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ofaleine's reviews
812 reviews
Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 27, Volume 27 by Karuho Shiina
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Will there ever be a real conflict from here on out? Char.
I enjoyed reading about the quirks of Kazehaya's family. Personally, I'm glad there's no real complicated and irritating characters here. (Could it be too good to be true?)
And Sawako just keeps on getting perfect. I'm also reading a book about "demons", and energies, right now. And I feel like Sawako would fit right in on those who have pure, "high frequency" energy, despite her seemingly Sadako physical vibes.
And I really love the friendship of the weirdo trio - Sawako, Yano & Chizu. I've mentioned it a lot of times, but they're quite very different, but their friendship is so genuine. I don't think this is too good to be true, because there are friendships like that. Especially in high school. It's usually only when you get older that you realize more what your likes and dislikes are. And despite those, if the friendship is the tried and tested kind, it can survive to adulthood.
I love the scenes most na maiiyak ka na, tapos bigla kang matatawa. Hahahaha!
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I enjoyed reading about the quirks of Kazehaya's family. Personally, I'm glad there's no real complicated and irritating characters here. (Could it be too good to be true?)
And Sawako just keeps on getting perfect. I'm also reading a book about "demons", and energies, right now. And I feel like Sawako would fit right in on those who have pure, "high frequency" energy, despite her seemingly Sadako physical vibes.
And I really love the friendship of the weirdo trio - Sawako, Yano & Chizu. I've mentioned it a lot of times, but they're quite very different, but their friendship is so genuine. I don't think this is too good to be true, because there are friendships like that. Especially in high school. It's usually only when you get older that you realize more what your likes and dislikes are. And despite those, if the friendship is the tried and tested kind, it can survive to adulthood.
I love the scenes most na maiiyak ka na, tapos bigla kang matatawa. Hahahaha!
---
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much with my first Murakami read. Maybe people have been telling me about him, but it goes on one ear, and out the other, especially as I'm not very interested in most mainstreams. So I was a little surprised upon reading the first few pages, and noticed how easy-to-read his writing is. Maybe there is the influence of the translator too, but I read through it fairly quickly. Though I think he has a tendency to repeat/rephrase the same situations. I'm not sure how conscious he was of this. Excluding these, I think the 500-page ebook I have will be trimmed to down to just 400+ pages maybe.
Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable enough read for me to continue to the next page, as much as I can. I wasn't trying to finish it quickly, but I also wasn't trying to savor it. Reading it just makes me want to know what happens next.
I don't like open endings. And that's my only issue.
Overall, the plot was interesting enough, but just felt anticlimactic towards the end. I would say that what I enjoyed reading the most was that part about the life of the main character as a head librarian. Maybe because that was in the real world. But what I also like from reading this book is my personal insight or realization about people who don't feel at home in this real world. It's easy to say that people need to be with other people to survive; that surely, although the kind of support we need are different, we can find one that fits us perfectly. But maybe that isn't the case. Maybe it's better for other people to not be in this real world (and I just don't mean the likes of human rights abusers, etc.) Maybe, in that way, it'll be a little easier for people to understand why some people would rather disappear from this world. I think it may be kind of something like "self-care". Escaping from the stress of reality into the world of peace may work for a bit for other people. But for some, a permanent escape from this reality is what's best for them. Though it doesn't mean that we should stop reaching out. I still think we should reach out and be kinder as much and as often as we can.
Anyway, I'll stop now with the book review-turned-reflection paper. But I do like that perspective.
In the end, this book wouldn't make me jump next to another MK book right away, but enough to make me curious about his more famous works.
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Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable enough read for me to continue to the next page, as much as I can. I wasn't trying to finish it quickly, but I also wasn't trying to savor it. Reading it just makes me want to know what happens next.
Overall, the plot was interesting enough, but just felt anticlimactic towards the end. I would say that what I enjoyed reading the most was that part about the life of the main character as a head librarian. Maybe because that was in the real world. But what I also like from reading this book is my personal insight or realization about people who don't feel at home in this real world. It's easy to say that people need to be with other people to survive; that surely, although the kind of support we need are different, we can find one that fits us perfectly. But maybe that isn't the case. Maybe it's better for other people to not be in this real world (and I just don't mean the likes of human rights abusers, etc.) Maybe, in that way, it'll be a little easier for people to understand why some people would rather disappear from this world. I think it may be kind of something like "self-care". Escaping from the stress of reality into the world of peace may work for a bit for other people. But for some, a permanent escape from this reality is what's best for them. Though it doesn't mean that we should stop reaching out. I still think we should reach out and be kinder as much and as often as we can.
Anyway, I'll stop now with the book review-turned-reflection paper. But I do like that perspective.
In the end, this book wouldn't make me jump next to another MK book right away, but enough to make me curious about his more famous works.
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What hurts most of all was the feeling that the whole world had abandoned you. That you were now a person without a shred of value. A meaningless scrap of paper, or simply invisible.
“I don’t think anyone likes solitude. Anywhere, I think,” I said. “Everyone’s looking for something, for someone. The way they do, though, is a little different.”
The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
2.0
Okay, it's starting to irritate me how some characters could be downright, pardon the word, stupid. I'm glad it's fictional because I'd be at wit's end if I encounter such people.
I hope the next books would be better because it'll be a such a drag if the 8 remaining books are like this one.
I hope the next books would be better because it'll be a such a drag if the 8 remaining books are like this one.
The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket
2.0
Okay, seven more books....
I'm getting more and more discouraged how unhelpful the guardians are. I know it's fictional, but.... ugh.
I'm getting more and more discouraged how unhelpful the guardians are. I know it's fictional, but.... ugh.