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whatpageareyouon's reviews
506 reviews
How to Be Both by Ali Smith
4.0
While challenging, I can say I never got bored reading this book. Ali Smith has a whimsical writing style that's very experimental and engaging. What's funny is that when I read a passage about use of plot devices, it reminded me that what I love so much about reading is what the author is trying to tell me. Perhaps with Smith she prefers more theory-relating how art shapes how we can literally be any two sides of the coin, two different lives in two different worlds narrated by two different people, but all in this one life. I felt an overwhelming presence of nostalgia when reading this as much of the story is told upon reflection on the past, making me feel a bit more introspective than I was before.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
3.0
It wasn't until the end of this book I realized how much I enjoyed it, at least realizing Theo's growth. However, there were times where moments felt incredibly slow paced. The last 20 pages alone are, perhaps, my most favorite writing of anything I have read in my life thus far. Perhaps I'm biased towards Theo's sentiments in the closure of his story, but it made me feel very calm to find solace in a certain place in my own life, although I'm not sure if the 'message' conveyed is as apparent as Tartt wanted, but maybe this ambiguity was intentional for the reader to realize just as Theo does himself.