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poltoreveur's reviews
8 reviews
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ugly Love wasn’t as ground shattering as I initially believe it to be.
I didn't grasp into the idea of this book being My Brother’s Best Friend as it is more of a Friends With Benefits or The Next Door Hot Neighbour trope because it gave me the same vibe as it did when I watched the movie ‘Friends With Benefits’.
Also with the fact while reading this, I knew that both of the main characters were adults and they could handle this minor inconvenience (which wouldn’t have been an inconvenience if they behave like adults) on their own. With that in mind, I couldn’t understand what would have been a big deal about itAfter all it was mentioned early on that Tate has also dated one of her brother’s friends in the past as well .
The story wasn’t as amusing as some people made it out to be. Halfway through the book, I’ve come to realize that I like Miles’ backstory even more than the main plot.
And I couldn't get myself to like Tate’s character either. She felt like every whiney female lead who's deprived of love and is imploring for the male lead’s affection. It's just a trope I felt I know all too well. To me, her brother was more entertaining to read about.
But to be fair, this book was written during 2014 so these tropes were the height of that certain era, which I don't blame.
Rachel and Miles’ love story is tragic by circumstances. It was sad to see how their story evolve but it wasn’t affecting me to a point where it was devastating to read because I couldn't relate to that certain point.Though, I kind of like the ending where he had gone back to see her again, maybe it could’ve been a bad decision but it wasn’t so It was nice.
Nevertheless, it irritated me that I assume Miles did not completely open up to Tate about his past (which makes sense due to the beginning when he said “Don’t ask about my past”) but I assume that he did after where it left off but I wanted to see it unravel.
Overall, it was alright. It wasn't terrible and I don't believe I expect more from this story but I do however, believe that this isn't Colleen’s greatest writing (profiling that would’ve made it to my top 5 from her) than the rest of her work.
I didn't grasp into the idea of this book being My Brother’s Best Friend as it is more of a Friends With Benefits or The Next Door Hot Neighbour trope because it gave me the same vibe as it did when I watched the movie ‘Friends With Benefits’.
Also with the fact while reading this, I knew that both of the main characters were adults and they could handle this minor inconvenience (which wouldn’t have been an inconvenience if they behave like adults) on their own. With that in mind, I couldn’t understand what would have been a big deal about it
The story wasn’t as amusing as some people made it out to be. Halfway through the book, I’ve come to realize that I like Miles’ backstory even more than the main plot.
And I couldn't get myself to like Tate’s character either. She felt like every whiney female lead who's deprived of love and is imploring for the male lead’s affection. It's just a trope I felt I know all too well. To me, her brother was more entertaining to read about.
But to be fair, this book was written during 2014 so these tropes were the height of that certain era, which I don't blame.
Rachel and Miles’ love story is tragic by circumstances. It was sad to see how their story evolve but it wasn’t affecting me to a point where it was devastating to read because I couldn't relate to that certain point.
Nevertheless, it irritated me that I assume Miles did not completely open up to Tate about his past (which makes sense due to the beginning when he said “Don’t ask about my past”) but I assume that he did after where it left off but I wanted to see it unravel.
Overall, it was alright. It wasn't terrible and I don't believe I expect more from this story but I do however, believe that this isn't Colleen’s greatest writing (profiling that would’ve made it to my top 5 from her) than the rest of her work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Cursed Bunny was an interestingly illogical story but something that I kept wanting to read more of.
To me, this book feels very much underrated and I don’t see a lot of people talking about it and that is a crime.
I didn't quite expect it to be nearly as tremendous as it is. This was a collection of short stories that explore the odd narrative and yet I still found it intriguing.
As far as I could sum it up, it feels like a forbidden bedtime story or things you'd share during a bonfire with your friends but it is way more exceptional than that.
There isn’t much I could explain this book any better than what I have said before because this is definitely a book that I recommend you read to actually have a clutch of the stories.
Out of all, the stories that affixed me till now are The Frozen Finger and Snare (which were also back-to-back). Without giving any of it away, The Frozen Finger had me reading it over and over trying to find a meaning for myself thinking “that could not be ending, there has to be more” because it was an experience that very much lead me to question the reality of the narrator (as the rest of the stories does but this was just another thing for me). While all these were racing in my head, Snare had me lodging in with no moments to spare. This was such a horrid and yet fascinating read, at times it had me disputing the precept of this story.
It only left me with more questions than it did answers but this is what I love about these kinds of stories; it left you some room for interpretation and create your own understanding for it.
To me, this book feels very much underrated and I don’t see a lot of people talking about it and that is a crime.
I didn't quite expect it to be nearly as tremendous as it is. This was a collection of short stories that explore the odd narrative and yet I still found it intriguing.
As far as I could sum it up, it feels like a forbidden bedtime story or things you'd share during a bonfire with your friends but it is way more exceptional than that.
There isn’t much I could explain this book any better than what I have said before because this is definitely a book that I recommend you read to actually have a clutch of the stories.
Out of all, the stories that affixed me till now are The Frozen Finger and Snare (which were also back-to-back). Without giving any of it away, The Frozen Finger had me reading it over and over trying to find a meaning for myself thinking “that could not be ending, there has to be more” because it was an experience that very much lead me to question the reality of the narrator (as the rest of the stories does but this was just another thing for me). While all these were racing in my head, Snare had me lodging in with no moments to spare. This was such a horrid and yet fascinating read, at times it had me disputing the precept of this story.
It only left me with more questions than it did answers but this is what I love about these kinds of stories; it left you some room for interpretation and create your own understanding for it.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
I love the idea of having the readers go through with the different genres and analogies but still within the narrative so we could still understand the story.
You are sitting through an abusive “Love Story“ Which I don’t necessarily feel even calling it that. After reading everything about their relationship it is anything but loving.
The dynamic of both people in the story it’s what an abusive relationship is but these are things that are overlooked only by the fact that it is a queer relationship though they are also a lot of other abusive relationships that are left unresolved. With the victim having to succumb to their abusers' behaviour, it is still sick to know that some abusive acts are still legal in states and countries around the world.
This is a story that sadly, A lot of us are familiar with. Though this did take the lead through the lens of a queer relationship, It still doesn’t change the fact that abuse can come up however and whoever the abuser may be.
An abuser is still an abuser, no matter how you try to turn it into pretty words.
The ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ was the most interesting to me. It relies on the readers deciding to go on with the story but it gets you into their (the victim’s) head. Because yes, you do have the ability to go off on your own but still within the book’s terms; making you question and doubt as to if we were in the writer's position.
I felt the story was left a little bit unresolved but I do feel that is how the author wanted the story to be as much as it is, without closure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Body shaming
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Verity gave me a different experience than the average murder documentary type of beat. It makes you wonder about the reality of the book, sometimes making you question your rectitude.
I love the eeriness writing and the way it always leaves in a ‘what the actual fuck’ state, it keeps making me wanting to read more. It does mess with your mind about the situation or could just be deemed very disturbing (which it tends to lend on this side a bit more).
The characters are absurd, illogical and their morality are very much questionable. This is a book where you should go in fully blind, be in a certain mindset to be able to read and enjoy but be sure to read the warnings of course! *If you like twists and don't necessarily mind the element of child abuse, then go on to read.*
I’m not very picky about the “spices” in romance books so it wasn't much of my concern when it did happen in the book.
I expected a lot from it, due to its raving reviews and I think Colleen Hoover did deliver. Can't wait to read more of her books in the near future!
I love the eeriness writing and the way it always leaves in a ‘what the actual fuck’ state, it keeps making me wanting to read more. It does mess with your mind about the situation or could just be deemed very disturbing (which it tends to lend on this side a bit more).
The characters are absurd, illogical and their morality are very much questionable. This is a book where you should go in fully blind, be in a certain mindset to be able to read and enjoy but be sure to read the warnings of course! *If you like twists and don't necessarily mind the element of child abuse, then go on to read.*
I’m not very picky about the “spices” in romance books so it wasn't much of my concern when it did happen in the book.
I expected a lot from it, due to its raving reviews and I think Colleen Hoover did deliver. Can't wait to read more of her books in the near future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Murder and Abortion
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book does tries to tick off your head on how different people perceive on life when they’re estranged from the conventional norm of society.
Personally, this book to me does have a personal effect on what I feel during my inner monologue to myself. Having to fit into a role that would satisfy how people perceive me rather than how I would want to be perceived (as much conceited that may sound) but in this book, I stress we’re seeing a perspective of someone who does go through all the struggle and having to try to keep on even if it is a draining process.
“Why try?” is something I feel after having to read through all of the struggles that the main protagonist endures. It is a terrible mindset to end it off with but even so, this book shows the worse of what the outcome could occur.
Osamu Dazai was a great writer, I do consider his writing to be outstanding. In this book as well, you could tell it is a book brought from the aspect of his life. From the detail it prevails, to the small interaction and the things he thought of are stuff that only one could really portray through a person that's been through the same endurance. So it was logical when it’s said to be a semi-autobiography.
With its quirks and understanding the trigger warning within this book, this book was fascinating, one that I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Minor: Misogyny
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really cannot put words into this review (neither in a bad way nor great in any extent). However, even if I had rated it highly, it isn't quite as straightforward.
I found the beginning of the book to be quite dragging and the narrative was a bit confusing at first, as it was switching through different POVs (which most of the time I wouldn't know which until I’ve read more in the chapter), so it is definitely something you’d only get used to after a while.
There weren’t any moments that really captivated me until I started entering the third part of the book. If it weren't for all the catastrophic moments and questionable morality during this, I wouldn't have found this book as enjoyable as I do now. It had me hooked and it was a page-turner for me from then on out.
I find it heavy to read with the setting of this book and the homophobia shown throughout it (as a person apart of the LGBT community) but I felt the narrative was structured well to a point it wasn't unbearable.
I find it heavy to read with the setting of this book and the homophobia shown throughout it (as a person apart of the LGBT community) but I felt the narrative was structured well to a point it wasn't unbearable.
Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was the first Joan Didion book I’ve read and as much as this isn't her most prominent work but I still had something in me to pick it up.
I couldn't find myself relating or understanding these characters situations, which I feel is what made me lose touch with the book. I understand that this was originally published in 1970, but as much as I did try putting my mind into the setting of the era, my feelings about it still seem the exact as before; impartial.
Moreover, I feel I wouldn't be the right person that you'd see reading her book, as I am not a prominent targeted audience to her work (which could be the reasoning for why I didn't quite enjoy this book).
I still admire Joan Didion for her writing and I do intend on reading more of her work.
I couldn't find myself relating or understanding these characters situations, which I feel is what made me lose touch with the book. I understand that this was originally published in 1970, but as much as I did try putting my mind into the setting of the era, my feelings about it still seem the exact as before; impartial.
Moreover, I feel I wouldn't be the right person that you'd see reading her book, as I am not a prominent targeted audience to her work (which could be the reasoning for why I didn't quite enjoy this book).
I still admire Joan Didion for her writing and I do intend on reading more of her work.
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