emanon_'s reviews
110 reviews

The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

4.0

I don’t think I have a lot to say about the book. It was good, while the setting of the story is not explained and there is no details that can connect it to real events in our history you can tell that he was influenced by the wars  throughout his time (WW2 to be specific). 

One thing I like is the structure of the book. Each chapter started with a description of the time of the scene, its feel, how it was situated in comparison to the story so far and then it went into a dialogue between the characters which gave a better perspective of their situation, feelings and intentions.

I really enjoyed the description of the different soldiers at the very start of the book. I like books that talk about the human parts of war. Learning that these individuals were not exactly made for it but had to take part despite it. 

Reading about the fear conquerers feel was somewhat reassuring. It’s good to know that even the adviser can feel unsettled, scared and paranoid. While the conquered go through horrific treatments, abuse and mental pressure it is somewhat satisfying to know that they’re not the only ones.

Anyways, I maybe have babbled a little. The book is good. I had my suspicions about liking it but am now slightly wondering whether I should read one of his other publications. Steinbeck was a good author and definitely worth the read.

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

slow-paced

3.0

Omg, I have so much beef with mr Adams. I’m ready to fight dirty and win because this man made me suffer. 

In hindsight, I’m not made for book series, I don’t think so. So please don’t take my advice but I recommend you either audiobook this or reading it with a month break between each book.

So! The books vary in rating for me but the forts one gets 5 starts and then it’s between 3.5 and 4. If we do proper math my rating should be 4 but I’m taking a start for emotional damage.

This book is not as good as people make it. I’m sorry but it just isn’t. Or at least it’s not as good read all in one go rather than in bits, slowly, with time in between. The humor is impeccable, don’t get me wrong but the way in which the first three books are written is by following a very sitcom like formula and then the last two books are very different in both feel and plot line development.

Now onto the formula. What I mean is that each major scene was focused on making little sense, loosely being related to the rest of the book and then making us laugh. The sitcom formula! And I realise that might be sure to the nature of Adams being a radio show writer and screenplay writer rather than a book author but omg, it really bugged me. 

I won’t lie, I did enjoy reading the Guide entries, even the ones mentioned way in advance, I think they were fun. 

Second (are we numbering? ig now we are), the ends of these books were funny until they weren’t. WHY WAS THERE NO CONCLUSION? could just be how book series are… genuinely don’t know.

Now into my questions:

Wtf happed the the end of book 3? Why was that only briefly mentioned in book 4 and then kinda tossed to the side? Why was Random introduced so late into the game only to become a big thing for something like three chapters and then go crazy on us? WHY WERE THE MICE ONLY A THING IN THE FIRST BOOK? Why was the girl who was about to figure out the meaning of life never mentioned again???? 

I’m genuinely so so so angry at Adams for just killing them off without even trying to figure the question to their answer (42). Like what the actual fuck? I would’ve genuinely been fine with them finding it and then the Vogons killing then off or something but dropping the whole matter is low.

I have so much beef with this book omg, I hate it but it’s also not a horrible read. 

Take it or leave, just, pls, don’t talk to me about it. I’m upset.

Emanon Volume 4: Emanon Wanderer Part Three by Shinji Kajio

fast-paced

5.0

😭😭😭😭 I’m so sad this series ends with this Vol. I do want more! I know the mangas were inspired by a light novel series but I cannot find them for the life of me and it’s such a sad situation.

Now with this volume things get a little jumbled. Not so much in meaning as in secondary characters.

We never got answers about Emanon’s brother. We were introduced to a character with regenerative powers and knowledge of whoever he meets. And we were introduced to the time travelling Hikari. Their stories weren’t developed fully despite how interesting they voice made the volume or future ones. They also open the quest of “is their world full of people with different abilities?”. It’s interesting stuff.

I won’t lie, I’m not annoyed at the misters of these characters. Sometimes overextending a story makes it loose sense. And to be honest I primarily cared about Emanon herself. I do really like that Ruozo knew about her and decided to just keep it to himself and accept whatever the future held.

Emanon Volume 3: Emanon Wanderer, Part Two by Shinji Kajio

fast-paced

5.0

I just cannot give these books 5 starts. They hold such a special space in my heart!!

I absolutely loved the storyline in this one. Maybe I’m a sucker for a

love

story, who knows. And omg, the art! I can never get over the art!!

It did get really sad when Emanon (Ema) gave birth and lost herself, even though I knew it’d happen and really hoped it wouldn’t so the feelings were strong but maaaan, finding out that Ryozo took things into his own hands and revived the carries is such a green flag!!

Emanon Volume 2: Emanon Wanderer Part One by Shinji Kajio

fast-paced

5.0

Having read the first manga I was afraid I’d find this a little worse especially because it started with coloured pages and somehow the black and white graphics are way better.

Vol 2 did not disappoint! I did find it interesting how the story has aspects relating to the previous manga connecting everything together.

the whole story with her brother is a little sad, I really hoped they’d be able to continue on mot this journey together but I do understand why he got mad (the whole light and fire things was interesting too)

Emanon Volume 1: Memories of Emanon by Shinji Kajio

fast-paced

5.0

I absolutely love this story! Emanon’s character is on that I discovered some 5 years ago and it’s still stuck with me. I was recently reminded of it and just had to read it and oh my, oh my.

The art, the story, the characters!!!!! I love them so so so much. It’s a little existential but somehow comforting too. Best combination I can think of hehe 

Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World by Neil Gaiman

4.75

At the very start the quotes felt a little dated and they might as well be but the message afterwards was lovely. I did like hearing about his story and how by following what he truly enjoyed things worked out and the would saw this creations the same way he did.

Вечната муха by Georgi Gospodinov, Никола Тороманов

fast-paced

4.5

Извинете, но самият факт, че Господинов до такава степен е обсебен в мухите, че чак е публикувал книга прави творението му невероятно. Да, не е книга за размисъл и преоткриване на човешкото мислене, но пък е забавна и графиките да много готини!!

A Gentle Creature and Other Stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky

3.0

I started it to read white nights and be mind blows and just couldn’t finish it cuz story after study I’m just reading about sad men who want to be with your girls and it just doesn’t sit right with me… also Dostoevsky is a yapper

How Bad Are Bananas?: The carbon footprint of everything by Mike Berners-Lee

medium-paced

4.5

One thing Mike did splendidly was the delivery of hard information that can be perceived as boring. I quite enjoyed the structure of the book and the language used.

At times it felt very opinionated but that could be partially out of slept guilt and partially due to the author being sick of the climate crisis and people’s ignorance of the matter.

I really appreciated the links made between the different little chapters, the comparisons that could help me understand how good or how bad something is and the references at back. I’m also a big back on the very end which helps you get an understanding of how you can take action towards changing you personal habits + working towards creating change at a bigger scale.

I shall keep the book in close proximities for whenever I want a reminder or a reference.