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hopeloveslit's reviews
313 reviews
Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson
3.75
I always struggle when reviewing short story collections. I loved most of the stories in Dark Tales but a few were so-so. So, I guess 3.75 stars for now? I definitely want to reread it one day and see if I love it more (for some reason I think I will.)
Dark Tales is a collection of twisty and unsettling stories. Jackson creates uneasy atmospheres with the perfect gothic vibes. I adore her writing style and creativity. The stories are trippy and the horror creeps up on you. I enjoyed how cinematic each story felt. This collection could easily be a TV show!
I’d recommend this book if you like horror, short stories, or Twilight Zone-type shows. You'll love this collection!
Dark Tales is a collection of twisty and unsettling stories. Jackson creates uneasy atmospheres with the perfect gothic vibes. I adore her writing style and creativity. The stories are trippy and the horror creeps up on you. I enjoyed how cinematic each story felt. This collection could easily be a TV show!
I’d recommend this book if you like horror, short stories, or Twilight Zone-type shows. You'll love this collection!
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
5.0
Wow, I'm speechless! I can't describe how much I enjoyed this book. Coates's writing felt so familiar to me. It honestly felt like reading a letter from a friend. On top of that, it's poignant, honest, and visceral.
Between the World and Me is a letter written to Coates's son about his experience as a black man in America. It's very insightful. Coates draws on his personal experiences and history. He weaves a compelling story and makes some valid points. I was snapping like I was at a poetry reading! I highly recommend this book!
Between the World and Me is a letter written to Coates's son about his experience as a black man in America. It's very insightful. Coates draws on his personal experiences and history. He weaves a compelling story and makes some valid points. I was snapping like I was at a poetry reading! I highly recommend this book!
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
2.0
I was confused for most of this book. It's trippy!! The fever-dream vibes are on point! After I finished reading, I stared at my wall, contemplating everything. I still have no clue what happened here. 😂
Perfume by Patrick Süskind
3.5
I've waited days to write this review. Somehow, I still don't have much to say. I'm running with that because sometimes you just don't have any substantial thoughts.
I enjoyed Perfume. The story was more entertaining than I anticipated. I loved the prose. Süskind did intricate research on perfumes. I appreciate that since I was really intrigued by that part of the story.
I enjoyed Perfume. The story was more entertaining than I anticipated. I loved the prose. Süskind did intricate research on perfumes. I appreciate that since I was really intrigued by that part of the story.
The Minders by John Marrs
3.0
I highly recommend reading “The One” and “The Passengers” before this novel! All three novels are a part of the same world, and plot points are mentioned. You should read them to avoid spoilers!!
The Minders is a sci-fi thriller set in the near future. The story follows ordinary people who are chosen to become “Minders.” Instead of storing classified information digitally, the Minders will protect government secrets.
I love John Marrs! He’s one of my favorite authors. However, I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped. I really couldn’t bring myself to care about the characters. I just didn’t connect to them.
Unlike The Passengers, The Minders was slow. The first 55% felt so long, but the latter half was a breeze. The premise is creative (as usual,) and I’m excited to see where this universe goes!
The Minders is a sci-fi thriller set in the near future. The story follows ordinary people who are chosen to become “Minders.” Instead of storing classified information digitally, the Minders will protect government secrets.
I love John Marrs! He’s one of my favorite authors. However, I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped. I really couldn’t bring myself to care about the characters. I just didn’t connect to them.
Unlike The Passengers, The Minders was slow. The first 55% felt so long, but the latter half was a breeze. The premise is creative (as usual,) and I’m excited to see where this universe goes!
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
5.0
I loved The Violin Conspiracy, and I enjoyed Symphony of Secrets even more! This novel is a lot of things, but at its core, it’s a story about a silenced and manipulated colored musician.
The historical context in this novel is what I loved the most. It takes place in the early 1900s in my favorite city, New York City! Slocumb transports us into an era where music theft is common, and tunes created by blacks aren’t highly valued.
There’s a dual timeline, and both are equally engaging. One follows Bern and Eboni in the present time. Working for the Delaney Foundation, they stumble across shocking evidence. Fred Delaney, a famous white composer may have not written his scores. The actual composer may be Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent black woman.
I liked Fred/Josephine’s timeline the most. Their story is heartbreaking. It’s full of betrayal, greed, and manipulation. I won’t say too much about them because I feel like it’s spoiler territory! What I will say is this plot is creative and intriguing. I was hanging onto every word. You won’t want to stop reading!! Cliche, I know, but it's true!
As a growing musician, I adore how Slocumb writes about music. I can relate to many quotes in this book. It’s enhanced my experience with his novels. That’s not to say you must play music to like this book. All music/art/historical fiction/mystery lovers will enjoy this novel. I highly recommend it. I'm excited to see what Slocumb does next.
The historical context in this novel is what I loved the most. It takes place in the early 1900s in my favorite city, New York City! Slocumb transports us into an era where music theft is common, and tunes created by blacks aren’t highly valued.
There’s a dual timeline, and both are equally engaging. One follows Bern and Eboni in the present time. Working for the Delaney Foundation, they stumble across shocking evidence. Fred Delaney, a famous white composer may have not written his scores. The actual composer may be Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent black woman.
I liked Fred/Josephine’s timeline the most. Their story is heartbreaking. It’s full of betrayal, greed, and manipulation. I won’t say too much about them because I feel like it’s spoiler territory! What I will say is this plot is creative and intriguing. I was hanging onto every word. You won’t want to stop reading!! Cliche, I know, but it's true!
As a growing musician, I adore how Slocumb writes about music. I can relate to many quotes in this book. It’s enhanced my experience with his novels. That’s not to say you must play music to like this book. All music/art/historical fiction/mystery lovers will enjoy this novel. I highly recommend it. I'm excited to see what Slocumb does next.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
3.0
Great Expectations is a sweet bildungsroman novel. I enjoyed following Pip’s wistful journey. Pip learns many lessons throughout his time of self-improvement. There’s one lesson that I feel he needed profoundly.
Dickens expressed the importance of loyalty and a good conscience very well. This theme has stood the test of time. Our youth today need messages like this. Social advancement may be different, but in some ways, it’s worse. It’s easy to lose yourself and become a horrible human being.
Although I enjoyed the themes in this novel and Pip, I didn’t love it. I barely cared about any other characters. I never felt challenged while reading this book. One of the reasons why I read classics is because of how thought-provoking they are. This novel didn’t hit my *personal* mark.
Dickens expressed the importance of loyalty and a good conscience very well. This theme has stood the test of time. Our youth today need messages like this. Social advancement may be different, but in some ways, it’s worse. It’s easy to lose yourself and become a horrible human being.
Although I enjoyed the themes in this novel and Pip, I didn’t love it. I barely cared about any other characters. I never felt challenged while reading this book. One of the reasons why I read classics is because of how thought-provoking they are. This novel didn’t hit my *personal* mark.
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
2.25
I loved the premise of this novel, but the execution fell flat. You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight follows a group of teens at a full-contact horror experience. I thought the setting would yield some fun and horrific twists. However, Bayron didn't tap into the potential as much as I hoped. I adored the campy slasher vibes in the beginning. The latter half took an unexpected turn, and I just didn't like it.
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
2.5
Promise Boys did a great job at highlighting the struggles of bipoc young men. I love the overall theme. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow.
However, midway, I started feeling very underwhelmed. The latter half felt rushed, and I was left unsatisfied. I’m disappointed because I was sure that I'd love this one!
However, midway, I started feeling very underwhelmed. The latter half felt rushed, and I was left unsatisfied. I’m disappointed because I was sure that I'd love this one!
The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur
3.0
The Forest of Stolen Girls is an eerie and suspenseful mystery set in 1426 Korea. Hur transported me into this novel. I loved this reading experience. It was very immersive and atmospheric.
The story is intriguing and rich in historical context. Some parts were slow, but Hur’s prose makes up for it. I enjoyed her writing style. I’ll be picking up another book by this author.
The story is intriguing and rich in historical context. Some parts were slow, but Hur’s prose makes up for it. I enjoyed her writing style. I’ll be picking up another book by this author.