Take a photo of a barcode or cover
hopeloveslit's reviews
313 reviews
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
4.0
James Baldwin’s prose is beautiful. I adore his writing style. My heart was breaking throughout this novel. The story is emotional, so that was a factor. However, I feel the premise isn’t what made this book so intense. It was Baldwin’s writing!
Giovannis Room is about a closeted American man living in Paris during the 1950’s. Sexual orientation is a big theme in this novel. Through David’s character, Baldwin explores the consequences of denial and how it breeds resentment.
Short novels can be a hit or miss for me because the characters tend to fall flat. Not here. Giovanni and David’s characters are impressively fleshed out. I empathized with them a lot, and their characters intrigued me. I would recommend this book to any reader.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
5.0
Edmond Dantès was nineteen years old, newly engaged, and had a successful life on the horizon. Until a gang of envious men decided to frame him for a crime he didn’t commit. Edmond was sent to rot in prison for fourteen long years. Rightfully fed up, he makes a brave escape with his heart set on vengeance. Who can blame him?
The Count of Monte Cristo is a masterful and intricate novel about justice, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. This novel is around 1,200 pages, and I was never bored. I devoured this book. It’s easily one of my all-time favorites. I love a good revenge story, but Dumas offers the reader much more. I think that’s why I adored it so much.
The characters are perfect both in the best ways (Edmond) and the worst ways (Danglars.) I love villains, actually, I worship them. However, Dumas crafted the many antagonists of this novel too well. I couldn’t even like them. I despised them all, but I really disliked Fernand and Danglars. If that’s not good writing, I don't know what is!! I was speechless when I realized I wasn’t cheering on the bad guys.
Overall, this novel is the definition of a must-read. I’ll never forget this book. The reading experience was unlike any other. I’ll be searching for this *Monte Cristo* feeling forever. I can’t wait to reread it over and over and wish it was the first time.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a masterful and intricate novel about justice, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. This novel is around 1,200 pages, and I was never bored. I devoured this book. It’s easily one of my all-time favorites. I love a good revenge story, but Dumas offers the reader much more. I think that’s why I adored it so much.
The characters are perfect both in the best ways (Edmond) and the worst ways (Danglars.) I love villains, actually, I worship them. However, Dumas crafted the many antagonists of this novel too well. I couldn’t even like them. I despised them all, but I really disliked Fernand and Danglars. If that’s not good writing, I don't know what is!! I was speechless when I realized I wasn’t cheering on the bad guys.
Overall, this novel is the definition of a must-read. I’ll never forget this book. The reading experience was unlike any other. I’ll be searching for this *Monte Cristo* feeling forever. I can’t wait to reread it over and over and wish it was the first time.
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson
3.5
Once again, Shirley Jackson has left me speechless, bewildered, and apprehensive. The Hangsaman is one of those eccentric novels you must revisit because so much is happening under the surface. Jackson does this so subtly. Many things can fly over your head (I think quite a bit flew over mine.) Nonetheless, after reading novels like this, I adore the confusion. The feeling of scouring the internet to find theories and analysis of a book… that's what I live for.
Romance in Marseille by Claude McKay
3.0
Romance in Marseille is a quirky and entertaining novel. McKay was ahead of his time! He explores international politics, physical disability, and queer identity. I can see why it took almost ninety years to get published.
Shout out to Penguin for dragging this out of the archives, but parts of the story feel choppy and unfinished. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an enjoyable read. However, I was left feeling unsatisfied. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Shout out to Penguin for dragging this out of the archives, but parts of the story feel choppy and unfinished. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an enjoyable read. However, I was left feeling unsatisfied. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Selected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes
3.0
Hughes is one of my favorite poets, and he's talented without a question. I thought I'd love this collection, but it didn't work out. There were a few gems that I was already familiar with. However, I wasn't fond of the vast majority of poems.
My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun by Emily Dickinson
4.0
“I aimed my pebble, but myself
Was all the one that fell.
Was it Goliath was too large,
Or only I too small”
My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun is a short but powerful collection of poems by Dickinson. It explores themes of death, isolation, and beauty. I love how many interpretations one can have of any given poem in this collection. It warrants a reread, just to soak it up and understand Emily’s writing style and diction.
I highly recommend tabbing and taking notes. That's what I do for most of my poetry collections. It helps to have something to reference. I find that when I reread poetry collections, my original interpretations get lost in my mind. This happens often with Dickinson, so I always have a pen!!
Some of my favorite poems:
“I’m nobody! Who are you?” page 6
“I took my power in my hand” page 10
“Before I got my eye put out” page 11
“The leaves, like women, interchange” page 23
“On my volcano grows the grass” page 41
Overall, I can't recommend Emily Dickinson’s poetry enough. Would I recommend this collection? Eh, that depends! If you’re looking for something lightweight to throw in your bag, yes! But since these poems derive from a bigger collection, maybe grab that one?! Either way, enjoy! 🤩
Was all the one that fell.
Was it Goliath was too large,
Or only I too small”
My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun is a short but powerful collection of poems by Dickinson. It explores themes of death, isolation, and beauty. I love how many interpretations one can have of any given poem in this collection. It warrants a reread, just to soak it up and understand Emily’s writing style and diction.
I highly recommend tabbing and taking notes. That's what I do for most of my poetry collections. It helps to have something to reference. I find that when I reread poetry collections, my original interpretations get lost in my mind. This happens often with Dickinson, so I always have a pen!!
Some of my favorite poems:
“I’m nobody! Who are you?” page 6
“I took my power in my hand” page 10
“Before I got my eye put out” page 11
“The leaves, like women, interchange” page 23
“On my volcano grows the grass” page 41
Overall, I can't recommend Emily Dickinson’s poetry enough. Would I recommend this collection? Eh, that depends! If you’re looking for something lightweight to throw in your bag, yes! But since these poems derive from a bigger collection, maybe grab that one?! Either way, enjoy! 🤩
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
4.0
I don't have much to say about this book. Other than I LOVED it! Kristin Hannah's novels always feel like a breeze, and I devour them. This story doesn't hold a candle to The Nightingale. However, The Great Alone had me hooked!
What I liked:
-The Alaskan Setting. Hannah's writing is beautiful and so atmospheric.
-The concept of isolation and community.
-Leni!! I loved her. Although, some of her decisions were nonsensical.
What I didn't like:
-Ernt! Do I need to say more?
-Cora. Girl?? Your daughter?? I-
-Leni's decision toward the end of the book (you know what I'm talking about!)
I would reread this book to experience reading it on a snowy day. Please read this on a snowy day, preferably in a cabin, with a cozy blanket and cup of tea. Just do it for me!! 🥹
What I liked:
-The Alaskan Setting. Hannah's writing is beautiful and so atmospheric.
-The concept of isolation and community.
-Leni!! I loved her. Although, some of her decisions were nonsensical.
What I didn't like:
-Ernt! Do I need to say more?
-Cora. Girl?? Your daughter?? I-
-Leni's decision toward the end of the book (you know what I'm talking about!)
I would reread this book to experience reading it on a snowy day. Please read this on a snowy day, preferably in a cabin, with a cozy blanket and cup of tea. Just do it for me!! 🥹