Caroline
New favorite author alert! This is the first Brandon Sanderson title that I read and I am officially on the bandwagon. I am currently reading the third book in the series and I am burning through it. From the first page of The Final Empire, you are instantly sucked into a world where ash falls from the sky, a complex caste system, and a unique magic system based on metals.
As an avid reader, I opened this book and within the first page fell in love. It was atmospheric. The type of book that made you want to make a cup of tea on a rainy day and read to escape the world. You were then introduced to three different character narratives that make you wonder what would be the linchpin plot point that would bring them all together.
However, do not let the ode to books and book lovers fool you into thinking this is a completely fantastical and romance heavy book. It had three characters battling their own demons, families, and societies. It included one of the characters running from her controlling brother, another character hiding from her abusive husband, and another dealing with his alcoholic father. It beautifully twined these narratives together on the love of books, a lost bookshop, and finding themselves amidst their trials. There were parts of this book that I cried, parts that made me gasp, and other parts that reminded me this is why I love reading so much. I don't want to spoil any of the plot, but just know that when you open this book be prepared to go through a mirage of different emotions, feel deeply for these characters, and be shocked at some twist and turns.
For me this book was a 10/10! It even got me out of the reading slump that I have been in. I will definitely be checking out Evie Wood's other books yearning for the same fantastical experience.
I got this title through the Book of the Month and all I have to say is wow. At first, I was skeptical based on the book description and though it would be full of troupes. The typical wives kill husbands and marital disruption. But it is so much more than that. It is about finding oneself, the deep bonds of female friendship, and magic. Absolutely loved this book and it kept me turning the page to see what happens next.
Ever since I read the book Pachinko, by Min Lee Jin, I have been looking for another historical fiction book that has a heart-wrenching and warming character-driven plot. I officially found it!
Kristin Hannah's book, The Four Winds, immerses you into the Great Depression-era and follows the plights of the main character Elsa and her family. From growing up as a plain girl with no marriage prospects to becoming a mother of two children, it follows her migrating from a farm in Texas to the “greener land and prospects” of California. However, upon her and her children's arrival to California, they immediately face discrimination, poverty, and living in slums. It provides a vivid picture of worker camps, the fight to take part in the “American Dream,” and the power of a mother looking to provide a better life for her children.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It also brought me back to history class in high school with scenes about how the U.S. government came to educate farmers on better irrigation techniques and passing relief legislation. Each of the characters are beautifully built. Also, halfway through it shifts to focus the narrative around the Communist Party uprising, which was a large part of the '20s and '30s, and organized farmers, unemployed workers, and factory workers in light of the depression. I recommend this title for those looking for a great historical fiction book.
I watched some YouTube videos on this title before I bought it and once again this was a book that I was skeptical on. I'm not really into romance or romance-forward fantasy, but this book was definitely clever! It takes an old concept and flips it on its head. With a girl that must remain pure and unseen for the future of her country to a deeper under rooted agenda by the elite.
I am a fan of Stephen King and the Gunslinger is one of his more interesting series. Originally written in short story format (1978-1981), these books are unlike anything I have read. Currently, I have read the first two books and I am not sure whether I am in love with the series yet. But the way the books are written not only makes you imagine the wasteland of the desert and the bustling city of New York City, but feel it. With the aid of drug slinging heroin addict, a woman in a wheelchair with dissociative identity disorder, and more unknown characters, an “unlikable” main character, Ronald, (based on a western cowboy) are on a quest to get to the unknown “dark tower.”
When I am in the mood for a fast-pasted thriller, I find myself coming back to Riley Sager again and again. I have read so far, I have read Final Girls, Lock Every Door, The Last Time I Lied, and am currently reading Survive the Night. So, when people recommended his book Home Before Dark and noted that it was most likely his best book yet, I instantly had to get it.
It follows Maggie Holt, who learned upon her father's death, she has inherited the infamous Baneberry Hall, a Victorian Estate that has a dark past. During her childhood, her family moves into this estate just to flee in the cover of darkness under the guise that it is haunted, a story that later her father utilizes to write a best-selling book, the House of Horrors. This book is the only linkage that brings up the memories of this house for Maggie and it outlines the murder-suicide and deaths that haunt the halls. From snakes coming from the walls to a chandelier that magically turns on by itself, everyone knows that Baneberry is a house that remembers...
Flipping back and forth between Maggie's current experience of fixing up the old house and her father's book, it uncovers layer after layer, what happened the night that her family fled, is the house truly haunted and cursed by the sinister past residence of the home, and who exactly where Maggie's “imaginary friends”, Mr. Shadow, Mrs. Pennyeyes, and the girl with no name, when she was little.
Overall, this book was enjoyable for what it was: a pop thriller book that you can easily read in a day. One thing that stuck out to me is that it follows a similar plotline of Shirley Jackson's Haunting on Hill House and is eerily similar to Netflix's rendition of the book and the series Haunting of Bly Manor; however, the ending was crafted in the typical style of Sager with a delicious twist at the end that you do not see coming that makes it worth the read. Overall, for readers interested in this book just be forewarned that this book follows common “haunted house” troupes, has little character development, and if you have seen the Netflix shows noted above follows a very similar plotline that will leave you sitting there in a déjà vu moment.
Although there might be negatives for this book, it is a quick read to get you in the mood for the spooky season, but personally, for me, I would recommend reading Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House instead. She does an eloquent job of keeping the reader at the edge of their seat through her gothic haunted house-inspired prose. Also, just to note her book is nothing like the Netflix series (and in true bookworm opinion) the book is waaayyy better than the series.
When I saw the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to immediately read it. It follows “Thursday”, who is in a polygamist relationship with her husband, Seth. Seth has two other wives nicknamed “Monday” and “Tuesday,” and the number one rule is that they cannot meet each other. Monday is Seth's first wife, Tuesday is pregnant, and that is all of the information that “Thursday” knows about them until she finds a doctor's note in Seth's pocket with the name Hannah written on it. Through the rabbit hole of Google and Facebook, she finds the glossy, modelesque Hannah, who lives in a Victorian House with perfectly trimmed hedges.
Thursday prides herself on being the “perfect wife,” who cooks elaborate meals and whose life revolves around her husband; however, upon finding Hannah, she becomes obsessed with learning more about her husband's life outside of their Thursday nights. Due to her curiosity, she strikes up a friendship with Hannah without her knowing that they are married to the same man. As their friendship develops, Hannah starts developing bruises, and instantly Thursday wonders, are those bruises from her seemingly loving husband?
Soon she becomes transfixed on learning more about the other wives and learning more about her husband, which becomes an extreme challenge when Seth finds out about her meeting Hannah and says she is having another mental episode. Thursday is put in a mental health facility, where she tries to dig for more information through her sister on Seth's other wives. However, upon reporting back, her sister lets her know that the Victorian house that Hannah lived in is under “Thursday's” name (as it was inherited after a family member passed away), Hannah has disappeared and may not be a real person, and Seth and Regina (Monday) got divorced years ago. This leads to questions like “Who is Hannah and is she in danger?” “What secrets are Seth hiding?” and more importantly, “Are the wives real or just something that Thursday has made up in her head?”
I wanted to love this book, and I finished it in one sitting, but the ending gut-punched me. It is definitely a book with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat, but for me, the complex themes in the book seemed to be only used to propel the story forward. While you can easily see the realistic narratives of insecurity and jealousy with the main character, the other more serious topics like gaslighting, miscarriages, child molestation, mental health, and domestic abuse seemed to be downplayed and twisted to meet the narrative. As someone who loves a woman who defeats all odds, this book is not that story, it pits women against women, overplays the narrative that only women are valuable when they have children, and uses mental health as a scapegoat. With this being said, after listening to an interview by her she discusses how she wrote each character in different ages and walks of life, which helped create a multi-faceted plot. She also explains how the book is utilized to showcase misogyny and a different viewpoint of polygamy. Overall, I would say that this is worth the read just to experience it.
One phase describes this book: “What the heck did I just read?” Reading the reviews of this book, I question if I read the same book as everyone else. This dark academia books combines a girly cult, boys made out of bunnies, a self-loathing main character, and gory horror. This book made me itch and want out, but at the same time, I couldn't put it down. So much emotion, so much confusions, so much reading. I mean who goes to college for poetry anyways?
At first this title was a bit difficult for me to get into, I kept getting hung up on specific words or characters that are taken from Japanese folklore. But after a little googling, I was hooked on this title. The first few chapters focus on giving you a backdrop to the magical system and the differing forces at play. Due to the plot line and characters, I found myself thinking that it should be adapted into an anime series!
The Wicked Fox is inspired by Japanese folklore and this was another book, I just couldn't put down. On the backdrop of a dragon that can grant any wish every thousand years for the one who holds the Scroll of a Thousand prayers, enter a girl who is half Kitsune, a fox that possess magical abilities and the ability to ward off evil. Growing up at a monastery and hidden from the world due to her unnatural abilities, Yumeko learns about the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, when the monastery gets attacked by demons looking for the scroll. Upon the destruction of the monastery, she escapes with a part of the scroll and goes on a journey to another monastery to ensure the safety of the scroll from demonic influences.
Upon her escape, she meets Kage Tatsumi, a demon slayer, who assists her on her quest, but little does she know that Kage is tasked by the Shadow Clan to retrieve the scroll no matter the cost. Follow these characters and other unlikely characters (including a dishonored Samurai and a royal), in their quest to go to the monastery who knows the secret of the Scroll of a Thousand Papers and the location of all of the pieces of the scroll. From battles with demons, understanding honor, and learning about inner power, this title is a must read for those who enjoy fantasy.
So my first Riley Sager book that I read was Lock Every Door. Overall, I was not impressed. However, after a lot of feedback, I picked up another title that he wrote, and I AM SO HAPPY I DID. The Last Time I Lied follows Emma, an artist who is obsessed with painting three girls. Come to find, the three girls that she is painting disappeared during her time in summer camp and have never been found.
Upon a series of events, she is brought back to the summer camp to teach the campers painting and it provides an opportunity to investigate their disappearance. Through her investigation, Emma has a series of characters who could have been the kidnappers, uncovers a secret history of the camp, and is faced with the actions of her past. All while the evidence and mounting suspicion from the camp leaders are pointing at her for these past crimes. Overall, I loved this book. Between the fast-paced plot and how Sager leaves you questioning the sanity of the main character, this is definitely a must-read title.
Military Fantasy meets Asian lore! This is probably one of my favorite books that I have read so far for 2021. The characters are rich in development, and the main character makes you question morality. If you have a chance, definitely pick up this read. What more could you want from a book than a magical school, opium, wars, and a lost race?
SPOILER FREE REVIEW: I have been wanting to get more into books that have Asian influences or are written by Asian authors. So many recommended The Girls of Paper and Fire, and all I can say is that I read this in one sitting. Following a girl named Lei, the story is focused on the deep tradition of “Paper Girls.” Where eight girls of a lower class are selected to become the King's concubines. Selected from around the entire kingdom, these girls are taken to palace where they learn skills, including dance, court politics, and more. Although, this selection is seen as a great honor to be for the “Heavenly Master,” Lei and the other girls soon learn that they are only existing for the use of others. Come to a great sickness taking over the land, the cruelty of the court, and an assassination plot that is closer than anyone could imagine, follow these girls who are trained for obedience and submission, set the world on fire and change the world forever. Seeped in a fantasy Asian-setting, themes and underpinnings of class disparity, and a LGBTQ+ romance, I definitely recommend this title.
Worth the Hype! It's premise is truly unique and it makes you question humanity and morality. Following two main characters, they are thrust into the world Scythedom. They serve as apprentices of Scythes that “glean” humans to cut down the immortal human population. Originally, they are trained by a leading Scythe under the philosophy that you should not enjoy killing individuals and then suddenly shift into training with Scythes with different philosophies (one with a sadistic nature and another with an ominous reputation).
Two different lifestyles, two different character development, a sprinkle of romance, and addicting setting, what more could a reader need? This dystopian, futuristic setting ties into current society and makes you wonder what motivates society and makes humans tick? What would happen if society was ruled by AI and natural death was no longer an issue?
Favorite Quotes:
An investigative journalist with a troubled past and self-destructive tendencies goes back to her hometown to investigate a murder. Gillian Flynn writes masterfully to the point where you can almost smell the vodka on the main characters' breathe and see the horrific scene of finding the little girl with her nails painted and teeth pulled out. Blending some of my favorite troupes, the destructive main character, murder mystery, family trauma, and an idyllic town where everything isn't as perfect as it seems.
Camille Breaker goes to her hometown of Wind Gap to write a story about a murdered little girl with another girl missing. However, it is not only the murdered and the missing that she uncovers, instead, she has to face her family demons with her southern charm mother, wild stepsister, and the looming memory of her sister who passed away. Through the past mixed with the present, she helps the FBI agent who is investigating the case in exchange for information on Wind Gaps vivid characters to help close the case. All of the evidence points to a young man in the town and the wild town gossip has everyone talking about who did it over their amaretto sours and gin martinis. The deeper she investigates the deeper she uncovers the past of the town and the memories of her family that she has buried away. Overall, I read this book in about a day and a half, and now I am searching high and low for more Gillian Flynn and her masterful writing. I highly recommend this book and you will not see the ending coming.
Memorable Quote: “I am a cutter, you see. Also, a snipper, a slicer, a carver, a jabber. I am a very special case. I have a purpose. My skin, you see, screams. It's covered with words - cook, cupcake, kitty, curls - as if a knife-wielding first-grader learned to write on my flesh. I sometimes, but only sometimes, laugh. Getting out of the bath and seeing, out of the corner of my eye, down the side of a leg: babydoll. Pull on a sweater and, in a flash of my wrist: harmful.”
This book has lingered in my thoughts long after I finished reading it, leaving me with a profound yearning for other works that evoke a similar sense of longing and melancholy. Initially, I approached it as just another classic—one of those that was tedious with prose that droned. However, something compelled me to keep turning the pages, captivated by the narrative of a man who was raised on a farm and turned away from his agricultural upbringing to pursue academia.
The book explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and isolation, while examining the intricacies of ordinary existence. It chronicles the life of William Stoner, detailing his personal and professional journey, including his marriage, attainment of a doctoral degree, and parenthood. Despite these significant achievements, his life gradually unravels into a loveless marriage, a career fraught with political strife, and a daughter who grows distant. Although he encounters trials, he continues to teach English Literature and his pursuits. Stoner's character is both deeply flawed and deeply sympathetic. In some moments, you wanted to shout at him through the pages as he made decisions that brought his downfall. Stoner had a quiet resilience that resonated powerfully and reminded me of people in my own life, who make decisions or are impacted by life events, but must go on living for the sake of their family, their career, or themselves.
It also thoughtful examined the academic life and analyzed its complexities, flaws, and inherent contradictions. The isolation of the academic, the disillusionment of knowledge and its pursuit, and conflict between practical and idealism.
Stoner draws powerful parallels to everyday life, prompting readers to reflect on their own existence and ask, “How am I living my life?” Personally, while my experiences differ significantly from William Stoner's, I found a deep resonance in his feelings of personal struggle, unfulfilled dreams, isolation, and resilience. The novel raises important questions about whether these themes represent the essence of human existence.
I highly recommend this book and understand why it has become a favorite for many. As of 2024, it stands as my favorite read of the year.
As an avid fan of Stephen King, diving into “Salem's Lot” felt like a natural progression in my exploration of the horror genre. Having enjoyed King's intricate character development and ability to create palpable atmospheres in his other works, I approached this novel with high expectations. However, “Salem's Lot” proved to be a rather challenging read for me, particularly due to its parallels with Bram Stoker's “Dracula,” a classic that I struggled with in the past year.
Similarities between “Salem's Lot” and “Dracula” range from the small-town setting to the gradual realization that supernatural forces are at play. The feeling of déjà vu, while undoubtedly intentional on King's part, created a sense of predictability that hindered my ability to become fully immersed in the narrative. It felt like a déjà vu not only in theme but also in the structure of the story, with characters discovering the truth about the supernatural threat through journals and investigations.
Maybe it is just a book at the wrong time, as I have been binging a lot of Stephen King and this was the last book that broke my streak. I might revisit at another time and give it a second chance.