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4.5: I loved how the story flowed, like a puzzle, with all of these letters/stories. It can get quite confusing, and I'm not the best at connecting the dots –I try, but I still enjoy not thinking too hard about it and allowing the story to unfold itself. I loved, loved the writing throughout the whole book ;-;
Pros: The short chapters really helped – I just wanted to keep going! The mysteries of the bee, sword, and key continued on, and putting the pieces together was fun, despite being a little confusing at times.
Cons: I think the only downfall, and what I see in reviews, is that there wasn't really a strong antagonist/strong plot. There was a storyline, and I was satisfied, but I felt like it could've used something a little more. Like Allegra's death was so.. sudden and out of the blue. and the idea of the Harbors and the Starless Sea was there, yet there were many unanswered questions. Perhaps it's to allow the reader to imagine and think, creating stories upon the stories provided, and I'm okay with that too.
Enjoyed it, loved it, would love to reread it some day!
Holy crap I was so mindblown and got a little emotional for some reason. The story follows different characters in different times, but eventually all events intertwine with one another. Mandel does an amazing job at setting the tone and atmosphere for each one. This one was interesting in the way that the chapters were written, how the story flowed, and various ways of delivering the story (e.g. interviews that occurred through the whole book. The main theme and idea that struck me most were Gaspery's attempts to change other people's lives for the better and even telling his younger self at the interview of what happened and kind of reflecting on his own life it really just.. hit hard. Like if you were able to meet a younger version of yourself that still didn't know a lot, what would you tell them? I applaud Gaspery's thoughtfulness and ethics in a way, despite it going against the Time Institute and his colleagues.
Wow that was kind of intense lol I didn't expect a murder mystery kind of situation lol but it was fun and intense at the end! It felt a little bit slow for me in the beginning so I'm glad it picked up after they started interrogating the Targets. Another thing I'm noticing is that Murderbot has A LOT to say now, like the parentheses, and sarcastic comments lol but I think the profanity is soooooo prominent. It's not something I love, rather, I dislike it, but I understand it's a way for humans to show strong feelings, so I felt like this book really demonstrated how Murderbot *has* developed and have stronger feelings and emotions through language. Enjoyed it regardless!
TW: suicide, gun violence
My second Backman book and I am happy he knows how to start a book with a great first chapter to get the audience's attention! This book was fun and silly, yet covered a topic that arises with many: suicide. The writing is so great that the visuals pop out, and the feelings gripped my heart as the story went on. Personally, I loved Nadia and Zara's relationship and development as the story went on, seeing that they had a rough start. Still, with understanding and building rapport, they came together and understood. Both characters were relatable in their own ways. The audiobook was great, and the narrator did a lovely job of portraying each character, even making the annoying ones very annoying but enjoyable to listen to XD
TWs: Abortion, abuse, rape, suicideSuper short read that I tried before reading [b:The Song of Achilles 13623848 The Song of Achilles Madeline Miller https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1357177533l/13623848.SY75.jpg 16176791] and [b:Circe 35959740 Circe Madeline Miller https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565909496l/35959740.SY75.jpg 53043399] this year! It was short yet vivid, haunting, and saddening. Would have loved a little more of a “punch” as I felt like it was lacking something.. Enjoyed the writing regardless!
3.5 rounded up; Finally finished!!! To be honest, I started with really high hopes of great world-building, character development, and a strong plot that would be engaging throughout the whole book. But I think the downside was how the story was written. It was kind of there – but it was more of telling, not showing. The visuals were imaginative, but I wished it was taken a step further to add to the plot, the setting, the talent, and the horror aspects of this book. My favorite parts were probably the the train scene and the very end, but otherwise, there were just a lot of backstories for many of the characters, and it became difficult to juggle back and forth. And “what the heck” moments with Eliza and Brynt?? I was rooting for them all the way, then they just disappeared. Was really unfortunate to build up great characters and then remove them..
TWs: mood disorder (bipolar disorder), addiction, (mentions of), overdose (mentions of), emotional abuse
4.5 rounded up; I think this is my kind of love/romance story that I prefer and enjoy. I think the author did such a wonderful job of portraying and showing what it's like to have a mood disorder and how Regan is very different, and Aldo opens doors. I really loved the mix of dialogue, in and out of quotation marks which made it feel more intimate. I know it's part of Regan's disorder and thoughts, but the constant idea and mentioning of sex were a little too much for me personally. I agree with Aldo, and I felt really sad that she said it was a way to get to know the real images of people. But I'm glad Regan found an outlet of art and intertwined with Aldo's life and bees.
The second installment to the trilogy... Wow, this packed a punch (more like a lot!) The plot was great and little twists and turns that made me expect things, and it came right at me, still hitting me in the face LOL It kind of ends off as a cliffhanger as the war is really just beginning between the Foundrysiders and the entities, so definitely continuing [b:Locklands 55535618 Locklands (The Founders Trilogy, #3) Robert Jackson Bennett https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630713654l/55535618.SY75.jpg 86603319]!!
Stories about a cafe that lets you go to the past.. 4 stories that tug at your hearts one way or another. Got teary at the last one! The characters all somehow intertwine here and there throughout the book as they all build relationships with one another as a worker or a customer. I think the only con about it was that the writing was repetitive (and when it was, it was long), each part providing information already given or covered in the previous part(s), which felt a little unnecessary. Otherwise, I enjoyed the stories and some comic relief here and there.
4.5 rounded up; I was kind of scared that it would hit close to home and would give more negative vibes/depressive thoughts due to the plot/topic but I'm glad I picked it up again. [b:Station Eleven 20170404 Station Eleven Emily St. John Mandel https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451446835l/20170404.SX50_SY75.jpg 28098716]'s plot and writing really kept me going despite the time lapses and bouncing POVs. Despite the bouncing back, this is the type of book I don't mind going back and forth to connect all the dots because it's really fun to do so. I think the only things I'm sad about are what Tyler's build-up into becoming the Prophet was (I am assuming he is because it wasn't bluntly stated, unless I missed it lol), and where this Georgia flu came from.
I love the idea of the book (a cozy mystery story involving elderly people wanting to crack the case with humor and laughs), but I'm not sure why I wasn't hooked. I started off with a physical copy to read but it took a while to get into and ended up pausing for some months until I got a hold of an audiobook. There were parts in the story that made me chuckle here and there, particularly with Elizabeth and Joyce, but everything else was a little muddled to me. A pro was that the chapters were really short, so I could keep going, but still, again, nothing fully grasped me, and I finally go to the end where the murder mystery was solved.
Maybe I'll give it a reread later on in life but for now, I'm a little sad it didn't live up to what I hoped it would be. ):
Just finished The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson on Audible and wow! It's such an intriguing story. I like how it ended with the different stories from different people, and how it ended with Jekyll. I'm not sure how the text version looks like, but the Audible version narrated by Richard Armitage was well done with the voices changing based on who was talking. It gave me shivers with the smooth transitions between Jekyll and Hyde at the end!
**Read on Audible
Ahhh what a way to finish off the series! I love this series because of its relatable feelings and relationships between various people. The idea of life is scarier than death, mending relationships, and forgiving others. Adam and Vic forever!
And again, the narration is awesome, and enjoyed it throughout the series!
Copy/pasted from BLC: I think I'm at a 3.5~4 stars. I really loved how the story began, and Granny was such full of character and unique charisma. I understand a lot of the swearing and word usage for a seven year old is kind of crazy.. but I guess that's what happens when someone like Granny is around? I think the whole plot was cute, and the ending as well and the meaning behind Elsa delivering these letters, but it felt a little 'bored' or lacking in the middle while Elsa was delivering these letters. Maybe because Granny's strong presence wasn't there anymore. After such a strong start, it felt lackluster after Granny's death. Enjoyed it though! My first Backman book
A quick read but a sweet story about a tea monk and a robot. Unexpected gender-neutral character was great, and Mosscap was a lovely robot haha.
The only ‘negative' comment I have is that for the audiobook, there seem to be sections where it was recorded over by another narrator or a different ‘set' of audio, so it made it sound kind of choppy and weird. Besides that, it was a good listen!
I really enjoyed the book and the concept, especially the physical book! It looks like an actual catalog with its manuals, explanations, maps, etc. So detailed!For the story, I think I preferred the plot and climax of [b:The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires 44074800 The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires Grady Hendrix https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584222716l/44074800.SY75.jpg 68534292], but both books equally have Hendrix's way of giving disturbingly descriptive details that make you pause, spooked, horrified, etc. lol I liked the ending in which Amy and Basil have the same idea of saving the other three that were lost in the incident. It was really sad, especially Ruth Anne's disappearance. I enjoyed her character, and sometimes Basil's, for them to be like a coach or encourage on the side for Amy. I wonder if they ever find them. I'd love to know what the three come back with, and what kind of stories they might tell when, and if, they come back from the Beehive.
Trigger warnings: (attempted) suicide, depression
“Now go on, live.”
That got me teary! Maybe because Mrs. Elm had passed away in the "perfect" life universe. Flaws exist in even the perfect-looking life. I think it brings awareness to the people around us, who may look happy, but what do we actually see? Celebrities, entertainers, and people around us experience it, looking for happiness, but what is happiness?
The way Nora experienced different careers and pathways that she could have been in, shows that we can't have everything, nor can all of them satisfy us. I still love philosophy Nor though! And Molly was adorable. I love the analogy and relationship to the chess that Nora and Mrs. Elm played at the end.
Be kind. Just be kind. You never know what people are going through.
This was an interesting read after finishing [b:Crime and Punishment 28348 Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657562466l/28348.SY75.jpg 3393917]. The nameless narrator seems to be another “hero” (as mentioned in the Forward) with self-indulging thoughts and a high ego.. He calls himself a wicked man in the first sentence of the book, and he is, but it shows that many are with that same personality or thought. I like Dostoevsky's way of using his characters to narrate such inner thoughts because they're real and can happen in any of us. I was enjoying it up until halfway of Part 2, but then the long 2-3 page dialogues (coming from one character) happened, like C&P lol. I also wonder about the snow. It can mean death, ugly things, etc., so I also see “Apropos of Wet Snow” as the idea or parts of life/thoughts that are ugly and sad; but just an opinion.
Wowowow I have a hard time deciding if I liked the first or the second one better... They're both great! [b:Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow 36260006 Wundersmith The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #2) Jessica Townsend https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534386703l/36260006.SY75.jpg 57912592] was a great sequel to the first book, building up on the knacks, 919, and the society/classes! The storyline was amazing, it hooked me all the way through! With Jupiter being a major part of Book 1, I honestly missed him in Book 2, including Fen haha. The drama with the letters, Erza Squall, and the Ghastly Market really made up for it. The introduction to the bone man was chilling! The audiobook was done well again, and I enjoyed this narrator so much. Onto Book 3!