The most unrealistic part of this book was that kids in 2018 were obsessed with League of Legends and not Fortnite.
Otherwise a decNew Words Learnt - 3
The most unrealistic part of this book was that kids in 2018 were obsessed with League of Legends and not Fortnite.
Otherwise a decent story and mystery (although I'm not the biggest reader of the genre so take this with a grain of salt). Couldn't care for the main character - Naia Thulin - because a) she was just boring, and b) if the genders between her and Sebastian were reversed there would be outrage, but I guess here this counts as girl power and not SA, coercion and non-consensual sex.
Hess was my favourite character and thankfully he got more page time than Thulin.
(view spoiler)[ The one thing I didn't understand by the end was Rosa's lie that got the twins sent away. I'm usually the 'spell it out for me' kind of reader so it was frustrating that the author didn't do so, but this is more of a personal nitpick than anything. (hide spoiler)]...more
This book would so not have been published in today's age, which is a shame because it was hilarious. The humour is what I like toNew Words Learnt - 0
This book would so not have been published in today's age, which is a shame because it was hilarious. The humour is what I like to call 'impossible humour' as in the joke would tell something so absurdly impossible that it makes you laugh. Examples include:
"By midday they [the parents] had consumed an entire bottle of whiskey between them, including the glass."
And
"In ten years in the Navy he had never once gone below deck - all the more remarkable when you consider that he served on a submarine."
It's also a precursor to David Walliams in terms of the style of writing, humour, and storytelling. That's probably the best way to describe it....more
Part of 2024's unhauling project New Words Learnt - 0
Wholesome, feel-good book. I've seen the movie which I feel the same towards, so I knew what I wasPart of 2024's unhauling project New Words Learnt - 0
Wholesome, feel-good book. I've seen the movie which I feel the same towards, so I knew what I was getting into....more
Using the books terminology, this is very much a 'paper book'. There's honestly not much substance here. The sBook Unhaul for 2024 New Words Learnt - 0
Using the books terminology, this is very much a 'paper book'. There's honestly not much substance here. The story's fine. It's got some nice messages or lessons here and there, but overall it's a book that is best read in HS otherwise it comes across as shallow and empty most of the time. Ironic....more
Heartbreaking and emotional, I loved the themes this story explored, the way Patrick Ness took an important slice of the MC's lifeNew Words Learnt - 0
Heartbreaking and emotional, I loved the themes this story explored, the way Patrick Ness took an important slice of the MC's life and delivered it in a wonderfully written, gorgeously illustrated book that was the perfect length. It was so human at times that I could've sworn I was reading an actual person's life experience. The parallels with Siobhan Dowd whose original idea this book was is again so tragic.
Ok so before I get into this review I'd like to thank my dearExpected rating - 3stars Actual rating - 4.5stars
New words learnt - A couple of fish types
Ok so before I get into this review I'd like to thank my dear sister for picking this for me for Christmas, I really did enjoy it.
First off, I'm not one to read much contemporary or a slice of life style book. I've got nothing against such genres, it's just that I prefer to spend my days whisked away in some magical fantastical world. So, perhaps it was the freshness of the book in general that was so appealing, but I know otherwise. Even if I don't have much contemporary books to compare these with, doesn't mean that it wasn't good. Because boy was it good.
The book is basically about a convicted homicidal person explaining the different stages of his life before his crime to a journalist that visits him weekly or so for 2-3months. The layout of the book confused me at first, and I would be lying if I'd said I wasn't lost in the first 20-30 pages. The chapters would jump to different moments of the protagonist's life and it was hard catching that flying story thread, but I soon warmed up to it and after 30 or so pages you get used to it, and understanding the structure of what is where and all is key to enjoying this book to its fullest, and there is a lot that it offers. The themes and topics explored were all very mature, and despite my own young age, I felt many of them on a personal level including most of the childhood chapters.
The writing was simple but effective, and preferred to pack as much information as one could hope to write regarding a memory. The landscape, the feeling, the noise and atmosphere, the mood and looks of the villagers, or city folk, the taste of food, anything at all and it was pretty much included. Often there would be rabbit holes that the protagonist (Ah Hock) would go down before finally picking off where he left, but all this enriches his story and we learn something from his personality. I felt like I gained not an expert view, but a good view of what its like in rural Malaysia, and having lived in a 'third world' country myself, I could easily visualise the settings and sympathise with the character on many occasions.
Something I specifically did enjoy was the passage of time that was portrayed here. You simply cannot write or even properly know many of the things written unless you yourself have gone through those stages in life, as I suspect Tash Aw has. With each chapter we unearth a little bit more about Ah Hock, one moment he's courting his future wife, the next he's barely a teenager helping out his mother on the farm. The next is getting fired from his job etc. The point is, the transportation to different eras of not just his life, but Malaysia in general in the past few decades was fascinating and very interesting to read. I especially loved the chapters with his mother in the village, they were really poignant. Also his later feelings and friendship type with Keong I could also relate, and it was a shame how things ended up the way they did.
And that brings me to my next section, that despite this book being fiction, it felt real. The events were believable and never outside the realm of reality, despite a long series of unfortunate events that led to the 'climax'. The story and characters were so fleshed out, you'd have thought this was based on real life, and maybe some aspects were. But it never held back, it tried to paint the realest picture possible in regards to the many situations and problems that Malaysia and Malaysians are facing, and perhaps that is why I liked it as much as I did.
There were a few nitpicks I had, one was the aforementioned beginning and overall layout, which takes a while to get used to. I felt that in the ocean of details, there were a couple of inconsistencies, though I can't remember them right now. I know the age difference between Ah Hock and Jenny was first mentioned to be 5, then it came down to 3, and I know whilst reading there were a couple more but alas I didn't jot them down! I still felt that were many things that were left unanswered in this book, like the months after the murder but before the arrest. We barely get any information of what happens in this period. Also barely anything from his time in prison. Maybe that was the point, but I thought a bit more clarity in these places would've been nice. Lastly, I don't think the final page did the book justice. It was nice and sweet and all, and I understand trying to end it on a high, but it felt that the author didn't know how to end it so he tied a quick knot and said aight that's it. And I'm very skeptical that the journalist who's name I cannot remember got the book ready in that quick a time? Oh really?
But apart from these few nitpicks I can say that the risk of coming out of my reading shell in this instance at least, paid off, and I would recommend this to all who enjoy reading a slice of life book, except this time, you'll get quite a large portion....more
Expectation before reading: 3.5-4 stars Actual rating: 4 stars
Finally I got round to finishing another book! This semester I've been really busy, so reExpectation before reading: 3.5-4 stars Actual rating: 4 stars
Finally I got round to finishing another book! This semester I've been really busy, so reading has taken a bit of a hiatus, but I got the opportunity to read this classic because my younger brother had to read it for his English class. Anyway, like animal farm, it was a nice short novella from the 30s-40s, and I can see why it might've once been on the reading curriculum (and/or still is). There were definitely a lot of thought provoking topics and ideas and philosophies discussed or hinted at, and again back in a time where censoring and sensitivity were much different to that of today's.
I enjoyed the writing, the characters for the most part, and the story. Nothing spectacular for it to get full 5 stars, but still a worthy read....more
While this book may not be for everyone, I personally could not put it down. True, it may be referencing certain events and 'governments', but all I sWhile this book may not be for everyone, I personally could not put it down. True, it may be referencing certain events and 'governments', but all I saw was a very fascinating and clever story, sometimes even laughing out of shock or despair by the actions of certain characters. The ending was the only part that felt underwhelming. It may be that it sounded better in Orwell's head than it did mine, but I expected more. Nevertheless the rating is based on the whole book and I can definitely say that I'm glad to have given this a read...more
I don't normally read contemporary, or romance. So a contemporary rom-com with a good chunk of tragedy as a side-dish is up against it in the first plI don't normally read contemporary, or romance. So a contemporary rom-com with a good chunk of tragedy as a side-dish is up against it in the first place. And to be fair, I only read it because it has been labelled one of the best books of the last decade. And also I wanted a quick read. It was. Less than 30hrs I believe. Anyway my thoughts. It was funny, I'll give it that. I liked the swing joke and Isaac's pretend eulogy in particular, but most of the jokes did land, so bravo. Since it was in first person, and very casually written, I got through it pretty fast (the short chapters at the end helping a lot). Characters were all likeable if not perfect, so yeah that helps. However, it barely connected with me above the surface value of a tragic teen love-story. In many parts it tried to be philosophical, and while I'm sure many others found something that was their crowning jewel of realisation and epiphany, I was meh. I did make some notes while reading, like how at one stage I thought the emails Gus was showing to Hazel was made up by him just to get her to be happy but that turned out untrue. A maybe biased opinion now but I did not appreciate the inclusion of 300 in this book (any publicity that movie gets is unnecessary and wrong. Again just my bias against it, what me being Persian and all). The only other thing I wanted to say was at the beginning Augustus puts a cigarette between his teeth and Hazel is disgusted because it's a hamartia. She should be more worried about the fact that she has an oxygen tank right with her and him lighting up that cig might cause a damaging explosion. But nope, she just cares about him being perfect and all. Anyway that's it. I'm not sure if I'll be in a rush to read anymore of John Green's books for the time being. Most seem to fall in the same category. I have Paper Towns, so maybe I'll read that next year. For now I just want to go back to fantasy and perhaps some dystopian....more
A classic this book may be, but an extremely boring one, with the only good parts being the trial and the ending, which saved this rating from being 2A classic this book may be, but an extremely boring one, with the only good parts being the trial and the ending, which saved this rating from being 2 or even 1 stars. Even now I still think I'm being generous, but the story's heart was kind enough to make it passable....more
New Words Learnt - 3 Book Cover - 1/5 Expected Rating - 4stars Actual Rating - 1.5stars
I don't want to give this book a 1star rating, because I've read wNew Words Learnt - 3 Book Cover - 1/5 Expected Rating - 4stars Actual Rating - 1.5stars
I don't want to give this book a 1star rating, because I've read worst books, books that made my blood boil, and books that I hate with such high passion. This book is somewhat tame compared to them. But I can't justify a two star rating either. There's very little substance in this book that makes me think 'hmm, I liked that part.' Because here's the thing. It's boring. Absolutely kill-the-insomnia boring. Nothing happens, and the stuff that does happen is not interesting, IN THE SLIGHTEST. Nothing, not one moment or page or even paragraph is interesting. Holden, the MC, keeps getting sidetracked and we get paragraphs upon paragraphs of stuff that is just random and out of nowhere and never comes back again. I get it that maybe once upon a time this book was revolutionary and people had a blast reading this, but I in 2022 at 24, did not. I don't think at any age of my life so far have I identified with Holden. Never. He is a goddam phony stupid extrovert that doesn't know boundaries and is selfish. Maybe the genius of Salinger was to point that out that Holden is the phoniest of them all. Perhaps, but he didn't make the book any more enjoyable or satisfying, which is arguably more important. If I'm missing something big and amazing, then maybe the book isn't for me. But as it is, the 192pages sure felt like 500, because my misery in reading Holden's miserable little 'adventure' sure felt like it would never end. This is a 'classic' that I will never be coming back to. ...more
Part of 2024 unhauling project New Words Learnt - 29
Overall not bad. The only reason I tackled this nearly 1200-paged behemoth is because I wanted it oPart of 2024 unhauling project New Words Learnt - 29
Overall not bad. The only reason I tackled this nearly 1200-paged behemoth is because I wanted it off the bookshelves, and the endeavour took me over a month. For a horror book I guess it was fine. It had its moments to shine (flying leeched anyone?), but I think the book also wanted to be a nostalgic trip to the past, and also go tolkein-esque on the lifestory of every SINGLE CHARACTER, main and side. Recurring or one-time use. Yes it gives the book amazing world-building, but it also makes it too long and takes the focus away from the horror. Maybe there were some hidden messages or symbolism, or things that English lecturers love talking about, and maybe I did miss some of them, but in the end I care about the result, and the result was that it dragged at times, diluting the horror. Also, would've really appreciated a map. I had, and still do not have, no idea where Kansas street, or Canal street, or any other street or neighbourhood or characters' home is in relation to everything else.
I did like it when it was focused on the horror, and the suspension and action associated with it. (view spoiler)[ I'm slightly less of a fan when it was revealed that It, the Turtle, and The Other were the three highest cosmic beings. To make it more nonsensical, the Turtle chokes on his puke in his giant shell and dies between the two timelines, a span of 27yrs. Like what are the chances that this multibillion years old cosmic being dies in that 27yr period between part 1 and part 2 of the book (chronologically). None, I tell. I don't buy that for one second. Anyway, the cosmic nature of these things took away from the story rather than adding anything to it. A small town like Derry does need such a gigantic, colossal villain that is beyond space and time. An alien, sure I'd accept that. But not this. (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, this is too short a review to summarise my feelings on such a large and detailed book which explores so many things, including the passage of Time, and Nostalgia. Two things which I have strong feelings towards....more
Book #8 of The Great Book Unhauling of 2024 project New Words Learnt - 5
The funniest and least serious of the Dan Brown books I've read, which made it Book #8 of The Great Book Unhauling of 2024 project New Words Learnt - 5
The funniest and least serious of the Dan Brown books I've read, which made it quite entertaining despite the thinnest of storylines. There weren't many symbols for symbolist Robert Langdon to decipher, but I enjoyed the different POVs and also the incorporation of a conspiracy theory site giving updates every so often. Winston was the best character (view spoiler)[ and I'm ashamed to say I spoiled myself the twist when I did not believe Edmond Kirsch was dead. Nope, he is in fact quite dead and well done, you just spoilt yourself the big twist! (hide spoiler)]
The were many philosophical questions posed in the story, and as always a lot of history lessons. I was only briefly aware of Franco's reign in Spain and only that he was regarded as a dictator, not knowing the details, so that was an important lesson I learnt.
Also wasn't expecting to see a cameo of my book title in this but I don't know, it made me smile :)...more
Book #6 of The Great Book Unhauling of 2024 project New Words Learnt - 8
The writing at times is all over the place, and the story follows a similar forBook #6 of The Great Book Unhauling of 2024 project New Words Learnt - 8
The writing at times is all over the place, and the story follows a similar formula as that of A&D and TDvC. However, for what it's worth, it was entertaining to read, and I appreciate the mentioning of the FACT that thoughts are influential, much more than people realise.
I do wonder if Dan Brown has visited all the places he has mentioned, and what he had to do to gain access....more
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