3.5 ---- Despite my concerning addiction to depressing novels, it's refreshing to have a lighthearted read occasionally. The Ornithologist's Field Guid3.5 ---- Despite my concerning addiction to depressing novels, it's refreshing to have a lighthearted read occasionally. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love certainly does the trick. With a cozy Victorian setting, creative fantasy creatures, and a colorful cast of human characters, this book is breezy and fun. I was incredibly charmed by Holton's world and funny writing.
However, I think this book's consistently chipper tone overstays its welcome. I found myself bored in the latter half of the story, as the third act really drags. Plus, I'm not overly fond of the "rake" male love interest and virginal sweet girl trope common in these kinds of stories (...looking at you, Bridgerton). It's gotten old for me.
Still, this is a relaxing romp, nevertheless! Might even check out the sequel in case I'm ever in need of an easy read....more
The Starless Sea reads like my dreams after taking an edible. Same nonsensical storyline, great vibes. BuErin Morgenstern writing this book: [image]
The Starless Sea reads like my dreams after taking an edible. Same nonsensical storyline, great vibes. But great vibes do not equal a compelling story. The pacing is stunted, the characters dull, and the romantic storyline unmoving. It feels like Morgenstern put together a bunch of aesthetic mood boards on Pinterest and wrote a book based on that.
This is the first novel I've read in a while that I feel genuinely bad about not liking, since so many people seem to love it. I'm getting FOMO, you could say. Sorry, but my experience reading this was terrible. I struggled to get through the pages because I was so confused the entire time. It's hard to connect with anything when you don't even know what's happening half the time. I'm just happy I finished it....more
"Sometimes the man who looks happiest in town, with the biggest smile, is the one carrying the biggest load of sin. There are smiles & smiles; learn t"Sometimes the man who looks happiest in town, with the biggest smile, is the one carrying the biggest load of sin. There are smiles & smiles; learn to tell the dark variety from the light."
A delightfully twisted carnival ride of a read. It's perfect for spooky season! The atmosphere in this book is unmatched. Who knew existential dread could read so beautifully? Bradbury's yearnful prose makes me nostalgic for years that have yet to pass.
Unfortunately, the characters are a mixed bag. Mr. Dark is a fantastic villain, well contrasted by the subtle strength of Mr. Calloway, the elder of our three protagonists. As for the boys, Jim and Will, I wasn't as compelled by their journeys. Although, kids in books tend to annoy the hell out of me, so take my words with a grain of salt.
Looking forward to reading more Bradbury! His writing style is strikingly similar to mine, which is quite funny considering I've barely read his body of work. I'm sure he'll be quite the inspiration moving forward. ...more
“The pain feels like a hole swallowing her up, a source of intense fear and yet, at the same time, a strange, quiet peace.�
Viscerally uncomfortable, y“The pain feels like a hole swallowing her up, a source of intense fear and yet, at the same time, a strange, quiet peace.�
Viscerally uncomfortable, yet liberating. The above quote is the most apt representation of what I got from this book. The Vegetarian explores the violent crossroads between desire and control, with the three POVs presenting a different question. First, as women, how are we punished when our desire deviates from social expectations? Second, how do men then exploit that desire to fulfill their perverse fantasies? Finally, do our unorthodox behaviors imprison or extricate us?
Yeong-hye's true state is left for interpretation. We are always at a distance from her, our only insight into her mind through excerpts from her bloody dreams. I see that other reviews note this quality as a detriment, but I'm a fan of Kang's choice to view the titular character through the lens of the people who try and control her life. This lends the novel to a unique, thought provoking structure that makes you question the reliability of the narrators. I'm left disturbed, but hungry for more....more
“Each of us has only one life to live, and one life to give. There is no glory in throwing it away where there is no hope.�
The Book of Lost Things is“Each of us has only one life to live, and one life to give. There is no glory in throwing it away where there is no hope.�
The Book of Lost Things is a beautifully sinister tale about a boy lost in his love of stories. Through the lens of a child, on the precipice of adulthood, the novel explores the dark and cruel aspects of life, mankind, and nature. Connolly stole my heart away with his lovely prose and sickening fairytales.
I've always had an adoration for macabre fantasy with child protagonists. Coraline and Pan's Labyrinth are two of my top movies. As a younger reader, this book easily could have been a favorite, because, for some ridiculous reason the novel is marketed as YA. I find the contents to be deeply disturbing even for an adult novel. Here are a few content highlights that publishers were ok with advertising to children: - child sexual assault - child marriage - beastiality (ew!) - communist dwarves (slay) - body horror (involving, you guessed it, children’s bodies!) - a tragic queer love story that made me bawl my damn eyes out - cannibalism (...do I even need to say who of?)
But for all its horrific moments, this book is grounded in a true sense of love. Whether it be for literature, or those closest to us, there's always a light in the darkness, leading us out of the depths of the nightmares we dream up. To quote my favorite knight, Roland: “I believe in those whom I love and trust. All else is foolishness."
As a final note, I went on quite the journey myself to get this book! I went to five different bookstores to find a copy in stock. The Book of Lost Things truly lives up to its title. It was more than worth the adventure to discover it, hidden away in the shelves of a children's book section. Those poor souls. ...more
"For the first time in her life began to remember her dreams. It was a luxury she'd never dared indulge in, and in the beginning they seemed as powerf"For the first time in her life began to remember her dreams. It was a luxury she'd never dared indulge in, and in the beginning they seemed as powerful as storms."
A powerful multigenerational story that cradles the heart then stabs it with full force. Definitely a difficult but worthwhile read. Stylistically inventive prose and a compelling non-linear storyline. Learned a lot about the Dominican Republic's history from this. Had to take my time to sit with the heavy weight of the narrative....more
“It is his love for the boy that weakens him. But that’s what love is, ultimately. A form of blessed weakness.�
I rarely read horror, and have very few“It is his love for the boy that weakens him. But that’s what love is, ultimately. A form of blessed weakness.�
I rarely read horror, and have very few reading friends who do. I likely wouldn't have stumbled on Boys in the Valley if it weren't for by one of my favorite Youtube channels. So credit where credit is due, Friendly Space Ninja never steers me wrong!
This was one hell of a book. Based on the premise, I expected bloodcurdling horror sequences, and the novel delivered on that. Possessed children are always terrifying, especially when paired with a dreary orphanage during a winter storm.
However, what I didn't expect was how emotionally invested I'd be in the characters. From Peter's religious struggle between Earthly and eternal love, Father Andrew's tender mentorship, and Brother Johnson's disturbingly criminal mind, Fracassi's characters are well-rounded, complex human beings. Add some beautifully crafted relationships on top of that, and you've got all the makings of a story that will make Parker bawl her eyes out. The ending did me in, man. In fact, I spent most of the latter half of this book looking like this: [image]
I am spent. This is a fantastic horror with a strong emotional core. An unsettling tale, but ultimately heartwarming. Evil prays on the minds of the haunted, but we can always fight to protect the light inside us....more
4.5 ---- "'You can't count on things happening tomorrow just because they happened in the past. It's faulty logic.'
'Is it?' I say. 'Because it's kind of4.5 ---- "'You can't count on things happening tomorrow just because they happened in the past. It's faulty logic.'
'Is it?' I say. 'Because it's kind of how people plan out their lives.'
'And that's part of our trouble. Thinking things are inevitable. Not believing that change is possible.'"
One of my most anticipated reads of the year. Happy to report that Collins can break my heart like no other. [image]
A beautiful tribute to the author's brother. Pedro & Daniel is a moving portrait of enduring familial love. The novel carefully explores difficult thA beautiful tribute to the author's brother. Pedro & Daniel is a moving portrait of enduring familial love. The novel carefully explores difficult themes of child abuse, sexual exploitation by the Catholic church, and the tragedy of the AIDS pandemic. Each beat hits hard but reflects thoughtfully on the lived experience that inspired these fictional accounts.
I was lucky enough to pick up a signed copy at East End Books in Boston. Honored to have read Erebia's story, and I'm looking forward to his graphic novel! ...more
Got a used copy for $1 at one of the Boston Public Library's used book sales. My copy was full of dutiful annotations from its former owner. It's alwaGot a used copy for $1 at one of the Boston Public Library's used book sales. My copy was full of dutiful annotations from its former owner. It's always a joy to find a book marked so lovingly, with analytical comments and original poems. To the poet who abandoned their work, I hope you're doing well. :)
As for my actual review of this poetry collection, I'm left stilted. While his work is thematically powerful, with well-constructed symbols, I found myself far from the emotions Okigbo tries to evoke. A lot of his messaging went over my head (except the rather excellent "Poems Prophesying War" section). However, that might be a "me" problem more than anything. Perhaps I need to sit and absorb his work more closely, like the owner before me....more
I know a lot of people hate this book but I had a great time. It's a messy rom-com about slutty bisexual people drinking fancy wine and eating good brI know a lot of people hate this book but I had a great time. It's a messy rom-com about slutty bisexual people drinking fancy wine and eating good bread across Europe. Honestly, this would be my dream vacation if I weren't such a coward.
And yes, I did read this during my lunch break at my fancy corporate job. Thank the gods above no one looked over my shoulder. This shit was horny af. I'm talking like A03 levels of horn. ...more
"Anyone who uses fear to stop an artist from creating is an enemy of life."
The Curse of Pietro Houdini is not the book I expected it to be. I went in"Anyone who uses fear to stop an artist from creating is an enemy of life."
The Curse of Pietro Houdini is not the book I expected it to be. I went in ready for an artistic crime thriller, and instead got a devastating war novel. While still strong, this definitely has impacted my final rating.
The first half of the book is incredibly interesting. Pietro and the MC's familial relationship slowly builds, paired with some fascinating references to art and mythology. Without giving too much away, I particularly enjoy how the concept of gender is played with. It's the second half, especially the ending, where I am left dissatisfied. What once was an intricate examination of two war-torn people finding one another turns into a mediocre ensemble.
Despite these issues, I'm looking forward to reading other books from Derek B. Miller's catalog. His prose is stunning, and I can't even begin to imagine the research he put in to construct this story. ...more
3.5 ------- "She lets out a trembling kind of laugh. Well, if there is a God, she says, I'm sure he loves you very much.
He lowers his eyes. Yeah, I can 3.5 ------- "She lets out a trembling kind of laugh. Well, if there is a God, she says, I'm sure he loves you very much.
He lowers his eyes. Yeah, I can feel that sometimes, he says.
Like when I'm with you, I can. If you don't mind me saying that.
Her voice sounds strange to her, lighter or thinner than usual, when she replies: I don't mind, of course not. It's a nice thing to say."
I have complicated feelings about Intermezzo. It delivers exactly where I'd expect it to: in its angsty, slightly fucked romantic relationships. That's the bread and butter of a Sally Rooney book. Whether it's Margaret's hesitation with Ivan over their age gap, or Peter's internal battle between choosing Sylvia (familiar, safe love) or Naomi (new, thrilling love), the novel's complicated character dynamics are fascinating threads to follow.
Sally's artistic omission of quotation marks is especially powerful for Peter's POV. He's a man so lost in his own thoughts that his chapters blur the lines between what he wants to say versus what he allows himself to express. This creates an effective confusion between dialogue and internal monologue. This style choice alone is the most compelling part of the book.
Unfortunately, what lowers Intermezzo's rating for me is my emotional detachment from the characters. A vivid picture is painted of Ivan and Peter's grief, leading them down different paths of suffering, but I never connected with them as well as I did Connell or Marianne in Normal People, or Alice and Eileen in Beautiful World, Where Are You. This time around, I fear that Rooney's signature brooding narrative style wore me down. As some other reviews have suggested, this book's length works against the story's scale. It's incredibly dense, making for a difficult, sometimes painful read that frustrates rather than intrigues.
For one of my most anticipated reads this year, I'm left relatively unsatisfied, and that's a damn shame. I still believe Rooney is one of our finest contemporary authors, and I'm sure to check out whatever she has in store, but Intermezzo failed to attach me to its narrative....more
“I am the angel of death, come to offer sweet justice in the night,� I said. “I am a sign. I am your future. I am James.�
This is one of the best books“I am the angel of death, come to offer sweet justice in the night,� I said. “I am a sign. I am your future. I am James.�
This is one of the best books I've read this year. James is a magnificent reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Percival Everett has transformed a story I cared little for into an emotionally affecting journey. It deviates from the original storyline in meaningful ways, having some genuinely jaw-dropping reveals that reshape your entire interpretation of Mark Twain's novel.
In an interview for , Everett described himself as being "in conversation with Twain," carrying a unique lens the original could not. To anyone who says literary reimaginings are unnecessary, I highly recommend checking out this book. The structure is compelling, the prose is impactful, and the satire is excellent. James is a world-class protagonist, a complex man that only a writer as inventive as Everett could reshape. ...more
“We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we're more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our“We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we're more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our tomorrows.�
Anxious People is a moving exploration of human kindness. It's hilariously heartwarming, a rare story that finds the light in the dark. These characters are endlessly irritating, yet that's all the more reason to discover what drives them. I enjoyed learning how to better empathize with even the troublesome of people. This book has several moments of profound emotional resonance, ones that I can liken to the "it's not your fault" scene in "Good Will Hunting." If you have any idea how much that movie made me sob, then you'll understand that's one of the highest compliments I could give....more
"Time was a winter fog—gray, shapeless, indifferent to his existence. It passed on its own like a ship that sails without passengers."
A beautifully co"Time was a winter fog—gray, shapeless, indifferent to his existence. It passed on its own like a ship that sails without passengers."
A beautifully composed multigenerational saga, set against the backdrop of a turbulent time in Korean history. It's easy to grow attached to Kim's characters when they're imbued with such tender emotion. The narrative threads of Jade and JungHo weave a beautiful tapestry of intersecting lives, in all its complicated patterns. Scenes of bombastic violence are balanced with those of great beauty, all moments described with eloquent prose. The novel's symbolic motifs, particularly the tiger, are evocative and compelling forces that push the story forward. Ultimately, this is a tale about forgiveness in the face of great horror, and how to start afresh after a lifetime of suffering. Beasts of a Little Land is easily the kind of story that absorbs the soul of its reader....more
As a literary scholar and a person of Chamorro descent, I am profoundly grateful to live in a time where The New Oceania Literary series is being publAs a literary scholar and a person of Chamorro descent, I am profoundly grateful to live in a time where The New Oceania Literary series is being published. Having poetry, prose, and drama in print, from a vast diaspora of Micronesian peoples, is deeply important to recognizing the rich cultures and histories of the islands.
I'm inching closer to my degree thesis, and without a doubt, this collection has solidified my interest in basing the project around Micronesian literature. Having recently visited Guam, I dealt with the harsh reality that the lack of accessible materials on the mainland severely limits my research. There is so much beautiful work that exists but is rarely circulated because of academia's focus on EuroWestern pieces. I hope this series continues on for many volumes. I sure as hell will be marking each edition up with my color-coded post-its.
I would speak more on the ecological themes of this volume, but then I'd end up writing the equivalent of a fifteen-page essay, so I'd rather save that for later. From creation myths to critiques on ecofacism, the works are wide-reaching explorations of relevant topics in the modern landscape of Micronesia. In the wake of the pandemic and devastating natural disasters, all I can say is that I can't recommend the collection enough....more
**spoiler alert** “Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.�
Red Rising isn't a bad book, I just think it's not for me. The f**spoiler alert** “Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.�
Red Rising isn't a bad book, I just think it's not for me. The first half is especially dreadful to get into. When your story starts with a girl getting fridged, there are only so many ways you can win back my favor. It's hard to get attached to a female character who serves solely as the catalyst for our main character's mission. Plus, Darrow is boring AF to me. Honestly, maybe Eo should have been the one that the Sons of Ares chose. That would have been interesting. (I get that she's supposed to represent the more dreamy, hopeful part of the rebellion, but whatever bro, I just want more women-led sci-fi).
The book starts being compelling once The Institute war games start. It's fun to see how the different strategies play out, especially when Darrow breaks the rules. However, for as action-heavy and bloody as this book is, the demise of supposedly *meaningful* characters doesn't hit that hard. There are far too many to be fully fleshed out. There's no ache in my chest when a betrayal or death occurs. I need that ache to be won over by a narrative.
Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh, but I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. The worldbuilding is quite solid, though, so kudos for that.
Anyway, Sevro, I hope you keep slaying, my precious rat man. [image] ^ This is how I pictured him btw....more
![From Unincorporated Territory [Ã¥mot]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679195318l/62621927._SX50_.jpg)
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