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saramercedes17's reviews
149 reviews
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
4.0
"The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul."
I will say that I had high expectations for this book. It’s not bad, but I was confused at times. What really caught my eye was Dorian’s journey. I found him really interesting and could read different analysis about him for hours.
Not the best book of the year, but a captivating one indeed.
Rating: 8/10
I will say that I had high expectations for this book. It’s not bad, but I was confused at times. What really caught my eye was Dorian’s journey. I found him really interesting and could read different analysis about him for hours.
Not the best book of the year, but a captivating one indeed.
Rating: 8/10
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5.0
"Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them"
Despite its notable flaws, I loved this book because I associated it with my classmates’ and my journey of growing up and starting something new in a way. Reading this book in our last year of high school made it so much better (and emotional). We related to many characters, spoke about serious topics that probably were never spoken about, laughed, lost our tempers and more. I loved Scout's character and Atticus' determination. It was really ahead of its time and it most certainly was a beautiful experience.
Rating: 9.5/10
Despite its notable flaws, I loved this book because I associated it with my classmates’ and my journey of growing up and starting something new in a way. Reading this book in our last year of high school made it so much better (and emotional). We related to many characters, spoke about serious topics that probably were never spoken about, laughed, lost our tempers and more. I loved Scout's character and Atticus' determination. It was really ahead of its time and it most certainly was a beautiful experience.
Rating: 9.5/10
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
“Sometimes, just when you think everything’s gone, you find a way. Like a prairie fire. I saw one, years ago, when we were in Nebraska. It seems like the end of the world. The earth is all scorched and black and everything green is gone. But after the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow”
I had heard this story for the first time after watching the Emmys, where the adaptation by Reese Whiterspoon and Kerry Washington was nominated. Afterwards, I was given the book by a friend and decided to give it a shot.
I really liked how this book tackled such controversial topics from different points of view. The themes of motherhood, identity, belonging and the motif of fires were quite present in the novel and were very well presented.
I also appreciated how different both families (the Richardsons and the Warrens) were from each other, and how each and everyone of their kids tried to incorporate something from them into their everyday life.
My only criticism would be the ending, as I didn’t feel it was an “ending” itself. I felt that it was lacking closure but it didn’t change how I felt towards the novel.
Altogether, this book had me gripped and at the edge of my seat every time I read it. I couldn’t put it down and I really liked how almost every character had a compelling and engrossing backstory.
Rating: 8.5/10
4.0
“Sometimes, just when you think everything’s gone, you find a way. Like a prairie fire. I saw one, years ago, when we were in Nebraska. It seems like the end of the world. The earth is all scorched and black and everything green is gone. But after the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow”
I had heard this story for the first time after watching the Emmys, where the adaptation by Reese Whiterspoon and Kerry Washington was nominated. Afterwards, I was given the book by a friend and decided to give it a shot.
I really liked how this book tackled such controversial topics from different points of view. The themes of motherhood, identity, belonging and the motif of fires were quite present in the novel and were very well presented.
I also appreciated how different both families (the Richardsons and the Warrens) were from each other, and how each and everyone of their kids tried to incorporate something from them into their everyday life.
My only criticism would be the ending, as I didn’t feel it was an “ending” itself. I felt that it was lacking closure but it didn’t change how I felt towards the novel.
Altogether, this book had me gripped and at the edge of my seat every time I read it. I couldn’t put it down and I really liked how almost every character had a compelling and engrossing backstory.
Rating: 8.5/10
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5.0
“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…And one fine morning-
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”.
As this novel is a “classic”, I always wondered what it was about and why many loved it. I had watched the 2013 adaptation, but the story didn’t convince me so I decided to read the book once and for all lol.
I will say that it was hard, as English is not my first language and some words or phrases were difficult to understand but I got through.
I was fascinated by the story, especially by Nick’s amusement with Gatsby, which is clear that he feels a certain attraction to the latter. This being intentional or not is something we’ll probably never know, as well as who the real author of the novel actually is, but that is as intriguing as Gatsby’s mysteriousness.
One of the few critics I have for the book is its clear racism and antisemitism. I know this was published in 1925, but it does not excuse the damage it causes and we should be pointing that out more.
All things considered, I now understand the novel’s status as a “classic” and I completely agree with it. Its themes on excess, money, greed, the so-called “American dream” and more were excellently executed and I was really charmed by it.
Rating: 9.5/10
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”.
As this novel is a “classic”, I always wondered what it was about and why many loved it. I had watched the 2013 adaptation, but the story didn’t convince me so I decided to read the book once and for all lol.
I will say that it was hard, as English is not my first language and some words or phrases were difficult to understand but I got through.
I was fascinated by the story, especially by Nick’s amusement with Gatsby, which is clear that he feels a certain attraction to the latter. This being intentional or not is something we’ll probably never know, as well as who the real author of the novel actually is, but that is as intriguing as Gatsby’s mysteriousness.
One of the few critics I have for the book is its clear racism and antisemitism. I know this was published in 1925, but it does not excuse the damage it causes and we should be pointing that out more.
All things considered, I now understand the novel’s status as a “classic” and I completely agree with it. Its themes on excess, money, greed, the so-called “American dream” and more were excellently executed and I was really charmed by it.
Rating: 9.5/10
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
4.0
“Sometimes, Clark, you are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning”
I first watched the movie adaptation of the book when it first came out in 2016 and I was in love with the story. I was devastated by the ending and, afterwards, I bought the book though I never finished it for some reason. After watching the movie for a second time (and me being in the mood to read something that took place in the UK), I decided to give this book a shot.
At first, I wasn’t fond of the characters at all. Louisa was kind of likeable but definitely not my favourite. The story started a bit slow for me, but I think that maybe this was done purposely so as to show us how Louisa felt when she first started helping Will. Speaking of him, I did find him quite rude and bossy at times. I do appreciate Will and Louisa’s character development throughout the story though. It evolved really well.
However, (spoilers!) the assisted suicide. I thought that it was tackled in a quite questionable way. Another thing which bothered me was how problematic the book was regarding disbaled people. As an able-bodied person, I believe it isn’t my place to speak about this subject but I would love to learn more about it!
I do have to say that the ending did hit hard, probably because I was going through a tough time with a loved one and the conclusion did help me with this personal issue so I’ll recognise that.
On the whole, this was a nice love story but it does mention some subject matters that I believe should be talked about more and that we should learn more about.
Rating: 9/10
I first watched the movie adaptation of the book when it first came out in 2016 and I was in love with the story. I was devastated by the ending and, afterwards, I bought the book though I never finished it for some reason. After watching the movie for a second time (and me being in the mood to read something that took place in the UK), I decided to give this book a shot.
At first, I wasn’t fond of the characters at all. Louisa was kind of likeable but definitely not my favourite. The story started a bit slow for me, but I think that maybe this was done purposely so as to show us how Louisa felt when she first started helping Will. Speaking of him, I did find him quite rude and bossy at times. I do appreciate Will and Louisa’s character development throughout the story though. It evolved really well.
However, (spoilers!) the assisted suicide. I thought that it was tackled in a quite questionable way. Another thing which bothered me was how problematic the book was regarding disbaled people. As an able-bodied person, I believe it isn’t my place to speak about this subject but I would love to learn more about it!
I do have to say that the ending did hit hard, probably because I was going through a tough time with a loved one and the conclusion did help me with this personal issue so I’ll recognise that.
On the whole, this was a nice love story but it does mention some subject matters that I believe should be talked about more and that we should learn more about.
Rating: 9/10
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
4.0
“When I read the Bible I picture you as Jesus, so maybe fainting in a church was a metaphor after all”
After reading “Normal People”, I was intrigued by Rooney’s debut novel, as I thought the former was the first and “Conversations with Friends” had been released second. I also remembered that a TV show adaptation was going to be developed by Hulu and BBC Three and I wanted to read the book before the series was released.
At first, I wasn’t caught up with the story itself, but as the novel went on, I wanted to see where it was headed. I thought the relationship dynamics were interesting and I liked Rooney’s writing.
I did have some problems with the characters. I was not fond of them (which isn’t a problem at all), but I did not seem to feel a certain connection to them and didn’t see a reason to care for them.
I also felt that Frances’ character was pretty similar to Marianne. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but seeing how (TW SH) the former harmed herself was disturbing to read and I had hoped to have a disclaimer before, as many could be more sensitive and may be affected.
I will say that I was really impressed by the ending and I actually liked it a lot. I thought that the ambiguity of it was excellent and it made me appreciate the book more.
Out of all the Sally Rooney books I’ve read by far, this one will be second while “Normal People” will be my top one indeed.
Generally, this novel has an interesting story, with questionable yet intriguing characters which make the narrative more captivating.
Rating: 8.5/10
After reading “Normal People”, I was intrigued by Rooney’s debut novel, as I thought the former was the first and “Conversations with Friends” had been released second. I also remembered that a TV show adaptation was going to be developed by Hulu and BBC Three and I wanted to read the book before the series was released.
At first, I wasn’t caught up with the story itself, but as the novel went on, I wanted to see where it was headed. I thought the relationship dynamics were interesting and I liked Rooney’s writing.
I did have some problems with the characters. I was not fond of them (which isn’t a problem at all), but I did not seem to feel a certain connection to them and didn’t see a reason to care for them.
I also felt that Frances’ character was pretty similar to Marianne. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but seeing how (TW SH) the former harmed herself was disturbing to read and I had hoped to have a disclaimer before, as many could be more sensitive and may be affected.
I will say that I was really impressed by the ending and I actually liked it a lot. I thought that the ambiguity of it was excellent and it made me appreciate the book more.
Out of all the Sally Rooney books I’ve read by far, this one will be second while “Normal People” will be my top one indeed.
Generally, this novel has an interesting story, with questionable yet intriguing characters which make the narrative more captivating.
Rating: 8.5/10