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mercurialreading's Reviews (107)
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for an advance reader's copy of this book. Please note that I am giving honest thoughts and opinions in exchange for a copy of the e-arc.
First, let me start by saying that I have not read anything else by Amy Lukavics; however, I have heard she can write some really creepy stuff. Well, she certainly continued with the trend in Nightingale. My stomach was constantly turning with each page and not necessarily because of some of the gory descriptions, but because of how frightening this book is psychologically. It really messes with your mind, questioning everything with the unreliable narrator of June, in addition to being a commentary on bending/breaking gender and social norms (though do note the main character sometimes describes disembodiment and what exists when certain bodily features are missing, so there is a level of what I describe as gore).
To really get into the book: I finished the book and the only response I have that I have summed up in my 100% entry (see post linked below), but that can even be summed up as: WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?! When I started reading this book, it again felt very much like a commentary on bending/breaking gender and social norms, and doing so in a way that really messes with your mind. June, the main character, is a young woman in the early 1950s who has dreams beyond being the conventional housewife, wanting to be a writer. And, as the synopsis states, she is placed in a mental institution to be "fixed" with horrid "treatments" that attest to how there was, in some instances, mistreatment of patients with mental illness and in psychiatric hospitals. Obviously this speaks beyond the early 1950s and is subject to more than just a post in a book diary on a blog, but I will keep it to just this. But to move forward, the patients in the book were treated less than human, which was a difficult aspect of the book to read (something to keep in mind if you decide to pick up this book).
Let's touch on June and her writing because this is where I feel the most conflicted with this book. June's writing centers on a science fiction story about aliens. To repeat my 100% entry (see post linked below), it is presented as an interesting parallel between how June feels out of place, her time in the mental institution and constricted in her role. But the way the story concludes, I question whether my reading this as a commentary on breaking gender norms is an actual focus of this novel. Was the ending a level of shock value entertainment to make the reader question everything they have just read? Or, as again, I state in my 100% entry (see post linked below), a big fuck you to the restrictions of gender norms? This is what makes it hard for me to rate this book because if it was for shock value, I do not think I can connect with the book in that aspect. Do not get me wrong, I am not putting down the book if that was the focus. I just think if that was the purpose of the ending, it is personally not something I like in a book- again, personal preference, nothing against the approach; however, if it is about the latter I think it was a very odd, yet fascinating way to explore gender norms and breaking them.
The book has caused some very conflicting thoughts and emotions within me. I know I keep referencing my 100% entry (see post linked below), but I really would love to get into the head of the author, or have a long conversation with Lukavics because I really would love to know whether or not my training as a historian has truly ruined me and made me want to over analyze everything, or if the deeper meaning that I am taking away from this book is truly there. If I had to guess without talking with the author, I would say yes, to some extent it is. Now whether to the extent I think it is, that could be a different answer.
I am still finding it difficult to give a star rating. I feel like there was more opportunities for the book that were missed, yet in its own strange way it spoke on a lot (at least that is what I took away from it). For now, I would say Nightingale a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
See my post: http://pursuitoftales.com/diarynightingale/ - for review above & diary-like entries that I wrote as I read.
First, let me start by saying that I have not read anything else by Amy Lukavics; however, I have heard she can write some really creepy stuff. Well, she certainly continued with the trend in Nightingale. My stomach was constantly turning with each page and not necessarily because of some of the gory descriptions, but because of how frightening this book is psychologically. It really messes with your mind, questioning everything with the unreliable narrator of June, in addition to being a commentary on bending/breaking gender and social norms (though do note the main character sometimes describes disembodiment and what exists when certain bodily features are missing, so there is a level of what I describe as gore).
To really get into the book: I finished the book and the only response I have that I have summed up in my 100% entry (see post linked below), but that can even be summed up as: WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?! When I started reading this book, it again felt very much like a commentary on bending/breaking gender and social norms, and doing so in a way that really messes with your mind. June, the main character, is a young woman in the early 1950s who has dreams beyond being the conventional housewife, wanting to be a writer. And, as the synopsis states, she is placed in a mental institution to be "fixed" with horrid "treatments" that attest to how there was, in some instances, mistreatment of patients with mental illness and in psychiatric hospitals. Obviously this speaks beyond the early 1950s and is subject to more than just a post in a book diary on a blog, but I will keep it to just this. But to move forward, the patients in the book were treated less than human, which was a difficult aspect of the book to read (something to keep in mind if you decide to pick up this book).
Let's touch on June and her writing because this is where I feel the most conflicted with this book. June's writing centers on a science fiction story about aliens. To repeat my 100% entry (see post linked below), it is presented as an interesting parallel between how June feels out of place, her time in the mental institution and constricted in her role. But the way the story concludes, I question whether my reading this as a commentary on breaking gender norms is an actual focus of this novel. Was the ending a level of shock value entertainment to make the reader question everything they have just read? Or, as again, I state in my 100% entry (see post linked below), a big fuck you to the restrictions of gender norms? This is what makes it hard for me to rate this book because if it was for shock value, I do not think I can connect with the book in that aspect. Do not get me wrong, I am not putting down the book if that was the focus. I just think if that was the purpose of the ending, it is personally not something I like in a book- again, personal preference, nothing against the approach; however, if it is about the latter I think it was a very odd, yet fascinating way to explore gender norms and breaking them.
The book has caused some very conflicting thoughts and emotions within me. I know I keep referencing my 100% entry (see post linked below), but I really would love to get into the head of the author, or have a long conversation with Lukavics because I really would love to know whether or not my training as a historian has truly ruined me and made me want to over analyze everything, or if the deeper meaning that I am taking away from this book is truly there. If I had to guess without talking with the author, I would say yes, to some extent it is. Now whether to the extent I think it is, that could be a different answer.
I am still finding it difficult to give a star rating. I feel like there was more opportunities for the book that were missed, yet in its own strange way it spoke on a lot (at least that is what I took away from it). For now, I would say Nightingale a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
See my post: http://pursuitoftales.com/diarynightingale/ - for review above & diary-like entries that I wrote as I read.
One Day in December by Josie Silver is definitely not the lighthearted contemporary romance read I thought I was diving into, but it surprised me in a good way. One Day in December is a book filled with intense, roller coaster emotions that really grip you from the start. It is a story about love and dealing with feelings that may or may not hurt yourself and others. It is a story about friendship, about growth, and about the obstacles life gives you and how you deal with them. It about learning to love what you have in front of you, even if that means making choices that may not necessarily leave a “picture-perfect” outcome, or leaving you where you want to be.
The book focuses on Laurie and Jack, who after catching a glimpse of each other at a bus stop, form this intense and instant connection, which is explored over the course of decade. When I first started reading I did not realize how much time would pass during the novel and was skeptical when I did realize how long this book was covering. My first thought was “how long would it really take to for Laurie and Jack to finally get to be together- if they get to be together at all?” Yet, I found the book to be much more than that. Laurie and Jack, over the course of this decade, really try to find themselves. What do they want in life? What will they prioritize and/or sacrifice for what they want? They, along with the other characters, including Laurie’s best friend Sarah, speak to trying to find your way in life.
I grew to really love both Laurie and Jack (and Sarah!), with their snarky sense of humours, but also grew horribly frustrated with them in some of their decisions; however, that is what I love about the book- these characters are not perfect and the author gives their actions consequences. Silver has done a good job at addressing these actions, not condoning some of the decisions made by Laurie and Jack for the sake of creating a romance that transcends consequences, if that makes sense.
Other Thoughts/Comments:
The book jumps back and forth between Laurie and Jack’s POVs, another aspect I was skeptical about. However, Silver really delivers distinct POVs. I never felt like I was constantly reading a single POV, even though it jumped between two.
The novel never really dragged on for me. I think that might be because it is more character-driven. The book really focused on the characters developing, and I personally enjoy that.
I could go on, but I will leave it here. This is a book I can see myself rereading in the future and I think many would enjoy (and as I see here on Goodreads, have enjoyed!). I would not say this book is identical to a Nora Ephron film, like You’ve Got Mail, but I think it kind of has that same feel to it. This is kind of funny, because as I was thinking this for the first time while reading, Laurie makes a comment in the book along the lines of life not being a Nora Ephron film. Again, I am not saying it is identical, but I feel like if you enjoy her films, you may enjoy this.
One final note: this may or may not be considered a spoiler, but I feel like as someone who has read the book and is ultimately recommending others to read it, I should give the content warning for cheating.
The book focuses on Laurie and Jack, who after catching a glimpse of each other at a bus stop, form this intense and instant connection, which is explored over the course of decade. When I first started reading I did not realize how much time would pass during the novel and was skeptical when I did realize how long this book was covering. My first thought was “how long would it really take to for Laurie and Jack to finally get to be together- if they get to be together at all?” Yet, I found the book to be much more than that. Laurie and Jack, over the course of this decade, really try to find themselves. What do they want in life? What will they prioritize and/or sacrifice for what they want? They, along with the other characters, including Laurie’s best friend Sarah, speak to trying to find your way in life.
I grew to really love both Laurie and Jack (and Sarah!), with their snarky sense of humours, but also grew horribly frustrated with them in some of their decisions; however, that is what I love about the book- these characters are not perfect and the author gives their actions consequences. Silver has done a good job at addressing these actions, not condoning some of the decisions made by Laurie and Jack for the sake of creating a romance that transcends consequences, if that makes sense.
Other Thoughts/Comments:
The book jumps back and forth between Laurie and Jack’s POVs, another aspect I was skeptical about. However, Silver really delivers distinct POVs. I never felt like I was constantly reading a single POV, even though it jumped between two.
The novel never really dragged on for me. I think that might be because it is more character-driven. The book really focused on the characters developing, and I personally enjoy that.
I could go on, but I will leave it here. This is a book I can see myself rereading in the future and I think many would enjoy (and as I see here on Goodreads, have enjoyed!). I would not say this book is identical to a Nora Ephron film, like You’ve Got Mail, but I think it kind of has that same feel to it. This is kind of funny, because as I was thinking this for the first time while reading, Laurie makes a comment in the book along the lines of life not being a Nora Ephron film. Again, I am not saying it is identical, but I feel like if you enjoy her films, you may enjoy this.
One final note: this may or may not be considered a spoiler, but I feel like as someone who has read the book and is ultimately recommending others to read it, I should give the content warning for cheating.