Eating Animals is very well researched and discusses vegetarism/veganism objectively, giving voices to everyone from animal rights activist and organiEating Animals is very well researched and discusses vegetarism/veganism objectively, giving voices to everyone from animal rights activist and organic farmers to slaughter-house workers. Jonathan Safron Foer covers dozens of aspects of animal agriculture, and for someone unfamiliar with the practices and negative consequences of meat, this will most definitely be an eye-opening book. But for me personally, this had absolutely nothing new to me as I’ve researched the industry on my own for years. I’m still happy to have read this, as I now know that I can recommend to others, though I feel like Foer could have ended up with an even more clear consensus and explored the health aspects more. ...more
To be honest, I had no idea what The Face: A Time Code was about when I started it. Knowing the author to be Ruth Ozeki was enough to get me excited. To be honest, I had no idea what The Face: A Time Code was about when I started it. Knowing the author to be Ruth Ozeki was enough to get me excited. But in case you need some more information, The Face is about an experiment, where the author decided to stare at her own face for three hours straight and record the thoughts that came up during that time. I absolutely adored it, as I feel like I got to know my favorite author in a personal way and now I also see her novels in a whole new light. In addition to the personal memories of her childhood and such, the text is just full on insight.
"Although lacking the brocade and elements of ancient sacred ritual, a novel can be a kind of mirror room, too. It, too, is a liminal space, silent, bound by certain rituals and full of magic. The writer enters and seats herself in front of her reflection in the mirror. She collects herself and focuses her attention, and then she picks up a mask. She gazes at it and positions it on her face, and at that moment she is transformed into the protagonist of her story, looking out through its eyes at her reflection in the mirror, made strange by the face of another. It’s a complex sensation, impossible to describe exactly, but, oh, such lingering sweetness! Then, because the world of novels is an endless hall of mirrors, that moment of transformation of writer into character is echoed by the reader when he or she opens the book and enters the mirror room, dons the mask, and becomes the character, too. This is why we read novels, after all, to see our reflections transformed, to enter another’s subjectivity, to wear another’s face, to live inside another’s skin.”...more
This memoir has no structure, I got slightly annoyed at Carrie Fisher’s exaggerated pronunciations (I listened to the audiobook read by the author) anThis memoir has no structure, I got slightly annoyed at Carrie Fisher’s exaggerated pronunciations (I listened to the audiobook read by the author) and the overuse of the word “anyway”, but most of the memories were interesting to hear about. I would have loved more Star Wars stuff, though I guess The Princess Diarist is for that. Speaking of The Princess Diarist, it was wonderful and witty, but in Wishful Drinking I couldn’t get much joy from the prose - it was a bit of a mess. Yet I do wish, so much, that Carrie would still be here to write more....more
I think I have found my new favorite graphic novel, I just adored every moment of Persepolis! Marjane Satrapi is incredible at explaining complex poliI think I have found my new favorite graphic novel, I just adored every moment of Persepolis! Marjane Satrapi is incredible at explaining complex political periods and ideas conceivably in few words and transmitting the honest reality of Iranian life. Though she did have the most amazing source material – her own life. Transformed into a graphic novel it offers everything a reader might want: humor, education, art and a rollercoaster of emotions. In the end I felt slightly disappointed, but only because I couldn’t follow Satrapi’s journey any longer. ...more
Reading The Queen of the Tearling -trilogy has definitely been a great way back into fantasy and the whole experience was quite interesting, though I Reading The Queen of the Tearling -trilogy has definitely been a great way back into fantasy and the whole experience was quite interesting, though I enjoyed The Invasion of the Tearling the most. This final book, The Fate of the Tearling started out extremely promising, but in the end I felt underwhelmed and even disappointed. It’s such a pity that otherwise such a strong series ended in a way that it did - I didn’t like the resolution one bit. I don't want to spoil anything, but more than anything it was unsatisfying. The story line also seemed to be all over the place with too many points of views. However, things I did enjoy include the powerful women characters, apparent throughout the series, plot twists that got me off guard and the parallels you can make with our world. Johansen brings up such fascinating ideas about civilization and religion, among other subjects. ...more
I knew The Bluest Eye would be a tough one to read and it was. Though think the story could have been made even more touching had it been executed difI knew The Bluest Eye would be a tough one to read and it was. Though think the story could have been made even more touching had it been executed differently. Now the structure distanced the reader from the characters. It also felt like some unimportant scenes were incorporated and they took too much space in this short novel. I would have preferred to get more time with scenes more related to the main plot of the story, but I really adored the prose. Toni Morrison has an incredible skill of describing silent moments, making you aware of even the smallest details. And the subject, of course, is something important and actual still, unfortunately. ...more
Second read, 2/2019, 5/5 The Girl in the Tower was just as immersive the second time around. Again I noticed how much stronger the plot and especially Second read, 2/2019, 5/5 The Girl in the Tower was just as immersive the second time around. Again I noticed how much stronger the plot and especially the climax scenes are compared to The Bear and the Nightingale - the whole book is just more put together. And I can't even remember when was the last time I've anticipated a book as impatiently as The Winter of the Witch! If it doesn't arrive soon I don't know what I'll do.
First read, 2/2018, 5/5 It’s no secret that I adored The Bear and the Nightingale and somehow Katherine Arden has managed to write something even better! The Girl in the Tower gripped me from the very beginning, something about the way Russian myths and fairy tales are sown into the story really pulls me in. I found that the plot in this second installment is much stronger, makes more sense and proceeds effortlessly. There was just the right amount of twists you could figure out on your own and ones that got you off guard while some things were left to be answered in the last part, which I’m already really looking forward to!...more
I remember watching the movie adaptation of Revolutionary Road a long time ago and I liked it a lot, yet I never felt an urge to read the book, not beI remember watching the movie adaptation of Revolutionary Road a long time ago and I liked it a lot, yet I never felt an urge to read the book, not before I suddenly started to hear such amazing things about Richard Yates from readers whose opinions I trust. They made me want to read Yates and in the end I decided to go for the obvious choice, his most well-known novel. Thankfully I didn’t remember any details from the movie so the experience wasn´t spoiled because of that. Though I’m not sure it could have been spoiled as this was just so incredible! The prose is an immense joy to read, beautiful, gripping and descriptive yet concise enough. And the characters it brings to live truly feel alive, such attention is payed to every little detail of their personalities. But do not expect an action packed plot, the action in Revolutionary Road happens mostly through the relationships, the small shifts in human minds. This, Yates can pull of quite perfectly. If you have any suggestions on where to head next with his books I would really appreciate some tips!...more
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie seems to be one of the most loved female writers at the moment, so even though I didn’t adore Americanah, I wanted to give heChimamanda Ngozi Adichie seems to be one of the most loved female writers at the moment, so even though I didn’t adore Americanah, I wanted to give her writing a second chance in the form of a short story collection. I found all the stories to be good. They shed light on African culture and the relation to America - the promised land which doesn’t always fulfill it’s promises to the people who come there desperate for something better. But they didn’t give me that wow-effect. None of the scenes took my breath away, none of the stories left a lasting impression and none of the characters felt truly close to me. It saddens me that I don’t get as much out of Adichie’s books as others seem to, but I guess I should branch out and try different writers focusing on Africa, as I really need to widen my knowledge on that part of the world. ...more
Now that I’ve read the first two books in Erika Johansen’s fantasy trilogy I can say that she has built it very skillfully. The Queen of the Tearling Now that I’ve read the first two books in Erika Johansen’s fantasy trilogy I can say that she has built it very skillfully. The Queen of the Tearling left me with such pressing questions I immediately needed to pick up The Invasion of the Tearling, which satisfyingly answered those questions, while creating new ones and making me want to finish the series. This one is really well written and filled with fascinating characters and unexpected turns, but what I found slightly problematic is the two parallel storylines. I enjoyed the secondary one much more than the main one. It felt like not much was happening on Kelsea’s parts and with fantasy I am looking for some action. But oh how I loved every second of learning about the history of the world! ...more
Second read, 7.2018, 4/5 I found this book so impactful that I had to buy my own copy and reread it. I definitely needed this reminder to pay more atteSecond read, 7.2018, 4/5 I found this book so impactful that I had to buy my own copy and reread it. I definitely needed this reminder to pay more attention to my thoughts and this time I highlighted the most important parts so that I can easily come back to them without having to endure the religious bits that were uninteresting for me.
First read, 1.2018, 4/5 The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is definitely a thought provoking little book. Based on the knowledge of the Toltec Indians, Ruiz goes through, like the name suggests, four agreements you should apply into your life. They are supposed to help you in finding true freedom and happiness. I found the agreements very true and reading this made me realize how my own mind has not been working in my benefit, but been making me feel quite miserable instead. It´s going to be hard to change one´s way of thinking, yet I´m going to do my best, like the last agreement implies. At many points the book gets too religious for my personal taste, though it was still kind of interesting to learn more about the believes of the Toltecs, where the agreements I found so useful stem from. I can´t really think of anyone who couldn´t benefit from this book. I know I will keep thinking about it for a long time and I already know that the things I learned will lead to a positive change in my life....more
I hadn´t read fantasy in a very long time, but at the library The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen just somehow called to me and I needed to piI hadn´t read fantasy in a very long time, but at the library The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen just somehow called to me and I needed to pick it up. It´s not in my opinion the best quality fantasy, yet it was a nice and easy way to get back into the genre. And it did get me hooked enough that I already reserved The Invasion of the Tearling to be read very soon. What I loved about this one are the characters and the world, which really peaked my interest. I desperately wanted to know more as so little (too little) was revealed in this first installment of a trilogy, one of the biggest reasons I´m so eager to continue. The plot I found slightly weak and all over the place. I also hoped something bigger to happen. Still, I was in no point bored nor ready to give up. I actually read The Queen of the Tearling in just a couple of days and it kept me entertained all the way through....more
Giant Days volume 1 was exactly what I wanted at the moment, funny, relatable, light and entertaining. I didn´t love the art style, but it didn´t bothGiant Days volume 1 was exactly what I wanted at the moment, funny, relatable, light and entertaining. I didn´t love the art style, but it didn´t bother me either. ...more
If I were to only consider the beauty of the prose, the skill of using and combining words, Anne Valente would be on the very top of the list of the aIf I were to only consider the beauty of the prose, the skill of using and combining words, Anne Valente would be on the very top of the list of the authors I have ever read from. Her text is always spectacular. I love reading it out loud to myself, wonder at how amazing it sounds and how accurately and aptly Valente expresses her thoughts. And how interesting those thoughts are. So I have nothing to complain about the prose in An Elegy for Mathematics, but some of the stories were just too short to leave a lasting impression and I couldn’t always see what the point of them was. But mixed in with these are stories that blew me away completely. I still think that By Light We Knew Our Names is my favorite of Valente’s and I feel like her skills are best used in short stories that are longer than a page or two. Though I will read whatever she’ll write and I’m super excited for the novel that comes out next February!...more
We Have Always Lived in the Castle might have set up my expectations for Shirley Jackson´s other novels a bit too high and The Bird´s Nest ended up noWe Have Always Lived in the Castle might have set up my expectations for Shirley Jackson´s other novels a bit too high and The Bird´s Nest ended up not being exactly to my taste. It´s too psychological and slow-moving. However, I can understand why others find this exploration of the human mind extremely interesting and the unsettling atmosphere fascinating. I did really like some aspects of the story, the characters descriptions for instance are amazingly detailed. I also have never read a book about multiple personalities and it´s always great to learn something new. The biggest problem was the plot. I really struggled to pick The Bird´s Nest up, maybe because it was so challenging, which in itself is definitely not a negative thing, but also because it felt dragging. Though I´m not really the target audience as I have always disliked psychology. ...more
First of all, the plot of Pet Sematary is predictable, not as scary as I had hoped and included too many cliches, although the foreword where King expFirst of all, the plot of Pet Sematary is predictable, not as scary as I had hoped and included too many cliches, although the foreword where King explains how he got the inspiration for the story added some deepness to it. I knew not to expect too much from the literary quality of the story, but as Stephen King is widely considered to be the king of horror, I wished to feel more of that. Still, I read the whole book (almost 500 pages of it) in one day so despite everything, I was hooked. Mostly because of the characters. ...more
In Hangsaman you get to follow Natalie Waite, a seventeen year old girl with a mind full of disorganized thoughts, as she’s on the verge of stepping iIn Hangsaman you get to follow Natalie Waite, a seventeen year old girl with a mind full of disorganized thoughts, as she’s on the verge of stepping into womanhood and starting college. My experience with it was quite interesting: I found the story excellent while reading, but in the end I realized I didn’t actually understand much about what I had read and thought there could have been more of a clear plot, which is how I felt with The Bird’s Nest too. But maybe Jackson’s novels aren’t supposed to be completely worked out. The slight confusion adds to the certain haunting atmosphere that surrounds every chapter of her writing and I feel the urge to continue on – all the books I’ve read from her are utterly unique....more
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado has been doing the rounds in the book community and I haven´t heard anyone not adoring it, so I neeHer Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado has been doing the rounds in the book community and I haven´t heard anyone not adoring it, so I needed to see for myself whether or not it´s really as special as everyone says it is. And I have to agree - this is something quite different. Eight short stories with an amazing amount of presentation of different kinds of women and some magical realism thrown in. The structure also varies a lot and Machado´s way of dealing with difficult matters is something quite unique. I´m definitely watching out for her future books! Yet I only gave this three stars after some frustration over rating short story collections, which I struggle with often. Of the eight stories four were absolutely fantastic (The Husband Stitch, Inventory, Real Women Have Bodies & Eight Bites) but the other four were ones I didn´t quite get. Especially Heinous I felt particularly disconnected from. I do still recommend Her Body and Other Parties strongly. It is a brave collection and as a debut extremely promising....more
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine has been showing up everywhere, it won the costa first novel award and I haven’t heard anything negative about it,Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine has been showing up everywhere, it won the costa first novel award and I haven’t heard anything negative about it, which I can now understand. Gail Honeyman manages to combine a whole array of feelings and themes into a single, coherent novel. It has parts which made me cry and parts that made me laugh out loud. I encountered all of my favorite aspects of chick-lit, which I used to read a lot of, but this has so much more in addition, which makes it more like a piece of acclaimed fiction than ‘just’ women’s literature (though that can be brilliant as well). I’m not sure I’m explaining myself very well, but all you need to know is that Honeyman has incredible skill in writing prose that hooks the reader and creating realistic, many sided characters and also she’s not afraid to tackle difficult subjects. It´s best to go into this blindly and just give Eleanor Oliphant a try. She’s someone you’ll want to get to know....more
Pelon hetkestä välittyy Marquezin omintakeinen tarinankerronta, mutta hahmoista jää hieman keskeneräinen olo, oli vaikea saada heistä otetta ja muistaPelon hetkestä välittyy Marquezin omintakeinen tarinankerronta, mutta hahmoista jää hieman keskeneräinen olo, oli vaikea saada heistä otetta ja muistaa kuka on kuka. Oikeastaan koko romaani on sekava enkä täysin ymmärtänyt mitä Marquez tarinallaan tavoittelee. Toisaalta se, etten aina pysynyt perillä tapahtumista tavallaan korostaa pelon kaaosmaista luonnetta. ...more
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