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badspringbye's reviews
194 reviews
The Architect's Apprentice by Elif Shafak
new favorite book. no words. no, actually, I have a lot of praise for this one, I just don't know how to put it into words. best book of the year? of my life? perhaps the most beautifully written one.
the story never failed to progress at any point. the more I flip through the pages the more it felt like I am a part of it, thus, never lost in the story. throughout the whole journey of Jahan and his elephant Chota from their homeland to setting their feet on the wilderness of Istanbul (which will eventually grow into their nature & personalities), I was in-ves-ted.
I was expecting a light read and obviously it didn't meet my presumptions, didn't fail nor surpass it neither, but in a good way. from easy reading, the story took a huge turn and put me in the most satisfying emotional rollercoaster ride. heart-warming, yes. exciting, yes. hilarious, yes. poignant, yes. disturbing, yes. loved and felt-loved, yes yes. diverse characters, engrossing with a lil bit spice of mysterious plot, and exceptionally atmospheric writing... what more can I say?
meh I'm so bad at explaining things, especially my thoughts lol. the best way to review this is to not review it at all, honestly. am just going to browse my annotations on repeat.
excerpts:
p. 1 "Those who yearned for completeness would be called 'the lovers' and those who aspired to knowledge 'the learners'." ... "I wish I could look back and say that I have learned to love as much as I loved to learn."
p. 87 "In order to gain mastery, you need to dismantle as much as you put together."
p. 135 "Beneath every building we raise — it doesn't matter whether it's small or large — just imagine that below the foundation lies the centre of the universe."
p. 272 "What we create can weaken us, rarely it does kill us."
-
p. 422 from author's note: "'May the world flow like water,' Sinan used to say. I can only hope that this story too, will flow like water in the hearts if its readers." and it did. ♡
highly recommended for enthusiasts of:
animals and nature; architecture; art; found family; not-a-single-character-even-the-most-minor-ones-are-left-out; firm historical basis supporting the plot; inspirational elements; lyrical writing; to literally everyone, read it please thanks
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
designing, building, loving.
"Resentment is a cage, talent is a captured bird. Break the cage, let the bird take off and soar high. Architecture is a mirror that reflects the harmony and balance present in the universe. If you do not foster these qualities in your heart, you cannot build."
new favorite book. no words. no, actually, I have a lot of praise for this one, I just don't know how to put it into words. best book of the year? of my life? perhaps the most beautifully written one.
the story never failed to progress at any point. the more I flip through the pages the more it felt like I am a part of it, thus, never lost in the story. throughout the whole journey of Jahan and his elephant Chota from their homeland to setting their feet on the wilderness of Istanbul (which will eventually grow into their nature & personalities), I was in-ves-ted.
I was expecting a light read and obviously it didn't meet my presumptions, didn't fail nor surpass it neither, but in a good way. from easy reading, the story took a huge turn and put me in the most satisfying emotional rollercoaster ride. heart-warming, yes. exciting, yes. hilarious, yes. poignant, yes. disturbing, yes. loved and felt-loved, yes yes. diverse characters, engrossing with a lil bit spice of mysterious plot, and exceptionally atmospheric writing... what more can I say?
meh I'm so bad at explaining things, especially my thoughts lol. the best way to review this is to not review it at all, honestly. am just going to browse my annotations on repeat.
excerpts:
p. 1 "Those who yearned for completeness would be called 'the lovers' and those who aspired to knowledge 'the learners'." ... "I wish I could look back and say that I have learned to love as much as I loved to learn."
p. 87 "In order to gain mastery, you need to dismantle as much as you put together."
p. 135 "Beneath every building we raise — it doesn't matter whether it's small or large — just imagine that below the foundation lies the centre of the universe."
p. 272 "What we create can weaken us, rarely it does kill us."
-
p. 422 from author's note: "'May the world flow like water,' Sinan used to say. I can only hope that this story too, will flow like water in the hearts if its readers." and it did. ♡
highly recommended for enthusiasts of:
animals and nature; architecture; art; found family; not-a-single-character-even-the-most-minor-ones-are-left-out; firm historical basis supporting the plot; inspirational elements; lyrical writing; to literally everyone, read it please thanks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Blood, Murder, and Slavery
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this is that type of book that will always be at its best at first read as you start to bind the puzzle pieces together as you flip through the gripping chapters. such a smart approach of shifting perspectives. intricate. excellent narration style. hooked till the last chapter. currently devastated.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
3.5
my favorite part of this essay is unquestionably the letter for his nephew. random excerpts: "to be born under conditions," "limits of your ambition," "to be loved, to strengthen you against this loveless world," "the very time I thought I was lost, my dungeon shook and my chains fell off," "the slow crumbling of my faith, the pulverization of my fortress—from the time when I began to read again," "if one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving."
content is strong but the long sentences structure kind of bothered me
content is strong but the long sentences structure kind of bothered me
Dream Work by Mary Oliver
3.0
favorites: wild geese / the river / robert schumann / members of the tribe / the journey / milkweed / storm in massachusetts, september 1982
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
informative
slow-paced
3.0
not really expecting a lot from this because this is not the one I wanted to start off with Didion, but it's still a bit disappointing. the reason why it's not as impactful as it should have was probably because of how her grief centered entirely on her husband only. Didion failed to cover the general audience. their luxurious life is difficult to empathize with. throwbacks are not very momentous too.
what I'm pleased about the most are mostly the literary references such as other researches, poems, and other writings. also. the descriptions and elucidation of grief was so profound. like I said, the problem is the subject. if only the rest were written as well as the 17th chapter...
excerpts:
p. 27 <i>"Grief is different. Grief has no distance. Grief comes in waves, paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blind the eyes and obliterate the dailiness of life."</i>
p. 152 <i>"Survivors look back and see omens, messages they missed. They live by symbols."</i>
p. 193 <i>"Only the survivors of a death are truly left alone. The connections that made up their life—both the deep connections and the apparently insignificant connections—have all vanished."</i>
what I'm pleased about the most are mostly the literary references such as other researches, poems, and other writings. also. the descriptions and elucidation of grief was so profound. like I said, the problem is the subject. if only the rest were written as well as the 17th chapter...
excerpts:
p. 27 <i>"Grief is different. Grief has no distance. Grief comes in waves, paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blind the eyes and obliterate the dailiness of life."</i>
p. 152 <i>"Survivors look back and see omens, messages they missed. They live by symbols."</i>
p. 193 <i>"Only the survivors of a death are truly left alone. The connections that made up their life—both the deep connections and the apparently insignificant connections—have all vanished."</i>
The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant
slow-paced
1.0
extremely weak writing. extremely repetitive. too many names too many people involved but that doesn't mean they all have to be mentioned one by one including their backgrounds unrelated to the case.
glad I was introduced to this issue but I'd rather get my time back and read an article about it in one go instead
glad I was introduced to this issue but I'd rather get my time back and read an article about it in one go instead
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
part I was terrifyingly relatable. it highly takes emphasis on traditional and religious beliefs of a certain person (Xiomara's mom) and how they try to compel their child into something they (Xiomara) disfavor, until there comes the day more and more questions starts to form and pile up until these collective thoughts turned into merely antipathy for their conflicting faith and beliefs, but what can a child do over their own parent's abusive behaviour when every.single.thing. should be under their control as long as you live under the same roof?
part II was a bit dreary probably because of the romance(I also didn't like how they still ended up together. X and Aman's relationship...that I won't acknowledge. seeing your partner get sexually violated in public and choosing to ignore? yeaaa enough for me. please.)
part III is when I shed tears, particularly because of the passage written below. but the rest were a bit of a letdown honestly, wrapped up way too quickly.there was an attempt to reconstruct her mother's attitude squeezed into the last five pages.
excerpt from part III, Going Home:
<i>"Going Home. Is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Hands trembling at the thought of what will happen when I walk through the front door. Because my mother's ears are soundproof when it comes to me."</i>
part II was a bit dreary probably because of the romance
part III is when I shed tears, particularly because of the passage written below. but the rest were a bit of a letdown honestly, wrapped up way too quickly.
excerpt from part III, Going Home:
<i>"Going Home. Is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Hands trembling at the thought of what will happen when I walk through the front door. Because my mother's ears are soundproof when it comes to me."</i>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
SAVE ME by Big Hit Entertainment, Studio LICO
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
;___;
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Self harm, Child abuse, Mental illness, Body horror, Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Violence
;___;
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0