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jillselwyn's reviews
208 reviews
The Maid by Nita Prose
3.0
I was a little disappointed by this book to be honest. Not so much that I didn't like it (hence it getting above 2 stars but not quite 4), but there were aspects that felt frustrating or annoying. I would like to first mention that I am neurodivergent myself. I have ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am one of many who wishes that this author had simply named the condition that Molly had, seeing as there were moments where I felt deep connection in her descriptions, but then the next thing I knew I was wondering if she was even supposed to have a real current day disorder because if it was supposed to be autism, it felt wrong. Even if it is meant to be a fictional disorder, I feel like the author really should have hopped onto HBO Max or ABC Freeform to watch Stitchers to see Kirsten's fictional disorder, and how they portray it.
The mystery was interesting enough for me - someone who hasn't read outside of high (and occasional urban) fantasy in years - but it didn't hit me until around 80% through the book that Molly could be an unreliable narrator. I also didn't love the ending. It didn't feel like it made sense (at the time I wasn't sure if my idea that she was an unreliable narrator was accurate or not) and I would have preferred the book not have a twist in the epilogue like that. Either way, it wasn't horrible, but there were still some major issues throughout as I listened to it.
The mystery was interesting enough for me - someone who hasn't read outside of high (and occasional urban) fantasy in years - but it didn't hit me until around 80% through the book that Molly could be an unreliable narrator. I also didn't love the ending. It didn't feel like it made sense (at the time I wasn't sure if my idea that she was an unreliable narrator was accurate or not) and I would have preferred the book not have a twist in the epilogue like that. Either way, it wasn't horrible, but there were still some major issues throughout as I listened to it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
1.0
I have a list of books I've not read since I was a teenager (I didn't get goodreads until like 2021 according to my profile) that I plan to do full rereads of and annotate and write in depth reviews of. I even have Harry Potter on that list, and I will be buying a Hufflepuff set (that's my house) from eBay because I hate Rowling. This book though - this book deserves ZERO stars and will never be reread and I hope my mom threw it away. I would like to start off with mentioning I'm literally half jewish ethnicity wise. I was raised culturally Jewish but no pressure to practice the religion.
This book trivialized the holocaust so heavily it's disgusting the author I believe doesn't even have any connection to the holocaust other than "well my mommy saw the Jews be marched off to the trains to go to the camps so I get to write this book." Well, sorry to say it, but you don't.
The only times I will ever be ok or comfortable with Goyim writing a book about the holocaust is if they are Romani, gay, or disabled or mentally ill because those people were also killed - maybe not in the same numbers but they were included. And if a goyim who has none of these connections has like a history PhD and writes their dissertation or something like that on the holocaust then fine because at least you care enough to do the research. This is the closest I will ever get to rereading in order to write a review.
I'd also like to point out that from what I've seen of the people I'm friends with on here, the majority of those who liked this book are goyim themselves. Every Jew I talk to today hates it and feels the same as I do - those in my personal life. No hate to those who enjoyed this book, but these are my thoughts and things I'd like to point out.
This book trivialized the holocaust so heavily it's disgusting the author I believe doesn't even have any connection to the holocaust other than "well my mommy saw the Jews be marched off to the trains to go to the camps so I get to write this book." Well, sorry to say it, but you don't.
The only times I will ever be ok or comfortable with Goyim writing a book about the holocaust is if they are Romani, gay, or disabled or mentally ill because those people were also killed - maybe not in the same numbers but they were included. And if a goyim who has none of these connections has like a history PhD and writes their dissertation or something like that on the holocaust then fine because at least you care enough to do the research. This is the closest I will ever get to rereading in order to write a review.
I'd also like to point out that from what I've seen of the people I'm friends with on here, the majority of those who liked this book are goyim themselves. Every Jew I talk to today hates it and feels the same as I do - those in my personal life. No hate to those who enjoyed this book, but these are my thoughts and things I'd like to point out.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
5.0
This book pleasantly surprised me! Reminded me why I was a fangirl in high school, and a lot of it was so unexpected, that I didn't see the plot twist of who the magister really was, and that really added to the excitement. I probably should have seen it looking back on it, but either way it was an enjoyable and fun read! My only comment is that I hope in the future (and mind you - I haven't read the Dark Artifices series yet) that Cassandra Clare will write a book with the main character not being unknown to the world of the Shadowhunters! Either way I look forward to reading the second book!
A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
4.0
The second book of 2023, complete! I just have to start with saying about half way in I got scared there was about to be a bury your gays trope, and it would have almost been hilarious because I was using my Illumicrate TBR reading prompt cards, and chose "favorite trope" because of the heist. Anyway there wasn't, but I still sobbed my goddamn eyes out and my cat kept almost like... checking on me?
I loved how short the chapters were! This was a reasonably over 300 paged book, and it felt less than, because each chapter I don't think was more than honestly five pages, and the countdown til the ship sank was really great and was an amazing tool to stir up extreme anxiety in the reader. I really liked the diversity, the characterization and personalities and how Ocean's 8 really was the perfect comp title for this one. I tabbed so much of this book, let's just say thank god I have another set of tabs from literally, Albertson's of all places. Heists will not soon be no longer my favorite trope/plot and I can thank Six of Crows originally for that, and now A Million to One for securing it.
Amazing job and I'll have to see if Adiba Jaigirdar will be coming out with anything else soon.
I loved how short the chapters were! This was a reasonably over 300 paged book, and it felt less than, because each chapter I don't think was more than honestly five pages, and the countdown til the ship sank was really great and was an amazing tool to stir up extreme anxiety in the reader. I really liked the diversity, the characterization and personalities and how Ocean's 8 really was the perfect comp title for this one. I tabbed so much of this book, let's just say thank god I have another set of tabs from literally, Albertson's of all places. Heists will not soon be no longer my favorite trope/plot and I can thank Six of Crows originally for that, and now A Million to One for securing it.
Amazing job and I'll have to see if Adiba Jaigirdar will be coming out with anything else soon.
The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
3.0
*3.5*
I read this book for a class on YA Books and materials. Well, I listened to it. I haven't seen or heard first person done this well in a YA in a very long time. Usually its at least a little distracting, taking me out of the story, but listening to it and it being in first person actually made it feel more personal and drew me in more. This isn't a book I'd normally read but it felt well executed and the conversations sparked by it in class were really hard hitting and emotional. For what it is, it's really well done and I enjoyed my time with the story.
I read this book for a class on YA Books and materials. Well, I listened to it. I haven't seen or heard first person done this well in a YA in a very long time. Usually its at least a little distracting, taking me out of the story, but listening to it and it being in first person actually made it feel more personal and drew me in more. This isn't a book I'd normally read but it felt well executed and the conversations sparked by it in class were really hard hitting and emotional. For what it is, it's really well done and I enjoyed my time with the story.
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
1.0
Yea... no. The first chunk of this book was pretty good, honestly the whole book was well written. But um. The last bit? Felt like way too much especially without trigger warnings. I had a really upsetting reaction and was not a fan. Will be expanding on this for my writing/reading response for class.