I've always been interested in secret societies like Skull and Bones at Yale. When I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I loved this gritI've always been interested in secret societies like Skull and Bones at Yale. When I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I loved this gritty tale of magic and murder among college students. I really like Alex, the main character, and I have high hopes about her and a certain someone in the rest of the series. I loved that Bardugo had me questioning everyone's motives and trying to figure out what happened. (view spoiler)[I'm glad the big douchebags got what they deserved. However, (hide spoiler)] I was way off in the end and blown away at what Bardugo accomplished with the story and where it leads for book #2....more
I don’t know if I wasn’t in a receptive mood or what, but only a few of the quotes were comforting to me. I liked the quotes by my religious leaders mI don’t know if I wasn’t in a receptive mood or what, but only a few of the quotes were comforting to me. I liked the quotes by my religious leaders more than the others. I did like the songs too and the one by AA Milne. ...more
I don't know anything about Jane Eyre. AT ALL. I was drawn to this book by its title and cover. When I discovered it was a Jane Eyre retelling, I deciI don't know anything about Jane Eyre. AT ALL. I was drawn to this book by its title and cover. When I discovered it was a Jane Eyre retelling, I decided to only look up the setting and the main characters online and, otherwise, go into the story blind. The names are practically the same. Most retellings I've read are far more subtle than this seemed to be (I read the plot of Jane Eyre after I finished) and I like subtle retellings much better. I just couldn't get behind this no matter how hard I tried. I especially hated reading Bea's POV. (view spoiler)[Although she did surprise me. I never guessed she was an unreliable narrator and the true antagonist. (hide spoiler)] I did like Eddie's *insert eye roll* POV near the end of the novel. That section was actually my favorite part of the entire novel. (view spoiler)[And, even though I didn't want Jane to end up with him because of what he had done, I still wished she had found out the full truth. (hide spoiler)] PS: panic rooms don't keep their owners in ... just sayin'....more
I thought the way The Family Upstairs was written was weird at first but it grew on me. I’ve never experienced only 1/3 of an unreliable narrator befoI thought the way The Family Upstairs was written was weird at first but it grew on me. I’ve never experienced only 1/3 of an unreliable narrator before and I didn’t realize it was happening until near the end. Coupled with that dark twisty ending ... I’m glad I stuck it out until the end....more
Educated was very interesting to read. It was multi-faceted. It was about family, religion, mental health, abuse, and discovering oneself. However, moEducated was very interesting to read. It was multi-faceted. It was about family, religion, mental health, abuse, and discovering oneself. However, more than anything, this story made me appreciate my education. It made me appreciate my parents who emphasized getting good grades and doing well in school. Thanks to them, not only do I have life experience, I’m not ignorant either. ...more
I'm a sucker for vampires so this book appealed to me, but you don't even meet the vampire (view spoiler)[(if you can even call him that) (hide spoileI'm a sucker for vampires so this book appealed to me, but you don't even meet the vampire (view spoiler)[(if you can even call him that) (hide spoiler)] until nearly a fourth of the way into the story. Fortunately, the ladies' book club was entertaining and I really liked them so I didn't mind. I thought the book had a lot going for it, besides the horror aspect. It was an interesting look at sexism, class, and race in the south during the 90s. I liked how most of the story played out. (view spoiler)[Why were none of the husbands killed off?! They were the worst humans ever. I would even go as far to say they were as bad as the "vampire." (hide spoiler)] I wish the women were strong or cared enough to defy their husbands to help the black children instead of waiting until their own children were in danger. I'm disappointed in the ending. It felt anticlimactic. (view spoiler)[I'm also disappointed the "vampire" didn't die and that whatever he implanted/impregnated Slick with just fizzled and never came to life. (hide spoiler)] Also, the attic is the worst scene I have ever read in my life! Way too many bugs! Talk about the heebie-jeebies!...more
So many emotions while reading The Winter of the Witch. So many. First, I take back what I said in my review of The Girl in the Tower of finding someoSo many emotions while reading The Winter of the Witch. So many. First, I take back what I said in my review of The Girl in the Tower of finding someone else I hate more than Brother Konstantin Nikonovich. There is no other character I hate more in all of literature except for Professor Umbridge. This story was beautiful and sad and intense and romantic and spiritual and ethereal all in one go. I really loved the mythos of the chyerti; all they wanted to do was survive in a world of men and growing Christianity. I especially loved the fiction intermingled with the 14th century Russian history. I still adored the Russian setting. The language, buildings, scenery, clothes, food--they were a joy to read about. I also liked that the ending was left open enough that Arden can revisit this world if she wants to. (view spoiler)[My favorite part of the story is that Vasya and Morozko do get to be together. I also adore when he calls her “beloved”—swoon. (hide spoiler)]...more
The Girl in the Tower was just as enchanting as The Bear and the Nightingale. I’m still in love with the medieval Russian setting at the time when pagThe Girl in the Tower was just as enchanting as The Bear and the Nightingale. I’m still in love with the medieval Russian setting at the time when pagan and Christianity clashed, not knowing who’d win, rather than trying to coexist together peaceably. I loved meeting the new characters(view spoiler)[and didn’t realize I could ever meet someone I hated more than Brother Konstantin, Kastyan (hide spoiler)]. I need Morozko around more, but I fear that won’t happen under the current circumstances. I’m quite worried about what’s going to happen in The Winter of the Witch. (view spoiler)[I’ll only be happy if Vasya and Morozko end up together for good. He’s the only one who can give her the freedom she craves but still love her. (hide spoiler)]...more
What a powerful story of courage and bravery of the Jewish people during WWII. I loved learning about the true events that took place during WWII throWhat a powerful story of courage and bravery of the Jewish people during WWII. I loved learning about the true events that took place during WWII through this fictional story. I never knew about the couriers and what they risked for their people. I also didn't really know much about the resistance fighters within the ghettos. I thought this book did a great job at showing the Jews' courage as they suffered at the hands of the Germans and their own countrymen, yet risked their lives to help each other. Many of the Jews knew that their resistance movements wouldn't "win," but it wasn't about winning; the goal was resistance and standing up to the Nazis and showing the world that they wouldn't be silenced. Because of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the Allies finally decided to stop turning a blind eye to what was happening to the Jews in Europe....more
I'm so sad I was part of the leak that caused Stephenie to not want to finish and publish this. I loved reading from Edward's perspective and got caugI'm so sad I was part of the leak that caused Stephenie to not want to finish and publish this. I loved reading from Edward's perspective and got caught up in the excitement of reading the contraband while I was in Forks with my friends. I'm so sorry to her and to all her fans....more
Midnight Sun was everything I wanted it to be. Being in Edward’s head was truly enlightening. I loved learning more about him and the Cullens; the vamMidnight Sun was everything I wanted it to be. Being in Edward’s head was truly enlightening. I loved learning more about him and the Cullens; the vampiric world; the Forks humans; Jacob; Charlie and Renée; and James, Victoria, and Laurent. I also loved knowing all the things Edward said to Bella that she couldn’t hear and knowing his reasons behind all his decisions and actions. It shed so much light on New Moon. I loved being in Bella’s and Edward’s world again for the first time!...more
The story was thought-provoking and fraught with emotion. The characters were so dynamic and round and interesting to read about.
The barbecue incidentThe story was thought-provoking and fraught with emotion. The characters were so dynamic and round and interesting to read about.
The barbecue incident was hard. It was so hard to experience with the characters. Moriarty wrote the story in a way that made me feel like I was there with them. I pictured people I knew which made it feel more real. (view spoiler)[I have very mixed feelings about Harry because of what he did. (hide spoiler)]
I’m not quite sure what I was expecting when I picked up Neverwhere but it’s not what I read. I felt like I was reading a story about the sewer mutantI’m not quite sure what I was expecting when I picked up Neverwhere but it’s not what I read. I felt like I was reading a story about the sewer mutants under New New York in Futurama, just with the addition of assassins, vampiric-like creatures, and angels in the story, which truth be told, could happen in Futurama. London Below also was nothing like I imagined it'd be. I thought it’d be more magical, beautiful, and clean; instead, it was just the sewer systems with a few interesting quirks. I was really disappointed with that aspect of the story. I did like the characters (view spoiler)[and I think I would’ve liked the story more if Richard had kissed Door before he left London Below to return home. I didn't mind the lack of romance throughout the book, but he thought about kissing her enough that I think he should've before he left. (hide spoiler)]....more
I really enjoyed the suspense and wanted to know how the story would come together in the end. I wanted more romance. The ending is a bit of a letdownI really enjoyed the suspense and wanted to know how the story would come together in the end. I wanted more romance. The ending is a bit of a letdown but it was still satisfying. The story is pretty unrealistic for anyone who has been in therapy before....more
I absolutely adored The Flatshare. It's the first new 5-star book I've read in a long time. I loved Tiffy and her eccentricity and Leon and his quiet,I absolutely adored The Flatshare. It's the first new 5-star book I've read in a long time. I loved Tiffy and her eccentricity and Leon and his quiet, sweet personality. The notes they wrote each other were the best. I laughed and smiled all throughout this book. Their romance was heartwarming and a treat to read. I also enjoyed the heavier themed aspects of The Flatshare, especially what Tiffy dealt with. It felt very real and plausible. I didn't really care for her therapist, though. I liked Mo better. (view spoiler)[There's a part of me that wanted Leon to bump into Kay after Richie was let out of prison so he could've said, "I told you so. Bitch. Boo yeah!" But, of course, Leon wouldn't do that. He would just quietly inform her and then leave. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really enjoyed reading Unhoneymooners. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I loved the tension between the two protagonists. I loved watching tI really enjoyed reading Unhoneymooners. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I loved the tension between the two protagonists. I loved watching them go from mutual dislike of each other to love. It was a fun, romantic ride. ...more
One of Us is Lying kept me interested. I really wanted to figure out what was going on and I liked the characters and the relationships, especially BrOne of Us is Lying kept me interested. I really wanted to figure out what was going on and I liked the characters and the relationships, especially Bronwyn and Nate. But, I didn't like the turn the story took in terms of the mystery. (view spoiler)[I felt it glorified suicide and mass shootings. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really liked the story of Ban this Book. I think it did a good job of illustrating the importance of not arbitrarily banning/challenging books and tI really liked the story of Ban this Book. I think it did a good job of illustrating the importance of not arbitrarily banning/challenging books and that no one has a right to tell you what you're allowed to read (or what your child is allowed to read) except you. I think everyone should read it, especially parents....more
This was a fun, quick read other than the foreword by Bill Cosby. (Blech.) My favorite piece of advice was said by Snoopy: “Keep looking up... That’s This was a fun, quick read other than the foreword by Bill Cosby. (Blech.) My favorite piece of advice was said by Snoopy: “Keep looking up... That’s the secret of life...” ...more
Let's just say that I finally understand what A Midsummer Night's Dream is about now, but this wasn't really my thing. At least it was a quick read whLet's just say that I finally understand what A Midsummer Night's Dream is about now, but this wasn't really my thing. At least it was a quick read when I needed something quick....more
I thought Big Little Lies was very addicting. I loved how Moriarty told the story. I wanted to keep reading it even when I wasn’t. I really felt for aI thought Big Little Lies was very addicting. I loved how Moriarty told the story. I wanted to keep reading it even when I wasn’t. I really felt for all the characters, especially little Ziggy....more
I liked the LOST-esque feel of the book (e.g. more questions than answers, supernatural elements, mysterious island), but I didn't like the charactersI liked the LOST-esque feel of the book (e.g. more questions than answers, supernatural elements, mysterious island), but I didn't like the characters as much as I liked the LOST characters so I couldn't get fully onboard with the story....more
I really enjoyed reading The Marriage Pact even though it was very over-the-top. Each time I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again so I could findI really enjoyed reading The Marriage Pact even though it was very over-the-top. Each time I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again so I could find out what happened. I did feel the book was a little too long and the ending wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be, though....more
Amazing memoir. It was fascinating to read about the life of a mixed person's life growing up during the apartheid. It was also interesting to read abAmazing memoir. It was fascinating to read about the life of a mixed person's life growing up during the apartheid. It was also interesting to read about Trevor Noah's life since he's one of my favorite comedians....more
Jenni Elyse
>
Books:
Read
(355)
Loading...
