Ahhh, I loved this so much! I had never even heard of this book before and it got recommended to me by subscribers, and I'm so glad I read it! I'm a bAhhh, I loved this so much! I had never even heard of this book before and it got recommended to me by subscribers, and I'm so glad I read it! I'm a big fan of weird gruesome thought-provoking horror novellas, and this was exactly the kind of weird I love. This book packs so much into those 80 ish pages, and the writing itself was absolutely stunning and so well done. The style of horror reminded me so much of Eric LaRocca, one of my favorite writers in the genre. I felt so unsettled and disturbed by so many scenes in this book, there were a few that I had to skim that were so gruesome and disturbing, but WOW! I loved this.
Ahhhh, I loved this so much more than I thought I would. This story is such a slow burn, but I really connected with the protagonist and the writing sAhhhh, I loved this so much more than I thought I would. This story is such a slow burn, but I really connected with the protagonist and the writing style and the concept is fascinating!!! The Centre is this mysteriously place where you can pay a price to learn a new language within 10 days, but it’s very private and hush hush and invite only. I love weird stories like this with a unique concept. The writing was so freaking good, there were so many great quotes about language and translation and why it matters so much. This book was also packed full of great social commentary like this:
“gratitude and admiration when a white person speaks a non-white language, and only contempt and indignation for non-white people who don’t speak English”
I loved the discussion about female friendships and how friendships can be just as important as romantic relationships even though they are never celebrated in the same way. This quote about friendships: “the slow burning love of female friendship keeps the world turning” just really meant a lot to me.
I was really moved by so many thought provoking quotes like this:
“There can be something quite devastating in feeling a comfort you can barely remember. It can make you grieve, if I’m honest, for something that you’d always felt a vague sense of loss over but never know for certain you were missing.”
This book was exactly the kind of weird I like in my horror books, it had great atmosphere. I think if you enjoyed Catherine House or Natural Beauty, I would put those in the same category as this book! ...more
4.5 stars This was so fascinating!!! What an interesting concept. A town where the rain takes away your memories, I loved it! It was so unique, but it 4.5 stars This was so fascinating!!! What an interesting concept. A town where the rain takes away your memories, I loved it! It was so unique, but it also reminded me of The Memory Police and Memento. I love books that deal with memories like this. The character we followed in this book was so interesting! I had a lot of fun with this. I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, which is why I can't give it the full 5 stars, but this was incredibly thought provoking.
Ahhhhh, what the HECK I LOVED this. I didn't think I'd love this as much because it has some romance tropes I don't usually care for, but this book waAhhhhh, what the HECK I LOVED this. I didn't think I'd love this as much because it has some romance tropes I don't usually care for, but this book was so well written, I really connected with both characters, and I LOVED all the discussions about weddings and wedding planning. Our main protagonist Ama, she's a wedding planner and her job was so much fun to read about in this book. Elliot owns a flower shop, so he's kind of also involved in the wedding industry, and that's how they meet again after a few years of not talking. I usually don't care for 'second chance' romances like this, if you can even really call it that, but damn, I LOVED these two together. They had such great chemistry, and the steamy scenes were so WELL WRITTEN and genuinely made me giddy which rarely ever happens for me in romance books. Idk there was something about them, I just really loved their relationship.
Reading this book was loads of fun, it checked all my boxes for things I'm looking for, the plot was just as interesting as the relationship. The third act conflict toward the end actually felt realistic instead of forced. I think if you like Ali Hazelwood's writing, there's a good chance you'd love this book too, it reminded me of her books in a way.
Wooooooow, I did not think I'd love this the way that I did. This is a book for book lovers. I love all the discussions about books and book people inWooooooow, I did not think I'd love this the way that I did. This is a book for book lovers. I love all the discussions about books and book people in this book, there are so many beautiful quotes about why reading is so special, and I love that! I also love AJ's character; this really feels more like a slice of life character study type of story, and I grew to love his character so much. The writing had such a cozy atmosphere to it as most of this story takes place in a bookstore AJ owns on an island in a small town. It was just so incredibly wholesome and had such great characters that I will remember forever. This book is general was such a cozy, comforting read that I would highly recommend for any book lover. The ending nearly brought me to tears, I wasn't expecting this book to have so much heart.
Ahhhh, this story was so bizarre and unique and wonderful. I love stories that are thought provoking in this way, and I love anything related to memorAhhhh, this story was so bizarre and unique and wonderful. I love stories that are thought provoking in this way, and I love anything related to memories. Such a unique concept, an island where people start forgetting things, I was wondering just how far this author was going to take this concept, and they really went there!!! It was absolutely fascinating. The more I think about this book, the more I fall in love with it. It just had the best eerie weird vibe to it, and I really loved the writing too. Even though this book first published in the 90's, it feels like something that could've came out this year, the writing style is very simplistic but creates such a feeling of unease.
4.5 stars Ahhh, I freaking LOVED this. I would describe this book as Rainbow Rowell meets Fredrik Backman. I feel like Phoebe's character in this book 4.5 stars Ahhh, I freaking LOVED this. I would describe this book as Rainbow Rowell meets Fredrik Backman. I feel like Phoebe's character in this book was so relatable and I connected with her in the same way I've connected with characters from Rainbow Rowell books. She's darkly funny at times, and I just really enjoyed reading about her story. But then I feel like the writing in this book reminds me of Anxious People, where the story subject matter is actually very dark and depressing, but the writing manages to be really lighthearted and not so serious. I loved the writing style in this so much, there were so many great quotes I was underlining, and I really connected with these characters.
I feel like this book is one of those thought provoking books about human connection and the human experience, and I loved it. I love the relationships and friendships she developed with the wedding guests, and the romance in this book was unexpected for me but I also really enjoyed the romance too!
Wow, I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. This is exactly what I was looking for when I said I wanted to read weird literary fiction booWow, I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. This is exactly what I was looking for when I said I wanted to read weird literary fiction books. These characters are so awful and the way they treat each other was awful, but there was something about this reading experience that really worked for me? I don't know how to explain it, it was a story I devoured in a day because I couldn't put it down.
I loved how strange and bizarre this story was, and the writing style was so interesting. I love that this can all be seen as a metaphor for depression and wanting to 'sleep through your life', the overall tone of this book was really sad. I love that this story mostly took place in the year 2000 in New York City, it was kind of nostalgic to read. It was also weirdly refreshing to read a book that had such unlikable characters, and this author really doesn't hold back on that. The ending of this book absolutely shocked me, and I reread that final page a few times, like damn what a powerful and crazy end to this story.
This is by far the weirdest, most bizarre book I've ever read and even though I'm personally giving this book 5 stars, I wouldn't necessarily recommenThis is by far the weirdest, most bizarre book I've ever read and even though I'm personally giving this book 5 stars, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. This book is so f*cked up, I would strongly advise looking through trigger warnings before reading, as there are so many of them and this book is so bizarre and touches on so many uncomfortable topics. But damn, what a story. I am an avid reader who reads 200+ books a year and I can confidently say no story has ever shocked me and kept me guessing where it was going the way this one has.
For some of this story, we read from the perspective of a young girl who believes she is an alien who got left on Earth, and she has romantic feelings for her cousin. There are also some truly horrifying scenes with her teacher m*lesting her and gaslighting her, and that is just the start of the gruesome trigger warnings in this book. The story just continues to get more bizarre and more shocking every page. This author did such an incredible job writing from the perspective of a child, and her wild imagination and wonder about the world was really endearing. It reminded me of my childhood and how I was also so fascinated by space (I mean, I still am) but it's crazy how we start to lose our imagination as we age.
I can't deny there was something about this story that really worked for me, it was just so bizarre and strange, and I've never read anything like it. I know it's going to stay with me forever. I really connected to the protagonist, and being in her head was wildly fascinating, even thought it was very uncomfortable at the same time. I also love the message in this book about individuality and going against the "norms" of society and how each person should live the life that works for them instead of whatever society is telling us is the "right way" to live. I think there's also so many conversations you could have after reading this book about trauma itself, and what can happen to someone psychologically after they are sexually abused at such a young age.
I'm obsessed with this book, it's everything I love in horror, and it reminded me of so many of my favorite stories. This is one of those books that wI'm obsessed with this book, it's everything I love in horror, and it reminded me of so many of my favorite stories. This is one of those books that will pull on your heart strings, and make you emotionally connect with it. And then simultaneously, it's one of the most gruesome horror books ever - the gore is insane and so gross and disturbing. I loved this so much, read it all in one day! I need to read more form this author!!!
Ahhhhh, what the heck I loved this!!!! I would recommend going into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, I just think it's better to experieAhhhhh, what the heck I loved this!!!! I would recommend going into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it, I just think it's better to experience it that way. I loved Sally's character, she was so interesting to read about and not only her perspective, but a second perspective in this book that got explored was my favorite. These characters were soooo fascinating and felt so real. There were so many shocking scenes, especially in the second half, I was GLUED to the page, I couldn't put it down.
I included this book and one other in a Patreon exclusive vlog, where I talk about spoilers for this one and get deep into my thoughts about it, you can see it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/106214157...more
This was written in such a beautiful and grotesque way. I'm so impressed by the writing in this book, it was like a dark fairytale, the way the authorThis was written in such a beautiful and grotesque way. I'm so impressed by the writing in this book, it was like a dark fairytale, the way the author would pull you into the story was incredible. This book definitely reminded me of Lord of the Flies and The Troop. It was so dark and horrifying, some of the scenes definitely upset my stomach, it was a tough read at times. But I couldn't pull my eyes away from it. I was captivated from page one until the end, and it was so fast paced and intense.
Ahhh, I was not expecting to love this the way that I did. I read this for a video where my subscribers recommend me books, they think I'd give 5 starAhhh, I was not expecting to love this the way that I did. I read this for a video where my subscribers recommend me books, they think I'd give 5 stars, and I'm so glad I read this book for that video because they were right. This book is everything I love in a story -- it's so thought provoking and interesting, it has great characters, and we follow so many, but I felt so connected to all of them. It also mostly takes place in New York which I also love.
The concept in this book is wildly fascinating, I could read several books that take place in this world. Everyone gets a box with a string that determines how long they have left to live. I love how so many different and unique situations are explored, and anything you can think of that could happen is also explored. I love how it shows how it affects people in relationships and families and how it affects politics and different countries, it was all so interesting.
The ending was a little predictable and yet I still cried. It got me right in the feels. Here's the reading vlog where I read it: https://youtu.be/ih5PqBZIseI...more
Ahhhh, this surprised the hell out of me. When I saw the synopsis said Schitts Creek meets The Bear, I got very excited and honestly, this book deliveAhhhh, this surprised the hell out of me. When I saw the synopsis said Schitts Creek meets The Bear, I got very excited and honestly, this book delivered on that. I LOVE that it takes place in a small town in Oregon in the PNW, I love that it's a next door neighbors kind of romance. I love that Fisher is a really well-respected chef from NYC, he definitely reminded me of Jeremy Allen White's character from The Bear, and the small town in Oregon was giving all the Schitts Creek vibes. I love how Fisher is taking care of his niece, and he's her guardian now, their relationship was insanely cute.
There were so many moments this book that actually made me laugh out loud, it was f*cking hilarious. I loved these two characters, Sage and Fisher had such great chemistry. It's rare that I actually enjoy reading the steamy scenes in romance books, but like low key some of these scenes had me blushing and shit like they were so hot together. I annotated and tabbed the hell out of my copy haha, like I can see myself rereading this in the future. My only *small* complaint is that I wanted even more scenes of Fisher actually cooking, I feel like I didn't get enough of that in this book haha but otherwise it's perfect!
I'll definitely have to check out more books from this author after loving this one as much as I did! ...more
Ahhhhhh this volume was so fun!!!! One of my favorite volumes in the entire series so far! Anya had so many great moments to shine in this volume and Ahhhhhh this volume was so fun!!!! One of my favorite volumes in the entire series so far! Anya had so many great moments to shine in this volume and the bus getting hijacked was such a fun and intense story to read! I love this series and I love these characters so much....more
"I've always preferred the first chpaters of a book, the first fifteen minutes of a film, the first act of a play. I like starting points.
4.5 stars
"I've always preferred the first chpaters of a book, the first fifteen minutes of a film, the first act of a play. I like starting points. When everyone is in their rightful place in a world that makes sense."
This book ahhhhhhhhh what the heck, the epilogue!! I love this. For me, I wouldn't consider this a mystery thriller at all, it's more of a kind of odd literary fiction style of writing where we really get in the head of this woman who is slightly unhinged and obsessed with her husband. I love books like this that dissect a marriage and the idea of marriage, and we follow a protagonist who is obsessive and offbeat.
"For years, my husband has called me 'sweetheart', while I yearn to be a femme fatale."
I listened to this audiobook in only 2 sittings, I thought it was so hard to put down. It just had this addictive style of writing, I couldn't get enough of it. I had the same feeling reading this book as I did when I read Big Swiss earlier this year. I need more weird lit fic with unhinged female characters in my life apparently haha.
There are so many great quotes in this! I was highlighting so many interesting and thought-provoking things, but I'll leave you with one of my favorites:
"It's easy to identify a first time, but we rarely know when something is happening for the last time. If we could identify our last times as easily as our first times, thousands of moments would be lived more intensely."
Ahhhh, I thought this was so terrifying and so creepy. This book felt very Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale as the premise suggests. Humans are rAhhhh, I thought this was so terrifying and so creepy. This book felt very Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale as the premise suggests. Humans are really scary and violence just for the sake of violence is a really scary thing to think about. It's scary to think about what humans are capable of doing to others. The audiobook is FANTASTIC by the way -- this book is told only in interviews from people who were there at the park when it happened, every chapter is told from a different person with a different audio narrator for each chapter, and the voice acting is incredible! I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.
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