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wordrevel's reviews
156 reviews
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
4.0
Initial thoughts: I remember randomly picking up this book at my high school library years ago. At the time, I had no idea how much the idea of love languages permeated pop culture and would still do so for years and years to come. Recently, over dinner, a friend asked me if I knew of love languages and what mine were. Since I hadn't done the quiz in over ten years, I agreed to do it again. Was interesting to see how and why mine've shifted a little over the years.
Of course, I was also curious if there was more to the concept than I could recall. Turns out, not really. The ideas are pretty straightforward but the author did give a neat overview nonetheless, so even though you could easily infer what receiving gifts, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and physical intimacy stand for, it's still worth the quick read.
Of course, I was also curious if there was more to the concept than I could recall. Turns out, not really. The ideas are pretty straightforward but the author did give a neat overview nonetheless, so even though you could easily infer what receiving gifts, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and physical intimacy stand for, it's still worth the quick read.
The Shelf by Helly Acton
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Initial thoughts: The Shelf was a breath of fresh air. Being dumped on reality TV would surely rank highly on anyone’s list of worst nightmares and yet, I’m sure that if it actually ran on TV, many of us wouldn’t be able to tear our eyes away from our screens. I felt the same way about the book — I couldn’t tear myself away once I started reading.
While the producers set out to help the contestants on the show become “more palatable relationship material,” I loved that the women turned these expectations upside down. They challenged outdated women’s roles while embracing their very differing life goals as well. Best of all, each of these feisty women grew to be so secure in their identities, and that’s something I’ll never stop cheering for.
Initial thoughts: The Shelf was a breath of fresh air. Being dumped on reality TV would surely rank highly on anyone’s list of worst nightmares and yet, I’m sure that if it actually ran on TV, many of us wouldn’t be able to tear our eyes away from our screens. I felt the same way about the book — I couldn’t tear myself away once I started reading.
While the producers set out to help the contestants on the show become “more palatable relationship material,” I loved that the women turned these expectations upside down. They challenged outdated women’s roles while embracing their very differing life goals as well. Best of all, each of these feisty women grew to be so secure in their identities, and that’s something I’ll never stop cheering for.
Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo
1.0
Initial thoughts: I finally finished reading this book! That in itself feels like my biggest achievement of February since I've been slogging through this one for more than three months. It's such a shame because I really liked To Kill a Kingdom, which was Alexandra Christo's debut novel.
Into the Crooked Place however, left me incredibly bored. The writing style was often stiff and the conversations between characters were stilted. Plot-wise, I felt incredibly unengaged. Only the last chapter piqued my interest but that's too late to convince me to bother with the sequel. I would give a different book or series from the author a shot though before deciding whether or not to write off her future works or not.
Into the Crooked Place however, left me incredibly bored. The writing style was often stiff and the conversations between characters were stilted. Plot-wise, I felt incredibly unengaged. Only the last chapter piqued my interest but that's too late to convince me to bother with the sequel. I would give a different book or series from the author a shot though before deciding whether or not to write off her future works or not.
Tunnel of Bones by V.E. Schwab
4.0
Initial thoughts: Another solid book from Victoria Schwab — as long as she's written a book it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll enjoy it. Hah. I enjoyed the exploration of the haunted rather than the romantic side of Paris. The Catacombs obviously made for an incredible setting to Cassidy and Jacob's second adventure. It contained the right amount of morbidity and intrigue, though I felt that the tension in City of Ghosts was a little bit more on point. On the other hand, this one definitely had more mischief, so that made up for it.