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reading_with_t's Reviews (656)
Funny. Light-hearted. Slow.
This read did not connect for me. The information seemed like what you would read on the internet vs someone opening up and sharing their life with you. So in terms of being a memoir, it fell pretty flat. The writing did not bring me in either.
She had some humour in it, but most of it I was not interested in and just wanted to finish it so I could move on to other reads. Once I closed it, I didn't think about it further.
This read did not connect for me. The information seemed like what you would read on the internet vs someone opening up and sharing their life with you. So in terms of being a memoir, it fell pretty flat. The writing did not bring me in either.
She had some humour in it, but most of it I was not interested in and just wanted to finish it so I could move on to other reads. Once I closed it, I didn't think about it further.
Steady. Calm. Mystery.
I read Jewell's A Family Upstairs a month or two ago and preferred it to this read. Jewell deals with feminism, sexual assaults, and family struggles throughout the book, but it fell flat in the societal impact and size of the problem.
The multiple perspectives usually adds to a plot for me, but I found some of the book redundant in the multiple perspectives throughout this story. What should have been a mystery was told to us previously, kind of thing.
I had not read a book with incel perspectives before and that was a change that added the story, although reading it was disgusting - the entire premise and views the characters hold were awful, but well-written I think.
Overall if you're looking for a mystery, I wouldn't not recommend this one, but I've definitely read better mysteries, with more suspense and flow. It didn't grab me and keep me engrossed in the story. I think less perspectives and more suspense would've made this a great read.
I read Jewell's A Family Upstairs a month or two ago and preferred it to this read. Jewell deals with feminism, sexual assaults, and family struggles throughout the book, but it fell flat in the societal impact and size of the problem.
The multiple perspectives usually adds to a plot for me, but I found some of the book redundant in the multiple perspectives throughout this story. What should have been a mystery was told to us previously, kind of thing.
I had not read a book with incel perspectives before and that was a change that added the story, although reading it was disgusting - the entire premise and views the characters hold were awful, but well-written I think.
Overall if you're looking for a mystery, I wouldn't not recommend this one, but I've definitely read better mysteries, with more suspense and flow. It didn't grab me and keep me engrossed in the story. I think less perspectives and more suspense would've made this a great read.
I do not recommend this book. Here's why:
A.J. Finn is a pseudonym for Daniel Mallory, who has lied about many things professionally and personally to improve his situation. Mallory lied to get into post-secondary educational institutes, then lied about having degrees he didn't get, he lied to get jobs, promotions, sympathy and so on. Lying about having agoraphobia, cancer, dead parents and so on is incomprehensible. I would not have bought this book if I had known in advance (I'm happy I thrifted it and didn't support Mallory monetarily).
To not post would mean being silent, and I don't think that's the answer. I've seen a lot of reviews for this book which is why I was excited when I got it, but I'm hoping others have all the facts before purchasing.
I will not support this author moving forward. Nor will I recommend this book or his other works. I'm not telling you not to support him - that is your decision, I'm saying that not supporting him is the option I'm taking, and I want other people to have all the info before making their decision.
For more information on Daniel Mallory, there is an in-depth article by The New Yorker that comes up as one of the first results when you search "A J Finn Controversy" online.
A.J. Finn is a pseudonym for Daniel Mallory, who has lied about many things professionally and personally to improve his situation. Mallory lied to get into post-secondary educational institutes, then lied about having degrees he didn't get, he lied to get jobs, promotions, sympathy and so on. Lying about having agoraphobia, cancer, dead parents and so on is incomprehensible. I would not have bought this book if I had known in advance (I'm happy I thrifted it and didn't support Mallory monetarily).
To not post would mean being silent, and I don't think that's the answer. I've seen a lot of reviews for this book which is why I was excited when I got it, but I'm hoping others have all the facts before purchasing.
I will not support this author moving forward. Nor will I recommend this book or his other works. I'm not telling you not to support him - that is your decision, I'm saying that not supporting him is the option I'm taking, and I want other people to have all the info before making their decision.
For more information on Daniel Mallory, there is an in-depth article by The New Yorker that comes up as one of the first results when you search "A J Finn Controversy" online.
Change. Grief. Love.
Haig has crafted a beautiful story about many things, but ultimately, about life. And like always, when something is about life, it's about the hardships and beautiful moments of love.
This book was unlike anything I've read. I didn't read the synopsis (which is becoming my usual I guess now), and I'm glad I went into it unexpectantly. I took in the story not knowing much about what or who it was about and found myself slowly - but eagerly - turning pages. There is a lot to take in with this book if you want to. There are profound statements if you want to dwell on them. There are explanations for situations we are still in today if you think about it. You can take it as easy reading, or a book with deeper meaning.
I loved the writing, the flashbacks, the single perspective, the storyline, and the plot. I want to give nothing away, because I think having this book capture you with no warning is the best way to experience it.
This story was beautiful in a different way than others have been, and I enjoyed every page. This is one I already wish I could experience again for the first time.
Haig has crafted a beautiful story about many things, but ultimately, about life. And like always, when something is about life, it's about the hardships and beautiful moments of love.
This book was unlike anything I've read. I didn't read the synopsis (which is becoming my usual I guess now), and I'm glad I went into it unexpectantly. I took in the story not knowing much about what or who it was about and found myself slowly - but eagerly - turning pages. There is a lot to take in with this book if you want to. There are profound statements if you want to dwell on them. There are explanations for situations we are still in today if you think about it. You can take it as easy reading, or a book with deeper meaning.
I loved the writing, the flashbacks, the single perspective, the storyline, and the plot. I want to give nothing away, because I think having this book capture you with no warning is the best way to experience it.
This story was beautiful in a different way than others have been, and I enjoyed every page. This is one I already wish I could experience again for the first time.
Grief. Life. Choices.
This work of historical fiction, focusing on WWII through the eyes of two sisters was wonderfully crafted.
Like all WWII books, it was difficult to read. There are situations that are unimaginable and my heart goes out to the family that lived through the awful times, and those who didn't make it.
This book was a nice difference from the other WWII fiction in Europe that I've read in having both sisters' points of view because they have such different personalities and watching them both go through their struggles and choices was a good balance.
I love Hannah's writing (even more here than in The Great Alone - which I loved too). Keep your tissues handy, because every chapter has reason to make you cry.
This book was similar in ways to The Book of Lost Names but also had a different feel since the main characters were Catholic. I would highly recommend both!
This work of historical fiction, focusing on WWII through the eyes of two sisters was wonderfully crafted.
Like all WWII books, it was difficult to read. There are situations that are unimaginable and my heart goes out to the family that lived through the awful times, and those who didn't make it.
This book was a nice difference from the other WWII fiction in Europe that I've read in having both sisters' points of view because they have such different personalities and watching them both go through their struggles and choices was a good balance.
I love Hannah's writing (even more here than in The Great Alone - which I loved too). Keep your tissues handy, because every chapter has reason to make you cry.
This book was similar in ways to The Book of Lost Names but also had a different feel since the main characters were Catholic. I would highly recommend both!
Traumatic. Anxious. Hopeful.
Lefteri creates a very vivid image of Aleppo before and after the devestation of war begins. Lefteri highlights the journey of the people escaping Syria and other war-torn places and shows not only the physical exhaustion and risk of escaping, but also the mental battles and emotional difficulties of leaving a life behind and trying to start anew.
This book kept a slow pace with constant flashbacks and memories explaining the characters' situation further. The background given is provided in a light as if the past was a dream and the journey of leaving is a harsh reality. This work was very well-written, drawing you in and hoping for a beautiful ending.
I closed the book feeling left in a lurch, but this vagueness also makes the reader realize again how many unknowns there are, and the fact that the characters are forced to live in the present without a concrete future or plan going forward.
Let me know what you thought of this read!
Lefteri creates a very vivid image of Aleppo before and after the devestation of war begins. Lefteri highlights the journey of the people escaping Syria and other war-torn places and shows not only the physical exhaustion and risk of escaping, but also the mental battles and emotional difficulties of leaving a life behind and trying to start anew.
This book kept a slow pace with constant flashbacks and memories explaining the characters' situation further. The background given is provided in a light as if the past was a dream and the journey of leaving is a harsh reality. This work was very well-written, drawing you in and hoping for a beautiful ending.
I closed the book feeling left in a lurch, but this vagueness also makes the reader realize again how many unknowns there are, and the fact that the characters are forced to live in the present without a concrete future or plan going forward.
Let me know what you thought of this read!
Evenly paced. Smooth. Pleasant.
I was expecting more from this read. I have not read a historical fiction related to witch trials and I was hoping for more detail and story regarding that situation. This was focused toward the character and didn't go too far beyond her house.
This book felt very much unhurried and unchanging. The story was very slow building and never quite has a climactic peak. It didn't get my heart beating or keep me on the edge of my seat. The synopsis had me thinking it would be suspenseful and gripping, but it fell flat for me. I think having an additional perspective (probably Alice's) would have made it more enjoyable.
If you're looking for a smooth, steady mystery, with a calm pace, set a few centuries ago, then I would recommend. It was well-written. I think I just read it with assumptions that it didn't meet or include.
I was expecting more from this read. I have not read a historical fiction related to witch trials and I was hoping for more detail and story regarding that situation. This was focused toward the character and didn't go too far beyond her house.
This book felt very much unhurried and unchanging. The story was very slow building and never quite has a climactic peak. It didn't get my heart beating or keep me on the edge of my seat. The synopsis had me thinking it would be suspenseful and gripping, but it fell flat for me. I think having an additional perspective (probably Alice's) would have made it more enjoyable.
If you're looking for a smooth, steady mystery, with a calm pace, set a few centuries ago, then I would recommend. It was well-written. I think I just read it with assumptions that it didn't meet or include.
Strange. Disconnected. Bittersweet.
This book was not what I expected. I had seen a couple reviews talking about how great this book was, but I did not share these opinions after reading it.
The grammar really bothered me, since it's in broken/poor English, both when people are speaking and throughout the writing. It distracted me from the story quite a bit!
The plot itself was okay, it had a lot of related pieces, but it also felt disjointed and jumbled. It was not easily laid out or explained, although I think the writing style added to this for me.
I didn't enjoy this book, although the idea and story had a lot of potential.
This book was not what I expected. I had seen a couple reviews talking about how great this book was, but I did not share these opinions after reading it.
The grammar really bothered me, since it's in broken/poor English, both when people are speaking and throughout the writing. It distracted me from the story quite a bit!
The plot itself was okay, it had a lot of related pieces, but it also felt disjointed and jumbled. It was not easily laid out or explained, although I think the writing style added to this for me.
I didn't enjoy this book, although the idea and story had a lot of potential.
Contemplative. Flowing. Lovely.
This was a great read. The flow, pace and writing style made it easy to read quickly. Like Haig's How to Stop Time, you could get a lot out of it if you ponder, or you could fly through and enjoy the story.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others!
This was a great read. The flow, pace and writing style made it easy to read quickly. Like Haig's How to Stop Time, you could get a lot out of it if you ponder, or you could fly through and enjoy the story.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others!
Reflective. Contemplative. Conflicting.
I was raised with religion although I am not religious now. Similarly to the protagonist, what the church and academia told me seemed at odds with each other. The more I learned and studied, the more questions I had about religious teachings.
This book drew on many questions I've found myself asking throughout my life, and in that way it was wonderful. I think it would be a good pick for a book club because there are many aspects and topics that would be good discussion points.
Overall Gyasi's work was well-written, descriptive without being overburdened with details, and captivating in a debative way. I really enjoyed this book, but feel the reader is left suddenly. Up until the second-last page, you are given information and a story or memory to follow it up. Then you turn to the last page - the numberless chapter - and the reader catches a quick glance at an unknown time in the future. The abruptness of the ending left something to be desired, but was an enjoyable read.
Let me know your thoughts on this, as there is so much to discuss with this book that my review doesn't say nearly enough about my journey through this story!
I was raised with religion although I am not religious now. Similarly to the protagonist, what the church and academia told me seemed at odds with each other. The more I learned and studied, the more questions I had about religious teachings.
This book drew on many questions I've found myself asking throughout my life, and in that way it was wonderful. I think it would be a good pick for a book club because there are many aspects and topics that would be good discussion points.
Overall Gyasi's work was well-written, descriptive without being overburdened with details, and captivating in a debative way. I really enjoyed this book, but feel the reader is left suddenly. Up until the second-last page, you are given information and a story or memory to follow it up. Then you turn to the last page - the numberless chapter - and the reader catches a quick glance at an unknown time in the future. The abruptness of the ending left something to be desired, but was an enjoyable read.
Let me know your thoughts on this, as there is so much to discuss with this book that my review doesn't say nearly enough about my journey through this story!