true. It is also important to be grateful for the smallest things in life, like a rose or a laugh. The Little Prince brings me peace.
”'The trees know more than they dare say, Charles. You know that, though,' he exhaled through pursed lips, ‘don't you?'”
Winborne's descriptions have a wonderful and disgusting taste that I love to eat. The townspeople and surroundings really isolate Henry and the reader in the mystery of Blossom and what she is and why she is. Blossom as a character is a wild ride. She is relatable in the way of being a girl and in my case AFAB and presenting more feminine. The animalistic side of Blossom is so powerful and scares me. I desperately want to see her in action. Henry... Henry is a man that I want. I don't know what Kate put into this man but I hate him in a loving way that I just want to eat him. That being said, I wanted more bark than bite... literally. I wanted more of how nature, trees, and the setting plays into the role of the plot as I came into that expectation from what I was led to believe from the author's tumblr and the introduction of the novel. I was expecting more horror, haunt, and fleshing eating, but I got mostly hot steamy sex scenes. The sex scenes were well written and got me hot and bothered, I just don't believe that the amount of scenes needed to be there to push the plot forward. It seemed like the plot was put on the back burner and the character's, setting, and relationships were more fleshed out than I was expecting. I am looking forward to continuing the anthology and seeing how Winborne evolves as a writer and how Henry gets more unhinged.
4.5
“We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all.”
This book evoked emotions in me that a book hasn't brought up in a long time. There is this rawness about Ishiguro's writing that seems so vulnerable to me. The characters were realistic to me. They weren't perfect and their flaws were real and are things that I've seen in people I know and in myself. While I do love fantastical and unrealistic characters, I need the balance of characters with scars. The themes and understanding of what makes us human and soulful was so impactful to me.
“Why do we teach girls their perspectives are inherently untrustworthy?” I would yell. I want to reclaim these word. After all, melodrama comes from melos, which means music, honey. A drama queen is nonetheless a queen.”
Machado's writing has a bravery and honesty that many people don't possess. The use of a haunted house and horror metaphors and motifs is a brilliant way of exploring a relationship riddle with abuse. While I haven't been in a abusive relationship, I have been hurt and abused in other ways and “In the Dream House” brought to light different things I didn't realize in my own past. I need my own copy so I can annotate it and write all my thoughts down in between the lines.
“You must forge your own path for it to mean anything.”
It is so nice to be back in the world of Percy Jackson. As always, Riordan's wit and humor are a highlight of this book. The new characters that were introduced are very lovely. Jason is a strong, lovely lad. I appreciated that there is some indigenous representation with Piper. I hope to learn more about her in future books. Leo is my child and I want to protect him with my whole being. He deserves the world. It had us on a small cliffhanger. It was enough to keep me wanting more, but not wanting to pull my hair out.
“You have always thought if you opened your mouth in open water you would drown, but if you don't open your mouth you would suffocate. So here you are, drowning.”
Open Water is a master of creating the feeling of closeness with very few words. This is the first book that I read that was told in the second person. It was very interesting and created a bond with the main character that was different than any other book I have ever read. It wasn't hard to sympathize with these characters and how they impact each other's lives. Caleb Azumah Nelson created characters that are so realistic, flawed, and loveable. I wish I could hug and support them in any way I can.
“No, it wasn't the end. It was a better beginning.”
The vivid story was a blast to read. The characters were loveable and it was easy to care about them. The main reason this wasn't a five-star book was how the dialogue was written. I don't know if I'm just getting older or what, but the dialogue seems to skew younger than the character's ages. The many twists and turns the plot took all surprised me. I loved the trans representation and the struggle to fit in with family is very relatable. This book is definitely worth a read if the description sounds interesting to you.
“But books- they're different. When you watch a film, you're sort of an outsider looking in. with a book- you're right there. You are the main character.”
First things first, I'm the Tori Spring of me and my siblings. Please don't look into it. I'm getting help, I promise. Anyway, I found this book not only relatable but also nothing like anything I've ever read before. Having read Heartstopper first, I really enjoyed learning about Tori. Michael Holden is a lovely human. I wish I had a Michael Holden in my life.
Well, this book was certainly something. I did enjoy it overall, but I had a gripe with all of the references and Brea's use of modern language. Many similarities to ACOTAR made the plot predictable to me. I do think that Lynn and Craven have an idea of where the plot is going to go in the following book which I do appreciate. I just don't have the motivation or want to continue reading a seven book series. The language just seemed too young for me and I don't know if that is the fault of the book or my tastes changing as I'm growing older.
“' The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong winds. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth.'”
I first “read” this book in my AP Literature class. The only thing I could remember is the last chapter. Now reading this for women and literature class, I've found a new appreciation for Kate and Edna. I fully enjoy how Kate uses symbolism and imagery to further Edna's story and her awakening. I found myself feeling empathy for a fictional woman from the nineteenth century. I put myself in Edna's shoes and understand her pain. I understood Edna's feelings and behavior. I couldn't imagine living in a time when I wasn't socially allowed to be myself, independent, or free. It was only when Edna saw she had a choice to not have a choice when she, in the spur of the moment, decided her fate. I don't think Edna was a coward when she commits suicide. It was brave of her either. She finally had a choice that wouldn't hurt her standing in society.
This was a lovely experience. These stories made me think and were so vivid in my mind. Every character was complex and complicated, I was unsure if I should love or dislike them. I loved how Narayan can create characters and an atmosphere with so few pages. My favorite stories were The Snake-Song, Forty-five a Month, The Axe, A Willing Slave, Leela's Friend, Naga, Cat Within, God and the Cobbler, and Hungry Child.
4.5
I don't know what to say about this book that will do it justice. I love Sally Rooney's writing and how dry it is. To some, it might be boring or hard to understand, but to me, it is like shortbread cookies. Dry, but it has a charm that makes you feel at home. Like shortbread cookies, I couldn't stop devouring this novel. I don't know if I found the characters loveable, but I loved them nevertheless. I can't explain how this book made me feel, just that I loved every second.
I haven't felt this way about a book series in such a long time. The Infernal Devices have broken me and given me so much life. These characters feel so real to me and I already miss them and it hasn't even been ten minutes since I finished this book. I love how real Cassandra Clare was able to make the United Kingdom feel. While I wish these characters were real, it is an great honor to know them through words.
I loved this book. I deeply appreciate authors that can transport me into a different world with so few words. Anthem has a lot of similar vibes as other classical dystopian novels like 1984 and The Giver. Ann Rand's writing was beautifully simple and moving. I appreciate dystopian novels because they showcase how damaging something good in small bits is horrific if done on a huge scale and Anthem was no different. It was captivating and so moving.
This book was an amazing experience. I knew nothing going into it and coming out of it wanting to watch the movie and listen to the musical adaptations. As a white person, I think it is important for me to read this book because it helped me understand parts of a black woman's experiences and I was about to connect them to history and my personal life. Walker's writing is very easy to understand and shows a lot of character. I was rooting for Celine throughout the whole book. All of her relationships with other people were so fascinating to read. It left me broken but still whole.
reading slump/mental health