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pocketsized_pageturner's reviews
1451 reviews
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
5.0
I will admit that I chose this book (via Book of the Month) because there had been such positive feedback. I didn't have a clue as to what the story was going to be.
We follow Cyril Avery, a gay Irishman, as he navigates through life. Told from Cyril's perspective we follow the events of his life, starting a few months before he is born to just before his death. And while Cyril's life is not an easy one, at times a very unhappy one, it is a life that is well lived.
This book is difficult to read at times and I found myself wanting to reach through the pages to help in any way I could. Cyril's story is so different from my own - but I found myself (and continue to find myself) so invested in his journey. The trials that he faced, are ones that I will not face - but are so similar to real experiences that happen, it is impossible not to be touched and moved and angry and happy in how Cyril moves through life.
The people who come in and out of Cyril's life are some of my most favorite characters ever written. They were complex and dynamic and sometimes you want to shake them or hug them or punch them in the face - but I enjoyed that I got to meet them and see how they shaped Cyril.
It is a testament to the beautiful writing of John Boyne - that he is able to capture this life so perfectly. That even in the darkest parts of the story, he can interject humor and love and silver linings. I found myself with tears in my eyes and at times I didn't know if it was because I was laughing or crying.
I couldn't put this book down. You don't always read books and feel different coming out the other side - but here I am... different than when I started. I loved this book. It is easily in the top 10 of books I have ever read.
We follow Cyril Avery, a gay Irishman, as he navigates through life. Told from Cyril's perspective we follow the events of his life, starting a few months before he is born to just before his death. And while Cyril's life is not an easy one, at times a very unhappy one, it is a life that is well lived.
This book is difficult to read at times and I found myself wanting to reach through the pages to help in any way I could. Cyril's story is so different from my own - but I found myself (and continue to find myself) so invested in his journey. The trials that he faced, are ones that I will not face - but are so similar to real experiences that happen, it is impossible not to be touched and moved and angry and happy in how Cyril moves through life.
The people who come in and out of Cyril's life are some of my most favorite characters ever written. They were complex and dynamic and sometimes you want to shake them or hug them or punch them in the face - but I enjoyed that I got to meet them and see how they shaped Cyril.
It is a testament to the beautiful writing of John Boyne - that he is able to capture this life so perfectly. That even in the darkest parts of the story, he can interject humor and love and silver linings. I found myself with tears in my eyes and at times I didn't know if it was because I was laughing or crying.
I couldn't put this book down. You don't always read books and feel different coming out the other side - but here I am... different than when I started. I loved this book. It is easily in the top 10 of books I have ever read.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
4.0
This book was deliciously binge worthy.
Following the story of Lou, a witch, and Reid, a witch hunter -as they are forced into marriage and deal with the consequences (both positive and negative) that their union brings. It was addicting to watch as they learn who they are to each other, who they are to themselves, and in just how many ways their lives are tied.
I am a sucker for a good YA Fantasy, and this just checked every box. The world building was fantastic, I loved that this was a story about witches (I have been missing witches recently), and how, that even at the end, some secrets were still secrets.
The relationships between the characters were crafted so well. Throughout the twists and turns in this story - I found myself on the edge of my seat as each connection was revealed. It is never fun when you figure everything out at the beginning - that was not the case here. I am excited to see how all of these threads continue to weave together.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes. I am so deeply invested in Lou and Reid, it is a little silly. I am invested in their journey, their found family, and their justice. It is wonderful to know that this is just the beginning!
Following the story of Lou, a witch, and Reid, a witch hunter -as they are forced into marriage and deal with the consequences (both positive and negative) that their union brings. It was addicting to watch as they learn who they are to each other, who they are to themselves, and in just how many ways their lives are tied.
I am a sucker for a good YA Fantasy, and this just checked every box. The world building was fantastic, I loved that this was a story about witches (I have been missing witches recently), and how, that even at the end, some secrets were still secrets.
The relationships between the characters were crafted so well. Throughout the twists and turns in this story - I found myself on the edge of my seat as each connection was revealed. It is never fun when you figure everything out at the beginning - that was not the case here. I am excited to see how all of these threads continue to weave together.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes. I am so deeply invested in Lou and Reid, it is a little silly. I am invested in their journey, their found family, and their justice. It is wonderful to know that this is just the beginning!
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
3.0
This was a very sweet book and just what I was looking for.
Following Emily and Simon, two people with different backgrounds trying to define themselves, and how their relationship evolves. Emily, who has just been dumped, has come to help her sister after an accident. Simon is running the towns Ren Fair, his family's legacy.
What starts out as a classic enemies (kind of), to friends (kind of), to lovers (definitely) - had me drawn in from the start. I loved watching Simon and Emily find themselves and each other.
It was the perfect book to read after some of the heavy stuff I have been reading.
And while I really did enjoy the story - some parts were a little underdeveloped for me. And some parts of the story were rushed. But overall I really enjoyed the book!
Following Emily and Simon, two people with different backgrounds trying to define themselves, and how their relationship evolves. Emily, who has just been dumped, has come to help her sister after an accident. Simon is running the towns Ren Fair, his family's legacy.
What starts out as a classic enemies (kind of), to friends (kind of), to lovers (definitely) - had me drawn in from the start. I loved watching Simon and Emily find themselves and each other.
It was the perfect book to read after some of the heavy stuff I have been reading.
And while I really did enjoy the story - some parts were a little underdeveloped for me. And some parts of the story were rushed. But overall I really enjoyed the book!
The Mist by Stephen King
2.0
I wanted to like this book. I went in so hopeful.
It wasn't the mist or what was in the mist or the lord of the flies aspects of this book that bothered me - it was the narrator himself. I found myself so annoyed and frustrated with him, that I couldn't get behind this story.
It wasn't the mist or what was in the mist or the lord of the flies aspects of this book that bothered me - it was the narrator himself. I found myself so annoyed and frustrated with him, that I couldn't get behind this story.
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
2.0
Usually, I am a huge fan of magical realism. I went in with high expectations for this book and it just fell flat.
What I thought was going to be a slow burn of 3 siblings figuring out their family history and who they are in the world - turned out to be the same story repeated in 4 sections.
It was dull and frustrating that no one seemed to learn anything about anything. Attitudes and opinions that you normally attribute to the teenage years of a character stayed with all of the main characters throughout the book.
It was a disappointing read for me.
What I thought was going to be a slow burn of 3 siblings figuring out their family history and who they are in the world - turned out to be the same story repeated in 4 sections.
It was dull and frustrating that no one seemed to learn anything about anything. Attitudes and opinions that you normally attribute to the teenage years of a character stayed with all of the main characters throughout the book.
It was a disappointing read for me.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
5.0
Verity by Colleen Hoover has been on my tbr since it came out - so long that I lost my original copy and had to buy a second.
It has been hands down the #1 recommended book to me this year and I can FINALLY say I see why!
I was sucked in from page one and read it in half a day. I immediately wanted to know more about Lowen and Jeremy and Verity. I couldn’t figure out what I liked more - present-day or the autobiography.
I felt like Lowen trying to piece together what I knew of each character how they matched up to how Verity wrote about them.
I was on the edge of my seat until the very end and gasped so loudly at the twist that my husband actually thought something happened (it did... but he doesn’t count fictional events “things that actually happened”). This book was so well balanced, the perfect amount of main characters and secondary characters, it flowed perfectly... and I am still processing the ending, trying to see what I think of the events.
It has been hands down the #1 recommended book to me this year and I can FINALLY say I see why!
I was sucked in from page one and read it in half a day. I immediately wanted to know more about Lowen and Jeremy and Verity. I couldn’t figure out what I liked more - present-day or the autobiography.
I felt like Lowen trying to piece together what I knew of each character how they matched up to how Verity wrote about them.
I was on the edge of my seat until the very end and gasped so loudly at the twist that my husband actually thought something happened (it did... but he doesn’t count fictional events “things that actually happened”). This book was so well balanced, the perfect amount of main characters and secondary characters, it flowed perfectly... and I am still processing the ending, trying to see what I think of the events.