#sarah kuttner

[cigarettes-and-chuzpe]

Ich bin empfindlich. Ich möchte das Wir gerne einordnen. Sind wir ein Wir? Sind wir ein Manchmal? Ein Vielleicht? Oder ein Mal sehen?

- Sarah Kuttner, Mängelexemplar

[pennerlebenx]

"Technisch ist es nicht möglich, das Atmen zu vergessen. Blut braucht Sauerstoff, und das Zwergfell macht irgendwas mit Unterdruck, und zack wird eingeatmet, egal ob man will oder nicht. Dennoch kann ich gerade nicht. Jeder Atemzug ist ein unüberwindbares Hindernis, ein Kraftakt, für den ich zu erschöpft bin. Und obwohl mein Körper im Grunde Gehorsam leistet und "ein und aus" spielt, habe ich das Gefühl, ihm dabei mehr als nötig unter die Arme greifen zu müssen."

-Sarah Kuttner

[unfug-bilder]

https://twitter.com/KuttnerSarah

[bibliophilecats]

March 18th: Somebody like you

On the one hand, I like reading about people with mental health issues because I can relate. On the other, those stories often trigger my mental health issues.

(on a side note, I took about 20 pictures but my cats just would not cooperate and this is the best).

[grass-harp]

BOOKS OF APRIL ‘18

Long time no wrap-up! April was a weird reading month for me: Quantitatively good, since I managed to read six books. Qualitatively, not so good, since most of the books I read were mediocre reads and didn’t leave me very satisfied. One highlight of this month, however, was my impromptu weekend readathon with @the-literaryowl , during which I read and fell in love with “Everything I Never Told You”. It was perfect - not only is Celeste Ng an amazing writer, but chatting to Melody about my thoughts about the story made me read it more closely and appreciate it even more.

Another highlight was meeting Celeste Ng, when she presented her newer book, Little Fires Everywhere, in Berlin. Unfortunately, the event itself was a bit meh, since the moderator managed to make the whole event more about him and his opinion of the book rather than giving some space to Celeste Ng. 

But enough of that, let’s talk about the books that I read in April:

Morgan Matson: “The Unexpected Everything”

Morgan Matson is one of my go to’s when I feel like some nice, contemporary YA that is fluffy and serious at the same time. This book was the weakest one I’ve read of her, however, and I’m not entirely sure if it’s because I’m older now or because of the book itself. It gave me fluff, summery vibes and cute dogs, but not more than that.

V. E. Schwab: “Vicious”

Victoria Schwab’s books are not for me. I appreciate that her protagonists are usually some kind of anti-hero and I like the ideas in her stories. But while reading them, I always get the impression that everything is supposed to be cool and dark and different and it just doesn’t work for me. The villains are bland, I don’t care about the characters because they’re too busy being cool, and ah - I’m just frustrated. I should just give up on her books.

Celeste Ng: “Everything I Never Told You”

This book was amazing. It will also get a full review soon.

Madeline Miller: “Circe”

I love how Madeline Miller narrates classic myths in a modern way with a slightly different interpretation. They’re definitely easier to read than the original, but don’t feel superficial. Sadly, I felt as distant from the characters in this one as in her first story about Achilles, and thus didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. Nonetheless, Circe is a cool story about an ancient witch with a feminist twist and some good observations of human nature.

Leslye Walton: “The Price Guide To The Occult”

Based on my experience with her first novel (Ava Lavender, which I absolutely loved), I had expected a whimsical story with elements of magical realism that works both as an adult or a YA novel. Unfortunately, this book was more of a typical paranormal YA novel, including InstaLove, flat characters and a straightforward plot that didn’t offer any surprises.

Sarah Kuttner: “180 Grad Meer”

I  had a few thoughts about this German book which I will post soon (in German, with a small summary in English).

Which books did you read in April? Any new favourites?

[bibliophilecats]

Finally! I started listening to this audiobook in March through the entertainment offers of the train service. But I could not finish it (train ride was too short). Since then I wanted to continue but the audiobook was so expensive. Finally I found it on offer and now can find out what happens in the last 1/3 of the book.

[bibliophilecats]

September 18th: Books that made you cry

All these books feature mental illness and I cried reading them because it was all so familiar.

[neobase]