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farbooksventure's reviews
362 reviews
Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
It's been a while since I feel so conflicted about a book.
In one hand, I adore the way Ghostland presents American history through ghost stories. I always love to read a historical account that are told in a unique & engaging way. In another hand, I can't stand the writing style. It takes time to get used to at best & downright confusing at worst. The book's structure truly give me a hard time. I feel like I will rate it higher if they structure it differently.
That being said, If you're an avid watcher of Buzzfeed Unsolved or Ask A Mortician channel on Youtube, you'll find some parts in the book interesting. You'll see some familiar names & learn some fascinating history about them. Reading Ghostland also gives me reasons to watch some fun videos from these channels again. So, that's nice.
I still wouldn't recommend the book to anyone though.
In one hand, I adore the way Ghostland presents American history through ghost stories. I always love to read a historical account that are told in a unique & engaging way. In another hand, I can't stand the writing style. It takes time to get used to at best & downright confusing at worst. The book's structure truly give me a hard time. I feel like I will rate it higher if they structure it differently.
That being said, If you're an avid watcher of Buzzfeed Unsolved or Ask A Mortician channel on Youtube, you'll find some parts in the book interesting. You'll see some familiar names & learn some fascinating history about them. Reading Ghostland also gives me reasons to watch some fun videos from these channels again. So, that's nice.
I still wouldn't recommend the book to anyone though.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a great book to read at the start of a new year.
I'm having the time of my life reading this. It's funny, hopeful, and oh so wholesome until the very end.
All of these characters are lovely. I'm rooting for them from the beginning. I also appreciate how the protagonist is in his 40's. I rarely see main characters like this in books. So, reading about how his stagnant life changes for the better & how he founds a family he could call his own after long years of loneliness is delightful. It truly gives me hope.
Some aspects in the story kinda remind me of Eleanor Oliphant is Not Completely Fine. That being said, The House in the Cerulean Sea isn't as dark as Eleanor Oliphant in another aspect. In the end, both of them make a heartfelt & heartwarming read.
I listen to the audiobook edition of this novel through Scribd & the narrator also does a great job at making the story alive through their narration.
If you're looking for a wholesome contemporary fantasy. Or a book that makes you feel all fuzzy and warm inside. I think The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book for you.
The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing is simple and easy to follow in this novel. It's also pretty short (less than 300 pages). No wonder, The Weight of Our Sky can be a pretty fast read. Even though the writing is simple, I can still feel the protagonist's emotions vividly. I think the book also has one of the most memorable opening lines that I ever read.
That being said, I give this 3 stars because I crave a more nuanced exploration of the themes that appear throughout the book. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that I can learn about Malaysia 1969 riots from reading this novel. I also like that we have an OCD rep in this one. Not to mention the realistic depiction of what having mental illness feel like in that era. This sadly still happens nowadays.
While reading, I don't really feel like we see the protagonist's complex inner struggle below the surface. This fact leaves me feeling personally unsatisfied.
In the end, I would highly recommend this book to younger readers or new readers in the historical fiction genre. If you're looking for a short historical fiction to read, this book is also for you.
That being said, I give this 3 stars because I crave a more nuanced exploration of the themes that appear throughout the book. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that I can learn about Malaysia 1969 riots from reading this novel. I also like that we have an OCD rep in this one. Not to mention the realistic depiction of what having mental illness feel like in that era. This sadly still happens nowadays.
While reading, I don't really feel like we see the protagonist's complex inner struggle below the surface. This fact leaves me feeling personally unsatisfied.
In the end, I would highly recommend this book to younger readers or new readers in the historical fiction genre. If you're looking for a short historical fiction to read, this book is also for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Violence
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Objectively speaking, this is a great book. Not to mention important. If you're a poetry reader & interested in reading about Black people experience, I think this book will suit you.
I don't give this book any ratings because I'm not a poetry reader. I just don't have enough brain cells to process most of them for some reason. The book also describes real/horrible things that unfortunately people have to go through just because of the color of their skin.
It doesn't feel right to give it a rating.
I don't give this book any ratings because I'm not a poetry reader. I just don't have enough brain cells to process most of them for some reason. The book also describes real/horrible things that unfortunately people have to go through just because of the color of their skin.
It doesn't feel right to give it a rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A beautifully written nonfiction that I hope everyone read/experience at least once in their life. No matter how small, I think you'll get something precious out of this. This is exactly something that I need to read right now, so I want to thank anyone who make this book happened.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A cute & wholesome romance overall. I love it when a romantic couple (actually) communicated with one another. I don't mind the steamy scenes too. Not a fan of the conflict at the end of the book though. Albeit they resolve it fast, I think it's unnecessary.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
In Smoke Get in Your Eyes, we follow Caitlin Doughty's journey as a mortuary operator and later mortician/death positivity advocate. She openly talks about her complicated relationship with death from a young age. Reading this memoir gives us an understanding of why Caitlin finally decided to do what she does today.
We also get a fascinating insider look into the USA funeral industry, the bad and the ugly. Just like in her other books, she doesn't shy away from vivid descriptions. Reading this as an Indonesian who practice Islamic burial procession is eye-opening. I learn a lot & can't help but sympathize with people who don't get to experience death up close in their lifetime.
If you're looking for an easy-to-read memoir with a fascinating subject, I think you'll love this book.
We also get a fascinating insider look into the USA funeral industry, the bad and the ugly. Just like in her other books, she doesn't shy away from vivid descriptions. Reading this as an Indonesian who practice Islamic burial procession is eye-opening. I learn a lot & can't help but sympathize with people who don't get to experience death up close in their lifetime.
If you're looking for an easy-to-read memoir with a fascinating subject, I think you'll love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts