lefttoread's Reviews (532)


I get the negatives surrounding this book but I also believe after reading it that Matthew Perry had it hard, harder than I could have ever guessed. Yes he was privileged but he himself stated that he thought his life would be great once he got everything he wanted, but, life just doesn't work that way and just because someone is privileged does not mean they don't get to complain, everyone has their own struggles and everyone deals with them differently.

There's definitely some things I'd have liked to have been different, there were comments that were unnecessary but I wouldn't have rated Matthew as a bad person due to the terminology in this book, it was a difficult, raw memoir to read and listen to, and I've heard it over and over again, addicts are hard to love. They can come off as selfish and off putting but at the end of the day, they just need some understanding and help.

I'm sad to hear his struggles and that he never got that happy ending he always dreamt of, but I'm glad he got the chance to write his feelings down and that he got to the point of being accepting of love.

Though predictable, I still found this thriller interesting and the writing was probably up there with some of my favourites. A Flicker in the Dark is a solid debut novel and I'll definitely be trying more by Stacy Willingham.

"But I believe in love, you know; love is a uniquely portable magic. I don't think it's in the stars, but I do believe that blood calls to blood and mind calls to mind and heart to heart."

So glad I read this book

Revisiting NOS4A2/NOS4R2 for the second time was an enjoyable reading experience. In my opinion, this novel is unlike any other horror book I've read. The festive setting, combined with sinister undertones, created an atmosphere that made me feel oddly cosy. I’m someone who is driven by characters, and while I don’t find these characters the most memorable, I did have fun following them.

Joe Hill's skill for writing horror is evident here. Although I didn’t want to mention his father, Stephen King—who has a massive presence in the horror literary world—I couldn't help but feel his influence throughout the book. This was possibly the only thing that pulled me out of an otherwise great ride of a story.

There was a time when I wanted to read this every year around Christmas, but now I believe leaving a few years in between is the way to go. I don’t want to diminish the enjoyment I get from it by remembering too much. While it’s not the scariest book, it holds up as a great horror story, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s intrigued.

Nod presents a fascinating premise but leaves much to be desired in terms of resolution. I found myself with mixed feelings, as the book showed promise but didn't fully deliver on its potential. The story raises many intriguing questions, yet few are answered, which left me somewhat unsatisfied. However, the essay by the author at the end was a highlight—it gave valuable insight into the inspiration behind the novel. I'm glad I read it, as it added depth to my experience of the book.

Volume 5 of Alice in Borderland continues to deliver the intense, high-stakes drama and psychological depth that fans of the series have come to expect. This volume is packed with nail-biting moments, as the games get more brutal and the stakes even higher. The characters are pushed to their limits both physically and mentally, and the storytelling does an excellent job of maintaining the tension while deepening our understanding of the world and its twisted rules.

The complexity of the characters continues to evolve, making them more relatable and engaging. The author’s ability to balance action with character development is impressive, keeping readers emotionally invested in the outcomes of each game.

However, while I thoroughly enjoyed this volume, I found the inclusion of the short stories within the main narrative disruptive. Although the short stories are well-crafted and offer interesting insights into the world and its characters, their placement affected the flow of the main story for me. Just as I was getting fully immersed in the tension and suspense, these side stories would pull me out of the experience. I believe they would have been more effective if presented separately or at the end of the volume, allowing readers to enjoy them without interrupting the main narrative.

Despite this minor issue, Volume 5 remains a strong entry in the series. The artwork is as compelling as ever, with detailed and dynamic illustrations that bring the dangerous games to life. The pacing, aside from the interruptions by the short stories, is well-handled, leaving you eager to see what happens next.

In conclusion, Alice in Borderland Volume 5 is a gripping and intense continuation of the series that fans will undoubtedly enjoy. While the placement of the short stories may momentarily take you out of the main narrative, the overall experience is still highly satisfying. The volume keeps the momentum going, deepening both the characters and the stakes, and leaving you on the edge of your seat for what comes next. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a touch of the surreal, this series remains a must-read and as someone who is new to the manga world, I believe this series is a great place to start-it also has an amazing TV show adaptation.

After taking a break from Bleach, I was unsure about diving back into the series with Volume 11. I worried that I might not enjoy it as much as I had the earlier volumes, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that my fears were unnecessary. The story picked up with an intense burst of action right from the start, which was a bit overwhelming for me. While this initial rush of battles slowed things down for me a little—I needed some time to reconnect with the characters—it’s more a reflection of my reading experience than any flaw in the volume itself.

One of the highlights of this series for me is the background information we get on the characters and this volume included a lot of that too. This deeper insight into the story's lore and characters pulled me right back into the story after the initial burst of action. It served as a powerful reminder of why I love Bleach in the first place. The series has an incredible cast of characters, each with their own unique strengths and flaws, making every action scene feel loaded with stakes that go beyond just the physical fights.

This volume reaffirmed what I’ve always enjoyed about Bleach—the perfect blend of intense battles, compelling character development, and intricate storytelling. The characters, especially, are what keep me coming back; their growth and relationships add layers of meaning to the conflicts they face. As I reached the end of Volume 11, I was left eager to continue the journey with these characters and see where the story will lead next.

Having first read The Book Thief in 2016 and revisiting it this year, I can confidently say that Markus Zusak's novel remains a powerful and moving story, steeped in both beauty and heartbreak. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, the novel weaves together a narrative that is both haunting and profoundly human.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the relationship between Liesel and her foster father, Hans. Their bond is the heart of the story for me. Hans' unwavering support, gentle love, and quiet strength provide Liesel with the foundation she needs to grow and thrive in the harshest of circumstances.

While the novel is great, I did find that it felt a bit bulkier than necessary. There were moments, in the middle, where the pacing dipped, and the story seemed to drag slightly. However, these moments do little to distract from the overall impact of the book.

This year’s rereading experience was just as emotional and enriching as the first. However, I am hesitant to return to it again in the future, not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because I fear that rereading it too many times might diminish the magic I currently feel for the story.

That said, The Book Thief is a novel I would wholeheartedly recommend. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the last page, and it’s one that I will certainly keep on my bookshelf.