*Disclaimer: An ARC of Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest revi[image]
*Disclaimer: An ARC of Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars rated up.
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Initial Post Reading Thoughts:
Wow. This book was amazing. Super fast paced while also dealing with some really dark and hard hitting topics. It was so beautifully written and it felt like it came straight from the heart of the author. This is definitely one that's worth checking out.
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What I Liked
The Hard Hitting Topics. Saying that this book deals with a lot of topics is an understatement. From abortion to drugs to suicide and religion. At time it definitely felt like a lot, but we’ll get into that a little later. What I liked about how this book dealt with all of these hard hitting topics was that it did so unapologetically. The author didn’t look down on anyone and she talked about everything without judgement. Aftercare Instructions is definitely a very heavy kind of contemporary novel.
Fast Pace. This book was super fast paced and a very quick read. I listened to it as an audiobook and while it said it was 6 hours long it felt even shorter than that. It was written so beautifully and with just the right amount of detail and description to keep it moving at a great pace.
Felt True & Real. There was something about this book that felt very truthful and as though the author write it straight from the heart. Upon reading the acknowledgements at the end of the novel, it seems as though Aftercare Instructions and its themes are very personal for the author. I think that fact alone helped contribute to how real and raw this book was.
Formatting. Aftercare Instructions had pretty unique formatting as the flashback scenes were written as acts in a play while the scenes that take place in the present are written as an Aftercare Instruction as those found in a pamphlet after any medical procedure/surgery. I really enjoyed this aspect as both of these themes (even though pretty different from one another) both fit into this story and its main character.
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What I Didn’t Like
Too Much Too Quick. As mentioned above, Aftercare Instructions deals with a lot of heavy topics and at times it almost felt like too much too quickly. I didn’t mind all of these themes being covered, but the story itself takes place over the course of like 2-3 weeks max and I just found it slightly hard to believe that everything that happened could have happened so quickly.
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Overall, Aftercare Instructions was a very hard hitting and emotional novel. I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to see what Bonnie Pipkin releases next!
*Disclaimer: An ARC of Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars rated up.
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Initial Post Reading Thoughts:
Wow. This book was amazing. Super fast paced while also dealing with some really dark and hard hitting topics. It was so beautifully written and it felt like it came straight from the heart of the author. This is definitely one that's worth checking out.
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What I Liked
The Hard Hitting Topics. Saying that this book deals with a lot of topics is an understatement. From abortion to drugs to suicide and religion. At time it definitely felt like a lot, but we’ll get into that a little later. What I liked about how this book dealt with all of these hard hitting topics was that it did so unapologetically. The author didn’t look down on anyone and she talked about everything without judgement. Aftercare Instructions is definitely a very heavy kind of contemporary novel.
Fast Pace. This book was super fast paced and a very quick read. I listened to it as an audiobook and while it said it was 6 hours long it felt even shorter than that. It was written so beautifully and with just the right amount of detail and description to keep it moving at a great pace.
Felt True & Real. There was something about this book that felt very truthful and as though the author write it straight from the heart. Upon reading the acknowledgements at the end of the novel, it seems as though Aftercare Instructions and its themes are very personal for the author. I think that fact alone helped contribute to how real and raw this book was.
Formatting. Aftercare Instructions had pretty unique formatting as the flashback scenes were written as acts in a play while the scenes that take place in the present are written as an Aftercare Instruction as those found in a pamphlet after any medical procedure/surgery. I really enjoyed this aspect as both of these themes (even though pretty different from one another) both fit into this story and its main character.
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What I Didn’t Like
Too Much Too Quick. As mentioned above, Aftercare Instructions deals with a lot of heavy topics and at times it almost felt like too much too quickly. I didn’t mind all of these themes being covered, but the story itself takes place over the course of like 2-3 weeks max and I just found it slightly hard to believe that everything that happened could have happened so quickly.
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Overall, Aftercare Instructions was a very hard hitting and emotional novel. I really enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to see what Bonnie Pipkin releases next!
I won't lie. I wasn't exactly super excited for this new John Green release. Maybe if it had been released soon after The Fault In Our Stars, b[image]
I won't lie. I wasn't exactly super excited for this new John Green release. Maybe if it had been released soon after The Fault In Our Stars, but since reading that book a few years ago, I felt as though I may have outgrown John Green. It's not that I suddenly dislike him or his writing, I just wasn't as excited as I could have been for the release of Turtles All The Way Down. However, upon finally picking it up and giving it a shot, I ended up really enjoying it. It felt slightly different than his previous works and I'm not quite sure why that is just yet!
So many people had recommended this book over the last couple of months and I finally decided to pick it up! I [image]
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Initial post reading thoughts:
So many people had recommended this book over the last couple of months and I finally decided to pick it up! I didn't want to know too much going into it and I'm glad I decided to leave ignore the synopsis and jump into it pretty blindly! Many of the people I know who read this book mentioned how much Evelyn Hugo felt like a real person that they could google and now I totally understand!
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What I Liked
How real it felt. Before I picked this book up, many fellow readers and book bloggers had already read it. One thing that they all agreed on when talking about this book was how real everything felt. Whether it was the characters or the story itself, everything felt like I was able to google it and that it would be real. I wanted to type Evelyn Hugo into IMDB and explore her many acting roles throughout the years…only to remember that she doesn’t actually exist. Everything felt like it was a part of history and I absolutely loved that aspect of this novel.
The characters. As mentioned above, these characters felt real and believable. Not only Evelyn Hugo, but all of her husbands and the other fellow actors, actresses and directors that she associated herself with. Each character had their own personalities that made them unique and interesting. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo is a very character based story and it worked really well.
The husbands as a timeline. I thought that this was such a fantastic literary device! Rather than recounting Evelyn’s life by going through each year. We instead see her story being told by a timeline made out of her seven marriages. We start out with what her life was like while married husband #1 and the story continues from there, moving through husbands 2-7. I loved that instead of going with something standard such as decade or specific year, we instead go by her husbands. I also loved that this story didn’t focus on the husbands too much, but instead used them as a timeline.
The twists. What I wasn’t expecting from this book were the twists! If you know me, you know that I love a good twist! There were two pretty significant ones in this story. One that I kind of saw coming and another that I did not. As I said, I wasn’t expecting any twists to be within the pages of this novel, but I’m glad there were as it really spiced things up!
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What I Didn’t Like
Monique. Honestly, it’s not that I didn’t like her, but there was just something a little off about her character for me. I just wanted more Evelyn and her story. While Monique does play a huge part in this story and her character is needed, but I just found myself anxious to return to Evelyn’s story while the story was focusing on Monique.
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Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It was well written and it contained some fantastic characters and believable stories! This was my first experience with Taylor Jenkins Reid and I can’t wait to read more from her!...more
I won't lie. I had no idea this book even existed until recently. It wasn't even remotely on my radar until I came across the audiobook! The [image]
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I won't lie. I had no idea this book even existed until recently. It wasn't even remotely on my radar until I came across the audiobook! The cover and title piqued my interest first, but the synopsis sold me. I loved how mysterious it sounded! I'm really glad I picked it up as I ended up enjoying it quite a lot!
Wow. I absolutely loved this. I had no idea what it was really about before going into and wow. I didn't think I would love it this much. It wa[image]
Wow. I absolutely loved this. I had no idea what it was really about before going into and wow. I didn't think I would love it this much. It was amazing! ...more
I've been meaning to either start reading the manga or start watching the anime for a while now, but for whatever re[image]
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars!
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I've been meaning to either start reading the manga or start watching the anime for a while now, but for whatever reason I kept putting it off. I FINALLY picked this one up and read it!
I really like the concept of this story and the content seems to be something that I'll really enjoy if I continue with the series!
I just have one question, should I continue by reading the manga or by watching the anime?! I'd love your opinions!...more
I took a gamble in buying the first volume of this series without really knowing anything about it. I ended up really enjoying this first vol[image]
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I took a gamble in buying the first volume of this series without really knowing anything about it. I ended up really enjoying this first volume. At first, I thought it might be meant for a younger audience, but it actually ended up being a lot more mature than that. It kind of gave me a Hunger Games/The Giver vibe. I'd really like to continue with this series!...more
*Disclaimer: A copy of The Temptation Of Adam by Dave Connis was provided to me via Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review. This[image]
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*Disclaimer: A copy of The Temptation Of Adam by Dave Connis was provided to me via Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion in any way.
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What I Liked
The harder topics. The Temptation of Adam deals with a lot of heavy topics, but focuses mainly on addiction to various vices. We have characters who are addicted to drugs, our main character, Adam, who is addicted to porn and other characters whose addictions are in constant change. I feel like a lot of young adult novels have been tackling these heavier topics lately and I absolutely love that. We need teens to be exposed to more books like these, especially if they can help them get through their own addictions.
The sibling relationship. I loved the relationship between Adam & Addy. Throughout the book, we see how their relationship evolves from anger and confusion to understanding and love. These two have a great sibling bond and I loved each and every scene that showcased the two of them together.
The writing style. These characters have a specific way of speaking that just reminded me so much of the characters found within the novels of John Green. I liked that these teens had realistic and believable voices that didn’t feel forced or fake. The dialogue throughout the novel was witty and memorable, just the way I like it.
The self discovery. As mentioned above, The Temptation Of Adam deals with a lot of hard and heavy topics. This story showcases both the positive and the negative outcomes of addiction and what teens face when trying to overcome their addictions. Some are able to push through and do everything they can to get better while others, sadly, succumb to them. I love that The Temptation Of Adam explored the idea of self discovery by blending a coming of age story with one that deals with addiction.
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What I Didn’t Like
The pacing. There was a lot going on within The Temptation of Adam. We had a few different storylines happen within a short amount of time. I kind of wish that the story focused more on the addiction and healing process rather than adding in a few other subplots such as the story revolving around Mr. Cratcher. At times, it felt like there were a few too many stories being told.
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Overall, I think that The Temptation of Adam is a great story that deals with a lot of heavy topics that are hard to talk about, but that need to be talked about. As mentioned earlier, books like this one are very important, especially for teen readers, and I think it dealt with the concept of addiction really well. I can’t wait to see what Dave Connis releases next!
I totally meant to read this during the month of October which shows you how terribly behind I am in my reading goals lately! Even if Decembe[image]
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I totally meant to read this during the month of October which shows you how terribly behind I am in my reading goals lately! Even if December wasn't the most ideal month to read this novel, I still really enjoyed it! I'm a sucker for any type of suspense/psychological thriller and I hadn't read one in a while, so Final Girls satisfied all of my cravings. I loved the twists and turns and the fact that I didn't predict the ending! I've heard that this is going to be adapted into either a film or series and I can totally see that working! I enjoyed this novel as much as I thought I would and I'm excited to read more from Riley Sager in the future!
While Shadow Girl has an intriguing premise, it sadly fell a little short for me. I was really excited about the[image]
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Initial Post Reading Thoughts
While Shadow Girl has an intriguing premise, it sadly fell a little short for me. I was really excited about the fusion of contemporary and mystery/suspense, but unfortunately it didn’t work very well in this case. There was a lot that was left unexplained and not in a good way. I did like the contemporary aspects of the novel though!
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What I Liked
The mystery. I really did enjoy the mystery of this story…until I realized that I wasn’t going to be getting any answers which you can read more about below. The mystery and suspense is what kept me from putting this book down! I really wanted to know what was going on the entire time I was reading which made Shadow Girl a really fast-paced read!
The contemporary moments. As you’ll learn more about below, Shadow Girl was a bit of a fusion novel. It contained both Mystery/Suspense and Contemporary elements. There are my top two genres to read, but I think I love contemporary just a tad bit more. I loved the contemporary aspects of this book. I liked learning more about Mei and her family and how she will do anything to become successful. I loved her interactions with the Morison family and how she fell in love with their lifestyle which is the complete opposite of her home life. These were the moments that ultimately captured my interest in the end as I was so sure I was going to love this book for it’s creepy/suspense factor.
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What I Didn’t Like
The lack of answers. Towards the end of the book, I kept reading and reading and the amount of remaining pages I needed to read were becoming less and less and still, I was getting no answers. What was the point of the haunted house? Why was this ghost terrorizing Ella and Mei? Was it relevant? Honestly, I don’t think so. I just honestly didn’t understand the point. The horror/suspense aspects of this novel are what initially made me pick it up and, unfortunately, those aspects fell short.
The genre fusion. Initially, this was what I was the most excited about when it came to Shadow Girl. Contemporary and Suspense/Mystery are my favourite genres to read and to have them mixed together for this story really intrigued me! However, as you can see above, it didn’t end up working so well in the end. I just wish there was a little more to it. The idea was there and it could have been really cool, but to much was left unanswered…and not in a good way.
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While I enjoyed some aspects of Shadow Girl, I was left feeling disappointed by others. I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it lacked in the areas that I was initially really excited for. I won’t give up on Liana Liu’s stories just yet though as I really did enjoy her writing style!...more
This was cute. It's kind of like Archie with a tiny supernatural element. While it was fun and cute, it wasn't really [image]
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars.
This was cute. It's kind of like Archie with a tiny supernatural element. While it was fun and cute, it wasn't really anything memorable or unique. I did love its diversity though.
While I'm unsure if I will be continuing with this series, it was a fun one to read and worth it if you like more tame and cutesy comics! ...more
I decided to read A Silent Voice on a whim when I noticed it was on sale via comixology! I've been on a manga kick lately and I've been trying [image]
I decided to read A Silent Voice on a whim when I noticed it was on sale via comixology! I've been on a manga kick lately and I've been trying to find new series to enjoy. It's been a little tough, especially because I'm still trying to figure out what genre I most enjoy in manga format. I had been exploring with a few different genres when I came across A Silent Voice. It seemed like a cute manga that was maybe intended for a slightly younger teen audience which is a genre that I hadn't read in manga format yet. It also had an interesting concept that intrigued me.
A Silent Voice deals with bullying and just mean kids in general. These kids make fun of a young girl who is new to their class just because she's deaf and uses hearing aids. This first volume really showcased how awful kids can be, especially at an elementary school level. This storyline is all a flashback though as our main character is now a teen starting high school...and guess who he ran into all these years later. The girl he bullied and made fun of those years ago.
I feel like this first volume was the start of something great. It was a little slow for me, but it was providing us with the backstory before it jumped into the two characters reuniting.
While this wasn't the best manga I have ever read, I'm excited to continue and to see where the story goes!...more
I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into doing things after saying "stop" or "no" on multiple occasions. While sure, maybe he eventually wanted Kurose to do things to him...it didn't start out that way. While this series has its issues, it's pretty fast paced and an easy read. I wanted to know what happened next, mainly because I hoped the storyline would change for the better...but so far, it has not....more
I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into doing things after saying "stop" or "no" on multiple occasions. While sure, maybe he eventually wanted Kurose to do things to him...it didn't start out that way. While this series has its issues, it's pretty fast paced and an easy read. I wanted to know what happened next, mainly because I hoped the storyline would change for the better...but so far, it has not....more
I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into doing things after saying "stop" or "no" on multiple occasions. While sure, maybe he eventually wanted Kurose to do things to him...it didn't start out that way. While this series has its issues, it's pretty fast paced and an easy read. I wanted to know what happened next, mainly because I hoped the storyline would change for the better...but so far, it has not....more
I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into I went on a binge and read volumes 2-5 all at once so I'm rating these 4 volumes as a whole. This series is very problematic. Shirotani is forced into doing things after saying "stop" or "no" on multiple occasions. While sure, maybe he eventually wanted Kurose to do things to him...it didn't start out that way. While this series has its issues, it's pretty fast paced and an easy read. I wanted to know what happened next, mainly because I hoped the storyline would change for the better...but so far, it has not....more
Well, if this wasn't the most relatable thing I have ever read...
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What I Liked
The relatable-ness. Oh my god this graphic novel was way too relatable. I've known that I am an introvert for a very long time now, but it's so great to see a story like this that is just so completely relatable. From thinking about embarrassing things you did years ago to carrying a book around with you everywhere you go, even if you know you won't be able to read it. These are all things that I could EASILY relate to. Debbie later talks about taking the Myers-Briggs personality test and discovering that she is INFJ which just so happens to also be my personality type. There were just so many moments within this novel that made me think "YES. SAME. ME TOO GIRL."
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What I Didn’t Like
I loved this entire graphic novel. Seriously. It was like it was made for me.
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Overall, I clearly LOVED this graphic novel. It is perfect for all introverts out there. Even if your personality type isn't INFJ, but you consider yourself to be an introvert, I highly recommend this graphic novel....more
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one if I'm being honest. It was definitely good and it was really fast pac[image]
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars.
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I'm not really sure how I feel about this one if I'm being honest. It was definitely good and it was really fast paced, but there was just something about it that felt off for me. I think this entire story could have worked without the subplot of the indie kids...unless I'm missing something? I just didn't understand that storyline at all. It was a little obscure, which is something that I would normally probably enjoy...but it just felt strange here.
The "normal" characters were alright and I enjoyed reading about them, but none of them really stood out for me. They were just average which I guess is the point. I did really like how this story dealt with anxiety and other mental illnesses as these were the moments that felt the most realistic. This could have been a great coming of age story, but there was just too many strange things going on that interrupted that. Unless maybe I'm missing some sort of deeper meaning here....more
As of right now, I'll be DNFing this one. Unfortunately, I just wasn't jiving with this story. My mind kept wandering while I was [image]
DNF @ Page 50
As of right now, I'll be DNFing this one. Unfortunately, I just wasn't jiving with this story. My mind kept wandering while I was reading and I was unable to connect to the characters and stay focused on the story.
At the moment, I can't really tell if it was because I just wasn't in the mood for this genre, but I do usually really enjoy contemporaries. I may try to come back to this one at some point, but probably not any time in the near future.
Update: Sept 27. 2017
I tried reading this again after seeing so many wonderful reviews. I got to page 100 and had to stop again. I'm not really sure why this book isn't working for me, but it just isn't and I think I have to accept that. Clearly my opinion is in the minority though!...more
Sorry, you must be a member of this group to do that.
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