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jpaulthunders77's reviews
271 reviews
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
4.0
what else can i say? it's a classic.
indeed, the MOTHER of murder mysteries.
indeed, the MOTHER of murder mysteries.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
3.0
Colson Whitehead has written a true masterpiece. Despite being a non-American person, I still appreciate the importance of this book. Aside from the sensitive central theme of the story, which is racial segregation, I see this as a good character study of someone who strives to find his own identity. The moral argument is subtly incorporated through good storytelling. Would you rather adjust in order to survive in an unforgiving world, dominated by unfair rules and standards or would you live as a good person no matter what people throws into you. In the end, I think through Elwood's development, we get to see his answer.
Which takes me to my next point: the plot twist. Yes. It was enjoyable, though I kinda expected it.
The reason why I rated this book 3 stars is primarily because of the writing style. Whitehead's prose lean more into non-fiction style, and sometimes there are some parts that seem didactic to me. There are also characters that just popped up out of nowhere and would disappear later on, which took me out of the story for quite some time.
All in all, like pain and itch, this book demands to be felt.
Which takes me to my next point: the plot twist. Yes. It was enjoyable, though I kinda expected it.
The reason why I rated this book 3 stars is primarily because of the writing style. Whitehead's prose lean more into non-fiction style, and sometimes there are some parts that seem didactic to me. There are also characters that just popped up out of nowhere and would disappear later on, which took me out of the story for quite some time.
All in all, like pain and itch, this book demands to be felt.
Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke
3.0
I dunno how to express my thoughts cohesively, but the premise really was interesting for me. Creepy kids, if done well, are one of my favorite horror tropes. The beginning was fine, then the middle kept me intrigue because of the mystery surrounding the child's identity and his sudden association with the protagonist. The concept of possible alternate reality, albeit not explored thoroughly considering this was a novella, was in my opinion a true page turner.
Now here's the thing: the ending disappointed me. When it was revealed who the child was—okay, I'm out. 3 stars automatic. I'm not being a stingy bitch, please don't hate me.
Now here's the thing: the ending disappointed me. When it was revealed who the child was—okay, I'm out. 3 stars automatic. I'm not being a stingy bitch, please don't hate me.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
3.0
finally, i've read this!
it was cute. the writing style is simplistic, so is the world building. but that's okay. i enjoyed it. i heard it's gonna get better and better once they grew older.
it was cute. the writing style is simplistic, so is the world building. but that's okay. i enjoyed it. i heard it's gonna get better and better once they grew older.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3.0
I have a lot to say with this book. When I first read it, I thought I was gonna gobble it. The premise looks fine, and I know that this is a classic. But as I went through the 100 page mark, this got boring for me. I didn't know what was happening. There were a lot of scenes that I didn't find important. I even DNF it for quite some time because I was so bored. The characters didn't attract me. And I didn't care if Hans, Rosa, Rudy, or Liezel would die. Maybe I am just a dumbass that I didn't get the hidden messages or the subtlety of the mundane scenes.
But for me, I think the book is good objectively. The writing is good. I learned a lot of words and new ways to construct a sentence.
As I progressed to the last parts of the book, I found myself a little bit invested like what I have been during the first chapters. The bombing, the dead bodies. Wooh. Love it. I didn't cry though because the deaths were foreshadowed already.
I wish my perception about this book would change when I watched the film version.
But for me, I think the book is good objectively. The writing is good. I learned a lot of words and new ways to construct a sentence.
As I progressed to the last parts of the book, I found myself a little bit invested like what I have been during the first chapters. The bombing, the dead bodies. Wooh. Love it. I didn't cry though because the deaths were foreshadowed already.
I wish my perception about this book would change when I watched the film version.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
4.0
It was an ok whodunnit. Female characters are all sick in different ways. I kinda expected the twist so meh. Maybe it's just me since this genre is really my jam so I know the beats. The writing though, is super good!!
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
3.0
This book is easy to follow. The writing style was simple, that I didn't have to pause and think about what a particular line meant. It was a page turner, indeed. I would give this book that credit. The way the author took me in a non-linear narration (switching back and fourth from different timelines to tell the backstories and build the characters) was an enjoyable ride. For me, it had a good timing, not info-dumpy but rather relevant to the story. The little hints were well-meshed for the big reveal.
My issue was actually more focused on Millicent's character. Of course, I knew that Tobias (hell, what's his real name, i don't know) and her are twisted people. But I was just not convinced with Millicent's agency in doing all of those things: killing women, manipulating her husband to choose the women to kill, or even poisoning her own daughter. For me, it was not enough that she has been just a monster kid, a manipulative little devil. Or even the reason that she just wanted to 'resurrect' the serial killer of their town. Had there been a deeper reason on why she did that, I would've liked this book better.
But still, I enjoyed it. I would like to recommend the audiobook because the narrator was good!
My issue was actually more focused on Millicent's character. Of course, I knew that Tobias (hell, what's his real name, i don't know) and her are twisted people. But I was just not convinced with Millicent's agency in doing all of those things: killing women, manipulating her husband to choose the women to kill, or even poisoning her own daughter. For me, it was not enough that she has been just a monster kid, a manipulative little devil. Or even the reason that she just wanted to 'resurrect' the serial killer of their town. Had there been a deeper reason on why she did that, I would've liked this book better.
But still, I enjoyed it. I would like to recommend the audiobook because the narrator was good!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5.0
I fucking love Amy Dunne. I am not justifying her actions, but I am just amazed by her Cool Girl monologue. Even though I am not married yet, I have experienced doing things for the sake of 'belongingness' and ended up being betrayed. I can feel that shit! I also love how the ending becomes a satire. Yeah, you're a female; you're the victim. You can get away with it coz everyone loves you now.
Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal, Raul L. Locsin
read in 9th grade (which was 11 years ago). not gonna rate this one but I did enjoy the lake scene in the ending.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
2.0
This could have been ok. I saw some parts of the ending from a mile away, and I thought it was BULLSHIT.
RTC.
RTC.