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bookishwelshie's reviews
873 reviews
Love, That's an Understatement, Volume 4 by Fujimomo
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
{read in English!} Zen is the best manga boyfriend š„ŗš
Mondays are Murder by Ravena Guron
4.5
This may prove to be a controversial and unpopular opinion but Iām going to say it; Mondays Are Murder turned out to the book that I wish A Good Girlās Guide To Murder had been. I didnāt dislike that one, but upon reflection, I feel like I forced myself to like it at the time more than I actually did. I may read the follow up books at some point to refresh my mind on that series, as Mondays Are Murder felt like a mix between that and Pretty Little Liars.
This was a thrilling and gripping YA mystery novel, with some chilling moments. Itās written in an engaging, page-turning, way.
Who is the mysterious Monday who is leaving anonymous letters for Kay once she moves back to her sleepy hometown, Longrove? A year prior, her friend Ivy died under mysterious circumstances.
According to this mysterious Monday character; There will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday - and then Kayās own murder on the Monday. Can she figure out who is behind this ominous threat before itās too late?
This was a thrilling and gripping YA mystery novel, with some chilling moments. Itās written in an engaging, page-turning, way.
Who is the mysterious Monday who is leaving anonymous letters for Kay once she moves back to her sleepy hometown, Longrove? A year prior, her friend Ivy died under mysterious circumstances.
According to this mysterious Monday character; There will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday - and then Kayās own murder on the Monday. Can she figure out who is behind this ominous threat before itās too late?
The Death Club by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
dark
funny
tense
3.25
Honestly, The Death Club was a pretty decent for me, at times I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. It had a good balance between dark and gritty themes, with some humour and spicy tension between the two main characters. My only critique is does a romance book really need to be *that* long. Thatās not going to put me off reading the second one at some point, however. Which means between the two books there is over 1000 pages with these two chaotic characters, Brooklyn and Niall. The story is also told from a third characterās perspective at times too, Mateo. Itās a twisted love triangle, with Brooklyn attracted and intrigued by Mateo as well as Niall.
If youāre looking for a fluffy, feel-good, romance; this is not it. If youāre looking for a dark romance where the main characters are flawed beyond belief, yet likeable in their own twisted ways, then you have come to the right place.
Niall is apparently a character from another series, called Kings of Quarantine, which I may have to check out in the future. IMO, he was overall more likeable than Brooklyn, her character could be a tad irritating at times - We get it, you are edgy and like to kill lol š
I kept flip-flopping between liking this book more at certain times than others, feeling utterly unable to decide what to rate it. Itās one of those books that I think you have to be in the right mood for, as of course there are heavy themes.
TW:// death/violence, gore/torture, kidnapping/human trafficking, attempted SA/rape
Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials by Alice Roberts
4.0
Review to come (after over 2 years lol!) I studied this book hard !! š„šš¤
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
3.5
'Life is about finding joy in the space between where you came from and where you are going.'
Water Moon is partly cozy, whimsical, and magical; and also, at times, heartbreaking. This is where the comparisons to Studio Ghibli are coming from. It isnāt a perfect comparison, but it has the charm and heart. The writing is quite simplistic (it has been translated from
Japanese to English), and it can easily be read in one sitting.
There are moments where this magical story takes a darker turn. The charactersā reality can bend, and thatās where the excitement lies.
The world building and premise do outweigh the actual execution of this story, and the main characters are hard to relate to at times. Iām really torn on what to rate this.
The world building and premise do outweigh the actual execution of this story, and the main characters are hard to relate to at times. Iām really torn on what to rate this.
Hana is set to take over her Fatherās business upon his retirement; a mysterious and mystical pawnshop. This same days she discovers the shop in ruin, and her Father missing. Enter, Keishin, a man who has just arrived in Tokyo to try and uncover some childhood memories. Only those who feel lost will find the pawnshop, most will only see a ramen restaurant. So, Keishin must be lost within himself, yet he offers Hana help.
What secrets is Hana hiding? Where could her Father be?
The dark and mysterious Shiikuin beings are on their way to collect the deepest regrets of people within 3 daysā¦
Read with the Cozy Seasons book club āļøš§ļøš² š«¶š¤
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
inspiring
reflective
4.0
At the age of forty-three, on the 8th of December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a massive, catastrophic, stroke which rendered his brain stem inactive. He was in a coma for twenty days, and upon awaking, found out he was unable to speak or move his body. He was almost entirely paralysed, but could still blink his left eye. There was also some slight head movements and grunts he could make over time. This would end up being how he could communicate, and blinking at letters is (extraordinarily) how this book was written. He was suffering from a condition called āLocked-In Syndromeā, which must be one of the single worst things to happen to a previously healthy human being. He was previously the editor in chief of Elle Magazine in Paris.
On the 7th of March 1997, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon was published in France. Two days later, Jean-Dominique Bauby died of heart failure at the age of forty-four. So it is an undoubtably an extraordinary book that was written under extraordinary circumstances - so why didnāt I rate it 5 stars? The writing style is naturally a little disjointed and at times pretentious, and I donāt know if this is in part due to the person who wrote it for Bauby or whilst it was translated from French to English. But I appreciate the efforts here for this book to even exist.
On the 7th of March 1997, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon was published in France. Two days later, Jean-Dominique Bauby died of heart failure at the age of forty-four. So it is an undoubtably an extraordinary book that was written under extraordinary circumstances - so why didnāt I rate it 5 stars? The writing style is naturally a little disjointed and at times pretentious, and I donāt know if this is in part due to the person who wrote it for Bauby or whilst it was translated from French to English. But I appreciate the efforts here for this book to even exist.
The Burning by Graham Masterton
slow-paced
3.5
Over the past couple of years, I have been building up a collection of vintage horror paperbacks; as I absolutely love the cover art for many of them, and am curious to read as much horror as possible from over the decades as it is my favourite genre. Finally jumped into reading one with Graham Mastertonās The Hymn; as a buddy read with my āMaster of Horrorā friend, Peter.
My only issue with this book is the middle felt so slow to me, Iām not sure exactly why that was, but thatās why it took me much longer than expected to finish. However, when the horror action was happening, it was very good. There are some shades of folk horror/paganism, mixed in with the occult and paranormal, and World War II/Nazi-related horror themes. This is explored more towards the end, as most of the story reads like a detective-thriller novel. Itās an interesting and unique blend of genres, it even has some moments of humour thrown in.
My only issue with this book is the middle felt so slow to me, Iām not sure exactly why that was, but thatās why it took me much longer than expected to finish. However, when the horror action was happening, it was very good. There are some shades of folk horror/paganism, mixed in with the occult and paranormal, and World War II/Nazi-related horror themes. This is explored more towards the end, as most of the story reads like a detective-thriller novel. Itās an interesting and unique blend of genres, it even has some moments of humour thrown in.
Thirst Trap by Grainne O'Hare
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even though I do feel like this will be an extra special one for those who were brought up in Ireland, Thirst Trap is a perfect look into what womanhood is like in our twenties for so many of us. Felt like a perfect read for the year Iām turning thirty years old, as one of the main characters, RĆ³ise, does at the beginning of the book. She is entering her thirties, along with her best friends Maggie and Harley, with all the wild party girl days that clouded their twenties still ever-present. At the same time it does feel as though those days are coming to an end, quite literally, as the house they share is crumbling around them.
They are collectively grieving the fourth member of the close-knit friendship group, Lydia, who tragically died in a car accident. It seems as though they cope by mixing drugs, alcohol, and having a string of messy love-affairs between them. None more so than Maggieās sapphic love/lust for a woman named Cate, who seems confused about her sexuality and feelings for Maggie.
This was honestly unputdownable, a book that fully brought my speed-reading ability out. It just felt honest and raw, as though you were really peering into the lives of this Irish group of friends. I also feel as though Iāve learnt to pronounce some more Irish name now, lol!
Iām honestly tempted to pick up a physical copy when it is published.
Thank you to Netgalley/ the publisher for the ARC !! š«¶
5 Stars š®šŖāØš¤
They are collectively grieving the fourth member of the close-knit friendship group, Lydia, who tragically died in a car accident. It seems as though they cope by mixing drugs, alcohol, and having a string of messy love-affairs between them. None more so than Maggieās sapphic love/lust for a woman named Cate, who seems confused about her sexuality and feelings for Maggie.
This was honestly unputdownable, a book that fully brought my speed-reading ability out. It just felt honest and raw, as though you were really peering into the lives of this Irish group of friends. I also feel as though Iāve learnt to pronounce some more Irish name now, lol!
Iām honestly tempted to pick up a physical copy when it is published.
Thank you to Netgalley/ the publisher for the ARC !! š«¶
5 Stars š®šŖāØš¤
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Of course I decided to read a Nicholas Sparks book on Valentineās Day evening to feel all the emotions (isnāt love the most powerful and healing thing in the world?! š„¹š) and already started sobbing myself to sleep without even finishing it because I remembered the plot from the movie. I have no idea why I had never read this one before! Itās made me want to rewatch the movie now for all the extra little details, as the book is only around 200 pages long, so it feels over so fast after the big reveal. However, it still does pack an emotional punch.
A Walk To Remember poses the question of ācan miracles happenā? And also of what can be considered a miracle. Iāve since read the ending could be interpreted in a different way, as the author apparently intended for it to be open with that closing statement, so Iām intrigued as to what other people who have read it think.
Even though Iām not a religious person myself, I see how it could bring comfort to the main characters - Jamie and Landon - especially given what they are faced with at such a young age. Plus, they are growing up in the South during the late ā50s.
A Walk To Remember poses the question of ācan miracles happenā? And also of what can be considered a miracle. Iāve since read the ending could be interpreted in a different way, as the author apparently intended for it to be open with that closing statement, so Iām intrigued as to what other people who have read it think.
Even though Iām not a religious person myself, I see how it could bring comfort to the main characters - Jamie and Landon - especially given what they are faced with at such a young age. Plus, they are growing up in the South during the late ā50s.