en-US Thu, 22 May 2025 07:51:31 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9455188036 Thu, 22 May 2025 07:51:31 -0700 /review/show/7590349276 Abilahhotmail.Com is currently reading Grimm's Fairy Tales[GRIMMS FAIRY TALES][Paperback] by Jacob Grimm
]]> Review3116180072 Thu, 22 May 2025 07:48:40 -0700 /review/show/3116180072 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 5 stars to Lust (Paperback) by Roald Dahl
]]> ReadStatus9447364829 Tue, 20 May 2025 09:12:21 -0700 /review/show/7584848977 Abilahhotmail.Com wants to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
]]> ReadStatus9447363036 Tue, 20 May 2025 09:11:48 -0700 /review/show/7584847642 Abilahhotmail.Com wants to read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
]]> Review6200455017 Tue, 20 May 2025 09:04:44 -0700 /review/show/6200455017 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 5 stars to Psycho: A Novel (Paperback) by Robert Bloch
I absolutely loved Psycho by Robert Bloch. It feels like the original blueprint for all modern psychological thrillers. The story, characters, and creepy atmosphere all came together perfectly to keep me hooked. Even though it’s an older book, it still feels fresh and chilling. ]]> Review6240336502 Tue, 20 May 2025 09:03:24 -0700 /review/show/6240336502 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 3 stars to Brave New World (Paperback) by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World presents a fascinating and vivid vision of a future society controlled by technology, conditioning, and the pursuit of superficial happiness. The themes of loss of individuality, societal control, and the cost of manufactured peace are thought-provoking and still relevant today.

However, I found the story itself somewhat flat and fragile. The pacing felt slow, and the characters seemed more like symbols than fully fleshed-out people, which made it hard to emotionally connect. I was waiting for a powerful moment or turning point, but the narrative didn’t deliver the impact I expected.

The ending, especially after the main character’s death, left me feeling unsettled and disappointed rather than resolved. Overall, while the world-building and ideas are strong, the story didn’t fully engage me as a reader. ]]> Review5372072830 Tue, 20 May 2025 08:55:47 -0700 /review/show/5372072830 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 1 star to Watching Women & Girls (Hardcover) by Danielle Pender
I’m writing this review some time after reading Watching Women & Girls, so I had to refresh my memory to be sure. Normally, I remember stories I read—at least little bits or moments—but with this book, I have almost no recollection at all. That says a lot about how forgettable it felt to me.

The collection explores relevant themes like femininity and self-image, and the writing is easy to follow. However, the stories are very short and often feel like brief snapshots rather than fully developed narratives. Because of that, nothing really stuck or resonated on a deeper level. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me. ]]> Review6240336502 Tue, 20 May 2025 08:50:19 -0700 /review/show/6240336502 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 3 stars to Brave New World (Paperback) by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World presents a fascinating and vivid vision of a future society controlled by technology, conditioning, and the pursuit of superficial happiness. The themes of loss of individuality, societal control, and the cost of manufactured peace are thought-provoking and still relevant today.

However, I found the story itself somewhat flat and fragile. The pacing felt slow, and the characters seemed more like symbols than fully fleshed-out people, which made it hard to emotionally connect. I was waiting for a powerful moment or turning point, but the narrative didn’t deliver the impact I expected.

The ending, especially after the main character’s death, left me feeling unsettled and disappointed rather than resolved. Overall, while the world-building and ideas are strong, the story didn’t fully engage me as a reader. ]]> Review6243121186 Tue, 20 May 2025 08:40:08 -0700 /review/show/6243121186 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 5 stars to The Picture of Dorian Gray (Kindle Edition) by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray was definitely interesting—dark, thought-provoking, and full of moral tension. I can see why it's considered a classic. That said, the language was a bit hard for me to sit through at times. The writing is rich and witty, but also dense, and it took some effort to stay focused. Still, the themes of vanity, corruption, and consequence really stuck with me. I’m glad I read it, even if it was a bit of a slow burn.

]]> Review7574600228 Tue, 20 May 2025 08:38:57 -0700 /review/show/7574600228 Abilahhotmail.Com gave 1 star to Butter (Hardcover) by Asako Yuzuki
Going into Butter, I expected a murder novel—but what I got was something very different. While the book explores some important themes, especially around misogyny and what society expects of women, I found the pacing really slow. There were moments when the figurative language—especially the way food was used to reflect emotions—felt a bit over the top and dragged the story down. That said, I did appreciate the commentary on how women are judged, and the discomfort it forces you to sit with. It just wasn’t quite what I was looking for, and I felt more heated than intrigued by the end. ]]>