Scan barcode
michelareads's reviews
581 reviews
The Meek One by Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.0
ah yes, another story of a man who assumes instead of asking, who feels superior but is actually a coward, and ugly cries when he is alone again
what's not to love about this
4 stars
what's not to love about this
4 stars
youthjuice by E.K. Sathue
3.0
Youthjuice is essentially American Psycho for beauty girlies: outrageous body horror for the goop generation. Don't give this book to Gwyneth Paltrow!
It's a quick horror/thriller read that I enjoyed a lot, especially the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson who did a fantastic job. The story is intriguing and fun, and especially the second half of the book is very well written. There are two storylines (present and past of the main character) and I really liked how the two intertwined and connected, but I feel like I wanted a bit more from the present: I expected Sophia to become completely unhinged, losing control, giving into her "wild" side. Because of this, the story remains a bit flat for me (the reveal is very predictable and like... literally on the book cover) and never fully picks up. The epilogue was also a bit unnecessary and difficult to believe.
Overall though I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read more by E.K. Sathue!
* I'd like to thank E.K. Sathue, RB Media and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
It's a quick horror/thriller read that I enjoyed a lot, especially the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson who did a fantastic job. The story is intriguing and fun, and especially the second half of the book is very well written. There are two storylines (present and past of the main character) and I really liked how the two intertwined and connected, but I feel like I wanted a bit more from the present: I expected Sophia to become completely unhinged, losing control, giving into her "wild" side. Because of this, the story remains a bit flat for me (the reveal is very predictable and like... literally on the book cover) and never fully picks up. The epilogue was also a bit unnecessary and difficult to believe.
Overall though I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read more by E.K. Sathue!
* I'd like to thank E.K. Sathue, RB Media and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
4.0
Normal People is the story of Marianne and Connell: they meet in high school and, just like two flowers sharing the same pot, they grow one next to each other, sometimes supporting each other and other times stealing each other's air. It's a love story that never seems to find its happy ending, two souls that keep looking for each other and at the same time running away looking for independence.
It's painful, beautiful, real.
Sally Rooney was able to portray the brutal and sometimes boring sweetness of a relationship where two normal people, who feel anything but that, find the courage to look each others in the eyes and confess their feelings and, at the same time, find themselves. Repetitive and predictable at times, just like real life can be, Normal People kept me glued to its pages until the very last line. My favorite parts were obviously the conversations between these two complex main characters, I highlighted many quotes that I found extremely beautiful and poignant and I could see myself re-reading them from time to time. Ultimately I didn't find it as mindblowing or heartbreaking as many others did, but I still enjoyed it a lot and I'm happy to have finally read this best seller.
4 stars.
It's painful, beautiful, real.
Sally Rooney was able to portray the brutal and sometimes boring sweetness of a relationship where two normal people, who feel anything but that, find the courage to look each others in the eyes and confess their feelings and, at the same time, find themselves. Repetitive and predictable at times, just like real life can be, Normal People kept me glued to its pages until the very last line. My favorite parts were obviously the conversations between these two complex main characters, I highlighted many quotes that I found extremely beautiful and poignant and I could see myself re-reading them from time to time. Ultimately I didn't find it as mindblowing or heartbreaking as many others did, but I still enjoyed it a lot and I'm happy to have finally read this best seller.
4 stars.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
3.0
Without giving the plot away (the blurb of the book says already enough), I'll just say this: I do not agree with the ending, and some of the behavior or actions of the two main characters made no sense for me. But hey, I'm about to be divorced so what do I know, right?
Still, I devoured this book in 2 days so it was not bad at all, I enjoyed the majority of it and it was a quick read. 3 stars and fingers crossed for a new book by TJR soon!
Still, I devoured this book in 2 days so it was not bad at all, I enjoyed the majority of it and it was a quick read. 3 stars and fingers crossed for a new book by TJR soon!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
I just want to take a moment to appreciate the writing of Madeline Miller in this book. I am honestly speechless. Some paragraphs truly read like poetry, they are SO BEAUTIFUL they gave me tears.
That's all I wanted to say.
The story is great, and you'll probably fall in love with the characters.
But it's the writing that really stole my heart.
5 stars.
That's all I wanted to say.
The story is great, and you'll probably fall in love with the characters.
But it's the writing that really stole my heart.
5 stars.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
5.0
Dear Jane,
GIRL. Grab your glass of wine, we need to talk.
You know I love you dearly, but I really don't understand your attraction to Mr. Rochester. Please explain it to me. Is it because you can be rude around him with no consequences? Is it because he seems unfriendly, but he is actually sweet to you in private? Or maybe you're just looking for a man that is not as shitty as your stupid cousin? Look, I get it, these are all valid reasons, but you can do so much better, darling. Focus on yourself, keep building your career, don't listen to those who keep telling you that you're ugly (why do they even do that).
I want you to know that you're a true inspiration to me. From the moment you threw random objects to your nasty relatives during your horrible childhood, to when you started applying for jobs looking for your path, I admire the way you always stood up for yourself and your values. And even though in my book club I secretly called your beau Mr. Cochroachester (sorry, not sorry), I applaud you for accepting his love only when he was in a position to be be truly honest and respectful towards you.
And I'm really sorry it took me 177 years to read your story. It is, and will always be, a favorite of mine. Keep slaying, queen.
GIRL. Grab your glass of wine, we need to talk.
You know I love you dearly, but I really don't understand your attraction to Mr. Rochester. Please explain it to me. Is it because you can be rude around him with no consequences? Is it because he seems unfriendly, but he is actually sweet to you in private? Or maybe you're just looking for a man that is not as shitty as your stupid cousin? Look, I get it, these are all valid reasons, but you can do so much better, darling. Focus on yourself, keep building your career, don't listen to those who keep telling you that you're ugly (why do they even do that).
I want you to know that you're a true inspiration to me. From the moment you threw random objects to your nasty relatives during your horrible childhood, to when you started applying for jobs looking for your path, I admire the way you always stood up for yourself and your values. And even though in my book club I secretly called your beau Mr. Cochroachester (sorry, not sorry), I applaud you for accepting his love only when he was in a position to be be truly honest and respectful towards you.
And I'm really sorry it took me 177 years to read your story. It is, and will always be, a favorite of mine. Keep slaying, queen.
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
3.0
London, 1990: the tragic suspicious death of a child shocked everyone and people, looking for answers and justice, point fingers at an Irish family and their 10 year old daughter. While the investigation is in progress, timelines switch back and forth from the present to the 80s as we learn about this family's struggles with alcoholism and its devastating effects.
In Ordinary Human Failings, Megan Nolan explores the impact of choices, society and poverty on people's lives. It's a heartbreaking story, written in a beautiful, honest and visceral way.
I admit I found myself lost at times, mostly because I struggled with keeping track of all the characters involved in this story, but I consider this a limit I have (especially because I listened the audiobook) rather than a storytelling issue.
What I loved the most was the narration of this audiobook: Jessica Regan did a fantastic job, especially in the most emotional scenes, and I really enjoyed listening to her voice and her beautiful accent. Ordinary Human Failings is not a book I would easily recommend, since it's quite heavy and sad, but I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
* I'd like to thank Megan Nolan, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
In Ordinary Human Failings, Megan Nolan explores the impact of choices, society and poverty on people's lives. It's a heartbreaking story, written in a beautiful, honest and visceral way.
I admit I found myself lost at times, mostly because I struggled with keeping track of all the characters involved in this story, but I consider this a limit I have (especially because I listened the audiobook) rather than a storytelling issue.
What I loved the most was the narration of this audiobook: Jessica Regan did a fantastic job, especially in the most emotional scenes, and I really enjoyed listening to her voice and her beautiful accent. Ordinary Human Failings is not a book I would easily recommend, since it's quite heavy and sad, but I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
* I'd like to thank Megan Nolan, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Table for One: Stories by Yun Ko-eun
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Table For One is a collection of indelible short stories by contemporary South Korean author Yun Ko-eun. Her fiction is bursting with images that toe the line between realism and the fantastic, and her characters are quirky, lonely, hopeless, sad, isolated... unique, just like her stories. There are some that I enjoyed reading more than others, the titular one being my absolute favorite, but overall they are all pretty good! I would recommend this book if you enjoy literary translated fiction and characters finding themselves in surreal situations.
4 stars.
* I'd like to thank Yun Ko-eun, Columbia University Press and NetGalley for providing this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
4 stars.
* I'd like to thank Yun Ko-eun, Columbia University Press and NetGalley for providing this ebook in exchange for my honest review.