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bloop's Reviews (102)
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I literally ate this shit up. I think it's because it reminds me so much of the plotlines of Wattpad books I would read in middle/high school. I loved every second of it; this book made me audibly gasp at so many parts. Aside from that, I do think that the relationship is really well-developed and you can just sense the chemistry and seggsual tension even when Olive hasn't come to terms with her feelings yet. I also love how it is centered around STEM and academia, but sometimes the plot is weird to think about because I also do biology research at my university and all the professors are like 45 years and older & married with kids so it was hard to visualize a young and handsome professor LOL. I gave this book four stars because while it doesn't accomplish anything unique (nor does it attempt to do so), it was still a very nice, sweet, and steamy read that kept me on my toes. It is definitely very fast-paced (at least for me) and I couldn't put it down. Would recommend!
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Did Michelle Zauner use a microscope to look at and investigate the relationship between me and my mother? Although I am not Korean, I felt so seen in this book. My Vietnamese mother would say the exact same things that Zauner's mom had said to her down to a T. Perhaps it's an Asian mother thing. Zauner has a unique way of enveloping the reader into the story and her life, which meant that when it came time to express the grief of the loss of her mother, I was a mess. I love this book and I have to reread again when I'm more mentally stable.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Initially, I rated this book a 4.75 stars. This was because I didn't feel super connected to Monique's character, and I feel like whenever I reached Monique's sections, I tried to read them as fast as possible to move on to Evelyn's story. Additionally, other people have mentioned that the representation is not done well in this story, and I do have to agree. The description of Evelyn is confusing at times, but I like how Taylor Jenkins Reid made an effort to explain this by saying how becoming famous forced her to become detached from her ethnic identity due to racism in America at the time. Additionally, although Monique is half-black, I don't really see her identity coming into play until the very end of the book. However, I decided to bump my review up to 5 stars because no book has ever made me cry this hard. The last 15% of the book was pure waterworks. And I especially didn't see the ending plot twist coming. To the people that were suspecting it, I applaud you, because I was totally oblivious to the hints that she was dropping prior to the reveal. But, I do feel like this ultimately made the reveal more shocking and jaw-dropping.
I am a huge fan of how TJR develops relationships between her characters. One relationship that was especially strong was obviously the one between Evelyn and Harry.I even liked it more than that of Celia and Evelyn, to be honest, even though the one between Evelyn and Harry was completely platonic. Because they were just friends rather than lovers it made the relationship seem very genuine, and I could tell that the love they had for each other ran so so deep.
Once again, I just have to say that I love the amount of detail that TJR puts into her writing to really make the reader envision the setting. I read Malibu Rising first and was in awe of the way Reid so explicitly describes things, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is no different. I love how I could just picture everything Reid was describing; the glitz and glamor of Old Hollywood was just stunning in her words. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a good read!
I am a huge fan of how TJR develops relationships between her characters. One relationship that was especially strong was obviously the one between Evelyn and Harry.
Once again, I just have to say that I love the amount of detail that TJR puts into her writing to really make the reader envision the setting. I read Malibu Rising first and was in awe of the way Reid so explicitly describes things, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is no different. I love how I could just picture everything Reid was describing; the glitz and glamor of Old Hollywood was just stunning in her words. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a good read!
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've been pondering this review for a while. In fact, I was going to write a whole ass article on this book for my university newspaper until I realized that it's nothing special. The book was just alright, and at times could be a little slow and dragged out. I don't think the relationship between the two characters was that well-developed either. The "twist" ending was still very sad and I did shed a few tears, but I don't think it really packed that much of a punch because we didn't see good character development from the beginning. It's definitely not a fun and cutesy holiday read if that's what you're looking for.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was absolutely mesmerizing. The language was so poetic and so beautiful, although it was a double edged sword because sometimes the flowery language got lost in itself, and it was hard to understand the significance. Some parts of the book really hit home as I relate to much of Little Dog's story—the fact that my mother is also a half-white/half-Vietnamese person born from the Vietnam War, making me the same ethnic makeup as the narrator, the fact that my mother is also hard-headed and stubborn... I think I definitely need to reread this book in order to absorb the language a bit better because it was a bit much to take in all at one time.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this a while ago and it put me in a huge reading slump. Seriously took me like a month to get through. Given, I was studying for my MCAT but still. I feel like the big "reveal" wasn't even that big at all, and it was not spicy. I thought it would have been; I have no idea why. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters tbh.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
Anxious People has been one of the best books I have read, probably ever. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did because I usually find character studies titled "________ People" to be boring (looking at you, Normal People).
This is a book that will probably stick with me for a while. At first, it's a little slow and Backman tells you different stories leaving you wondering how the hell everything relates and if he's just taking random sidebars to show you how pensive he is. Far from the truth. He does everything masterfully, and with purpose, that all ties in beautifully at the end of the book. It's all worth it. Trust. Chapter 20 though (around page 50) was the part that really sucked me into the story. It was heartbreaking but beautiful. There were more passages in the book like Chapter 20 that absolutely stunned me and I felt them in a deep part of my soul. As someone on TikTok has described it, "reading Anxious People feels like you're being wrapped in the warmest of hugs."
I like to think of this book as written in the style of Junie B. Jones but for adults. Backman writes everything so plainly but yet you can really feel the emotion behind his words. Oftentimes when books are trying to portray a message, it can come off as preachy, but this is not the case for Backman. The characters he writes about feel so raw and real, and I can't think of a single book that has made me cry on one page and then laugh at the next (multiple times!). This book addresses triggering topics such as suicidal ideation well. By that I mean that Backman avoids glorifying it, and really explores the effect that it can have on people.
This book really makes me want to read all of Fredrik Backman's work.
Yes, this story is about bank robbery, a hostage situation, a bridge, IDIOTS, etc. But mostly it's about love. And how love connects us together as human beings.
This is a book that will probably stick with me for a while. At first, it's a little slow and Backman tells you different stories leaving you wondering how the hell everything relates and if he's just taking random sidebars to show you how pensive he is. Far from the truth. He does everything masterfully, and with purpose, that all ties in beautifully at the end of the book. It's all worth it. Trust. Chapter 20 though (around page 50) was the part that really sucked me into the story. It was heartbreaking but beautiful. There were more passages in the book like Chapter 20 that absolutely stunned me and I felt them in a deep part of my soul. As someone on TikTok has described it, "reading Anxious People feels like you're being wrapped in the warmest of hugs."
I like to think of this book as written in the style of Junie B. Jones but for adults. Backman writes everything so plainly but yet you can really feel the emotion behind his words. Oftentimes when books are trying to portray a message, it can come off as preachy, but this is not the case for Backman. The characters he writes about feel so raw and real, and I can't think of a single book that has made me cry on one page and then laugh at the next (multiple times!). This book addresses triggering topics such as suicidal ideation well. By that I mean that Backman avoids glorifying it, and really explores the effect that it can have on people.
This book really makes me want to read all of Fredrik Backman's work.
Yes, this story is about bank robbery, a hostage situation, a bridge, IDIOTS, etc. But mostly it's about love. And how love connects us together as human beings.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edit: I’m changing my review to 3.5. I don’t find it to be as bad as people on TikTok are claiming it to be now that the Colleen Hoover Hate Train is on the tracks, but as I’ve began to read more books, it makes me realize that this book isn’t all that amazing. It helped me get back into reading so I am grateful in that regard. (1/4/23)
This book hurt my soul. Going into the book, I knew it was going to be sad, but I had no idea about the actual plot of the book, so nothing prepared me for how absolutely broken and empty I would feel after reading It Ends with Us. I teared up so much and I would've bawled my eyes out had my roommate not been in the same room as me.
Colleen Hoover's writing in this book is very simple and easy to follow, which I appreciate because the subject matter is already a lot to handle. The plot took a turn I thought it wasn't going to take, and I was left absolutely shook to my core.
It Ends with Us was so addicting. The beginning was a bit slow, but then shit hits the fan and you can't put the book down.
Colleen Hoover has such a way with transporting you into the mindset of the main character; she really makes you feel every emotion that Lily goes through which makes the ending all the more heartbreaking. Even the damn Author's Note and Dedication was so sad, and the Dedication means a lot more after you read the book.
The only reason I docked 0.25 off my review was because the smut was a bit cringy at times (as is all smut, to be honest) and I found it weird that she wrote letters to Ellen. Maybe in 2017 I wouldn't have found it weird because it wasn't revealed that she was a horrible person at that time LOL. The rest of my review is going to be a spoiler, but if you are thinking about reading this book, DO IT. Just be mindful of the TW that you should look up beforehand.
God, I'm thoroughly crushed. It feels like someone took a hammer and smashed my heart into little bits and pieces. The ending was beautiful. I don't see any other way it could've ended. Hoover made me fall in love with Ryle just as Lily had - she really took me through the mindset of someone who was being abused and just how hard it is to leave the abuser. It really gave me a new perspective on things, and made me question my own "limit." The part that broke me the most was when Lily just gave birth and tried to rationalize the possibility of staying with Ryle but ended up deciding to divorce him so that Emerson could always see her father in the best light possible. When she was asking Ryle what he would do if Emerson told her about a hypothetical abusive boyfriend... THAT messed me the fuck up. And Atlas, sweet Atlas. The kindest character in a story I have seen. I love him so much, and I'm so happy he ended up with Lily after all these years. It's what he deserves because he loves her the most.
This book hurt my soul. Going into the book, I knew it was going to be sad, but I had no idea about the actual plot of the book, so nothing prepared me for how absolutely broken and empty I would feel after reading It Ends with Us. I teared up so much and I would've bawled my eyes out had my roommate not been in the same room as me.
Colleen Hoover's writing in this book is very simple and easy to follow, which I appreciate because the subject matter is already a lot to handle. The plot took a turn I thought it wasn't going to take, and I was left absolutely shook to my core.
It Ends with Us was so addicting. The beginning was a bit slow, but then shit hits the fan and you can't put the book down.
Colleen Hoover has such a way with transporting you into the mindset of the main character; she really makes you feel every emotion that Lily goes through which makes the ending all the more heartbreaking. Even the damn Author's Note and Dedication was so sad, and the Dedication means a lot more after you read the book.
The only reason I docked 0.25 off my review was because the smut was a bit cringy at times (as is all smut, to be honest) and I found it weird that she wrote letters to Ellen. Maybe in 2017 I wouldn't have found it weird because it wasn't revealed that she was a horrible person at that time LOL. The rest of my review is going to be a spoiler, but if you are thinking about reading this book, DO IT. Just be mindful of the TW that you should look up beforehand.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first book I've ever read by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I am absolutely LIVING for it. Malibu Rising far exceeded my expectations; it has been the most colorful book I have read thus far. What I mean by this is that for every single scene that Reid was describing, I could picture it exactly, every single little detail. Her beautiful and descriptive writing style made it feel like a movie was playing in my head. I guess it also helps that I live 20 minutes from Malibu and have been to every place that is described in the story.
The prologue absolutely floored me. The dramatic way in which she writes is magnificently well done without being too over-the-top and cringey (you know those kinds of books). It got me so hype for the book, and it does foreshadow what kind of happens at the end. I could not put down Malibu Rising as I always had to know what happened next in the story.
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes about such complex and complicated things so well such as alcoholism, relationships, and a certain character realizing her true sexuality without adding things just for the sake of adding it in. The relationship between all the Riva siblings is so masterfully and carefully crafted, and I loved the way the siblings loved each other.
At first, the book is a bit slower paced, but I felt that each chapter always had a bombshell reveal near the end, ESPECIALLY around the third act when all the drama starts picking up during the actual party scenes. I really loved how Reid incorporates the flashbacks to the Riva siblings' parents relationship; they're scattered throughout the book really well, in places that make sense.
With the way the book was building up, I thought that something absolutely jaw-dropping would have happened near the end, but it was a bit more anti-climatic than I would've liked it to be, although I still liked the ending. The fire that happened was not as big of a problem as I thought it would've been.
Also, interesting thought but I really thought that after the talk that Mick had with the kids, he was going to commit suicide. I don't know if the book would've been better that way or not. Maybe it would be a bit too much like "A Star is Born?"
I enjoyed this book so much and would really recommend it to anyone looking for something to read!
The prologue absolutely floored me. The dramatic way in which she writes is magnificently well done without being too over-the-top and cringey (you know those kinds of books). It got me so hype for the book, and it does foreshadow what kind of happens at the end. I could not put down Malibu Rising as I always had to know what happened next in the story.
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes about such complex and complicated things so well such as alcoholism, relationships, and
At first, the book is a bit slower paced, but I felt that each chapter always had a bombshell reveal near the end, ESPECIALLY around the third act when all the drama starts picking up during the actual party scenes. I really loved how Reid incorporates the flashbacks to the Riva siblings' parents relationship; they're scattered throughout the book really well, in places that make sense.
With the way the book was building up, I thought that something absolutely jaw-dropping would have happened near the end, but it was a bit more anti-climatic than I would've liked it to be, although I still liked the ending.
Also, interesting thought but
I enjoyed this book so much and would really recommend it to anyone looking for something to read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before I begin, I would like to say that I recognize that characters in a book can be annoying or frustrating (which is the point in a lot of these stories), but the book can still be enjoyed. This is the case for HBO's "Euphoria," where the main focus of the episodes are the characters' flaws. However, this is not true for Normal People.
After reading Normal People, I felt nothing. No overwhelming sense of grief or desire for introspection, no sense of wonder even though it left on a cliffhanger. At most probably just relief that I managed to finish the book so I could begin a new title. Although I did not find the book enjoyable, I don't believe that it was overhyped. I could see how people who relate to the characters and situations and saw themselves in Marianne and Connell would love Normal People. The situations felt very real and...raw. Nonetheless, I just saw these raw situations packaged in different "will-they-won't-they" scenarios that were simply put -- boring and repetitive.
Just because these scenes depict the life of "normal people" accurately does not make it good. It was very uninteresting and the reason why I finished the book within the course of 2 weeks. I kept thinking while I was reading the book that maybe a pivotal event was finally going to happen, but boy, was I wrong. It just dragged out and I hated it, despite Sally Rooney's straightforward prose.
I found a lot of the characters to be surface-level, in particular the women. For instance, it feels as if Marianne doesn't have a real sense of self and is written in a way where her character is defined by her relationships with men; she really has no growth without them, which I think is unrepresentative of how people's characters develop in reality. It is mentioned in the book that Connell is not particularly well-off like Marianne, but I never really see how this detail significantly comes into play. He still seems pretty privileged and is never really discriminated against because of his socioeconomic status. In fact, despite his economic difficulties, he manages to be the star football player and the popular guy at school. Obviously just because one is not rich does not mean one can't be good at sports and popular, but Rooney fails to write Connell's socioeconomic status in a way that impacts the story other than just to show that Marianne and Connell were from two different worlds (which honestly doesn't really matter in the end anyway). This is far from the truth in real life, where a person's socioeconomic status definitely has a major influence on their life.
Normal People was not a terrible book. But I think it had the potential to be better.
After reading Normal People, I felt nothing. No overwhelming sense of grief or desire for introspection, no sense of wonder even though it left on a cliffhanger. At most probably just relief that I managed to finish the book so I could begin a new title. Although I did not find the book enjoyable, I don't believe that it was overhyped. I could see how people who relate to the characters and situations and saw themselves in Marianne and Connell would love Normal People. The situations felt very real and...raw. Nonetheless, I just saw these raw situations packaged in different "will-they-won't-they" scenarios that were simply put -- boring and repetitive.
Just because these scenes depict the life of "normal people" accurately does not make it good. It was very uninteresting and the reason why I finished the book within the course of 2 weeks. I kept thinking while I was reading the book that maybe a pivotal event was finally going to happen, but boy, was I wrong. It just dragged out and I hated it, despite Sally Rooney's straightforward prose.
I found a lot of the characters to be surface-level, in particular the women. For instance, it feels as if Marianne doesn't have a real sense of self and is written in a way where her character is defined by her relationships with men; she really has no growth without them, which I think is unrepresentative of how people's characters develop in reality. It is mentioned in the book that Connell is not particularly well-off like Marianne, but I never really see how this detail significantly comes into play. He still seems pretty privileged and is never really discriminated against because of his socioeconomic status. In fact, despite his economic difficulties, he manages to be the star football player and the popular guy at school. Obviously just because one is not rich does not mean one can't be good at sports and popular, but Rooney fails to write Connell's socioeconomic status in a way that impacts the story other than just to show that Marianne and Connell were from two different worlds (which honestly doesn't really matter in the end anyway). This is far from the truth in real life, where a person's socioeconomic status definitely has a major influence on their life.
Normal People was not a terrible book. But I think it had the potential to be better.