1984 by George Orwell is one of the most unsettling books Iβve ever read, not because of the world it presents, but because so much of it feels uncomfortably familiar. For a novel published in 1949, itβs shocking how relevant many of its themes still feel today.
What impacted me most was the way Orwell explores surveillance, propaganda, censorship, and the manipulation of information. The idea that truth can be controlled by those in power is terrifying, and itβs impossible not to draw parallels to aspects of the modern world while readingβ¦ There were many moments where I had to stop and think about how easily information can be distorted and how important it is to question what weβre told.
The atmosphere is oppressive from beginning to end. Thereβs a constant feeling of anxiety hanging over every page, and Orwell does an incredible job of making the reader feel trapped alongside Winston. His struggles feel deeply human, which makes the story even more heartbreaking.
I also appreciated how straightforward the writing is. Orwell doesnβt rely on complicated prose to get his message across. Instead, the power comes from the ideas themselves and how theyβre woven into the story. Some sections are slower and more focused on explaining the political structure of the world, but I found those parts interesting because they helped me understand how the system functions and why it is so effective at controlling people.
Overall, 1984 is a powerful, disturbing, and incredibly thought-provoking novel. What makes it truly memorable is how many of its warnings still feel relevant decades later. Itβs the kind of book that stays in your mind long after youβve finished it and makes you look at the world a little differently.
β’ Title: βWhen Death Gives You Lemonsβ by Alice G. Brooks
Rating: β° β° β° β° (4/5)
βThere is only one person in your life who will always have to be okay with the things you do and say, and that's you. Everybody else is temporary."
β’ Read review below β¬οΈ
This book was such a unique and memorable read. I went into it expecting a quirky queer fantasy, and while it definitely delivers on that, it also has a lot of heart underneath all the humor and chaos.
The premise immediately hooked me. Following a dead murderer and a Grim Reaper on a journey centered around forgiveness and redemption made for a story that felt both entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful. I liked how the book explored difficult topics without becoming overly heavy, and it balanced emotional moments with humor really well.
Isaac and Grim were easily my favorite part of the book. Their dynamic is funny, awkward, and emotional all at once. Grim, especially, brought so much personality to the story, and many of my favorite moments involved him trying to understand humans and human emotions.
The writing was easy to get through, and I found myself flying through chapters because I always wanted to know what would happen next. The story has a lot of charm, and even when it deals with darker themes, it never loses its sense of hope.
While I really enjoyed the book overall, there were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth or development, particularly with some of the emotional beats. Even so, I was invested from beginning to end and genuinely cared about the characters and their journey.
Overall, When Death Gives You Lemons is a heartfelt, funny, and creative story that mixes humor with deeper themes in a way that feels natural. It was a really enjoyable read, and Iβm glad I picked it up.
See the thing about Adamβs whole βdo I like Ronan or do I just like feeling wanted for the first time in my lifeβ deal is that itβs not an entirely unreasonable concern to have and could even be considered a pretty mature thing to consider seeing how much commitment being in a relationship with Ronan requires EXCEPT for the fact that Adam is at least as horrifically down bad for Ronan as Ronan is for him so is it really even a question
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β’ Title: βBreaking Dawnβ (The Twilight Saga #4) by Stephenie Meyer.
Rating: β° β° β° (3/5)
Read review below
This book was a mixed read for me. As the final book in the Twilight Saga, it delivers some big moments and finally brings the story to a close.
One thing I enjoyed was getting to see how the relationships and conflicts from the earlier books came together. Bellaβs transformation into a vampire was one of the most memorable parts of the novel, and I liked seeing how she adapted to her new life and abilities. There were also several emotional scenes, particularly the moments surrounding Renesmeeβs birth and the impact it had on the Cullen family. The expanded look into the vampire world was also interesting and added more depth to the story.
However, this book didnβt completely work for me. The pacing felt uneven, with some sections moving painfully slowly while others rushed through major events. For example, the long stretch spent gathering vampire witnesses before the confrontation with the Volturi dragged far longer than necessary and became tedious to get through. There were also plot developments that I struggled to connect with, especially because several major conflicts were resolved in ways that felt overly convenient and lacking in real tension.
That said, I was still invested enough to want to see how everything would end. While it isnβt my favorite book in the series, it provides a memorable conclusion and wraps up the story in a way that many fans will likely appreciate.
Overall, Breaking Dawn was a flawed finale that never fully lived up to its potential. Iβm glad I read it, but the weak pacing, convenient resolutions, and uneven storytelling made it a disappointing ending to the series, which is why it lands at 3 stars for me.
As an asexual person, Pride is a reminder that every identity deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated. Growing up, I rarely saw asexuality represented, and for a long time it felt like there was something missing because my experiences didnβt match what everyone else seemed to be feeling.
Finding the asexual community helped me understand that there isnβt one βrightβ way to experience attraction, love, or relationships. Being asexual is a valid part of who I am, and Iβm proud of that.
This month, I'm celebrating authenticity, self-acceptance, and everyone still figuring themselves out. No matter where you are on your journey, you deserve to be accepted exactly as you are.
Happy Pride Month to all my fellow LGBTQ+ people. ππ€
Well, Iβve officially hit 35 books for the year, which means my original goal of 40 is practically in the rearview mirror. I've been having such a great time with my reading latelyβespecially after discovering C.G. Drews this monthβthat Iβve decided to push myself a little further.
