Sam's Attempt At 52 In 52

[NomNom]

Finally going for the one book a week goal in 2020.

Let's see how that'll turn out...

[NomNom]

Books I've read so far without knowing this Goodreads Group existed:


My thoughts on some of the books:
I absolutely loved the "A Darker Shade of Magic" trilogy and I cannot wait to pick up another book by V.E. Schwab. Loved the characters, the world, and the magic system. (view spoiler)[Holland's redemption arc was one of the best things in the book. I especially appreciated the way it was built up. (hide spoiler)]

"Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" was one of the first classics I've read, I think. It was so weird to read what happened and the novel makes you wonder first how someone could ever do that to themselves and second whether maybe all of us might have a Mr Hyde inside. I really think it shows that circumstances turn you into the person you are today, even if that were an 'evil' person if you let them.

I don't really have an opinion on "The Shock of the Fall" or "The Sudden Appearance of Hope" other than that I expected more from both books. I've read some other books portraying mental illness such as schizophrenia and I felt like it was portrayed more accurately in those. Of course, I do not know what schizophrenia is like but I had the feeling that "The Shock of the Fall" could have been better. I did like the portrayal of (view spoiler)[how Matt thought Simon was pushing him to do things. (hide spoiler)]

"The Sudden Appearance of Hope" gave me very high expectations. It did not deliver like I thought it would but the premise sounded very promising.

"Illuminae" was amazing, with some great plot twists. Cannot wait to get the next book out of the library.

Everyone wondering what being transgender is like should read "I am J". There definitely were some parallels with J's coming out compared to my coming out as bisexual like thinking your parents won't accept you so you consider running away. Thankfully my parents were accepting and I did not have to leave my home.

So yeah, read quite some books these past two months and I hope to be able to keep it up.

[NomNom]

Just finished:


The stories of Leo and David got me tearing up. It's such a sensitive story. What it especially did to me is remind me of how shitty the people in high school are. However, no matter how shitty life gets, the art of being normal shows that your friends are there to get you through it.

Yes, this was a story about transgenders and the issues involved with coming out and how it is to experience it. But I love that this book doesn't make such a big deal out of the main characters being transgender. Yes, they are different, but the thing that is the main theme is their friendship.

Because in the end no matter what gender or sexual orientation we are, we are still all people, and we all matter.

[Blagica , Challenges]

I am all about magic this year. I hope that your reading goal is your little touch of magic.

[NomNom]

Blagica wrote: "I am all about magic this year. I hope that your reading goal is your little touch of magic.
"

The magic will definitely be reflected by my reading goal if I manage to make it haha. But yes, I've been reading the Mistborn trilogy right now and loving it so far

[NomNom]

Finished:


The Mistborn Trilogy... This is a series that I have been wanting to read for a long time and now I've finally done it.

This series has everything. Characters we have grown to love, characters we hate, and even characters we have grown to feel sympathy for, even if they did not really deserve it. A magic system that I have not seen yet before (granted, I have not read that much fantasy before either) and that blows your mind. Plots that turn out to be part of a larger all encompassing plot that will blow your mind.

I just LOVE this series and I am more than happy to have finally read it. Yes, I'm late to the party, but I at least made it to the party.

[Blagica , Challenges]

Keep being awesome!

[NomNom]

I've read quite some books during quarantine and I totally forgot about discussing them here. So let's see if I can try to do that now. (Probably have forgotten most of the detail but as if anyone reads this but me)



Oh boy, where to start. Let's start with the beginning, no?

"We Are Okay" was a re-read for me and I still can't help but feel for Marin. This book is written in such an amazing way and it just gives me so many feels. Definitely one of my favourite books out there. Especially because it shows that grief is not always perfect. Another re-read was "The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck" and I do not have much to say about it other than that the audiobook really was a better experience than reading a physical copy.

Another book that captivates grief in an amazing way is "A Monster Calls". I have to admit that I prefer "We Are Okay", but what especially caught my attention in both these books is how we see everything with the characters and we experience the process of their loss. And yes, as a reader we can feel what is going to happen to their loved ones, but these books show that it is normal to be in denial about losing a loved one. It is normal to be in pain. But both books also show that you do not have to grieve alone.

"Born A Crime", "The Hate U Give", and "White Rage" are all books I've read to try and educate myself about systemic racism. I truly cannot believe how much we (read: NL) and the British fucked up SA. Trevor speaks so lightly about such impactful events that it really makes you think he had it relatively easy thanks to his mother's perseverance. Trevor's experiences are only the tip of the iceberg. All these books had me crying while I was reading it as I just cannot believe the things that happen (yes, one of them is fiction, but still). The way "White Rage' educates you including the sources to encourage to read up on it, even more, is impressive. But what is more impressive is how a country can fight against and basically denounce its own people and succeed at it and even be praised for it. It honestly made me sick to read about all the US has done to keep BIPOC part of a minority in every possible way.

"Paperweight" and "Suicide Notes" were definitely not what I initially expected, but they ended up as a pleasant surprise. Another book dealing with the same theme(s) is "My Heart And Other Black Holes" and though that was an enjoyable read, after digesting it, I am somewhat disappointed. It made it seem like just finding the 'right' person will 'cure' you of your depression, even though I'm pretty sure we all know that is not the case. You cannot put your happiness in the hands of another person. You need to try to grow to eventually be happy on your own.

"The Song Of Achilles" was everything I expected of it and more! The characters were just so lovable. Patroclus and Achilles will always be in my heart. "Circe", by the same author, was an enjoyable read, but for some reason, I was not as invested in that story.

"Norwegian Wood" is a read that has been on my list for quite some time as it is a Murakami book. The book is wonderfully written, but it has to be said that Toru (and other characters) have a lot of issues. There are some scenes that can be seen as describing rape (especially the Toru and Naoko scene). Midori also has manyyy issues.

"Dracula" was great but it took me so long to get through. Victorian English just isn't really my thing. (Speaking of, "Peter Pan", much). However, I am very happy to have read the origins of the vampire genre. Definitely way better than all that YA sparkly vampire stuff.

"The Raven Boys" was enjoyable. Blue is an interesting character and I am very curious to see what will happen with this group of found family.

"City Of Bones", "City Of Ashes", and "City Of Glass" are the first books to the Shadowhunter world. I cannot stress enough that these books are so much better than either the movie or the series. READ THE BOOKS.

"A Brief History Of Time" just reminds me of how much I miss Stephen Hawking. This man was only able to communicate with a speech computer during his later years and still managed to do groundbreaking research. The book not only taught me how they researched the hypothesis of the expanding universe, but also the fact that Hawking was really bad at placing bets. At least he made it to see the detection of gravitational waves. But he will be missed as one of the greatest scientists to have ever lived.

I think this is as much of an update as I'll give about the read books. It's just been too long ago.