It’s rare for me to find a book that shifts my perspective, as a person, and makes me see life in a new light, but Nando’s honest and raw account of hIt’s rare for me to find a book that shifts my perspective, as a person, and makes me see life in a new light, but Nando’s honest and raw account of his experience in the Andes plane crash shifted something in me and reminded me that life is so precious.
We may go through moments of strife, pain, anger, and extreme loss. We may carry those moments and memories within us, but at the heart of it all, love carries us forward.
Sally Rooney has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time. There's something enigmatic about her prose, characters, and ability to hold aSally Rooney has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time. There's something enigmatic about her prose, characters, and ability to hold a mirror to my soul and reflect words I couldn't form myself.
Largely, this novel is a stunning, vulnerable exploration of friendship, self-worth, and accepting love for oneself and others. It is a capsule of the time we spent apart in lockdown and the beauty of the human connection, whether it be face-to-face or through letters shared with one another. This is the most positive novel she's put out, and the love and care she has for others and the world is so palpable on each page of this story.
We are so lucky to be alive, even when life beats us down and humbles us. We are so, so lucky to be loved, to love, and goodness will come. The world is beautiful and Sally Rooney reminded me of that. ...more
I’m a big fan of slice-of-life novels that meander and showcase the utter messiness of life because iSally Rooney, I was not familiar with your game.
I’m a big fan of slice-of-life novels that meander and showcase the utter messiness of life because it carries an authenticity that other novels may not hold. We follow two people who feel as though they are lost at sea and find solace in one another, even if their shared dependency hinders them at the end of the day, and from page one, I was hooked.
I really enjoyed how each chapter caused a time jump to showcase not only the distance that separates Marianne and Connell but how quickly life moves in your 20s. I think Sally perfectly captures that First Love feeling where you’d cut out your heart if it made the other person smile and how that attachment can linger inside you for years. While these characters frustrated me and stressed me out with their careless decisions and a deep lack of love for themselves, I was moved by the effortless portrayal of being lost in your twenties and the endless changes that accompany you during that time in your life.
No one in their twenties is put together or knows where they’re headed next, and Sally Rooney reminds us of the mess of it all....more
I think this is my favorite graphic novel, ever. So full of life, intricate details, stunning artwork, and a gorgeous story to match, I had tears in mI think this is my favorite graphic novel, ever. So full of life, intricate details, stunning artwork, and a gorgeous story to match, I had tears in my eyes by the end of it.
The slow unfolding of Julien’s life was masterful and the art, overall, was breathtaking. I wish I could have stayed in this world forever.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking story.
(Also, listen to the ballad on Spotify afterwards. It’s beautiful)...more
From the moment I cracked open this book, I knew this novel was going to make a home within my heart and change me forever, as a reader.
Katherine ArdFrom the moment I cracked open this book, I knew this novel was going to make a home within my heart and change me forever, as a reader.
Katherine Arden is a master at painting a lush scene that transports you to a world of her own making. Desolate, demanding, and haunting in both timelines that eventually converge into an explosive, poignant plot, I absolutely loved the religious aesthetics woven into the turbulence and pure horror of WWI both from the eyes of a nurse and a soldier on the front lines.
There are so many elements of this story that I can’t touch upon with praise without spoiling the twists and turns it takes, but if you’re a fan of the film 1917 and the song Hotel California by The Eagles, this is the book for you.
The sibling dynamics, the explorations of varying forms of evil that crop up amid the darkest parts of human history, and the ways ghosts can haunt you in dark corners are masterful.
Katherine Arden, no one can compare to you....more
I am so glad I gave Emily Henry another try after Beach Read because this was everything I have ever wanted from a book. Full of tension, unspoken worI am so glad I gave Emily Henry another try after Beach Read because this was everything I have ever wanted from a book. Full of tension, unspoken words, haunted pasts, found families, the ever shift of friendship dynamics as one grows older, and a romance that grabbed my heart from the very first page, I fell head over heels for Happy Place.
Emily Henry really has a way with words, from describing the idyllic setting to the effortless banter bouncing back between Harry and Wyn. I was thoroughly invested in their relationship and the friendships they had with each of the side characters who were all fleshed out and had their own moments of character development along the way. The lessons they learned and the way each of them developed along the way were heartfelt and realistic in a way that felt as if I were watching a group of friends grow and change over the course of one vacation.
It’s been a minute since I’ve been so invested in a fictional relationship, and I gobbled up each moment of it. If you are looking for a slow burn read that you won’t be able to put down, I cannot recommend this enough. ...more
I’ve never read a novel featuring a protagonist who is a people pleaser, and it wasn’t until I read Love, Theoretically that I felt so seen as a mirroI’ve never read a novel featuring a protagonist who is a people pleaser, and it wasn’t until I read Love, Theoretically that I felt so seen as a mirrorball who shifts her personality and holds back her actual feelings to please those around her.
While this is a classic Ali Hazelwood novel featuring: * A STEM romance * An important commentary on how poorly those in academia are compensated for all the hours they put into their work * Hilarious banter that actually made me giggle out loud * A slow-burn romance that melted my heart with a love interest who genuinely wanted the best for Elsie and helped her heal in such a comforting way
It was also a novel that explored coming into your own, teaching yourself to voice your concerns/opinions, and learning to communicate in a way that has been suppressed all your life to put the feelings of others before your own.
Can I credit a cute, heartwarming romance for giving me the courage to speak up, stand out, and be my true self? Maybe.
This book will always be so much more than a romance to me. It will be a mirror held up to my own personality, my life as a chronically ill woman, and a reminder that I have to be more honest with myself and others because being I’m tired of being a mirrorball....more
“Do you lay bread on your tongue and think of me, Violet, do you swallow it like a sacrament, do you still get down on your knees? Is there someone on“Do you lay bread on your tongue and think of me, Violet, do you swallow it like a sacrament, do you still get down on your knees? Is there someone on their knees before you, clutching at your ankles, murmuring words for whatever ghost is watching at the door to overhead and remember?”
Erotic, captivating, and so utterly twisted, Cursed Bread is an absolute delight of a novel inspired by an event that took place in a small town in France in the 1950’s that is perfect for fans of corrupted romantic dynamics reminiscent of Phantom Thread (2017)
Even though it is a quick less-than-200-page read, I took my time with this quiet novel, savoring every word until my book was stained with endless highlights as Mackintosh effortlessly explored infatuation, envy, marriage, hysteria and an obsession between two women that sours into a poison flowing beneath the surface of a tiny village.
With so little room to pack a punch, Cursed Bread so easily demanded my attention and drew me deeper into a world of corruption and desire that consumes one whole. It is a story that will be thinking about for years to come....more
Masterfully written with a stunning introduction dissecting the history of Black horror movies, this annotated screenplay solidifies Jordan as a masteMasterfully written with a stunning introduction dissecting the history of Black horror movies, this annotated screenplay solidifies Jordan as a masterclass artist whose attention to detail, use of symbolism, and simplistic yet intricate dialogue is one-of-a-kind. To step into the mind of his artistic process and reasonings behind his stylistic choices only strengthens my awe of his work.
Now, I need him to share annotated screenplays for Us and Nope. ...more
“Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave.”
Cormac McCarthy weaves together a seemingly simple story told through vignettes and a stream of co“Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave.”
Cormac McCarthy weaves together a seemingly simple story told through vignettes and a stream of conscious prose following a father and son struggling to survive an unnamed apocalypse.
At first, I struggled to get used to the lack of quotation marks and the rhythm of the story, but once I settled myself into the journey, I couldn’t look away from the devastation, loss of humanity, and these two souls clinging onto each other physically and mentally in order to survive another day.
The exploration of the loss of hope through the eyes of a beaten down father and a young boy clinging onto goodness is absolutely masterful. Though the writing is barren in its descriptions and internal monologue, one still feels this deep sense of connection to both the journey and the father and son in a world empty of righteousness.
To explore a father’s sense of duty, a child’s pure heart sullied by the world around him, the downfall of humanity, religion in a world God has destroyed, and the exploration of people empty of all life but still moving on to see another day in such a short amount of time is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I genuinely believe this novel is a masterpiece in its ability to deconstruct what we view a society to be and to examine our unwavering perseverance that lives deep within our bones. ...more
“because I have walked this earth for 30 years, and out of gratitude would like to leave some memento in the form of drawings and paintings— not made “because I have walked this earth for 30 years, and out of gratitude would like to leave some memento in the form of drawings and paintings— not made to please this school or that, but to express a genuine human feeling.”
Vincent van Gogh has always fascinated me as someone who has been raised by a village of artists. His gorgeous use of colors, stunning textures and haunting self-portraits have captured my heart for most of my life, and, after seeing endless quotes from his letters written to his brother on Tumblr, I decided to pick up this collection, and this has quickly become some of my favorite pieces of writing that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Vincent van Gogh was an artist both as a painter but through his writing as well. He is one of the most authentic and effortlessly talented writers that I have poured over with tender musings about life, friendship, a career as an artist to his relationship with religion, mental illness, and his family.
Vincent’s vulnerability, sass given both to his brother and artists he clashed with, and relatable descriptions of what its like to live with depression captured my heart and held a mirror up to my own soul.
It’s rare for me to stumble upon a piece of text that reminds me that I am not living a solitary existence. Others in history have felt the same way and have gazed upon the same skies in awe and wonder, and that reminder alone will comfort me for a lifetime. I feel a greater appreciation for Vincent’s work and am grateful for the opportunity to get to know an artist whose work has touched countless lives long after he walked this earth.
If I could travel back in time, I would do so only to hold Vincent’s hands in my own to say, “I see you. You won’t even be able to fathom how many lives you’ve touched. Thank you.”...more
Heartbreaking, raw, relatable, and incredibly personal.
I’m thankful to Jennette for sharing her story with us. I can only hope this leads to proper cHeartbreaking, raw, relatable, and incredibly personal.
I’m thankful to Jennette for sharing her story with us. I can only hope this leads to proper change and opens people’s eyes to the horrors of Hollywood and maternal abuse. ...more
This is one of my most anticipated reads, ever, because I’m such a big fan of Viola Davis, and it quickly became one of my favorite memoirs, ever.
ViolThis is one of my most anticipated reads, ever, because I’m such a big fan of Viola Davis, and it quickly became one of my favorite memoirs, ever.
Viola is so incredibly raw and honest when sharing stories from her childhood, her journey into being an actress, and the lessons she learned along the way as a daughter, wife, mother, and artist. She highlights the brutal racism she had to deal with as a child, the abuse she faced from family members, what it was like to grow up in poverty, and her deep desire to make something more out of her life.
Full of wisdom, love, and light, listening to Viola narrate her story elevates the experience of this book because she so expertly packs so much emotion into each sentence that was spoken.
I’m honored to learn more about one of my heroes and am utterly in awe of her journey that was gorgeously written, honest, and unforgettable. ...more
“I will not stay, not ever again - in a room or conversation or relationship or institution that requires me to abandon myself.”
Untamed is a stunning“I will not stay, not ever again - in a room or conversation or relationship or institution that requires me to abandon myself.”
Untamed is a stunningly written nonfiction that will awaken a desire in you to put yourself first, settle in your Knowing, embrace your individuality, and so much more. Covering an array of topics like womanhood, sexuality, marriage, motherhood, family, and more, I highlighted nearly every page in this novel, endlessly nodding my head at Glennon’s wisdom that is so effortlessly relatable.
Her reminders feel like a breath of fresh air, her wisdom opened my eyes, and I’m forever going to return to passage to remind myself of my worth and individuality.
While there were some passages that didn’t capture my attention towards the latter half of the nonfiction, I still greatly appreciated all Glennon had to say, and I think this is one of my new favorite nonfictions of all time. ...more
This romance was so cute, I want to climb the nearest mountaintop and scream about it for hours on hand. Thank you to BookTok for convincing me to reaThis romance was so cute, I want to climb the nearest mountaintop and scream about it for hours on hand. Thank you to BookTok for convincing me to read this book. You all have not let me down yet.
I started this book and nearly read the entire thing in one sitting because it had some of my favorite romance tropes rolled into one: fake-dating, a novel set in university, a grumpy/sunshine pairing, and a love interest who's cold to the world but absolutely melts around the person he loves.
The moment I began reading this romance, I was immediately immersed in Olive's world of academia as she pursues a doctorate degree and begins fake-dating an acclaimed, grumpy, aloof professor named Adam. Their reasoning to fake date is outlandish and adorable, in a way. Their banter had me smiling like a fool for hours. The way they slowly began to trust another and relied on another in a high-stress, cut-throat environment warmed my heart.
I adored Olive and related heavily to her feeling of being alone in the world and her outlook on relationships. It was so refreshing to read about a character who had similar experiences and thoughts as me.
It's so difficult to sum up my thoughts about a book I adored, so all I can say is this: read this book! The hype is absolutely worth it. You don't have to be a Reylo shipper to enjoy this heartwarming story (I'm not a Reylo fan and I adored this).
AT A GLANCE - Fake-dating professor/grad student - Grumpy/sunshine romance - Demisexual protagonist - Adorable banter and love story ...more
This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. My heart aches for these characters, this story that consumed me with its lyrical writing,This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. My heart aches for these characters, this story that consumed me with its lyrical writing, beautiful love story, and exploration of time, culture, religion, family, and the cruelty of fate.
The Stationery Shop is a poignant, moving novel infused with a rich writing style that left me in awe of how moving it was. This is the type of story I have been looking for in 2021, a book that would leave a lasting impression on me, that would have me hooked from the beginning, a story I won't forget.
God, read this book.
AT A GLANCE • Persian MC dealing with heartbreak, finding herself, moving to a new country • Star-crossed lovers • Heartbreaking yet absolutely beautiful
I find it rare for a book to consume me entirely, as of late. It could be 2020, my idleness, or my inability to connect to the novels I’ve picked up. I find it rare for a book to consume me entirely, as of late. It could be 2020, my idleness, or my inability to connect to the novels I’ve picked up. But, the moment I read the first page of Hamnet, I was captivated by a piece of Shakespeare’s life that I had not heard about previously, despite this novel taking bare-bone facts of the Bard’s life and creating a fictional tale all of its own.
I was immediately engrossed in the lives of these characters, fascinated by the author’s fictionalization of one of the most famous men in the world’s wife and children. Agnes now has a piece of my heart. Witnessing her seamless character development, her happiness, her despair, tugged at my heart and made my stomach bottom out at the inevitable loss she faces that you feel creeping up behind you with every passing page and yet it still hits you like a train when it eventually comes.
I’m in awe of O’Farrell’s ability to craft a story about a family facing indescribable grief in vastly different ways and how they cope with that darkness.
While I do wish we explored William’s perspective a bit more, I’m glad Hamnet shines a light on Agnes’ life, her emotions, her journey. I’m fascinated by her and I want to weep for all she lost and all she had to sacrifice. It’s rare for me to find a novel that evokes so much emotion from me, and I’m so glad I stumbled across this tale. It made me appreciate Hamlet, William, and his family that much more by learning about a piece of their history that was fictionalized by O’Farrell.
If you adore Shakespeare, this is a must read....more
Such a stunningly written yet beautifully simplistic screenplay. Greta really lets her scenes breathe and allows the actor to bring it to life while aSuch a stunningly written yet beautifully simplistic screenplay. Greta really lets her scenes breathe and allows the actor to bring it to life while also adding an undeniable essence and soul into every moment in this story. It’s awe-inspiring. ...more
What a stunning surprise. This novel feels like dancing with your friends at midnight, stolen glances across a crowded room, and the warmth of a sunseWhat a stunning surprise. This novel feels like dancing with your friends at midnight, stolen glances across a crowded room, and the warmth of a sunset pouring in through gauzy curtains.
Laura Wood immersed me in a world reminiscent of The Great Gatsby as we follow Lou, an ordinary girl who gets thrust into a world of glitz and glamour led by two siblings who seem to have it all. As she grows closer to these two generous characters, she begins to realize there’s more than the eye can see and one can easily be enamored by another’s life when viewing it through rose-colored glasses.
This addictive story is atmospheric and lyrical as it excites and amazes with the lavish parties being thrown and an array of characters with distinct personalities and motives that have you falling in love with them all.
While I wish the romance in this story had more depth and moments in general, I was still greatly engrossed and enchanted by this tale. It wrapped up a bit too easily for my liking, but I also just greatly appreciate a story with a lovely happy ending when escaping from my own reality.
For fans of the extravagant world of The Great Gatsby and the longing, angst filled historical romances of Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, this YA novel blew me away, made me fall in love with the Cardew siblings myself, and left me smiling, giggling, and wishing I could stay in this world forever....more
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