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lizziehutchings's reviews
249 reviews
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
3.5 stars
“Home is a choice.”
This brought me all the V.E. Schwab energy that I've ever wanted. It was dark, it was mysterious, it was beautiful.
The major themes in this book is something so unlike anything Schwab has emphasized in her books before. She always focuses on adventure and wanting to be free. Free from anything that could hold one back.
But in this novel, she focused on home and family (with adventure mixed in there as well - because would it be a V.E. Schwab book without some adventure?). It was about a girl who wanted to belong.
The imagery in this book was just absolutely stunning. I adore everything that V.E. creates with her words. The additional non-prose aspects like Grace's journal and the illustrations in there were amazing additions to Schwab's imaginative writing and plot.
I would say that this book gave me a The Near Witch scent and a The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue aftertaste.
I would definitely 10/10 recommend this book to Schwab fans and people looking for an abstract, whimsical, and soft worldbuilding fantasy.
Have a wonderful evening and a happy spring 🌲
“Home is a choice.”
This brought me all the V.E. Schwab energy that I've ever wanted. It was dark, it was mysterious, it was beautiful.
The major themes in this book is something so unlike anything Schwab has emphasized in her books before. She always focuses on adventure and wanting to be free. Free from anything that could hold one back.
But in this novel, she focused on home and family (with adventure mixed in there as well - because would it be a V.E. Schwab book without some adventure?). It was about a girl who wanted to belong.
The imagery in this book was just absolutely stunning. I adore everything that V.E. creates with her words. The additional non-prose aspects like Grace's journal and the illustrations in there were amazing additions to Schwab's imaginative writing and plot.
I would say that this book gave me a The Near Witch scent and a The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue aftertaste.
I would definitely 10/10 recommend this book to Schwab fans and people looking for an abstract, whimsical, and soft worldbuilding fantasy.
Have a wonderful evening and a happy spring 🌲
How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was just so good.
I picked up this book knowing that Hayao Miyazaki is making his final studio Ghibli movie based on this book. And - let me tell you - it's going to be sooooo good! He is really going to make the imagery come alive, and I'm so excited to see what he comes up with.
The characters in this book are just innocent children beginning to enter into the world of adults. It's just such an inspiring book with so many tidbits of wisdom, and I can't wait to buy the book myself and mark it all up.
I picked up this book knowing that Hayao Miyazaki is making his final studio Ghibli movie based on this book. And - let me tell you - it's going to be sooooo good! He is really going to make the imagery come alive, and I'm so excited to see what he comes up with.
The characters in this book are just innocent children beginning to enter into the world of adults. It's just such an inspiring book with so many tidbits of wisdom, and I can't wait to buy the book myself and mark it all up.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
4.5 stars
This was a speed-read through for me, and I loved it. I (surprisingly enough) have never really read a biography or a memoir, especially one like this. I really appreciated the perspective on childhood neglect and trauma that Walls brought to the table. The snippets of stories each were so fascinating, and they really carried me through this short memoir.
It's been a lovely day 😎.
This was a speed-read through for me, and I loved it. I (surprisingly enough) have never really read a biography or a memoir, especially one like this. I really appreciated the perspective on childhood neglect and trauma that Walls brought to the table. The snippets of stories each were so fascinating, and they really carried me through this short memoir.
It's been a lovely day 😎.
Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
4.0
I quite enjoyed this book. It was very refreshing to read a Children's and Middle-Grade book. While the ending of this book was sad, the book was an overall light-hearted read that acted as a nice escape from the day. It is a very quick read, I conquered it in two sittings. Here's what I liked about this book:
-the book indulged in the Spanish culture a little bit--which I always think is fun to mix other cultures into books.
-the motifs in this book were nothing if not satisfying. The bees, the tree, the drought. I do not desire to spoil, so that is all I will establish there.
-this is a coming-of-age standalone with good lessons to learn about yourself and about other people. One of the themes in this book were taking pride in one's roots and family history, which I, too, value. Another important theme in this book regards being less afraid of death, rather, being afraid of not-living. Which, I mean, that theme could go either way.
Overall, it was a good read, and totally worth my time.
-the book indulged in the Spanish culture a little bit--which I always think is fun to mix other cultures into books.
-the motifs in this book were nothing if not satisfying. The bees, the tree, the drought. I do not desire to spoil, so that is all I will establish there.
-this is a coming-of-age standalone with good lessons to learn about yourself and about other people. One of the themes in this book were taking pride in one's roots and family history, which I, too, value. Another important theme in this book regards being less afraid of death, rather, being afraid of not-living. Which, I mean, that theme could go either way.
Overall, it was a good read, and totally worth my time.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5.0
this novel was truly impressive. not only did I enjoy this read immensely, but my eyes were opened to the touching and heart-breaking stories of these two women in France during WWII. when reading this, I was brought to the realization that many women had to endure such pain as Isabelle and Vianne did. I simply cannot type how much I appreciated this book, but hopefully you can imagine it.
Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog by Garth Stein
4.0
I usually do not like dog books, but this book is amazing! Garth Stein has a very entertaining style of writing.
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
5.0
One of the best books I have ever read!!! A devastating story told with a sense of humor. Love Ali Benjamin.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
4.0
Good book! Everyone should read it. I usually don't like dog books, but I loved this one.
The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois
3.0
A half fiction, half non fiction story of adventures on Krakatoa. Interesting story.