This was an adorable book and I loved the colors! The ghosts were so cute, and the fall setting worked so well. My only problem was that I didn’t connThis was an adorable book and I loved the colors! The ghosts were so cute, and the fall setting worked so well. My only problem was that I didn’t connect with the human’s storyline as well as I wanted to. I could’ve read an entire book about the ghosts, and I was far more invested in that ...more
Reading the books nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards: Book #7 “there is strength in vulnerability and true courage in accepting who you are Reading the books nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards: Book #7 “there is strength in vulnerability and true courage in accepting who you are.” I read The Princess Saves Herself in This One in 2018, and it definitely wasn't for me. So my expectations were lower with this one, which is why it took me by surprise. A few of my original criticisms do still stand, and modern poetry still isn't quite my thing, but I'm challenging myself to read outside of my comfort zone & try to finish as many Goodreads Choice Awards nominees as possible. The writing here was quite beautiful, and I loved the illustrations throughout. The only reason I'm not giving this any higher is that I did still feel there was something missing, but this is a big improvement from her original series!...more
The hype which this book got when it first came out was unreal. I mean, it's not as if I was expecting this to be some kind of award-winning, high quality literature; but it's not even the 'fun fluffy read' I hoped it would be. I found everything about it - from the audiobook narration to the characters - to be incredibly grating. First and foremost, it comes across as quite contrived. There's an absurd amount pop culture references, plus the characters spend a ton of time locked into some high-stakes Twitter war where they basically just send memes back and forth. It's one of those books that's written in a way to appeal to teenagers - which sounds silly, considering of course, it's young adult! - but it came across as very inauthentic. Instead of the characters feeling genuinely relatable, they seemed like caricatures. Also, I wouldn't put this book and fresh in the same sentence - this was wholly generic & has been done time and time again. It's not exactly anything new.
That's not even to mention how dramatic everyone was. Everything - from accidental tweets to B grades (not even joking here) were the absolute end of the world, prompting everyone to go straight into panic mode. I mean, I get it, I can be a dramatic person too - and I'm very easily stressed myself. But this just felt over the top - I mean, one person freaking out is enough, but then it would be everyone - especially Pepper's mom. The most minor inconvenience would happen, and that's it, it's the end of the world - until of course two pages later, when it's eclipsed by some other "catastrophe." Like, they just melt down all the time?? Secrets are revealed and friendships are betrayed until oh, that's over and it's on to the next thing! I mean really, it's exhausting. The best way I can describe it is that it's like watching a reality TV show, except there's no actual drama so everyone's just fighting over nothing. It made the book so repetitive and dull until it took me almost a month to finish the audiobook! This is an audiobook! I was listening to it! I should've been able to binge this within a few days, instead of it just dragging on and on until I wanted to pluck my eyes out. Yes, it was really that bad.
The actual plot - that Jack and Pepper don't know who's on the other side of the Twitter war - isn't actually a big part of the story. At least, not as much as Jack's app, or Pepper's family dynamics, or Jack constantly feeling like he's living in the shadow of his twin brother. Which is fine - I mean, I'd rather they have lives beyond just a stupid online rivalry - but it got so pushed aside it felt super irrelevant. Also, Pepper and Jack figure out it's them tweeting at each other super early on. I mean, it's better than having it take the entire book for them to figure that out, but still - this book was never really about the so-called Twitter War. Pepper and Jack are "enemies" for like a whole twenty pages and then they're friends until they get together. If you're expecting an enemies-to-lovers tale, look elsewhere, because this certainly isn't it....more
I'm only writing a mini-review, considering that this was a very short graphic memoir, but this was just so lovely. I adored the art style, and thoughI'm only writing a mini-review, considering that this was a very short graphic memoir, but this was just so lovely. I adored the art style, and though I have limited experiences with loss, you don't have to relate to this in order to love it. Losing my mom is so unimaginable, especially considering the author was around my age when her mother died. This was such a beautiful, heartfelt graphic novel that I'd recommend for everyone.
Even though I've already seen the movie, this was still a super fun, entertaining Halloween read! I absolutely loved the audiobook narration, so I wouEven though I've already seen the movie, this was still a super fun, entertaining Halloween read! I absolutely loved the audiobook narration, so I would highly recommend reading in that format. This definitely won't be the last Agatha Christie that I read - I'm hoping to read Death on the Nile before seeing the movie!! ...more
This was better than Hamlet for me, but not my all time favorite of Shakespeare's (that still would have to be Twelfth Night!). I definitely admired LThis was better than Hamlet for me, but not my all time favorite of Shakespeare's (that still would have to be Twelfth Night!). I definitely admired Lady Macbeth, and I really think this would be excellent to see as a play, as opposed to reading it. Still quite engaging and I enjoyed it more than I anticipated, which was great! ...more
I first read this book in September 2017, and although I was enjoying this at the time, I was a chronic DNFer back then, even though I was really enjoI first read this book in September 2017, and although I was enjoying this at the time, I was a chronic DNFer back then, even though I was really enjoying this. In the years since this, I've picked up this book again at least twice every year and attempt to finish it, so in 2020 I finally just went ahead and listened to the audiobook. If you want to know how memorable I found this book, I'll tell you this - I have been listening to this throughout the week, and I literally forgot to mark it as 'currently-reading', which is not a good sign. Each and every time I attempted to listen to this, I'd forget what happened like, two pages ago and have to go back and re-listen. Even with that being said, I still find this better than Sorcery of Thorns. I know, shocking. Everyone swore on their graves that Sorcery of Thorns was just SO much better, and I would love that one so much, but that's not the case at all. Sure, I find both cringey - I mean, they fall in love SO FAST in this one it gave me whiplash - but honestly, I much prefer Enchantment to Sorcery . This one is warm and atmospheric, giving me the perfect fall feelings, and that COVER? It's honestly unparalleled. It fits the book so perfectly, and I love it. ANYWAYS. This a warm, fluffy, comforting YA adventure fantasy that's also wholly forgettable, but hey, it's enjoyable enough for me to forget that. Would highly recommend reading this during autumn. ...more
This was absolutely brilliant and breathtaking and yet, I can't tell you how I feel about it yet, simply because I'm still sorting through my thoughtsThis was absolutely brilliant and breathtaking and yet, I can't tell you how I feel about it yet, simply because I'm still sorting through my thoughts. Just know: This book felt like the equivalent of getting hit by a train and absolutely destroyed me. I haven't felt so much pain from a book in so long, and I have zero idea what I'm going to say about this book, because I can never convey how this made me feel.
Anyways, review (and star rating) to come.
(Also, if you finished reading this recently and need to get out all your thoughts, PLEASE do not hesitate to message me!! I am DYING to talk with someone about this. Alllll the spoilers because I'm still trying to work through my emotions on this book). ...more
“What is the bravest thing you've ever said? asked the boy. 'Help,' said the horse. 'Asking for help isn't giving up,' said the horse. 'It's refusing “What is the bravest thing you've ever said? asked the boy. 'Help,' said the horse. 'Asking for help isn't giving up,' said the horse. 'It's refusing to give up.”
I contemplated not counting this since it's essentially a picture book, but this honestly made me tear up! I'm a bit conflicted on the star rating, however, simply because anything I try to give it feels off for me. That being said, everything about this was incredibly beautiful. The ideas presented are not exactly unique, but paired with the whimsy, child-like atmosphere, it was hard not to love. It's essentially the literary equivalent of a warm hug at exactly the right moment, and I couldn't recommend it more for this particular time. It's definitely one that I can see myself returning to when I'm struggling, or anxious, just because of how good it made me feel, which is exactly the point. Simplistic, incredibly sweet, and with lovely illustrations that are basically impossible not to adore. I would highly, highly recommend this for anyone right now in need of a pick-me-up, or just any human, really. Do yourselves a favor and go check this one out....more
I don't think I can stress how much I adore Anne of Green Gables, so reading this made me very emotional! I've never actually felt that way about a g I don't think I can stress how much I adore Anne of Green Gables, so reading this made me very emotional! I've never actually felt that way about a graphic novel before. The illustrations here were absolutely lovely, and it managed to encompass what I love about Anne into a quicker, easy to read format. The illustrations were so lovely, and my desire to re-watch the movies is so strong now! ...more
I enjoyed this so much more than I was anticipating! This was a super fun read, and I really liked (most) of the characters. It’s surprising to me thaI enjoyed this so much more than I was anticipating! This was a super fun read, and I really liked (most) of the characters. It’s surprising to me that more people haven’t read this!
To my surprise, I really enjoyed this! It may be that I prefer Shakespeare's comedies to his tragedies; but really, I think I liked this more because To my surprise, I really enjoyed this! It may be that I prefer Shakespeare's comedies to his tragedies; but really, I think I liked this more because of the format. I listened to this as an audiobook, which was full cast. The performances were amazing, and truly helped bring the story to life. I was already familiar with the story, since I read parts of it in seventh grade, but I hadn't finished it until now. I would highly recommend listening to this story, even if you've already read this before. ...more
Although I typically do rate memoirs, this one is also a graphic novel, so it feels somewhat strange to try and assign a star rating. Nevertheless, I Although I typically do rate memoirs, this one is also a graphic novel, so it feels somewhat strange to try and assign a star rating. Nevertheless, I found this book to be very impactful. When focusing on WWII, there's a lot of temptation to focus solely on the Holocaust - and don't get me wrong, it's incredibly relevant - but we oftentimes forget the injustices that occurred in America. The parallels to modern day are especially upsetting, because regardless of how much has changed, we still fall into the same traps, again and again. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick but informative read. ...more
I have to admit, I'm quite disappointed in this one. While the idea is what initially drew me in - the premise was imaginative and exciting - I was leI have to admit, I'm quite disappointed in this one. While the idea is what initially drew me in - the premise was imaginative and exciting - I was let down by the execution. I've seen reviewers saying you shouldn't negatively review a book simply because you didn't understand it, and while I understand that sentiment, I don't think that's true. Everything - from the characterization to the world building - was messy and all over the place. This reads less like an inventive science fiction novella, and more like a story that was simply cut in half.
I agree that perhaps this one just wasn't for me, and other readers may find it to be a wonderful story. Much like Every Heart a DoorwayEvery Heart a Doorway, Binti is a unique but ultimately quite polarizing story. Some people will absolutely adore it, while others will leave highly disappointed and confused. Because I fall into the latter camp, I can't personally recommend it, but who knows? Tastes change and evolve - maybe I'll return to this story one day and feel differently....more
Though this is especially timely right now, I can't imagine a time where it wouldn't be important to read this book. As a Christian, and especially asThough this is especially timely right now, I can't imagine a time where it wouldn't be important to read this book. As a Christian, and especially as a white Christian, this gave me insight on a perspective I couldn't possibly know anything about. There isn't a single person I wouldn't recommend to, especially with the current climate in America. If you haven't picked this up yet, I would definitely recommend doing so right now....more
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