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illgiveyouahint's reviews
156 reviews
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was fun. We don't talk about how witty Jane Austen was enough. I loved how much she was making fun of the gothic genre. Also loved Henry's teasing nature.
Admittedly I was struggling with the language a bit. Not because I couldn't understand the individual words but the style of the prose was at times hard to understand. Sentences that run for so long and were so convoluted you forgot how it started and even after three tries you still didn't understand what they said. I will still try to read all Austen in original even if it is a bit hard to understand at times.
Admittedly I was struggling with the language a bit. Not because I couldn't understand the individual words but the style of the prose was at times hard to understand. Sentences that run for so long and were so convoluted you forgot how it started and even after three tries you still didn't understand what they said. I will still try to read all Austen in original even if it is a bit hard to understand at times.
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
I think I'm getting old for these kinds of books. I thought it's gonna be queer but only the other characters were queer and the main romance left me kinda cold. I liked the twins aspect of it all and some of the anxieties were portrayed nice but still I'm getting kinda old for these and I think I've read a bit too many romance/young adult books lately and need to go read something that will actually intrigue me. I want to consume a book. I want to get lost in it.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There were elements of it that I found were better than the film and elements that I love more in the film. The film is much more gentler and more loving. The whole second half of the book is very different from the film plotwise.
I loved Sophie and Howl's bickering. It was a lot of fun to read. But then again I think I missed a bit more of the love that Miyazaki brought to his version.
I loved some of the characters that were cut from the film. The whole sisterly aspect of it. I liked the scarecrow plotline better in the book than in the film where it does come out of nowhere really. I also loved seeing Sophie's magical abilities. I admit I am still unsure about the whole Wales/modern life aspect that really threw me off and didn't really fit with the story i feel. The ending felt a bit rushed. I did like the ending of the Witch of the West in the film more I think. But I really missed the most more of the romantic build up of Howl and Sophie. Like it felt too sudden while in the film it is much more gradual.
I loved Sophie and Howl's bickering. It was a lot of fun to read. But then again I think I missed a bit more of the love that Miyazaki brought to his version.
I loved some of the characters that were cut from the film. The whole sisterly aspect of it. I liked the scarecrow plotline better in the book than in the film where it does come out of nowhere really. I also loved seeing Sophie's magical abilities. I admit I am still unsure about the whole Wales/modern life aspect that really threw me off and didn't really fit with the story i feel. The ending felt a bit rushed. I did like the ending of the Witch of the West in the film more I think. But I really missed the most more of the romantic build up of Howl and Sophie. Like it felt too sudden while in the film it is much more gradual.
Arturův ostrov by Elsa Morante
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This was a hard read. the misogyny was hard to sit through. I thought at some point the boy would see through the misogyny and reflect on it. But not really he just fell in love with his mother in law and still hated women as a whole.
Even though I saw hints of it throughout I still thought she wouldn't go therewith the gay reveal since it's a book from the 50s and I was surprised when she did. However it also means it once again went along with the trope of gay men being misogynistic .
Reading upon Elsa Morante and how if she lived today she might have been trans makes me wonder more about her life but probably not enough to try read up on her or any of her work more.
Even though I saw hints of it throughout I still thought she wouldn't go there
Reading upon Elsa Morante and how if she lived today she might have been trans makes me wonder more about her life but probably not enough to try read up on her or any of her work more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Incest, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Racism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
Christmas at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I've only started to read this book because it somehow ended up in my possession and I'm trying to get through my pile of TBR. As such I didn't know this was a sequel and came into Issy and Austin's relationship blind.
Oh boy this book suffers so much of the 'publisher said they want sequel but i don't know what to write about'. Actually as I read the blurbs for the other books of Jenny Colgan I guess all her books are kinda like that? Idk.
Point is the central theme of the book was so forced and honestly I really don't think the two main characters will last together in a relationship because they don't communicate at all. It was a whole book of I am thinking one thing but never say it and he's thinking another thing and never says it and then they're surprised that it doesn't lead to a happy ending. Quite frankly the only real moment I felt was when Darny started crying when he thought it's his fault that Issy isn't coming. That was the one moment where I actually felt something.
I'd say this book isn't for me except I usually love this shit. I am capable of watching dumb hallmark movies and enjoy them. I love cozy shit. I love romance. I love winter and snow and christmas. But it needs to feel real. Just a little bit. And here it sadly just wasn't.
Oh boy this book suffers so much of the 'publisher said they want sequel but i don't know what to write about'. Actually as I read the blurbs for the other books of Jenny Colgan I guess all her books are kinda like that? Idk.
Point is the central theme of the book was so forced and honestly I really don't think the two main characters will last together in a relationship because they don't communicate at all. It was a whole book of I am thinking one thing but never say it and he's thinking another thing and never says it and then they're surprised that it doesn't lead to a happy ending. Quite frankly the only real moment I felt was when Darny started crying when he thought it's his fault that Issy isn't coming. That was the one moment where I actually felt something.
I'd say this book isn't for me except I usually love this shit. I am capable of watching dumb hallmark movies and enjoy them. I love cozy shit. I love romance. I love winter and snow and christmas. But it needs to feel real. Just a little bit. And here it sadly just wasn't.
Toto je môj coming out by Aleš Kauer
reflective
sad
fast-paced
This collection of poetry was released after the brutal murder of two young queer people in Bratislava. It works as a response of a kind. Some of these poems speak directly to what happened and the fear and anger and hopelessness we all felt. But some just speak to our very existence. Because even our existence is revolutionary. Even our existence is a political act.
My friend contributed with one of the poems but I actually like quite a few others. I'm glad I bought it and have it at home
My friend contributed with one of the poems but I actually like quite a few others. I'm glad I bought it and have it at home
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, Hate crime, and Mass/school shootings
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really loved Aza's unique voice. It's clear that John has personal experience with OCD. The plot at first feels very John Green-esque until you realise the plot is not the point and it's only a means to an end. The first two thirds of the book were fine but felt kinda like any other John Green book but then the last third took up speed and really drew me in. Like this might end up being my favourite book of his after The Anthropocene Reviewed.
I'm glad this book exists so people can understand OCD a bit better.
Also there is just so many book references in this. That's such a John Green thing to do tbh
I'm glad this book exists so people can understand OCD a bit better.
Also there is just so many book references in this. That's such a John Green thing to do tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Car accident, Classism, Death, and Grief
Minor: Excrement and Forced institutionalization
Žalm pro divostrojné by Becky Chambers
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I wish it was longer. I liked the worldbuilding and the philosophical conversations but I guess I wish the story around it was built a little more. This was a philosophical novella where I wish it was an actual novel.
2 States: The Story Of My Marriage by Chetan Bhagat
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
I think my biggest problem with the book was that I didn't like the main character. I didn't connect with him. And I only started to like Ananya once she started to be a bit more defiant and shown her strong nature 'cause until then she didn't feel much like a character to me. I think both of the characters just weren't developed enough individually and as a couple. I also think the ending of the book and the resolution was too quick. I expected the therapist segment to have more importance and Krish's depression to be felt in the writing a bit more. He described the notions but I didn't feel it actually happening - like mentally. And then to have it all resulted simply by his dad going to Chennai. Having his conflict with his dad resolved by him simply going to Chennai. I just didn't find the writing that striking.
I still thank my friend for giving the book to me.
I still thank my friend for giving the book to me.
Welcome to Night Vale by Jeffrey Cranor, Joseph Fink
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Can't believe I get to say this but the book is even weirder than the podcast. The story was good but in a very welcome to night vale fashion the ending was...well it feels like it was sort of rushed and skipped and the mystery never really explained. Which yes that is the WTNV way but when you spend 400 pages reading about trying to solve a mystery it feels anticlimatic and dissastisfactory when that mystery isn't really solved. Idk like I enjoyed it a lot but the end left me with a sort of *shrug* feeling.