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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
I liked the ideas presented in this book, of God and shit, of animals and Paradise, of bodies and souls, of his idea of reincarnation. If the copy I read was my own, it would have been filled with underlines.
I couldn't like the writing. It was so...cerebral. As if I was reading a textbook for social sciences. Granted, it really isn't a textbook, but I think it would make for a good discussion among intellectuals, or if you happened to be studying the history of the Czech Republic. I like reading textbooks myself, but I don't read every page and every word, and just like with a textbook, there are only parts - very few parts - that I enjoyed in The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
I don't like to ponder very much over a book these days. All I want is to escape, be entertained, be inspired by writing. This book doesn't have a clear-cut plot, various ideas are forced down on you, and the characters are in no way sympathetic to me (except maybe Tereza's relationship with her dog). It wasn't made to entertain. It was made as a vehicle to show the author's philosophies, and to make you think. And because it's one of the 1000-books-you-must-read-before-you-die, it kinda drives you even more to think - Why this book is a must read? What are its merits? What really is the deal with the bowler hat? I don't want to go there.
2.5 stars This just wasn't my cup of tea, though I can glimpse its brilliance, and why some people would decide this book a must-read.
I couldn't like the writing. It was so...cerebral. As if I was reading a textbook for social sciences. Granted, it really isn't a textbook, but I think it would make for a good discussion among intellectuals, or if you happened to be studying the history of the Czech Republic. I like reading textbooks myself, but I don't read every page and every word, and just like with a textbook, there are only parts - very few parts - that I enjoyed in The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
I don't like to ponder very much over a book these days. All I want is to escape, be entertained, be inspired by writing. This book doesn't have a clear-cut plot, various ideas are forced down on you, and the characters are in no way sympathetic to me (except maybe Tereza's relationship with her dog). It wasn't made to entertain. It was made as a vehicle to show the author's philosophies, and to make you think. And because it's one of the 1000-books-you-must-read-before-you-die, it kinda drives you even more to think - Why this book is a must read? What are its merits? What really is the deal with the bowler hat? I don't want to go there.
2.5 stars This just wasn't my cup of tea, though I can glimpse its brilliance, and why some people would decide this book a must-read.
Loved the world-building. A lot was going on here, wasn't there? It kind of made me dizzy and almost made me give up on the book altogether. Though some parts were dragging, the mystery of Dust and Mrs Coulter drove me to finish this book.
I can't say this one book is awesome, I found some parts to be boring and actually lacking a little heart. I'll still have to see how Lyra's little adventures will affect the big picture, so I just have to read what happens next! How will Lyra fulfill her destiny? It fills me with so much need.
[b:The Subtle Knife|119324|The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, #2)|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320482229s/119324.jpg|1570229] and [b:The Amber Spyglass|18122|The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, #3)|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329189152s/18122.jpg|1774510]:
I can't say this one book is awesome, I found some parts to be boring and actually lacking a little heart. I'll still have to see how Lyra's little adventures will affect the big picture, so I just have to read what happens next! How will Lyra fulfill her destiny? It fills me with so much need.
[b:The Subtle Knife|119324|The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, #2)|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320482229s/119324.jpg|1570229] and [b:The Amber Spyglass|18122|The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, #3)|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329189152s/18122.jpg|1774510]:
There were a lot of things I didn't like and yet, despite its being emo-ish, fluffy, the amount of suspension of belief I needed, and the baffling ending, I liked it.
See, I love well-written novels. Shiver has either been criticized or loved for its "purple prose", a term I did not know existed until goodreads (thanks, goodreads). I guess it's all down to a person's preference, and I'm a sucker for the kind of prose Stiefvater used.
Even though Meyer's and Stiefvater's werewolves aren't your typical Remus Lupin werewolves, I criticize it not. I heard that S already had her idea of Shiver before Twilight, so it's still original. I love fluffy animals even if they are predators. I would love to have a tiger as a pet, but a wolf is fine. (Can I have a direwolf?) Stiefvater's take on wolves is an interesting one. And I wouldn't blame Grace for falling in love with a wolf.
Also, I don't mind the whole illogical how-they-fell-in-love-slash-insta-love going on here. Love is illogical. And I was in the mood for some romance. Nothing's wrong with a little love at first sight. Here's what Ms Stiefvater has to say to cynics out there:
I, for one, am longing for that one person to come along and share my everything with, but you know, that's just a notion. Sure, I didn't like it when Grace somehow forgot about her school life and friends when Sam came along, but chalk it up to the "honeymoon phase". I actually removed a star from my original rating for Grace's sometimes annoying behavior. Upon further reflection, I decided that I did mind that Grace was too in love to care about her life in general. Love at first sight? Fine. Ditching your responsibilities? Not fine.
The one person that I really did like was Isabel (Isobel...Isabelle? I'm bad with names). I loved her, so mean-girlsy type but down-to-earth. I'll be looking forward to reading about her in [b:Linger|6654313|Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2)|Maggie Stiefvater|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292482391s/6654313.jpg|6848948].
And I did mention the baffling ending, right? There's no choice for me but to read the next book! Nice move, Stiefvater.
This is a quiet, romance-driven story, so if you're looking for action, suspense, or whatever it is, this is not the book for you.
3.5 stars This did remind me of Twilight, I can't help it. But it was written so much better, and for that, it is redeemed.
See, I love well-written novels. Shiver has either been criticized or loved for its "purple prose", a term I did not know existed until goodreads (thanks, goodreads). I guess it's all down to a person's preference, and I'm a sucker for the kind of prose Stiefvater used.
Even though Meyer's and Stiefvater's werewolves aren't your typical Remus Lupin werewolves, I criticize it not. I heard that S already had her idea of Shiver before Twilight, so it's still original. I love fluffy animals even if they are predators. I would love to have a tiger as a pet, but a wolf is fine. (Can I have a direwolf?) Stiefvater's take on wolves is an interesting one. And I wouldn't blame Grace for falling in love with a wolf.
Also, I don't mind the whole illogical how-they-fell-in-love-slash-insta-love going on here. Love is illogical. And I was in the mood for some romance. Nothing's wrong with a little love at first sight. Here's what Ms Stiefvater has to say to cynics out there:
"That is just so romantic. Do me a favor, and don’t you two ever change. The world needs more love at first sight."
I, for one, am longing for that one person to come along and share my everything with, but you know, that's just a notion. Sure, I didn't like it when Grace somehow forgot about her school life and friends when Sam came along, but chalk it up to the "honeymoon phase". I actually removed a star from my original rating for Grace's sometimes annoying behavior. Upon further reflection, I decided that I did mind that Grace was too in love to care about her life in general. Love at first sight? Fine. Ditching your responsibilities? Not fine.
The one person that I really did like was Isabel (Isobel...Isabelle? I'm bad with names). I loved her, so mean-girlsy type but down-to-earth. I'll be looking forward to reading about her in [b:Linger|6654313|Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2)|Maggie Stiefvater|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292482391s/6654313.jpg|6848948].
And I did mention the baffling ending, right?
Spoiler
How could Isabel's brother die, and Sam live? Here's a perfectly three-dimensional antagonist/possible anti-hero and he dies. I really hoped he would become human again..that's all he wanted.This is a quiet, romance-driven story, so if you're looking for action, suspense, or whatever it is, this is not the book for you.
3.5 stars This did remind me of Twilight, I can't help it. But it was written so much better, and for that, it is redeemed.
I was weighing this between 2 and 3 stars for a bit. I saw my friends' ratings and they ranked between 3-5 stars, so I was wondering why I was even contemplating giving this 2 stars. Was I reading the same book as they? Maybe because I was reading a pdf version, I was missing some paragraphs or chapters or something? But anyway, the 50+ or so last pages were the deal-breaker for me.
I guess my main problem was: The writing was just so-so. It's a YA Paranormal book, right? I'd expect to feel creeped out, especially when at the start of the book, you have ghosts that dangle from the ceiling, who looks at you queerly, a running boy that disappears in front of a swerving car, a crying girl in a bathroom stall, all in the first few chapters. Ghosts, ghosts, everywhere! I really thought I was in for a dark and wicked ride.
And then Chloe got to Lyle House, and it was like, filler time! Pages and pages of filler, instead of scenes to build up the suspense. If I were to rewrite a part (assuming I can write), I would probably make the reader feel creeped out being at Lyle House. Like in horror movies, the setting is important.
Okay, enough with the griping, on to the good parts:
I really loved Chloe and her friends. I gotta give the author props for creating characters that are smart. It's like Kelley Armstrong thought up every cliche stupidity in YA novels and wrote the exact opposite of those. Nice.
And Derek, oh my god, Derek. He's covered in acne, tall and brutish, and even has BO. I was like, whhhaaaat? What was Kelley Armstrong driving at? There were so many instances where she emphasized on Derek's unfortunate appearance. He's a potential love interest, right? On closer look, I guess Derek is a great character - he's a normal 16 year old, who has a legit reason to brood. Teenagers get acne and BO, I guess it's easy to forget that when so many heroes and heroines have flawless skin and perfect teeth. But Derek, he is who he is. At least he showers twice a day. He'll grow out of it. (But I still laugh at his unfortunate situation. Am I mean?)
Anyway, Derek's appearance doesn't really matter, because Chloe is not the type of girl who scopes out the boys to fall in lurrrve. There isn't even much of a love story here. I mean, she's been in the house for only a week. Who falls in love within a week? Which is one thing I liked about this book, it focused more on the residents' relationships with each other, which is more realistic.
Chloe is a very likable heroine. The way she mocks herself for her stupidity, the way she turns a situation into a movie scene to ward off her fears, and how it's not always about her. Sure she's a rich girl, but somehow still relatable. I think Katniss is just one level higher than her. Yeah, I said it.
I'm willing to put aside my dislike of serializing books when I know that the story could be told in a single one. You gotta make a living, right? If a book has likable characters, then I'm fine with it.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment, [b:The Awakening|5391115|The Awakening (Darkest Powers, #2)|Kelley Armstrong|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347782871s/5391115.jpg|4115339]!
I guess my main problem was: The writing was just so-so. It's a YA Paranormal book, right? I'd expect to feel creeped out, especially when at the start of the book, you have ghosts that dangle from the ceiling, who looks at you queerly, a running boy that disappears in front of a swerving car, a crying girl in a bathroom stall, all in the first few chapters. Ghosts, ghosts, everywhere! I really thought I was in for a dark and wicked ride.
And then Chloe got to Lyle House, and it was like, filler time! Pages and pages of filler, instead of scenes to build up the suspense. If I were to rewrite a part (assuming I can write), I would probably make the reader feel creeped out being at Lyle House. Like in horror movies, the setting is important.
Okay, enough with the griping, on to the good parts:
I really loved Chloe and her friends. I gotta give the author props for creating characters that are smart. It's like Kelley Armstrong thought up every cliche stupidity in YA novels and wrote the exact opposite of those. Nice.
And Derek, oh my god, Derek. He's covered in acne, tall and brutish, and even has BO. I was like, whhhaaaat? What was Kelley Armstrong driving at? There were so many instances where she emphasized on Derek's unfortunate appearance. He's a potential love interest, right? On closer look, I guess Derek is a great character - he's a normal 16 year old, who has a legit reason to brood. Teenagers get acne and BO, I guess it's easy to forget that when so many heroes and heroines have flawless skin and perfect teeth. But Derek, he is who he is. At least he showers twice a day. He'll grow out of it. (But I still laugh at his unfortunate situation. Am I mean?)
Anyway, Derek's appearance doesn't really matter, because Chloe is not the type of girl who scopes out the boys to fall in lurrrve. There isn't even much of a love story here. I mean, she's been in the house for only a week. Who falls in love within a week? Which is one thing I liked about this book, it focused more on the residents' relationships with each other, which is more realistic.
Chloe is a very likable heroine. The way she mocks herself for her stupidity, the way she turns a situation into a movie scene to ward off her fears, and how it's not always about her. Sure she's a rich girl, but somehow still relatable. I think Katniss is just one level higher than her. Yeah, I said it.
I'm willing to put aside my dislike of serializing books when I know that the story could be told in a single one. You gotta make a living, right? If a book has likable characters, then I'm fine with it.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment, [b:The Awakening|5391115|The Awakening (Darkest Powers, #2)|Kelley Armstrong|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347782871s/5391115.jpg|4115339]!
A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies
Janet Hirshenson, Jane Jenkins, Rachel Kranz
I enjoyed reading about my favorite actors (especially the Golden Trio), and how certain movies were cast. Name dropping abound! I pictured myself in the movie industry for a while. God knows I want to so badly. I think casting would be fun. To think that you would cast the perfect actor for a role, a role that would change their career. Can you imagine anyone else playing Harry, Ron and Hermione in the movies? Or who would have thought that Daniel Craig would make a brilliant James Bond?
All that and more are tackled in this book, written by two of the industry's most trusted casting directors. If I could trade places with a person, I would probably trade with either of these two women. Preferably while they're holding an audition with Kit Harington, or Benedict Cumberbatch, or Cillian Murphy.
All that and more are tackled in this book, written by two of the industry's most trusted casting directors. If I could trade places with a person, I would probably trade with either of these two women. Preferably while they're holding an audition with Kit Harington, or Benedict Cumberbatch, or Cillian Murphy.
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo?"
*rolls eyes*
I've seen way too many skits/parodies for this, and I perfected the plot even before I read the unabridged manuscript. The 1968 movie version (which we were all forced to watch for English Class *cringe*) did feature two very good-looking leads, but basically, I didn't have any respect for two shockingly young idiots who killed themselves for [puppy] love.
Until...
We were forced to make a play for this. I wasn't a happy camper, especially since I was pushed into making our script. Why should we make a play for this, when we already know what's going to happen? Talk about milking it. I don’t think there’s a person who has never heard of Romeo and Juliet. Granted, we were given freedom to change the ending, but aside from that, there is no element of surprise.
What I didn't count on was that the element of surprise, was my new-found respect for Will Shakespeare.
I have to hand it to Shakespeare: he’s a brilliant writer, not only because of the things he writes of, but because of the way he writes them. The words flow wonderfully. It was then that I understood why we had to learn Shakespeare in school: reading his works is a celebration of words.
Taken out of context, Romeo falling in love with Juliet just after he was dumped by Rosaline, induces one to roll one’s eyes. But damn, did you read what Romeo says about Juliet?
A lot of people dissent: This is a romantic story; No, it is not. Whatever it may be, I do believe that Romeo and Juliet’s passion is touching, and in the first few acts, enviable. There are way too many lines between them that I love!
I also believe that it is a cautionary tale. That it was intended to be a tragedy, for R & J to act stupidly because we act stupidly in love, too. And so enter Friar Lawrence to deliver us a most important speech:
Romeo and Juliet made me look at Shakespeare in a whole new light. It made me realize that Shakespeare really is a writing genius. I have a long way into fully appreciating him, since R & J is the only play I’ve read. I do think there will come a time when I will finally muster up the motivation to read through another Shakespeare again.
*rolls eyes*
I've seen way too many skits/parodies for this, and I perfected the plot even before I read the unabridged manuscript. The 1968 movie version (which we were all forced to watch for English Class *cringe*) did feature two very good-looking leads, but basically, I didn't have any respect for two shockingly young idiots who killed themselves for [puppy] love.
Until...
We were forced to make a play for this. I wasn't a happy camper, especially since I was pushed into making our script. Why should we make a play for this, when we already know what's going to happen? Talk about milking it. I don’t think there’s a person who has never heard of Romeo and Juliet. Granted, we were given freedom to change the ending, but aside from that, there is no element of surprise.
What I didn't count on was that the element of surprise, was my new-found respect for Will Shakespeare.
I have to hand it to Shakespeare: he’s a brilliant writer, not only because of the things he writes of, but because of the way he writes them. The words flow wonderfully. It was then that I understood why we had to learn Shakespeare in school: reading his works is a celebration of words.
Taken out of context, Romeo falling in love with Juliet just after he was dumped by Rosaline, induces one to roll one’s eyes. But damn, did you read what Romeo says about Juliet?
“Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.”
A lot of people dissent: This is a romantic story; No, it is not. Whatever it may be, I do believe that Romeo and Juliet’s passion is touching, and in the first few acts, enviable. There are way too many lines between them that I love!
I also believe that it is a cautionary tale. That it was intended to be a tragedy, for R & J to act stupidly because we act stupidly in love, too. And so enter Friar Lawrence to deliver us a most important speech:
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey
Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
And in the taste confounds the appetite.
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.
Spoiler
Thank God for sparknotes, seriously, for this interpretation: These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.Romeo and Juliet made me look at Shakespeare in a whole new light. It made me realize that Shakespeare really is a writing genius. I have a long way into fully appreciating him, since R & J is the only play I’ve read. I do think there will come a time when I will finally muster up the motivation to read through another Shakespeare again.
Lavinia is a very minor character in the Aenid. I'm not one for Greek/Roman epics, and I surely can't remember who Aeneas was. (Btw, how do you pronounce Aeneas? I like to pronounce it Ay-ee-nay-ahs bahaha) Nothing to worry about, the Aenid can be understood in this book.
*Random thought* Any retelling of any original work feels like fanfiction to me. So, yeah, this is an Aenid fanfiction to me, from a truly talented writer.
The amount of research Le Guin put for this deserves 5 stars. So even though this may not be the best Le Guin, and I didn't enjoy it like the HP series or The Book Thief, I would still rate it 4 stars. At least I didn't struggle to finish this book.
There are themes about war and women's roles and destiny. I tend to leave thin post its at the pages to bookmark memorable passages. Suffice to say, there are plenty of pink post-its on my copy of Lavinia.
It accurately portrays the negative side and senselessness of war (if there is a positive side to it, it doesn't outweigh its consequences). It also tackles the question of whether destiny is real or if there really is free will. Lavinia knows she is a fictional character, and knows what will happen to Aeneas. And yet, by accepting her destiny, she said that she never felt more free.
There are things in this world we can never predict, and who knows if things are really premeditated? Like Lavinia, we must go on.
I also loved the setting for Lavinia, an ancient Italy, the time before a sprakling rich Rome, where kingdoms are sometimes only as big as a village and soldiers are farmers. By the end, the grand Roman empire hasn't been built yet, but this book is about Lavinia, and her life, as never been told in the Aenid. As for Lavinia herself, she is a quietly strong female, who narrates in a somewhat cool detachment of her surroundings, which works for the book.
*3.5 stars* It didn't appeal to me emotionally, but my history-loving side liked this book. It will mostly appeal to lovers of ancient Roman/Greek war stories.