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adeleighpenguin's reviews
346 reviews
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
2.0
2.5 Stars
It took upwards of 300 of the 368 pages of this book to get myself past the concept of Deathcast. Silvera makes it clear that the concept doesn't encourage suicide, but I couldn't help but feel confused and uncomfortable about even the existence of suicide in a world like this. My mind was plaguing me with the ideas of young children being called through their parents' cell phones before experiencing horrific deaths, and I couldn't zero in on the more important storytelling involving Matteo and Rufus.
Too many pop culture references. Cards Against Humanity? Taboo? Xbox Infinity? Mark Zuckerberg?? Just, why. Rufus' two friends from the foster home worked because they were fun and friendly. Aimee and Lidia, however, were given traits that I frequently find and frequently hate in YA fiction. They were portrayed as Very Smart, but without really any rhyme or reason for doing so.
I didn't feel as though a relationship could be earned over the course of 24 hours, but I believe that Matteo and Rufus's relationship was. I felt sorry for them, and it was heartwarming, but this book simply didn't reach me in the way it seems to reach other people.
It took upwards of 300 of the 368 pages of this book to get myself past the concept of Deathcast. Silvera makes it clear that the concept doesn't encourage suicide, but I couldn't help but feel confused and uncomfortable about even the existence of suicide in a world like this. My mind was plaguing me with the ideas of young children being called through their parents' cell phones before experiencing horrific deaths, and I couldn't zero in on the more important storytelling involving Matteo and Rufus.
Too many pop culture references. Cards Against Humanity? Taboo? Xbox Infinity? Mark Zuckerberg?? Just, why. Rufus' two friends from the foster home worked because they were fun and friendly. Aimee and Lidia, however, were given traits that I frequently find and frequently hate in YA fiction. They were portrayed as Very Smart, but without really any rhyme or reason for doing so.
I didn't feel as though a relationship could be earned over the course of 24 hours, but I believe that Matteo and Rufus's relationship was. I felt sorry for them, and it was heartwarming, but this book simply didn't reach me in the way it seems to reach other people.
Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee
4.0
What an incredible feeling to have a book impact you the in the exact way and at the exact time you need it to. Maybe it's because I was listening to the Phantom Thread score during the last 80 or so pages, but I cried. I was surprised at every corner in this book and I felt so connected to Henry Park, even though our cultural experiences are nothing alike. The ending left me hopeful and passionate. Native Speaker should be added to the typical high school reading list.
“I’m not going to be one of those tortured anemic women who despite all signs believes in her micro-talent to the bitter end. It’s all too tacky and righteous, even for me. Is it possible to be resolved about not having much resolve?” God I loved Lelia.
“I’m not going to be one of those tortured anemic women who despite all signs believes in her micro-talent to the bitter end. It’s all too tacky and righteous, even for me. Is it possible to be resolved about not having much resolve?” God I loved Lelia.
The Squatter and the Don by Maria A. Ruiz De Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz De Burton
2.0
Interesting historically. Terrible in reading. Boring, dull characters. You can tell the author has a lot to say politically, and I suppose the characters work as allegory, but not for 300+ pages. I’m mostly just relieved it’s over. Big yikes at the descriptions of African Americans and Native Americans, and the emphasis on the whiteness/blue eyes of Mercedes. I’m glad I read it, I suppose, but I’d rather point someone in the direction of a history textbook. It would read the same without the clunky bits.
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Listened to an audiobook so I don’t think I can adequately give a star rating—too many times where my mine would wander
Really interesting to combine both poetry and prose here—wish I had given it the attention it deserved, but the end of the semester hits hard ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Another novel for class though that I’d definitely rank up there as Important™️, especially if your extent of knowledge of Native American culture is as limited as mine
Really interesting to combine both poetry and prose here—wish I had given it the attention it deserved, but the end of the semester hits hard ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Another novel for class though that I’d definitely rank up there as Important™️, especially if your extent of knowledge of Native American culture is as limited as mine
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
4.0
“Men!” hooted Old Mrs. Hempstock. “I️ dunno what blessed good a man would be! Nothing a man could do around this farm that I️ can’t do twice as fast and five times as well.”