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Thank you to Random House/Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

Welcome to the Coffee Shop that appears. There are no set times, places, or menus from which to order.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop consists of three main stories surrounding various characters finding their way through life as they struggle with various problems, concerns, and troubles. As they find the coffee shop (or rather, it finds them), they are approached by talking cats to allow them the place and time to speak about their concerns, using the natal charts and planet phases.

The illustrations accompanying this story are cute. The characters are also part of each other's lives, and we can follow their journey. By the end, we see them all reflecting on themselves, and moving on was nice.

Perhaps the only thing I wished for was more cat illustrations- it's about the cafe run by cats!/j In addition, I would have appreciated deeper thoughts and reflection on each character as they seemed a little shallow, in my opinion. The natal charts and planet phases were interesting to learn more about, but they became repetitive. However, someone who is deeply interested and invested in astrology may enjoy this book much more than I did.

Overall, it is a lovely short book that casts moonlight on human thoughts, actions, and reflections and how we move forward to continue growing.

Thank you Pushkin Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

TWs: Incest, sexual content

Going into this book without knowing much about Marquis de Sade, it was an interesting way to explore his writing, the contents, and how he explored various concepts like morality, sexual desires, human nature, and philosophies.

The first story, Eugenie de Franval, was the longest of the eight short stories, about 40% of the book, followed by others of various stories. They explore similar concepts through 18th-century writing.

It was interesting to read this and then research about him afterward. I would suggest it, but please know that it can be triggering.

Yes, this is life seen by life. But suddenly I forget how to capture whatever is happening., I don't know how to capture whatever exists except by living here...

Despite Lispector's worries about this book not having a plot and being spineless, she still provides her unique prose that makes the reader rethink the daily objects and routines we take for granted. Living is such a difficult thing – it's tiresome, and improvised, and it continues to move as we go from one instance to the next and the next.

My story is living. And I have no fear of failure. Let failure annihilate me, I want the glory of failing.

My first Dostoevsky book!

The thing I liked about this (but it was also creepy, and thriller-vibes) were getting a glimpse of Raskolnikov's downfall with his psychological thoughts, dreams, and actions, eventually testing himself and his words. The comparison between Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov was also a great way to look at consequences and ways of "redemption". Though, both were creepy in their own ways *sweat* Some parts I struggled with and kind of skimmed due to very long paragraphs or dialogues. I appreciated this translated version - maybe one day I can pick up a different one and compare!

Copy/pasted from BLC: I have zoomed through this book like there's no tomorrow lol I have always enjoyed Schwab's writing and I think this book truly is evidence of that! The great use of repetition and details. At first I did really enjoy the quarrel between Luc and Addie, I feel like it got slightly dull (?) in the second half of the book. That being said, I did love seeing Addie go through the years and her experiences. I thought she would end up being with Henry by the end but I love that she is using Luc's strategies against him. Though, kind of like (book name)[b:Gallant|58064046|Gallant|V.E. Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1635862579l/58064046._SX50_.jpg|61346994], I feel like it wasn't fulfilling at the end of the book T_T Ughhh I guess I will just dream about Addie and Henry now. Still enjoyed it!

Copy/paste from BLC: Ahhhhhh!! I finished the brick!! 5 stars from me.

Although the intimidating choker size, confusing beginning with repeated rereads (lol), endless names and information, I'm happy to say I've read it and thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the world-building around it, dragon lovers vs slayers, the characters, and the way that it was written. I remember seeing a comment from others, and I would agree–the descriptions are not crazy, disruptive, and give enough to consume and visualize. I'm happy there wasn't terrible heartbreaks at the end, I'm not sure what I would do with myself if there were lol, though, the moments of Truyde still lingers with me. At a young age, her aggressive and head-on spirit to ally with the opposing side would end up being true. I'm sure Jannart would have been proud to have a granddaughter so willing to learn. I might have constant dreams of what it would have been like with Niclays, Jannart, and Truyde. TT__TT I did think Niclays was going to be a cool uncle at the beginning, but boy was I wrong lol I wished the book was also a little longer to finally see Meg and Lintley's marriage, and Loth and Donmata's relationship.

4.5: I loved how the story flowed, like a puzzle, with all of these letters/stories. It can get quite confusing, and I'm not the best at connecting the dots –I try, but I still enjoy not thinking too hard about it and allowing the story to unfold itself. I loved, loved the writing throughout the whole book ;-;

Pros: The short chapters really helped – I just wanted to keep going! The mysteries of the bee, sword, and key continued on, and putting the pieces together was fun, despite being a little confusing at times.

Cons: I think the only downfall, and what I see in reviews, is that there wasn't really a strong antagonist/strong plot. There was a storyline, and I was satisfied, but I felt like it could've used something a little more. Like Allegra's death was so.. sudden and out of the blue. and the idea of the Harbors and the Starless Sea was there, yet there were many unanswered questions. Perhaps it's to allow the reader to imagine and think, creating stories upon the stories provided, and I'm okay with that too.

Enjoyed it, loved it, would love to reread it some day!

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the story, the characters...!! I can't believe it ended how it did and I have to wait until November for the sequel LOL The events that build upon each other one after another kept me going, except a bit towards the end, then I went full speed to get to the ending, haha. Qadir is my favorite character, but all of them are my favorite for their personalities and the strengths they bring together. Qadir and Loulie's relationship with one another throughout the book was lovely. Despite being human and jinn, they kept going.. but that ending, ahhhh ;-; Excited for book two!

I was going to give it a 3.5 during the middle, but I love the way it ends where Ponyboy starts writing his story of *The Outsiders*, and how he has reflected, hurt, moved on, and grew. It's not a lot of growth, but he's learning to cope. I like (hate?) that this story is still relevant to the children of this generation, so it's relatable to them (but honestly these kids.. their brains ain't developed so as much as I wish a novel can change their perspective, it's not enough lol) I'm so glad Darry is there for Ponyboy and Sodapop. I can imagine how different they would be if they didn't have Darry to be their parent and take care of them. so 4:star:

“Just be happy. Do good. When you mess up, do better.”

Finished the audiobook within one day right after the first one, and I'm actually not angry at the cliffhanger! lol

The pacing of it was great and the plot intrigued me more in this book. I loved all the characters and their relationships with each other – lovers, friends, family, parents.. they were wholesome. (gosh Vic and his dad made me tear up a bit (TヘT) ) RIP Adam's car through books one and two xD

The narration was also awesome, and it made it so enjoyable. Happy it's on Audible Plus! (will probably go and get the paperbacks some time soon haha)

Another notable quote for me:"I think you're loved. And while I cannot hold you, I would. You are my son."

Very excited for #3!

This was such a lovely story about the children being stigmatized by society the prejudice against them. The character development of Linus was also great. Many meaningful quotes and thoughts by Arthur and Linus! (tabbed like crazy and I usually don't!) It made me warm and tearful at some parts, I can relate when kids are just seen by what stereotypes are given to them and people don't try to learn or understand them. The ending was perfect (´ ⌣ `)

TWs: Mentions of rape, animal death, gore, domestic abuse

Welcome to the journey, all aboard the Saardam..!! I really enjoyed the trip, the mystery behind this devil, and how the mystery unraveled! I'm terrible at mysteries and cannot (or more like do not like lol) figure out the culprit, but I'm pleased with the ending!

My only concern was the mention of rape after the shipwreck. I felt like it was meant to bring it to the extreme, considering the story takes place during the 1600s, but it's a little overboard (no pun intended). It could have worked without it. Aside from it, I really enjoyed the story, and the author's little letter at the end, "If you want sexy Arent, sexy Arent you shall have." LOL

For the ending, I knew Pipps was so sus, but I didn't think it would have also been Creesjie, and they were siblings!! I'm sad for Arent, considering he was like Pipps' friend, bodyguard, and someone he worshipped, but I guess I'm glad that he made such deal to burn the ship down (I hope they truly did), but I suppose that doesn't change the fact that Pipps was like any other ruler or man that Arent despised.

If you have terrible memory like me, I would suggest writing or printing the list of people at the beginning. It helps when the author brings them up as their name or title, which definitely confused me more than I can count. (a hard copy works too! I read on a kindle)

I picked this up immediately after [b:The House in the Cerulean Sea 45047384 The House in the Cerulean Sea T.J. Klune https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569514209l/45047384.SY75.jpg 62945242] and it did not disappoint! A unique way to cover the five stages of grief, and the things we realize after rather than what's in front of us at in the present. The character development of Wallace was great and how he changed with the time spent with the people of Charon. Loved the little Reaper Manual for Mei as well!

TWs: Animal death, drug and alcohol use, incest, PTSD/trauma, suicide/suicide attemptLive Forever.Richard joins a Greek class in college and is sucked into a whirlwind of events. I loved the writing and the prose of this book so, so much. The imagery and descriptions flowed throughout the book. I enjoyed the various references to different books, especially when Dostoevsky's [b:Crime and Punishment 7144 Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1382846449l/7144.SY75.jpg 3393917] was mentioned. (C&P spoilers!!)I could see the contrast between the two. I felt like they were opposites, in a way that Raskolnikov committed the crime, yet had support from his loved ones, and turned himself in.In [b:The Secret History 29044 The Secret History Donna Tartt https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451554846l/29044.SY75.jpg 221359], they all committed the murder, and in the end were going against each other, mistrusting, and eventually the death of Henry, and the severe trauma and PTSD afterward. I wonder how Henry truly felt at the end. It's kind of sad that the group eventually fell apart, but I suppose it wasn't an ideal/realistic one in the beginning. I was probably most sad at Richard's wound (and the events prior to it), like none of them really cared, or cared a lot, about him. Yet he helped, tried to figure it out with them, and make sense of all of this. A beautifully written, sad, tense, and secret history.

“Life is so sad. It's so sad, and yet we'll do it. We all cling to it; we all search for something to give us solace.”

4.5 I think???? Maybe.

Non-spoilers: The writing of this book is beautiful, but it has some parts that seemed unnecessary to elongate the story where it didn't really have to. Once knowing the focus characters and incidents, it's easy to skim over parts that didn't connect too much to the story. The synopsis of the book threw me off, as it is true, but the centerpiece of the story is slightly off from it, particularly regarding the friends. I was more frustrated and angry with many of the parts of the story, shocking images of all that's happened.

Spoilers: I was so angry at Jude throughout the entire book because he refused therapy, the idea of "I deserve this", and rejection of help for the majority of the book. But now with the ending, I'm not sure what to feel. How do you even feel after that? All the anger poofed after Willem's death; the most impacting moment for me was when Jude imagined himself with Willem's arms around him, the sandalwood scent on his clothes that eventually faded, desperately trying to conserve and save it in the closet. Can I think about sandalwood the same way before I read the book? Probably not. I feel that pretty much everything in this book is all unfortunate things that happen in life. It's so sad, yet we do it. It's so painful, yet we resort to dark thoughts and pain. Can we help people? Yeah. Can we try to fix someone? As much as we want to, people won't accept, won't see how much you care, won't give in. And that's reality sometimes.Edit: After some discussion in the BLC, it's understandable that Jude didn't want to accept therapy because he didn't want to expose himself and relive everything of the past. It seemed easier just to keep it in. It's still just heartbreaking that nothing would, will, and can heal someone like Jude.