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bella613's reviews
420 reviews
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
fast-paced
2.75
The main character is kind of an *sshole but the vibes are cute later on in the book
Btw if youre looking for a book where youre actually not sure whether theres a serial killer or a nice guy, this isnt it. There's absolutely less than zero indication that the dude is anything but a stand up citizen, she just wants to find a reason to justify treating him badly.
There's not really a plot to this book, but it wasn't terrible. And if you want an easy-listen cozy romance it'll do better than background noise.
Btw if youre looking for a book where youre actually not sure whether theres a serial killer or a nice guy, this isnt it. There's absolutely less than zero indication that the dude is anything but a stand up citizen, she just wants to find a reason to justify treating him badly.
There's not really a plot to this book, but it wasn't terrible. And if you want an easy-listen cozy romance it'll do better than background noise.
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is so cute ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶
Funny and heartwarming
Funny and heartwarming
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
This was cute but a little slow.
It was funny for a while but I got kind of bored and zoned out a bit in the middle.
It's supposed to be very tall-tale unbelievable but it actually felt a little repetitive. I think it might be more fun if I had tried physically reading it and sitting down to pay more attention. Listening at work is best with books that grab my attention a lot, or else I lose track of it when I get busy. But that is not a flaw of the book, and only my own reading/listening preferences.
It was funny for a while but I got kind of bored and zoned out a bit in the middle.
It's supposed to be very tall-tale unbelievable but it actually felt a little repetitive. I think it might be more fun if I had tried physically reading it and sitting down to pay more attention. Listening at work is best with books that grab my attention a lot, or else I lose track of it when I get busy. But that is not a flaw of the book, and only my own reading/listening preferences.
The Inmate by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was interesting and the twist at the very end was unexpected.
But the main character is so dumb and it was hard to relate to her. I enjoyed the book, and the writing is great, so I'm going with 4☆
But the main character is so dumb and it was hard to relate to her. I enjoyed the book, and the writing is great, so I'm going with 4☆
The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This is bizarre and I love it.
It isn't really child-appropriate (too scary) but it gives you the feeling of reading a kids book. It actually kind of reminded me of The Little Prince.
I read it in about 25 min so it's definitely quick. The pictures are one thing I didn't really get lol- I saw that other people really liked them but it was like a kid picked stockphotos of something described in the book every few pages. But it added to the weird atmosphere I guess.
I really like this story and the characters. I think it goes second (to Killing Commendatore) in the fiction books I've read by Murakami so far.
It isn't really child-appropriate (too scary) but it gives you the feeling of reading a kids book. It actually kind of reminded me of The Little Prince.
I read it in about 25 min so it's definitely quick. The pictures are one thing I didn't really get lol- I saw that other people really liked them but it was like a kid picked stockphotos of something described in the book every few pages. But it added to the weird atmosphere I guess.
I really like this story and the characters. I think it goes second (to Killing Commendatore) in the fiction books I've read by Murakami so far.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I love this book.
This is one of those books that is technically a memoir, but when you're reading it, it doesn't feel like someone else's story. I love the format of the book and the therapy dialogue. I love the honesty and direct questions and answers.
I'm honestly shocked that the average rating on this app is fairly low, and I see that a few people criticize it simply because of the transcript sections. I loved it, and I think it makes it more relatable (as a therapy memoir) to have very direct conversation filling more of the pages than her life history.
I kept my pencil handy for underlining and I'll definitely be re-reading it in the future.
We are all unique in the way we heal and love and grow. But seeing another human's method definitely encourages me, and I'd highly recommend this book to everyone.
I also ate tteokbokki while I was reading.
This is one of those books that is technically a memoir, but when you're reading it, it doesn't feel like someone else's story. I love the format of the book and the therapy dialogue. I love the honesty and direct questions and answers.
I'm honestly shocked that the average rating on this app is fairly low, and I see that a few people criticize it simply because of the transcript sections. I loved it, and I think it makes it more relatable (as a therapy memoir) to have very direct conversation filling more of the pages than her life history.
I kept my pencil handy for underlining and I'll definitely be re-reading it in the future.
We are all unique in the way we heal and love and grow. But seeing another human's method definitely encourages me, and I'd highly recommend this book to everyone.
I also ate tteokbokki while I was reading.
The Shadow Wand by Laurie Forest
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This was really frustrating.
I'm going to vent with lots of spoilers.
I want to keep going with this series and did not want to DNF so I stuck it out. But like the meh writing was fine in the other books because the fantasy draws you in and the world is fun to just escape to for a little while. I like the series more than other recent fantasies but this book didn't do it for me at allll
The political plot didn't move forward at all in this one and there wasn't really any new information, instead focusing on personal relationships and trying to learn how to fight a little. We spent a bit of time with Elloren's friends and brother, separately, who all had the same exact "displaced but horny but trying to grow into oneself" side-storyline. They were all more fun to hear about as a group and less interesting when split, especially having to meet a lot new characters who don't do anything very memorable.
Elloren herself went on a long tangent with her ally who for some reason she thinks is the only person who can protect her? And should be able to protect her better if she settles into a weird grief relationship with him? I don't get how we're supposed to like him just because he turns out to not be evil. Making her "fast" to him to avoid being stuck with a violent rapist is not as romantic as it's made out to be.
It felt like the growth Elloren previously displayed just took multiple steps back. She's more helpless and annoying than ever in this book.Elloren constantly repeats that she is so powerful but alas cannot access her power. Okay... why aren't you doing anything to learn to control it? Why are you resigned to avoidance? She is the definition of complacent and just sits with whatever gets put in front of her.
She hears a rumor that the love of her life is dead (from some rando) and just immediately moves on? And how is f*ing Lukas going to save her family? Because thats her justification for it. It wasn't sexy. I get that the priest wanted them to consummate but like really?
I don't particularly enjoy love triangles, or feel especially compelled by love-of-convenience or love-of-duty type tropes. And it was super obvious that our main man wasnt dead the whole time. So it felt like a huge waste of time that she spent with Lukas. Like they didn't actually teach her anything, they were just hiding out?
The whole book is just a repetitive "Oh no he's coming for us!" And no planning or communicating or rallying. They're all just doing their own thing and not collaborating like before. It was also just really long.
At the very end she finally goes to a place where she can "feel" her bf again. It was set up like a cliffhanger but I would be shocked if anyone didn't see that coming. I hope she feels guilty for abandoning him. I get that she thought he was dead but girl use your brain a little instead of your lady parts
I'm going to vent with lots of spoilers.
I want to keep going with this series and did not want to DNF so I stuck it out. But like the meh writing was fine in the other books because the fantasy draws you in and the world is fun to just escape to for a little while. I like the series more than other recent fantasies but this book didn't do it for me at allll
Elloren herself went on a long tangent with her ally who for some reason she thinks is the only person who can protect her? And should be able to protect her better if she settles into a weird grief relationship with him? I don't get how we're supposed to like him just because he turns out to not be evil. Making her "fast" to him to avoid being stuck with a violent rapist is not as romantic as it's made out to be.
It felt like the growth Elloren previously displayed just took multiple steps back. She's more helpless and annoying than ever in this book.
She hears a rumor that the love of her life is dead (from some rando) and just immediately moves on? And how is f*ing Lukas going to save her family? Because thats her justification for it. It wasn't sexy. I get that the priest wanted them to consummate but like really?
I don't particularly enjoy love triangles, or feel especially compelled by love-of-convenience or love-of-duty type tropes. And it was super obvious that our main man wasnt dead the whole time. So it felt like a huge waste of time that she spent with Lukas. Like they didn't actually teach her anything, they were just hiding out?
The whole book is just a repetitive "Oh no he's coming for us!" And no planning or communicating or rallying. They're all just doing their own thing and not collaborating like before. It was also just really long.
The Duke's Teddy Bear, Season 2 by GOMDOL, DAMI, Choi Sungha
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
The first season of this webtoon was so good but it very quickly went downhill.
The side quest with the sick kid was super weird (and never resolved?) and then the writer must have experienced some terrible burnout and rushed to finish up. There was some ridiculously complicated uncle-dad-uncle conversation (when the reality wasn't that complicated but they had to talk about it like it was), then we got a three way freaky Friday, with a ghost who could never move or talk but suddenly can trap people inside her Teddy self??
And since when did Valerie like the green hair dude back? She was never interested and then suddenly married?? Also not the main characters going from friends to lovers in one finale episode LOL.
This was pretty disappointing.
And since when did Valerie like the green hair dude back? She was never interested and then suddenly married?? Also not the main characters going from friends to lovers in one finale episode LOL.
This was pretty disappointing.
Spring Essence: The Poetry of Hô Xuân Huong by John Balaban, Hồ Xuân Hương
4.75
This is a fabulous collection! I loved the poetry, and my enjoyment and understanding were enhanced greatly by the intro and footnotes. The meticulous care and attention that these translations took is obvious. As someone who knows little to nothing about Vietnamese language and history, I appreciated the simple lesson to aid my poetic literacy.
The introduction, translations, and explanations by John Balaban are very impressive.
The poems I liked the most are Confession III, The Wellspring, Questions for the Moon, and Country Scene.
The introduction, translations, and explanations by John Balaban are very impressive.
The poems I liked the most are Confession III, The Wellspring, Questions for the Moon, and Country Scene.
Mina's Matchbox: A Novel by Yōko Ogawa
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
I don't know how to explain this, but this book reminds me of a navy blue velvet sunday dress I wore as a kid.