I made it until page 105 until I realized how much I'm struggling with almost everything-the language, references I couldn’t relate to, empathizing wiI made it until page 105 until I realized how much I'm struggling with almost everything-the language, references I couldn’t relate to, empathizing with so many characters let alone Sally herself. And although I found the premise interesting, (one thing I appreciate is how I learned what happens behind the scenes of shows like SNL), I just couldn't muster enough strength to finish the novel....more
I do appreciate the resilience that Mr. Holiday is trying to instill in his readers and I do agree that it is through obstacles that we truly see whatI do appreciate the resilience that Mr. Holiday is trying to instill in his readers and I do agree that it is through obstacles that we truly see what we are made of. It just kind of got to a point where it felt he was already nagging me and I was like, “Enough! I get it, okay? Just please stop!” His narrative voice is similar to that of a high school baseball coach relentlessly shouting commands directly to his mentee’s ears. But still, I got to give it to him. A lot of the things he said are quite useful in life so, of course, I took notes. I actually took an outline, divided it into the three topics, Perception, Action, and Will.
I will only post the quotes I love best but if anyone wants my entire notes, don’t hesitate to message me.
“Obstacles are actually opportunity to test ourselves, to try new things, and ultimately, to triumph.”
“We decide what we will make of each and every situation.”
“Nothing we’ll experience is likely without potential benefit.”
“There is always a countermove, always an escape or a way through, so there is no reason to get worked up.”
“Give yourself clarity, not sympathy.”
“The right perspective has a strange way of cutting obstacles and adversity down to size.”
“Is our perspective truly giving us perspective or is it what’s actually causing the problem?”
“Focus on what is in front of you, right now. Ignore what it “represents” or it “means” or “why it happened to you.”
“Our perceptions determine, to an incredibly large degree, what we are and are not capable of.”
“Failure shows us the way- by showing us what isn’t the way.”
“Only self-absorbed assholes think they are too good for whatever their current station requires.”
“Whatever we face, our job is to respond with hard work, honesty and helping others as best as we can. Wherever you are, you owe it to yourself and to the world to do it well. And when action is our priority, vanity falls away.”
“Do the best with what you’ve got.”
“Progress is your goal, not perfection.”
“Will is your ability to accept whatever happens. And be at peace with it. Will is wisdom.”
“Stop thinking of yourself all the time, and putting “I” in front of all the events. “I did very well but..”, “I deserve better than this..”. No wonder you take losses so personally!”
“Be strong for others, and it will make you stronger.” ...more
Funny because even though the chapters are really short, they didn't give me the feeling that I was making much progress. The pace is really slow. TheFunny because even though the chapters are really short, they didn't give me the feeling that I was making much progress. The pace is really slow. The short chapters instead of encouraging felt too clipped. Instead of getting to know and be empathetic with the character narrating the story, they felt even more distant and overly mysterious. There's too much background about Ben from all these different characters/occupants of the apartment and nothing particularly interesting or touching that would get me invested in Ben or in any of the rest of the characters.
After a hundred or so pages, I ended up skimming through the rest of the chapters to know how it ends because it started feeling like a chore getting through it. These days, I opt better storytelling and character development than uber-twisty plots. The Guest List was just a little more than okay for me but I still prefer that over this. It's probably time to stay away from Lucy Foley. ...more
The concept is great involving time loops, time travel, and the likes. In fact I was literally holding my breath on the first chapter and and couldn'tThe concept is great involving time loops, time travel, and the likes. In fact I was literally holding my breath on the first chapter and and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Unfortunately, down the middle, because of the way the events were plotted, and all that confusing timelines, the excitement seems to diminish and I find myself just reading to know what happens, the possible explanation to Jen's predicament.
It's ultimately the writing that is the problem for me, its lack of emotions. But I admit there were several shocking revelations and plot twists. The theme is quite something important too. I just wish the entire reading was more, I don't know, enjoyable or gripping. It's not bad, but it could have been better and thus the three stars. Maybe a movie version would garner five.
I'm not so sure. I don't want to be mean but it felt, well, unnecessary. I do like the idea of Lily and Atlas getting a second chance but the writing I'm not so sure. I don't want to be mean but it felt, well, unnecessary. I do like the idea of Lily and Atlas getting a second chance but the writing is overly detailed and annoyingly cheesy. There are several pages from Chapter 28 I skipped because you know, smexy times. But it's Colleen Hoover and it's still definitely readable. It's just that since I've become a mom of two, I've been needing my reads to be excellent because I'm sacrificing precious time to read them. Atlas's POV is the good bit for me as it gave more layer to what would have been a flat story....more
Sad, emotional, melancholic, quite melodramatic but the chapters are short and the writing is beautiful. It's what convinced me to finish the novel evSad, emotional, melancholic, quite melodramatic but the chapters are short and the writing is beautiful. It's what convinced me to finish the novel even though it was quite a struggle. For someone who believes that life is shaped by choices, Lucy's still heavily hung up on his ex, Gabe, her supposed soulmate despite marrying Darren.
I have nothing against love triangles. I mean it happens, right? But committing to a marriage, choosing to be married to a man she says she loves and still be so wrapped around another guy’s finger, maybe not in body, but in mind, heart, and soul which were things that matter more, well my twitching nose isn't too happy about it.
Owe it to your decision. Not everyone marries their soulmate. And the soulmate thing isn't an excuse for cheating. I did want to see how the story ends though, hoping for a positive direction of the story. Alas, it got worse and then that tragic ending. Le sigh. ...more
I could understand the appeal and the popularity but I guess I expected too much. I think the format prevented me from really connecting with the charI could understand the appeal and the popularity but I guess I expected too much. I think the format prevented me from really connecting with the characters. It pains me to say this about a Taylor Jenkins Reid book but I found little to no emotional depth in the writing. But maybe I would have enjoyed it more if it were an audiobook or a movie....more
Most people thought it was hilarious and quirky but I just thought it mostly sad. Maybe I read it wrong but much of the humor was overpower 2.5 stars
Most people thought it was hilarious and quirky but I just thought it mostly sad. Maybe I read it wrong but much of the humor was overpowered by overwrought "normal" characters. Shiraha's constant insistence that it's still basically the Stone Age got into my nerves.
It was a challenge for me to accept that of all the people surrounding Keiko, not a single soul understood her condition, not one was genuinely sympathetic and helpful. Every one including her family and friends wanted her to be so-called normal. The only guy who thought he was helpful was a top-grade a-hole and borderline sociopath. Keiko is more intuitive than all the rest of them combined and yet she is the social outcast. I want to believe that people these days are better than that, maybe not all but at least a few would behave more positively.
All the other parts of the story that focused on Keiko and her life at the convenience store, those were my favorites and I am at least appeased by the ending with her finally choosing what she wants, what she's good at, and what makes her happy. ...more
Sorry book but as your title suggests, I must let you go. I had such high hopes for you, just look at your lovely cover. But I have painstakingly readSorry book but as your title suggests, I must let you go. I had such high hopes for you, just look at your lovely cover. But I have painstakingly read your Part One, devoted my time and went through your excessively long intro like a pro because I was waiting for that supposedly “shocking” twists and your first part led me to believe that it is essential to those big revelations. Alas! It honestly felt too manipulated. I personally think that you could shed half your pages off and still put across the same story. You would have been more bearable had your characters been a little more colorful and interesting or had your narrative POVs not been erratic. In the end, I wasn’t impressed at all and I felt like I could have used my time better on a different book. I’m really sorry....more
Again, it pains me to be saying these things about a Sarah Dessen novel because she’s one of my most trusted YA authors but I have come to learn that Again, it pains me to be saying these things about a Sarah Dessen novel because she’s one of my most trusted YA authors but I have come to learn that with her, it’s either a hit or a miss and sadly The Moon and More is a miss. The narrative is too long winded and too descriptive, the heroine is uninteresting, the story is almost plotless and not in a good way and I smell a very unwelcome love triangle coming so I decided not to finish and stopped at 133 pages. I honestly tried but it’s just not working for me anymore. I cry. ...more
The blurb made it seem really mysterious and interesting and fantastic. It’s why I bought it. Sadly, oh sadly, it’s basically a retelling (the weirderThe blurb made it seem really mysterious and interesting and fantastic. It’s why I bought it. Sadly, oh sadly, it’s basically a retelling (the weirder version) of Alice in Wonderland which I’m not the biggest fan of in the first place with a little hint of Lev Grossman’s The Magicians style which I think is a little over the top so I’m almost crying to say that I just read online summaries to see how it ends. At least I made it to Finch’s telling of Alice-Three-Times so that still counts as “read.” Lol. ...more
Woah, woah, woah! This definitely wins the most pornographic read in my list, hands down! I mean, man! This was pure smut, like maybe 95% of it. It’s Woah, woah, woah! This definitely wins the most pornographic read in my list, hands down! I mean, man! This was pure smut, like maybe 95% of it. It’s like they’re doing it, saying it or thinking about it every other page.
The plot goes something like this- bickering, angry staring, ripping out expensive clothes and lingerie, doing it and bastard keeping the panties in his drawer and the cycle repeats over and over except it happens in different places mostly related to work- the boss’ office, the elevator, the stairway, the parking garage, let’s include the boss’ house, oh, and the hotel room that was part of their conference. Just wow! This isn’t a simple guilty pleasure read because I felt too guilty while reading, it almost felt like committing a crime. Lol.
Of course I considered dnf-ing it but I was really hoping the dynamics between Bennett and Chloe would change and that there would be more to all the sex stuff. Indeed, the plot met my expectation but only at the last measly chapters of the book.
So yeah, two stars because I survived it enough that I was able to finish it even though most of the story (or the lack of it) was definitely not okay. Lol. But I guess, it passes for a smutty, sexy, “adventurous” read and if you’re up for that kind of read, then this is probably right up your alley. *winks*
Like most YA sci-fi books with a utopian/dystopian vibe, the story is built on a quite ridiculous premise, a what-if future of a society that ostraciz Like most YA sci-fi books with a utopian/dystopian vibe, the story is built on a quite ridiculous premise, a what-if future of a society that ostracizes morally or ethically flawed people. It took a lot of effort in my part to employ “suspension of disbelief”. People are just not pliable when it comes to committing errors and making mistakes whether big or small on a day-to-day basis. It’s part of who we are. Flaws are usually what make us human and to brand people as flawed is simply just stupid. It’s like branding cake as sweet which is pointless and blatantly obvious.
And yet, I still felt curious about the story. I guess I wanted to know more. I wanted to know how the Guild came up with the rules in order to make their judgment. I was curious of what a society might look like if indeed it divided people into morally flawed and perfect human beings. And I guess if I made it through series upon many series of YA dystopian books, then maybe I’ll make it through this book too. Lol.
So for the second time around, I decided to give it another try but unfortunately, I was only able to endure one-third of the story. I just can’t anymore. The main character is dull, the plot buildup is slow, there is little action and entertainment and I could no longer afford to invest time on a seemingly futile read. So sorry about my rudeness, just being honest with my opinions. *sighs* ...more
I’m torn in two equal parts. I loved and hated it in equal measures. I’m enlightened but I’m still confused and now I don’t know what to do with myselI’m torn in two equal parts. I loved and hated it in equal measures. I’m enlightened but I’m still confused and now I don’t know what to do with myself let alone this review. So I’ll probably just rant away to my heart’s content and hopefully by the end of this review, I’ll be more stable.
I appreciate that an author for once decided to focus on a sister grieving over her brother who killed himself and I believe Ms. Cynthia Hand was able to realistically portray this. It works because the story is in Lexie’s POV as she narrates her grieving process and at the same time confesses her inner thoughts in her journal as a requirement of her therapist.
The matter of fact approach makes the story very genuine and I find Lexie very relatable. I love that she’s a math wizard, a really cool geek and I love that her humor is still very much intact in spite of grief. The mysterious elements throughout the novel also kept me intrigued and eager to finish the book.
In the end, I was able to fully grasp the intention of the novel and that is to emphasize that nobody can be blamed over a suicide except for the person who committed it and I’m very glad for Lexie when she finally comes to terms with her brother’s decision and ultimately reconnect with her family, her friends, her boyfriend and especially with herself through this unexpected plot twist.
You can simply stop reading here. I actually encourage you to do that. ____________________________________________________________
Oh wow! You decided to read on. Thank you but good luck!
Why I hated the book (and I know I’m being unfair but well life is unfair, right?) is because it led me to the conclusion that there are no specific symptoms we could detect to determine a suicidal person. Suicide victims vary in their manifestations. Some show obvious signs. Some just don’t and I hated this information presented in the book especially on the increasing suicide rates among teens. I hated that all these things were just thrown out there and I hated that particular part of the plot where suicide seemed to become an easy alternative to solving any teenage problem. I hated that it appears to be something that can be contagious, something to be envied and “emulated”.
And I know these are facts but what was I supposed to do with this information when seemingly, in the end, it’s still the person’s decision and there could have been nothing to be done to help him change his mind. This gloriously sucks! It makes me want to punch someone and I know the book focuses on the person’s grief but I couldn’t help it because the plot inevitably touched these matters. (view spoiler)[ Patrick’s suicide seriously bothered me. I mean, what the eff?. It was just thrown there in the plot and was I supposed to just say “Ta-ta, Partrick. Let’s move on. This isn’t about your suicide. It’s not even about Ty’s, not really. It’s really about Lex’s grief, it’s about moving on and your suicides are just necessary tools to point out the real theme of the story. (hide spoiler)]
Phew! That helped. I’m feeling a lot better now. Ultimately, the only thing we can do is to be the best person we could be every chance we get with people who matter to us. It may or may not change their decision but it’s all we could really do because after all, we never know when it’s the last time we say goodbye....more
The concept of the novel is brilliant. Three sisters, triplets for that matter have to kill each other to become the one and only queen. It’s mainly wThe concept of the novel is brilliant. Three sisters, triplets for that matter have to kill each other to become the one and only queen. It’s mainly why I persisted till the end, so Ms. Kendare Blake does deserve recognition for coming up with such a twisted idea.
Alas, besides the brilliant concept, I regret to say that I didn’t find anything else about the entire novel brilliant. *pouts*
I picked up the book with extreme levels of excitement that I was literally jumping in my seat as I read the first few chapters of the book but I started worrying when I was already getting tired of jumping and was still feeling nothing. It felt like I have almost read the entire novel but nothing very intriguing or eventful has happened yet except for (view spoiler)[Joseph almost dying and Mirabella saving him by no less than sleeping with him. Ugh! Poor, Jules! What is wrong with Joseph?! A teenager with too much hormones. Gross! One moment he’s too in love with Jules like he can’t live without her but his hands are instantly all over Mirabella the next time he sees her. Oh, and let’s not forget the endless smooching sessions between Kat and Pietyr. *rolls eyes* (hide spoiler)].
Before Reading: [image]
After Reading: [image]
It’s the first book though so it’s meant to be an introduction but I guess I was just wishing for something more exciting, bloody and wicked much like those that happened in Hunger Games since I've read a lot of people comparing the two.
I did enjoy that it’s a story set in a world ruled by women. It was cool getting to know the three girls including their sidekicks and their love interests. The queen who has the strongest potential doesn’t want any part in the ceremony. The weakest is the most earnest while the average remains indifferent. The character profiling was entertaining and detailed but quite to the extent of sacrificing the world building and pacing of the story. I guess I probably expected too much because of the promising blurb and the gorgeous cover.
The last quarter of the book during the actual Beltane Festival was perhaps the most thrilling but it doesn’t make up for the number of times I yawned. Entertaining, yes, but none of the presentations of the girls really impressed me and in the end, I’m not even rooting for anyone of them to be queen. Sorry. :( My vote actually goes to Jules, yay! Even the cliffhanger that’s supposed to be shocking let out only one very eloquent word from me-meh!...more
It’s not that the story is not good. A lot of readers would testify to that. The plot is actually very appealing and the characters Maybe 2.5 stars?
It’s not that the story is not good. A lot of readers would testify to that. The plot is actually very appealing and the characters intriguing but the story turned out so far from my dark, playful imaginations and from that the blurb insinuates except maybe for the Wood, dark forest creatures much like those in Game of Thrones that corrupt and poison humans and things they touch.
But I regret to say that I thought the pacing was slow because there were more dialogues and narrations than actions and yet, it puzzles me why with so many pages and background, there weren’t explanations as to how the heroine suddenly is able to conjure magic by speaking foreign words. (Made me actually try and speak the words myself but alas! I’m still in my plain ‘ol jeans and shirt. *sniffs*)
Good thing the dialogues between the Dragon and Agnieszka are very amusing and funny. They’re what I liked most about the novel besides the friendship between Kasia and Agnieszka . However, I’m not completely sold on D and A’s romance. It’s hard to find real chemistry between a dude and a gal when dude kept insulting her for the majority of the story.
But like I said, the novel isn’t bad. For me, it’s equal parts disappointing and entertaining and I hope that for those who decide to read this, it’ll be the latter for you. ;) ...more
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my most favorite fairytales of all time. It was also the first ever Disney animated movie I saw 3.5 stars
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my most favorite fairytales of all time. It was also the first ever Disney animated movie I saw on the big screen so expectedly, it has earned a special place in my heart. Any rendition, remake or deconstruction of it, then I’m definitely in. Now, I’m happy to report that A Court of Thorns and Roses quite pleased me too.
How many spinoffs could you really make out of the classic fairytale? (I haven’t read Cruel Beauty yet but I’m looking forward to reading it.) But already, I’m impressed at how Sarah J. Maas managed to make something new out of it. I find the entire story, characters and elements a really effective combination of a successful deconstruction.
That the human heroine is considered the “beast” in the realm of faes who are supposed to be the monsters/the beasts in the eyes of humans is I think a very creative input from the author. Also, the additional twist that reminds me of the Greek myth about Cupid and Psyche added further entertainment and buildup. It also helps a lot that the male High Faes are so dang gorgeous and that several scenes managed to make me plug in the fan because they did get sooooooo hawt.
[image]
Perhaps my only complaint is the slow pace. The story did start with a “bam!” but a few chapters later, I couldn’t seem to fully put all my attention on the book and had to close it several times to find other (completely clean and wholesome-lol!) ways to wake myself up or in other words, I read another book so I could regain and refocus my curiosity on the world of ACOTAR . The story did become fully interesting though during the latter half and it was then when I was fully committed to the novel.
P.S. I do love Tamlin but Rhysand has become a really, really strong contender. I want more of them!^^ Also, happy, happy birthday to one of my dearest friends, Pearl. Savor your last year in your twenties. Go strike off a few items from your bucket list before you turn 30. Hehe. May your special day be filled with wonderful memories and experiences. Enjoy! <3...more
This is one of those stories that heavily relies on the theme that every element, character and symbol was manipulated to evoke said theme and in my o This is one of those stories that heavily relies on the theme that every element, character and symbol was manipulated to evoke said theme and in my observations, that’s usually a good thing. It’s what brings books to literary nominations and stuff. In my own personal opinion though, sometimes it’s also these same literary elements that interfere with the “feels”, with the reader’s enjoyment of a book and with being able to relate with the characters because often in life, things don’t always have symbolic meanings. Sometimes, a place is just a place and a bird is just a bird and yet I could still take some sort of appreciation from that simple truth. Still, I do appreciate the literary devices, the POVs, the unusual plot structure and how things came together in the end. It would be a really good material for academic literary analysis. ;)...more
I do enjoy young adult romance- no secret but it’s a different matter when a book has nothing else but romance in it-that I’m not a huge fan of. I’m I do enjoy young adult romance- no secret but it’s a different matter when a book has nothing else but romance in it-that I’m not a huge fan of. I’m afraid and I regret to say that for me, Isla and the Happily Ever After falls under that category.
Despite the awful love triangle, I have to admit that I still liked Lola and the Boy Next Door and despite the soap opera vibe of the Anna and the French Kiss, I could honestly say that it’s still my favorite of the three. I’m not sure what happened with the third or maybe that’s exactly it, nothing much happened unless we’re talking about what happens when someone knowingly asks you “did something happen between you two?”
I do appreciate the settings (which include Manhattan, Paris and Spain) and the minor characters, particularly Kurt and Hattie who were mainly the reason I decided to stick with the story. I also liked the last few chapters especially when the characters from books one through three reunite but for the most parts, I felt like there isn’t much in it except for a girl’s beyond serious obsession over a boy, boy eventually reciprocating the feeling and then lustful desires fulfilled only made a bit complicated with something not really complicated but eventually resolved with a happily ever after. *le sigh*
I have a feeling that this is just a strong case of “it’s not you book, it’s me” so allow me to usher you to a more positive and really enjoyable review of the novel. Ayesha’s review. ...more
Oh boy! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Every single one of my friends seemed to have loved this but I just couldn’t keep up with the pa 2.5 stars
Oh boy! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Every single one of my friends seemed to have loved this but I just couldn’t keep up with the pacing. The writing although beautiful is a bit tedious to read. It was quite a struggle because I was doing two things at once-reading and consciously fighting off the tendency to snooze out.
The plot is definitely much better and there are definitely more adventures but it’s also these same things that confused me. Monsters coming out of dreams, a mysterious hit man in town, dragons, a rich boy antagonist called Kavinsky- all these elements should have kept the energy and the mood exciting, but somehow the string that should have pulled these things together that would have created a BAM is missing (for me and probably only for me so don’t be discouraged.).
What mainly made the story interesting was Ronan and his ability to (insert spoiler tag here.) Gansey was tolerable, Noah was funny but had little role. Sometimes I felt bad for Adam but most of the times I just wanted to whack his endless self-pity out of his head and I’m not so sure what to feel about Blue and this really makes me blue. Honestly, I liked the first book better and I’m not sure if I would still be reading the sequel.
Aj the Ravenous Reader
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