Ahhhh, I loved this so much more than I thought I would. This story is such a slow burn, but I really connected with the protagonist and the writing sAhhhh, I loved this so much more than I thought I would. This story is such a slow burn, but I really connected with the protagonist and the writing style and the concept is fascinating!!! The Centre is this mysteriously place where you can pay a price to learn a new language within 10 days, but it’s very private and hush hush and invite only. I love weird stories like this with a unique concept. The writing was so freaking good, there were so many great quotes about language and translation and why it matters so much. This book was also packed full of great social commentary like this:
“gratitude and admiration when a white person speaks a non-white language, and only contempt and indignation for non-white people who don’t speak English”
I loved the discussion about female friendships and how friendships can be just as important as romantic relationships even though they are never celebrated in the same way. This quote about friendships: “the slow burning love of female friendship keeps the world turning” just really meant a lot to me.
I was really moved by so many thought provoking quotes like this:
“There can be something quite devastating in feeling a comfort you can barely remember. It can make you grieve, if I’m honest, for something that you’d always felt a vague sense of loss over but never know for certain you were missing.”
This book was exactly the kind of weird I like in my horror books, it had great atmosphere. I think if you enjoyed Catherine House or Natural Beauty, I would put those in the same category as this book! ...more
Ahhhhh, what the HECK I LOVED this. I didn't think I'd love this as much because it has some romance tropes I don't usually care for, but this book waAhhhhh, what the HECK I LOVED this. I didn't think I'd love this as much because it has some romance tropes I don't usually care for, but this book was so well written, I really connected with both characters, and I LOVED all the discussions about weddings and wedding planning. Our main protagonist Ama, she's a wedding planner and her job was so much fun to read about in this book. Elliot owns a flower shop, so he's kind of also involved in the wedding industry, and that's how they meet again after a few years of not talking. I usually don't care for 'second chance' romances like this, if you can even really call it that, but damn, I LOVED these two together. They had such great chemistry, and the steamy scenes were so WELL WRITTEN and genuinely made me giddy which rarely ever happens for me in romance books. Idk there was something about them, I just really loved their relationship.
Reading this book was loads of fun, it checked all my boxes for things I'm looking for, the plot was just as interesting as the relationship. The third act conflict toward the end actually felt realistic instead of forced. I think if you like Ali Hazelwood's writing, there's a good chance you'd love this book too, it reminded me of her books in a way.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! I love stories about obsession, and this book definitely had a lot of that. There was also so much intI was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! I love stories about obsession, and this book definitely had a lot of that. There was also so much interesting social commentary packed into this short book that I really enjoyed. There were so many interesting conversations about feminism, race, and class that I thought made the story very thought provoking. I was hoping the end would get a little more unhinged / weird, so it wasn't a perfect read for me, but I really enjoyed my time reading this book.
Ahhhh, this story was so bizarre and unique and wonderful. I love stories that are thought provoking in this way, and I love anything related to memorAhhhh, this story was so bizarre and unique and wonderful. I love stories that are thought provoking in this way, and I love anything related to memories. Such a unique concept, an island where people start forgetting things, I was wondering just how far this author was going to take this concept, and they really went there!!! It was absolutely fascinating. The more I think about this book, the more I fall in love with it. It just had the best eerie weird vibe to it, and I really loved the writing too. Even though this book first published in the 90's, it feels like something that could've came out this year, the writing style is very simplistic but creates such a feeling of unease.
I'm so glad I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I loved the friendship between Billie and Cassie, it was so fascinating to read about. I've always bI'm so glad I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I loved the friendship between Billie and Cassie, it was so fascinating to read about. I've always been a big fan of reading about toxic female friendships, and this book definitely had that. I also really connected with Billie in this book, and the way she talked about how she doesn't want children. I think as far as a mystery thriller goes, there wasn't anything super shocking in this story for me, it was mostly predictable. But I really connected with the characters in this book a lot so that's why I enjoyed it so much.
4.5 stars Ahhh, I freaking LOVED this. I would describe this book as Rainbow Rowell meets Fredrik Backman. I feel like Phoebe's character in this book 4.5 stars Ahhh, I freaking LOVED this. I would describe this book as Rainbow Rowell meets Fredrik Backman. I feel like Phoebe's character in this book was so relatable and I connected with her in the same way I've connected with characters from Rainbow Rowell books. She's darkly funny at times, and I just really enjoyed reading about her story. But then I feel like the writing in this book reminds me of Anxious People, where the story subject matter is actually very dark and depressing, but the writing manages to be really lighthearted and not so serious. I loved the writing style in this so much, there were so many great quotes I was underlining, and I really connected with these characters.
I feel like this book is one of those thought provoking books about human connection and the human experience, and I loved it. I love the relationships and friendships she developed with the wedding guests, and the romance in this book was unexpected for me but I also really enjoyed the romance too!
4.5 stars Ahhhh, nobody does short horror stories in manga better than Junji Ito! I loved so many of these! Definitely one of my favorite collections f4.5 stars Ahhhh, nobody does short horror stories in manga better than Junji Ito! I loved so many of these! Definitely one of my favorite collections from him so far!
Wow, I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. This is exactly what I was looking for when I said I wanted to read weird literary fiction booWow, I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. This is exactly what I was looking for when I said I wanted to read weird literary fiction books. These characters are so awful and the way they treat each other was awful, but there was something about this reading experience that really worked for me? I don't know how to explain it, it was a story I devoured in a day because I couldn't put it down.
I loved how strange and bizarre this story was, and the writing style was so interesting. I love that this can all be seen as a metaphor for depression and wanting to 'sleep through your life', the overall tone of this book was really sad. I love that this story mostly took place in the year 2000 in New York City, it was kind of nostalgic to read. It was also weirdly refreshing to read a book that had such unlikable characters, and this author really doesn't hold back on that. The ending of this book absolutely shocked me, and I reread that final page a few times, like damn what a powerful and crazy end to this story.
It’s been 10 years since I first read Fangirl back in 2014. Since then I’ve reread the book four or maybe five times, and this manga series has meant It’s been 10 years since I first read Fangirl back in 2014. Since then I’ve reread the book four or maybe five times, and this manga series has meant so much to me. To be able to relive this story again and again is so comforting. Cath is one of my most relatable characters of all time, and I adore this story with my whole heart. Being in Cath’s head feels like being in my own head, and there’s very few characters I can say that about. I love this manga series and I hope someday soon to reread this entire series again and again the way I have with the physical book ...more
This is by far the weirdest, most bizarre book I've ever read and even though I'm personally giving this book 5 stars, I wouldn't necessarily recommenThis is by far the weirdest, most bizarre book I've ever read and even though I'm personally giving this book 5 stars, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. This book is so f*cked up, I would strongly advise looking through trigger warnings before reading, as there are so many of them and this book is so bizarre and touches on so many uncomfortable topics. But damn, what a story. I am an avid reader who reads 200+ books a year and I can confidently say no story has ever shocked me and kept me guessing where it was going the way this one has.
For some of this story, we read from the perspective of a young girl who believes she is an alien who got left on Earth, and she has romantic feelings for her cousin. There are also some truly horrifying scenes with her teacher m*lesting her and gaslighting her, and that is just the start of the gruesome trigger warnings in this book. The story just continues to get more bizarre and more shocking every page. This author did such an incredible job writing from the perspective of a child, and her wild imagination and wonder about the world was really endearing. It reminded me of my childhood and how I was also so fascinated by space (I mean, I still am) but it's crazy how we start to lose our imagination as we age.
I can't deny there was something about this story that really worked for me, it was just so bizarre and strange, and I've never read anything like it. I know it's going to stay with me forever. I really connected to the protagonist, and being in her head was wildly fascinating, even thought it was very uncomfortable at the same time. I also love the message in this book about individuality and going against the "norms" of society and how each person should live the life that works for them instead of whatever society is telling us is the "right way" to live. I think there's also so many conversations you could have after reading this book about trauma itself, and what can happen to someone psychologically after they are sexually abused at such a young age.
I'm obsessed with this book, it's everything I love in horror, and it reminded me of so many of my favorite stories. This is one of those books that wI'm obsessed with this book, it's everything I love in horror, and it reminded me of so many of my favorite stories. This is one of those books that will pull on your heart strings, and make you emotionally connect with it. And then simultaneously, it's one of the most gruesome horror books ever - the gore is insane and so gross and disturbing. I loved this so much, read it all in one day! I need to read more form this author!!!
Ahhhhh, I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! I'm a huge fan of the nanny gone wrong trope and that's only the beginning of this book. The ploAhhhhh, I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! I'm a huge fan of the nanny gone wrong trope and that's only the beginning of this book. The plot ended up being so unexpected and unpredictable! I would recommend not looking at too many reviews before reading this one, I feel like some reviews here are a little spoiler-y comparing this to other specific books and TV shows, I think it's best to read this without knowing too much about the plot! But this was such a fast paced, entertaining read! It also felt like it leaned into horror at times, some scenes were genuinely so creepy and I LOVED THAT. I need Catherine Steadman to write a horror novel immediately haha I would eat that up!
This was one of the most unique horror stories I've ever read. The concept in it is so cool, but hard to explain? It's kind of giving Under the Dome aThis was one of the most unique horror stories I've ever read. The concept in it is so cool, but hard to explain? It's kind of giving Under the Dome and Wandavision vibes. A street is haunted and inaccessible to the rest of the world, and only three women are still able to visit the street they grew up on. I was HERE for the sapphic relationship explored in this book, oh my god they were so cute, I would read an entire separate romance book written about these two, they had me so smitten. I also thought some of the ideas in this book were so COOL, omg it got so twisty in ways I wasn't expecting, and I loved that. The only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is because the ending started to feel like it was getting a little repetitive, and some scenes with the flashbacks were a little confusing.
I love romances like this with a time travel twist to them! This was so fun. I ended up really connecting with the characters and ending was really inI love romances like this with a time travel twist to them! This was so fun. I ended up really connecting with the characters and ending was really interesting too, I felt a lot of sympathy for the protagonist with making hard decisions. I also loved the slow burn romance as she started to fall for her husband in the future and bond with her children, I thought it was so sweet.
Ahhhhh, what the heck I loved this!!!! I would recommend going into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, I just think it's better to experieAhhhhh, what the heck I loved this!!!! I would recommend going into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, I just think it's better to experience it that way. I loved Sally's character, she was so interesting to read about and not only her perspective, but a second perspective in this book that got explored was my favorite. These characters were soooo fascinating and felt so real. There were so many shocking scenes, especially in the second half, I was GLUED to the page, I couldn't put it down.
This book was so thought provoking and interesting, and it had such great social commentary on the expectations society places among us. People shouldThis book was so thought provoking and interesting, and it had such great social commentary on the expectations society places among us. People should not have to aspire to a great career or marriage or anything they don't want. Keiko was such a fun character to follow. I wish the ending got a little more unhinged, it was pretty mild in my opinion.
Ahhh, I was not expecting to love this the way that I did. I read this for a video where my subscribers recommend me books, they think I'd give 5 starAhhh, I was not expecting to love this the way that I did. I read this for a video where my subscribers recommend me books, they think I'd give 5 stars, and I'm so glad I read this book for that video because they were right. This book is everything I love in a story -- it's so thought provoking and interesting, it has great characters, and we follow so many, but I felt so connected to all of them. It also mostly takes place in New York which I also love.
The concept in this book is wildly fascinating, I could read several books that take place in this world. Everyone gets a box with a string that determines how long they have left to live. I love how so many different and unique situations are explored, and anything you can think of that could happen is also explored. I love how it shows how it affects people in relationships and families and how it affects politics and different countries, it was all so interesting.
Wow, this was such a beautiful and hard-hitting story. I love stories that are about sister relationships, and this story was especially interesting bWow, this was such a beautiful and hard-hitting story. I love stories that are about sister relationships, and this story was especially interesting because these two sisters have such a complicated relationship. This story is sad for so many reasons, not just because her sister gets diagnosed with cancer and it's all about how that really changes their perspective on life, but also because our main protagonist deals with an eating disorder that is described in some very intense detail in some scenes, so please make sure to read cautiously and check trigger warnings before reading.
This was a really tough read, but a really great one. This book is so gorgeously written, I love that it takes place in New York, the NYC vibes were amazing. I also just really loved Jayne as a protagonist, she felt very fleshed out and very real. This is a YA book, but it honestly didn't read like YA at all to me. Jayne felt very mature for her age and this book covers a lot of very adult topics. It was such a beautiful but also heart-breaking reading experience. I'm so glad I read it. ...more
Ahhhh, this was such a fun read! Such a fast paced thriller with multiple POV's, and short chapters! I loved how this took place in Italy and France bAhhhh, this was such a fun read! Such a fast paced thriller with multiple POV's, and short chapters! I loved how this took place in Italy and France but also in a small town in Kansas. I was very invested in the mystery throughout the story and there was one plot twist about halfway through that took me OUT, I did not see that coming and I was thrilled haha. The ending was just okay for me, but I still had such a fun time I had to give it 4 stars.
This book was so weird but also fascinating. I can't even really explain why I enjoyed this book so much... the characters are messy and a little annoThis book was so weird but also fascinating. I can't even really explain why I enjoyed this book so much... the characters are messy and a little annoying at times, and the plot feels very random and more like a slice of life story, which doesn't always work for me. But there was something about this book, I just really enjoyed it?? We follow a character named Greta who transcribes therapy sessions for a sex coach named Om. And then she becomes weirdly obsessed with one of his patients she calls "Big Swiss" and Greta starts to become romantically involved with her in real life. This book is very sexual and weird, it reminded me of The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sara Gran, which is a book I also loved.
I don't know if I would necessarily recommend this book, because I wouldn't know who to recommend it to, but I really enjoyed my time listening to this! The audiobook is really good too because it's full cast, and it's interesting listening in on the therapy sessions with our protagonist Greta, and we get her commentary as she's listening, which made it super entertaining. ...more
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