The synopsis for this book is:
What happens when an ominous phenomenon forces people’s negativity to manifest into demonic creatures called
Umbra Shades that spread Apathy Syndrome to its victims? In a violent and corrupted world ruled by negative
intentions, a seventeen-year-old girl with the ability to purge these demons wants nothing more than a better
tomorrow… But will she be able to protect her loved ones and save humanity with it?
Generally, expect something between The Hate You Give and This Savage Song. It's a fast-paced, action-packed and EXTRA dramatic book about a teenager who found herself capable of seeing (and fighting) apathy growing in others. Seriously, there is SO MUCH DRAMA.
It's a cute independent book written by someone with so many cool ideas for a book. My only issue was with the pace - too many ideas were squeezed into too few chapters. I would be happier to see more scenes showing the character's motivations and personalities before jumping straight into the action sequences and manga-discussing. This one book easily contains enough material for a whole series.
Anyway, I think T.R. Tells has awesome ideas and is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her works in the future.
Title: Her Dark Sins
Author: T.R. Tells
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: 31 May 2020
Age Group/Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
T.R. Tells chose the pen name created as a play on words “T.R “TELLS a story”. She lives in upstate New York with her Bachelors from Southern New Hampshire University in Fiction and Creative writing. When she isn’t writing novels, ideas, short stories, or finished with her classes; she’s usually scrolling through one of her streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Funimation etc). She’s a fan of Anime, RPG, and JRPG games; anything historical or fantasy (books or T.V. shows) – she can go on for hours talking about it or really anything that she is passionate about.
T.R. Tells feels a passion towards it and hopes that (even if it’s just one person) feels the amount of effort, love, and determination that is expressed in her writing.
The blurb for this book is: When Sissy came to visit Liz and Cliff Gordon, they weren't expecting her to stay. But she was pregnant and newly widowed, and more importantly, the Gordons loved her. Together, they and their children formed a family—non-traditional, but extraordinary. Eighteen years later, cancer takes Sissy, and she leaves behind a legacy so vibrant the family’s grief threatens to break them. Liz makes a promise: she'll celebrate Sissy, not mourn her. She won't let her sorrow show. But her husband, Cliff clings to a secret that brings him both joy and pain. Their son, Michael is lost in his guilt. Their daughter, Clara grapples with coming-of-age without her “second mother.” And Sissy's son, Artie discovers a love that could cause him to lose everything. They've all celebrated Sissy's life... but can they go on without accepting her death? ☠️ Sounds like a sad read, right? What convinced me to read this book was the promise of a non-traditional family and the exploration of different kinds of love. ☠️ There were a bit too many flashbacks and too much exposition in the first chapters. A lifetime worth of story was crammed into short chapters in which characters reminisce about the past. I found it confusing at first, especially that I wasn't sure who was who. ☠️ But then, Chapter 3 and I was already tearing up a little bit. I'm a fragile little reader and any mention of grief makes me cry. ☠️ I don't think the book delivered on the promise of exploring different kinds of love. Most of the time it was just a man and a woman pairing up for a romantic-slash-sexual relationship. ☠️ #bookstagram #reading #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #instabook #booksofinstagram #bookaholic #bookphotography #read #readersofinstagram #booklove #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #instabooks #bookblogger #igreads #CelebratingNaked #outnow #newrelease #womensfiction #booklove #tbr #toberead #bookstagram #booklove #InkslingerPR @InkSlingerPR @lindseyissowaverill https://www.instagram.com/p/CER3_loAU9s/?igshid=1rclgvtxb1xko
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan
Finished on 1/04/2020
10/10
Sara Farizan doesn't disappoint. She has this amazing ability to make personal stories universal and serious things adorable. The book was really beautiful and I strongly recommend it, especially that it's not a very long read.
Dreadnought and Sovereign by April Daniels
Finished on 3 and 6/04/2020
9/10
The first book: A transgender superhero, a cyborg villain, a city in distress--a girl can't ask for more. The language and pace are on point and the book seamlessly blends together its two main topics, transitioning and becoming a superhero (metaphor alert). Beautiful! It gave me the feels since chapter one. I was afraid that the terf antagonist would be a little on the nose, but she stayed realistic (and remarkably annoying).
The second book: The first one was better. While it was still very interesting it talked way too much about magic (in a superhero book 😕), democracy, and the American way.
Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming
Finished on 4/04/2020
10/10
There is something eerily delicate about an adult man being vulnerable and talking about abuse, shame, Eurovision, eating disorders and fake boobs. It was much darker than I'd thought it would be, but in the end, it felt bittersweet rather than daunting.
Lumberjanes, vol.1 by Noelle Stevenson
Finished on 6/04/2020
8/10
It was childish, but cute. Looking forward to the next volumes.
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
Finished on 8/04/2020
7/10
That was... a lot. So many complicated characters, so many relationships and interactions, dark magic and unique mythology, and finally, a decent redemption arc. I didn't like Zoey that much, she sounded rude most of the time, but I appreciate the asexual inclusion.
Pszczoły i grom w oddali by Riku Onda
Finished on 8/04/2020
8/10
The Terracotta Bride by Zen Cho
Finished on 9/04/2020
8/10
So this is how you write a novella! A story about the Chinese afterlife, destiny, and sisterhood, it was certainly something I have never read before. The non-linear narration definitely keeps you on your toes.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Finished on 11/04/2020
8/10
Zombies + early America + badass girls. It's packed with action scenes, fights, and witty dialogue. Jane's voice and character are not only realistic (despite the crazy premise), but also unique - she's not just another fantasy protagonist. She's not the chosen one - just a girl protecting those she cares about and wishing to go back home, to her mother.
Autopsy by Donte Collins
Finished on 11/04/2020
5/10
It was... something? Man, poets can be so dramatic sometimes. Some parts of it were actually good, but some poems sounded a lot like those SNL High School Theatre Show sketches. A bit on the nose and too obvious.
The cover was pretty, though.
The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara
Finished on 17/04/2020
7/10
I finally finished reading this one. It was complicated like the lives of the main characters, it was dark and oddly uplifting, and in the end, it was sad. And it's not your usual novel, it was often difficult to follow--sometimes it focused on the details without giving enough context. I'm actually happy that I watched Pose before I read this, because otherwise I wouldn't understand what was going on.
The Gentleman Thief by Kate Gragg
Finished on 18/04/2020
8/10
The novella tells the story of a chimney sweep who can use magic, although only accidentally. He should clearly reconsider his career choices, since soot makes him cough, and coughing leads to unintended bursts of magic. And just like that, by accident, he turns money he stole for a dangerous mafia boss into a stack of potatoes and gets himself mixed up in some royal tournament mess.
It was a ridiculously fun read that had me laughing since page 2, which is not what I expect of most books. Even despite the quirky world it was set in, it wasn't a difficult, high-concept fantasy book. Its light and funny tone reminded me of The Edge Chronicles--The Gentleman Thief was equally absurd, although not as complex. The book is filled with magic--the fun kind, not the dark kind.
There was nothing predictable about this story, because it was too absurd to be predictable. In this world, everything was possible, and the author clearly took advantage of that fact.
I'm actually glad I had a chance to read it now, after having read so many difficult books this week. It felt refreshing. After all, it's always nice to read a book that's pure fun, no emotional drama.
And the characters! Lydia, the adventurous lady, in particular. I would love to read a story focused mainly on her.
The only drawback of this story is that it finished too quickly. The ending felt a bit rush and I would enjoy about two hundred more pages of this book.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Finished on 19/04/2020
10/10
It's a good book, but also a difficult one. I haven't been this frustrated with fictional characters for a while. Sometimes, it was so difficult I could only read one chapter at a time, and that's why it seemed much longer than it really was.
I need a break from heavy books.
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
Finished on 22/04/2020
9/10
Oh boy, I do have a sweet spot for omniscient AI systems which have learned how to love and care for a group of humans (wink wink Person of Interest wink wink). My experience with this series has been long and interrupted. I read the first book in November 2018, then the next one in one day in the middle of December 2018 and finally, today, I finished the last one. I must admit, I had to google some names, because I couldn't remember who was who.
I've heard voices that The Toll is different than the two first books but in my opinion it was just as fun and even more sci-fi than the other ones. Who would have thought that I would care about feelings of an omnipresent machine? Well, I should have expected that.
All rejoice!
Psy i demony. Ciemne strony Japonii by Alex Kerr
Finished on 23/04/2020
7/10
A realistic - or maybe even grim - look at today's Japan. Written with passion and brutal honesty, it's a screaming argument claiming that many things Japan claims to be are just a big, old lie.
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
Finished on 26/04/2020
9/10
This book is about a radical idea. Enter drum rolls. The idea is that most people are pretty decent.
Can a book on history be sweet? Can it be hopeful? In this sweet, sometimes even cloying book, Rutger Bregman scans history in order to find proof that we are in fact not that bad of a species. That in cases of disaster or faced with tragedy, we don't think only about ourselves and that we come together to help the weakest. He refutes studies that were designed to prove that we're essentially evil, and finds hope and acts of decency in even the darkest moments of human history.
It's a book written in a way that makes it easy to read in one sitting. And it was especially heartwarming to read it in this difficult time.
I would like to believe Bregman's arguments. They are clear and convincing, and yet there is something so deep in me trying to question them. Is it because we remember the bad things that happens to us better than the good ones? Nowadays I hear of people coming together to make masks and protective gear for medical personnel, I hear about people delivering groceries to the elderly, and yet the only thing I think about is one community in my city trying get a doctor kicked out from her apartment, because they thought that she somehow threatens their safety.
Maybe the book doesn't prove we're essentially good, but it at least proves that we're better than we think. And it's not that difficult to be a decent person. In the end, I'll take the Ten Rules to Live By Bregman offered in his epilogue over Harari's 21 lessons any day.
Only Words by Summer Kiska
Finished on 30/04/2020
7/10
It was a decent fantasy novel with all the right elements: magic, villains, cats, and insta-love. It was something I didn't expect, though. I thought it would be about a magical investigation agency--this is how I interpreted the blurb--but instead, the book was more about sibling rivalry and revenge. The idea was both simple and great--how can you do magic, let alone protect yourself against attacks, if you can only use a limited number of words? The book's strongest element were the characters--the villains were appropriately ruthless and brutal. Overall, It was a great read.
„Świat jest wypełniony muzyką po brzegi.” Recenzja książki Pszczoły i grom w oddali Riku Ondy
Świat jest wypełniony muzyką po brzegi.
Każdy, kto kiedykolwiek poczuł siłę muzyki na sali koncertowej, zrozumie świat, który przedstawia w swojej książce Riku Onda. Podobno przygotowania do napisania tej powieści i obserwacje konkursów pianistycznych zajęły jej dziesięć lat i czuć to na każdej stronie książki. Onda opisuje konkurs z takimi szczegółami, że można zarówno poczuć jego atmosferę, jak i doznać tych samych uczuć, których doznają bohaterowie — zarówno uczestnicy konkursu, a także jurorzy i obserwatorzy. Postać Księcia Pszczół, jednego z najmłodszych i najbardziej interesujących uczestników konkursu, jest spowita odpowiednio dozą tajemniczości, jednakże nie da się nie lubić jego spontaniczności i dziecinnego uwielbienia muzyki. Podobało mi się również to, że finaliści konkursu nie byli współzawodnikami, ale przyjaciółmi, którzy stawali się lepszymi pianistami poprzez wzajemne interakcje.
Ta książka jest jak tocząca się kula śnieżna (albo jak toczące się arbuzy z koreańskiego filmu, cytując jeden z pierwszych rozdziałów), ponieważ zaczyna się od cierpliwego i szczegółowego opisania wszystkich uczestników konkursu i tych zaangażowanych w konkurs, a następnie nabiera tempa i coraz szybciej zmierza ku zakończeniu, czyli kulminacji konkursu. Ta dysproporcja pomiędzy początkiem książki a jej końcem sprawia, że na końcu ma się wrażenie, że początek jest napisany dużo lepiej. Finał konkursu potraktowany jest zdawkowo, ale może o to chodziło — celem nie było wygranie, ale uwolnienie muzyki.
Książce towarzyszyła lista utworów na Spotify, ale jako że nie jestem w stanie czytać słuchając muzyki, wolałam wyobrażać sobie utwory, które Onda opisywała w tak szczegółowy i piękny sposób.
I like watching how Malorie Blackman becomes a better and more mature writer with each book. But honestly, I don’t know if I liked the shift towards Tobey and suspense/thriller genre.
Spinning Gears and other stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Finished on 14/03/2020
6/10
Reading it felt a bit like a chore. The stories felt a lot like platitudes, but it was interesting to analyze them with my book club.
Worlds with Ruby by C.P. Cabaniss
Finished on 14/03/2020
5/10
I really enjoyed the subtle descriptions and I loved the whole concept. I loved Ruth as a character, she was perfectly sarcastic, and made me think that this is what I would act like if I woke up in the afterlife.
On the downside, I sometimes felt like things were progressing a little too fast--we discover that Ruby is the chosen one early on and everything happens very fast after that. The story was interesting, but the pace didn't work--we should have a chance to see it unfold slowly. It was rushed through. I think the book would work better as a novel rather than a novella.
Overall, it was pleasant, and I am looking forward to reading more of the author's books and seeing how she grows as a writer.
The Lightning Conjurer: The Awakening
by Rachel Rener
Finished on 18/03/2020
8/10
I liked it! It was well-written and nicely developed.
The characters had clear motivations and believable personalities. I liked Aiden, Evelyn and Robert, but I had trouble liking the main character, Aspen, maybe because of her "I'm not like the other girls" attitude and hints of girl hate that transpired through her narration.
The author clearly thought through the world that she was building. It was very creative, consistent and interesting, and reminded me of the Umbrella Academy and of Michael Vey series (but for adults). I appreciate the fact that the book didn't end on a cliffhanger, although this is what I had anticipated. There is a lot of room to develop the characters and progress the story in the next books and I'm really curious how this story ends.
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Finished on 19/03/2020
10/10
I'm self-isolating and even though I managed to keep some of my clients and I have some online classes every day, I still get anxious, so I try to manage it by reading obsessively. I'm basically reading one book a day at this point.
VE Schwab is an amazing writer. The Near Witch is one of her earlier books, and it feels a lot like Archived. Still, gorgeously morbid.
Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
Finished on 20/03/2020
10/10
It was lovely! A little longer than the first one and just as fun! I hope there will be more of them--they are a great introduction to different (European) cities just as much as they are entertaining and dark reads. I hope V.E. Schwab decides to include some non-European cities as well.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Finished on 23/03/2020
10/10
Reading this during a pandemic was not the best idea. I was on the verge of tears the whole time. I even considered DNFing it, not because it was bad, but because it was so good. It was similar to The Edge of the Universe, due to the concept of deadline and using science fiction as a metaphor for depression, while it remained touchingly unique.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Finished on 25/03/2020
9/10
I read it. It was good, even though I was super suspicious about it since page one. Ishiguro is a great writer, and the only one whose books I had read (or even heard about) before he got the Nobel Prize, but it's the first one I read in English.
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee
Finished on 27/03/2020
5/10
I don't want to offend anyone who liked it, but how did it get published? I don't think it's good enough. Sure, it's sweet, and cute, and heartwarming, but it's just not good enough. It's full of convenient twists you see coming miles away and Disney level of drama. And it doesn't feel young adult at all, it feels like a children's book. I think it would work better as a comic book.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Finished on 29/03/2020
8/10
It's nice to read a book that is exactly what it was supposed to be for once. It's titled "My Sister, the Serial Killer" and this is the exact story it tells.
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
Finished on 30/03/2020
8/10
It was cryptic and complicated, and I think I will have to wait for the next books in the series until I decide whether I like it or not. The Raven Cycle was fun, because it was full of many different characters. Now, most of them are gone, and without his gang, Ronan is just a douche, and the abundance of Declan doesn't help. I liked Jordan a lot and I hope there will be more of her in the next books.
It was funny and I don’t understand why the movie was treated so seriously--with all the real-life fight clubs popping up and people analyzing the anti-consumerism messages.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Finished on 10/02/2020
10/10
I knew they would die at the end, because of the title, and yet, it was still sad. I liked the setting--and that the author didn’t attempt to try to explain the science behind what was going on. The characters were likable.
A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, A Conjuring of Light, The Steel Prince, and Night of Knives by V.E. Schwab
Finished between 9 and 24/02/2020
8-9/10
It was fun. I mean, the second book was the typical second book in the series--nothing much happened and for about 300 pages characters just avoided saying ‘hello’ to each other for no reason whatsoever. But as always with Schwab’s books, they were so good I almost cried.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Finished on 15/02/2020
7/10
It was interesting, but not really enlightening. I enjoyed Sapiens much more than Homo Deus and 21 lessons.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Finished on 18/02/2020
7/10
It was so very nicely written. You knew there was something wrong with Charlie from the very beginning, but you couldn't quite grasp it. I just think it should be a bit longer, because the ending felt rushed.
Checkmate by Malorie Blackman
Finished on 28/02/2020
8/10
I like watching how Malorie Blackman becomes a better and more mature writer with each book. This one was certainly better than the previous books, although I would like to learn more about Callie’s emotions and desires--they seemed simplified.
Noughts & Crosses and Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman
Finished on 03/01 and 31/01/2020
7/10
The concept was interesting, but the books seemed a bit childish. So did the characters. They felt one-dimensional, especially in the second book — Sephy was pretentious even though I think the author aimed for rebellious, while Jude was simply evil. Well, I still have the other books in the series to read, so maybe it’ll get better.
The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray
Finished on 08/01/2020
6/10
Meh. Meh. The idea was cool (Earth has stopped spinning, so we’re screwed), but the story itself was boring (a typical murder mystery reminding me of Robin Cook’s books).
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Finished on 13/01/2020
6/10
It was an okay book, but I didn't feel engaged enough to be shocked by the final reveal. And I kind of saw it coming.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Finished on 15/01/2020
6/10
As a dystopian novel, it was mediocre. A little too fast-paced. I would rather read something focusing more on small-scale changes rather than the political things. Some parts of it felt pretentious and racist (setting the worst crimes in a country oddly similar to the Balkan countries) as if no bad hings ever happen in the West. But as a commentary about literature in general, it was really interesting.
Vassalord vol. 1-7
Finished on 23/01/2020
10/10
Cyborgs and vampires being adorable, no actual plot, just a shitload of innuendos loosely connected to excuse all the bare chests and ambiguous positions. Count me in. It’s been a while since I felt that an author actually had a lot of fun coming up with the story and didn’t stop herself in any way.
Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki
Finished on 28/01/2020
8/10
Interesting, but surprisingly, not that different from Western fairy tales. I imagine there are some universal things we want to teach our children (like “don’t trust monkeys”).
The book was promoted on Instagram and everyone praised it, but in my opinion--even though the story and worldbuilding was interesting--the book could have been much shorter if the author shortened the descriptions of feelings. It went like this: a line of dialogue, a couple of paragraphs of description, the next line of dialogue, and so on. The suspense was unbearable.
The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai
Finished on 05/12/2019
9/10
Typical Osamu--sad, revolutionary, sad.
In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Finished on 07/12/2019
7/10
Let me tell you about my culture and why I like it more than any other culture (hint: because it’s mine). But seriously, there were some interesting points there, but were there worth writing so many pages about? I mean, toilets in the bushes? Really?
He Forgot To Say Goodbye by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Finished on 07/12/2019
8/10
By now, I’ve cracked Sáen’s books: a boy meets another boy. (Sometimes they also meet a girl.) They understand each other. Discover they were not so weird after all. Also, at least one parent, usually a father, is missing.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
Finished on 15/12/2019
7/10
I seriously thought it was a romance novel. But in reality, it was a giant stack of porn with some descriptions wrapped around it. By the end, I wasn’t sure what the story was exactly: the main characters had a fling one summer and basically never saw each other again. Also, both of them had other relationships at the same time and/or later. Not a big deal. It was fun to read, but sometimes it was just awkward. I will not dare to eat a peach ever again.
Gather Together In My Name by Maya Angelou
Finished on 17/12/2019
9/10
I mean, it’s Maya. Do I have to explain it? It’s like listening to your mother tell you about her crazy life.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
Finished on 17/12/2019
8/10
OMG, finally. I’ve been listening to this audiobook for over a month, and finally, it’s done. It was actually a re-read for me, although it’d been so many years I didn’t remember much. Now I got to re-live the story of Tom Bombadil the fellowship and listen to all those shitty songs Sam sang rejoice every time I realized I actually remember something.
The Final Empire. Mistborn Book One by Brandon Sanderson
Finished on 28/12/2019
8/10
I liked it. It was very similar to Leigh Bardugo and Trudi Canavan, although less diverse. The way magic was described was innovative and interesting, but I was hoping for more than one female character in the whole book.
The Structure of Iki by Kuki Shūzō
Finished on 30/12/2019
5/10
“Let me tell you about good taste in the most convolute way possible.” I still have no idea what iki is, I had to use Wikipedia to find out.
God Bless You by Hiromi Kawakami
Finished on 30/12/2019
8/10
It was an interesting, intertextual read. The author combined two texts: one written before Fukushima, one after, to talk about the subtle changes in her everyday life. I had some issues with the way it was published in Poland: they managed to turn 27 pages into a book that was far too expensive.
It was nice, but not my kind of story. I hoped it’s going to be more interesting, but it was quite boring.
Onnazaka by Enichi Fumiko
Finished on 5/11/2019
9/10
It was interesting—a story of a woman trying to fight to keep her dignity around her self-centred husband in Japan.
The Return by Rachel Harrison
Finished on 13/11/2019
5/10
Boring. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a thriller or a horror story, but it was neither. It wasn’t thrilling or scary at all.
Diary of a Mad Old Man by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Finished on 16/11/2019
6/10
Meh. A story about feet fetish and a list of drugs an old man takes. The only good thing about it was that it didn’t pretend the elderly become somehow asexual just because of their age.
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Finished on 26/11/2019
8/10
I hoped it would have a story that is more specific, like other Saenez’s books, but otherwise, I liked it, especially the characters.
This is not a drill, the book is out! It’s available on Amazon.
A bit of romance, a bit of fantasy, full-on cute and crazy. What is it about?
Martin has always been a good guy, he has always done the right thing. He wakes up early every day to make sure to prepare lunch for his daughter and leaves his work every evening early enough to pick her up from school. When his wife and son died ten years ago, he didn’t even have a chance to grieve, because he knew his daughter needed him.
But one day, helping a hit-and-run victim lands him in hospital. Bruised, but not badly wounded, he’s quickly discharged, but forced to take some days off. For the first time in years, his schedule isn’t full, and he has time to think. Just as Martin looks for ways of avoiding spiraling into grief, he meets Eli—someone he might be actually falling for.
As Eli turns out to be someone—or something—Martin would never expect to meet, unpredicted events start to unfold. Now, surrounded by angels of death strangely keen on hurting him, a two-hundred-year-old ally who looks much younger than Martin himself, and an enemy with a strangely familiar face, Martin has to find a way back to normal life, even if he has to battle his own forgotten memories in the process.
Oh boy, it’s November already. Here are the books I read in October:
There's a Wocket in My Pocket! by Theodor Seuss Geisel
8/10
Finished on October 5, 2019
Yet another super short children’s book. It was fine.
The Carnivorous Carnival, The Slippery Slope, The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket
10/10
Finished on October 5, 10, 27 2019
My favourite series ever. Nothing to add.
The Ballad of Narayama by Shichirō Fukazawa
8/10
Finished on October 9, 2019
A novella we read for our Book Club. It was a metaphor of living and dying and the society we live in.
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
6/10
Finished on October 13, 2019
I thought it was going to be better. It was about my favourite superhero, and yet, I didn’t feel excited at all as I read it. The characterisation didn’t really work.
The truth and lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr
6/10
Finished on October 16, 2019
I didn’t feel like it was suspenseful enough for a psychological thriller. Kind of cheap. And the twist fell flat.
The Mountains Sing by Phan Quế Mai Nguyến
9/10
Finished on October 16, 2019
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. It reminded me of Red Girls, but was way better written. The descriptions were stunning, the characters felt real and relatable.
The Weight of the Heart by Susana Aikin
6/10
Finished on October 18, 2019
I’ve read better, I’ve read worse. It was okay, but not something I’d usually enjoy.
Daniela by Stephen Weeks
4/10
Finished on October 19, 2019
It’s an erotic novel set during WW2. That’s all I have to say about it.
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari
9/10
Finished on October 20, 2019
It was good, but it sometimes felt like a rip off of Sapiens.
American Royals by Katharine McGee
8/10
Finished on October 24, 2019
The concept was really fun, although sometimes the book felt like it was Gossip Girl 2.0.
That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu
7/10
Finished on October 24, 2019
I don’t usually read poetry, but it wasn’t exactly poetry, either. I had to google some vocabulary, but it was interesting to read nonetheless.
The Blacklist - The Dead Ring No. 166 by Jon McGoran
The Blacklist - The Beekeeper No. 159 by Steven Piziks
8/10
Finished on October 26 and 27, 2019
I really enjoyed both. It was tacky, sure, but an easy read. And the characters really felt like they were re-created by someone who actually knew what they were talking about.
Celebrations, Rituals of Peace and Prayer by Maya Angelou
10/10
Finished on September 1, 2019
I love everything by Maya and this collection of poems is great for reading aloud on a Sunday morning.
A Series of Unfortunate Events 2-8 by Lemony Snicket
10/10
Finished on September 3-30, 2019
I remembered so much from this book, and it turned out I forgot just as much. I still adore this series.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
10/10
Finished on September 4, 2019
Meh. I finished it only because I bought it and didn’t want to feel guilty. It was just as tacky and boring as the first one.
Wake by Lisa McMann
6/10
Finished on September 8, 2019
I thought it would be better, more like Everyday or something, but it turned out to be rather plain and simplistic. I dint feel like there was anything exciting about this book, just as I didn’t feel like there was any conflict.
Colour of Happiness (v. 3) by Hakuri
7/10
Finished on September 8, 2019
My opinion hasn’t changed: I'm not sure what to think about this manga. I feel like it’s a story of a girl who exchanged one abusive relationship for another one.
The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
5/10
Finished on September 14, 2019
The cover and the edition is simply beautiful, but the book is boring. The idea was good, but in the end, the story was just wasn’t there. I’ve read self-published free books on Amazon that were the same quality as this one.
The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
8/10
Finished on September 21, 2019
I read it by accident, but it was so short, so it took about two minutes.
I read so many things in August, so let’s jump right in.
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
9/10
Finished on August 3, 2019
The truth is, I read almost all Agatha Christie’s books as a child (but in Polish, duh), so everything I do now are re-reads. In this case, it was a re-listen(?), because I listened to the audiobook read by Dan Stevens. Well, that boy sure can read.
A Discovery of Witches by Autor: Deborah Harkness
6/10
Finished on August 8, 2019
The title and the cover suggested it’s a book about witches. It’s not. Its about vampire yoga, vampire science, and instalove. Just because the main character is over thirty, doesn’t mean her relationship with a 1,500-year-old dude is okay. Especially that he’s so angry all the time.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
9/10
Finished on August 9, 2019
Well, that was good. I really like Le Guin’s books, because she makes her words very real, like she’s an anthropologist observing something real. It was interesting and serious and fun.
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
5/10
Finished on August 13, 2019
No idea what this book was supposed to be about. An asshole dude? Two families so big and boring I no longer knew who’s who? I didn’t feel like there was any depth to the caracters, it wasn’t interesting, it wasn’t amusing, and the reviews I read suggested it was supposed to be funny. I just don’t get it.
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
5/10
Finished on August 15, 2019
I read it again, because I wanted to finish the series and I only had book 5 and 6 to read. It was okay, but honestly, it felt like a transition book—not much happened, people talked about their feelings a lot, and it set the stage for the two next books.
I Before E (Except After C): Old-School Ways to Remember Stuff by Judy Parkinson
9/10
Finished on August 16, 2019
It was fun, relaxing, and I felt like it taught me so many things I was supposed be taught at school, but my teachers focused on making me feel inferior instead.
City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
8/10 and 7/10
Finished on August 19-20, 2019
The two last books in the series were okay. I think the biggest advantage of Clare’s writing are the constant plot twists, which keep you focused on what’s happening even when Clare is trying to sell you the weirdest shit (incest, am I right?). And of course, I enjoyed Magnus the most, because he’s the coolest soul out there.
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
10/10
Finished on August 24, 2019
V.E. is the coolest person ever, one of my favourite writers, and I was excited to read a children’s book written by her. it was fun, felt a little like The Graveyard Book, although V.E. has her own writing style. BTW are Cassidy and Lara ExtraOrdinary?
Alice in the Country of Hearts (v. 1-6) by Quin Rose and Soumei Hoshino
8/10
Finished on August 25, 2019
It’s a manga and a re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. And it’s lovely. As always, I had trouble differentiating between some of the characters, because I didn’t see that many physical differences between them, but I had fun reading it, because it was funny and cute and interesting.
Colour of Happiness (v. 1-2) by Hakuri
7/10
Finished on August 25, 2019
I'm not sure what to think about this manga. The story is: an abused teenager is kidnapped by a twenty-something stalker and she’s thankful, because he’s saved her from her abusive parents and perverted teacher. The problem is, the relationship between them is supposed to be romantic—or going in a romantic direction—especially that the girl demands they get married someday, but I have trouble accepting a romantic relationship in which one person has more control or power than the other. And given the age difference, the girl’s past and the fact that he kidnapped her, this is not a relationship between equals.
But the pictures are pretty.
A Series of Unfortunate Events 1: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
10/10
Finished on August 26, 2019
I can’t possibly be critical of these books. I read them for the first time as a child and I still remembered so much about them, including some stylistic devices the author used.
Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
7/10
Finished on August 29, 2019
It’s the second time I read the book. It was fine—now it was a bit clearer than the first time I read it. it has raised enough questions to be discussed during a book club meeting.
I thought it would be better, maybe because the trailer for the movie was so nice and so exciting. It was an audiobook, and I really like the narrator, but I really dislike the characters. The main heroine let things happen to her rather than participated actively in what was going on. And I felt like she wasn't really the main character, she was just there to show us things.
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
8/10
Finished on June 8, 2019
I liked the book, but it was really childish and predictable. I didn't really like the main character, because she was kind of self-absorbed. Also I felt like the book was sending the message that asexual people cannot communicate with other people, or talk about sex like normal human beings. Trust me, aces can talk about things and stuff.
Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
7/10
Finished on June 14, 2019
It was just another heart-warming Japanese book. What was interesting was that it gave social and historical context for what was going on and I think that was fun. There was another book that we read this summer that gave similar context and it was Red Girls.
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
8/10
Finished on June 18, 2019
All and all, a nice book. But there are just some tropes I don’t understand, like a straight losing her virginity with a queer friend who’s not interested in her romantically or otherwise. I think some of the character’s choices and actions were excused by their backgrounds and the fact that LOVE CONQUERS ALL. Well, usually, it doesn’t.
Red Girls by Kazuki Sakuraba
7/10
Finished on July 11, 2019
Japanese authors can’t really finish their books, can they? Or maybe I'm used to something different. anyway, I think that was the first saga I’ve ever read and I had fun reading it. or at least 2/3 of it, as the last part was completely unnecessary and out of place.
Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill
9/10
Finished on July 12, 2019
It was a book I read while observing the teacher trainees’ lessons and despite the circumstances I really enjoyed it. It was a real thriller and I liked the twists and turns and I like the fact that the author didn’t decide to write a forced and silly happy ending.
The Seeds of Speech: Language Origin and Evolution by Jean Aitchison
8/10
Finished on July 24, 2019
It's one of the TESOL books I intend to read over the next year or two while preparing for Delta (maybe, lol). It was interesting, although written for laymen. It shed some light on things that we don't usually realize about our languages.
Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick
6/10
Finished on July 26, 2019
Honestly, it wasn't a good book. It was supposed to be a thriller, but it was very predictable and I don't think it brought anything new to that genre. I kind of forced myself to finish it.
The Lost Narwhal by Tori McGee
8/10
Finished on July 26, 2019
It's one of the children's books I read to check if I can use them with my students. And sure, it's a perfect book for children, because it has beautiful pictures, very nice and clear text, and a clear message at the end.
Light Years by Kass Morgan
6/10
Finished on July 28, 2019
I hoped it would be much better. It didn't really feel like an exciting sci-fi book, there was too much romance in it. Besides, it seemed like a pilot episode of a Sci-Fi TV series I wouldn't want to continue watching anyway.
My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness by Kabi Nagata
9/10
Finished on July 30, 2019
It’s the first autobiographical manga I’ve ever read. It was very honest and sometimes it was very painful. I wish it was longer, though: I think that’s the problem with graphic novels: they look like regular books, but you need about forty minutes to read it. I think I'm going to buy the second volume, too.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
7/10
Finished on July 31, 2019
It was interesting—it shed some light on things I never realized about America and is very distant from the picture of the US American television usually shows us. But it was so long and there were so many characters and themes. It was an audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator—Adjoa Andoh—who used a variety of accents and voices, making the story even more believable and the characters even more real.
I was making some literary posters for myself and decided to upload them here as well. Quotes by: VE Schwab, Neil Gaiman, Patrick Ness, Maya Angelou, and a couple of others. You can use them for your journals or as posters.
Whatever. Enjoy.
Google Drive links: PDF version and JPG version.
