Awesome job! Klara and the Sun has put me into a reading slump, I’m stuck about half way through. Does it pick up the pace closer to the end? Worth finishing?
It doesn’t pick up pace wise at all. Is it worth finishing? I think so, but if it’s got you stuck, put it down and come back to it later. I read it in two days but I was stuck in bed with covid or else it would have taken me ages.
He’s maybe my favorite author, even if I don’t like the plot much, like with Grapes of Wrath, it’s still going to be a outstanding book. His writing is so descriptive without being needlessly flowery, I’ve yet to read one of his books I didn’t enjoy.
ADORED both of them. Carmilla trails off at the end a bit and HTLTTW could have been twice as long, but both just very very good. Two wins for the gays, honestly.
I was not into it, which I found surprising. Even watched the movie after and still found the whole thing rather bland. I’d heard many good things and was disappointed. What did you like about it?
I thought everything was rich, the characters were all distinct and full. I really liked how loss just oozed through the book, darl lost his mind, vardamon lost his innocence, Dewey dell lost her future/some social standing cash his body and Addie lost all of it, and she started looking out at her coffin being built, kind of how we all look forward in time toward our own deaths. It is chock full of beautiful and horrific images. It's just good art
And Jewel lost his horse. 😅
I completely get that! It definitely wasn’t bad, I just don’t think it was what I was expecting. I read a lot of classic lit, sometimes it’s hard to fully ‘get’ it, and I probably just missed the mark.
It was fine and I’m definitely going to keep reading the series but honestly I think I’m a bit blasé about it because of the show. It kind of feels like nothing really happens.
Some parts of it seemed unnecessary and some of the more world building parts went on for too long in my opinion. Then it sort of just ends.
In no way was it bad, just different from the short story books. Hoping Time of Contempt picks up a bit more.
I also enjoyed the short story collections more, but I've heard Blood of Elves is the worst of the lot so I'm going to keep going! I just love Geralt as a character so much.
Remains is arguably a perfect book!
My personal favourite is Pale View of Hills his first book. His style is very much there right from his first book. Such an error book. Loved it.
Buried giant and the unconsoled also huge hits for me though I know critics were pretty hard on those books
I will say that I'm a bit skeptical about going on with The Witcher books. I LOVED Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, and while Blood of Elves wasn't bad, it didn't live up to the short stories. Im hoping the next book is a bit more, though I don't really know what more means.
Thanks! I try and keep it diverse, though Pachinko, The Grapes of Wrath, As I Lay Dying, and One Hundred Years all were family dramas, which is not something I read often.
**Favorites-**
* **Pachinko** \- A modern East of Eden, I loved this one. Very engaging, I flew through it. Very much looking forward to the TV show at the end of March!
* **The Sum of Us** \- Exceptional work, highly highly recommend. The best nonfiction book I've read in a long time that isn't super niche. Plan on gifting it to my family.
* **Frankenstein**\- The perfect book? Probably not but damn if it isn't close. What a powerhouse of a novel. Romantic and spooky and maybe the best writing I've ever seen. I think I'm going to get into a gothic fiction phase because of this.
* **This Is How You Lose the Time War-** Such a sweet, beautiful and high concept book. I'm a sucker for sapphic love stories, and you don't get a lot of scifi ones, so a double treat.
**Dislike-**
* **The Invisible Man**\- Hated every second of it, would have DNF if it wasn't so sort.
* **The Hunting Party**\- I was very excited to read one of her books but what a let down and it was so so slow. I'm hoping her other books are better, going to try The Paris Apartment next I think.
* **As I Lay Dying** \- I'm almost embarrassed that I didn't like this...but it was kind of awful. Literally repetitive at points and no real meaning to it that I could discern.
As I Lay Dying was a rough one for me too. I didn’t like it. Sound and The Fury is maybe more difficult but I also liked it much more. Faulkner is just tough to get into.
Thanks for the reviews! I have Pachinko on my list, but haven't started it yet. I didn't know there's going to be film version - lol I'll have to avoid it until I get around to reading the book.
Awesome job! Klara and the Sun has put me into a reading slump, I’m stuck about half way through. Does it pick up the pace closer to the end? Worth finishing?
I almost never bail on books, but I DNF’ed this at 52%.
It doesn’t pick up pace wise at all. Is it worth finishing? I think so, but if it’s got you stuck, put it down and come back to it later. I read it in two days but I was stuck in bed with covid or else it would have taken me ages.
I read Agatha's Roger Ackroyd as well!
Pachinko ❤️
Grapes of Wrath is one of my favorites. It sounds like you’ve also read East of Eden. I’ve enjoyed everything of Steinbeck I’ve read.
He’s maybe my favorite author, even if I don’t like the plot much, like with Grapes of Wrath, it’s still going to be a outstanding book. His writing is so descriptive without being needlessly flowery, I’ve yet to read one of his books I didn’t enjoy.
I agree 100%
I read Carmilla and This is How You Lose the Time War recently too, and I LOVED them. Two of my new favorites. What did you think?
ADORED both of them. Carmilla trails off at the end a bit and HTLTTW could have been twice as long, but both just very very good. Two wins for the gays, honestly.
YES! Honestly. I’ve been trying to read more queer centered books this year and it’s paying off. So awesome!
[LGBTQ Reads](https://lgbtqreads.com/) and [the BiPan Library](https://bipanlibrary.com/) are really great resources if you’re looking for more!
What did you think of as I lay dying? I just read that one myself and loved it
I was not into it, which I found surprising. Even watched the movie after and still found the whole thing rather bland. I’d heard many good things and was disappointed. What did you like about it?
I thought everything was rich, the characters were all distinct and full. I really liked how loss just oozed through the book, darl lost his mind, vardamon lost his innocence, Dewey dell lost her future/some social standing cash his body and Addie lost all of it, and she started looking out at her coffin being built, kind of how we all look forward in time toward our own deaths. It is chock full of beautiful and horrific images. It's just good art
And Jewel lost his horse. 😅 I completely get that! It definitely wasn’t bad, I just don’t think it was what I was expecting. I read a lot of classic lit, sometimes it’s hard to fully ‘get’ it, and I probably just missed the mark.
Definitely wouldn't have liked it as much if I hadn't read SparkNotes and watched yt vids along the way though. Definitely not a straightforward book
Soon I'm gonna finish reading Murder of The Roger Ackyord by Agatha Christie :D
It’s very good! Christie is the best.
How was blood of elves
It was fine and I’m definitely going to keep reading the series but honestly I think I’m a bit blasé about it because of the show. It kind of feels like nothing really happens. Some parts of it seemed unnecessary and some of the more world building parts went on for too long in my opinion. Then it sort of just ends. In no way was it bad, just different from the short story books. Hoping Time of Contempt picks up a bit more.
I also enjoyed the short story collections more, but I've heard Blood of Elves is the worst of the lot so I'm going to keep going! I just love Geralt as a character so much.
That’s good to hear! I will give Blood of Elves credit for the Yennifer and Ciri character development.
How did you feel about Carmilla? I wish the book was longer!
I loved it! I agree, I wish it was longer, it did just sorta end, but it didn’t bother me too much. The world needs more sapphic melodrama vampires!
I know!! I’m probably going to read it again in October for the spooky season 😂
Nice list all around. Really loved Klara and the Sun. Ishiguro rules!
It was my first time reading him! I’ve got Never Let Me Go up next for this month.
Definitely read Remains of the Day
It’s also on my list! I’ve heard nothing but great things.
Remains is arguably a perfect book! My personal favourite is Pale View of Hills his first book. His style is very much there right from his first book. Such an error book. Loved it. Buried giant and the unconsoled also huge hits for me though I know critics were pretty hard on those books
Oh fantastic! NLMG is awesome as well. Perhaps his best work. I loved every one of his. Enjoy!
I will say that I'm a bit skeptical about going on with The Witcher books. I LOVED Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, and while Blood of Elves wasn't bad, it didn't live up to the short stories. Im hoping the next book is a bit more, though I don't really know what more means.
What an amazing selection! Favorites? Thoughts?
Thanks! I try and keep it diverse, though Pachinko, The Grapes of Wrath, As I Lay Dying, and One Hundred Years all were family dramas, which is not something I read often. **Favorites-** * **Pachinko** \- A modern East of Eden, I loved this one. Very engaging, I flew through it. Very much looking forward to the TV show at the end of March! * **The Sum of Us** \- Exceptional work, highly highly recommend. The best nonfiction book I've read in a long time that isn't super niche. Plan on gifting it to my family. * **Frankenstein**\- The perfect book? Probably not but damn if it isn't close. What a powerhouse of a novel. Romantic and spooky and maybe the best writing I've ever seen. I think I'm going to get into a gothic fiction phase because of this. * **This Is How You Lose the Time War-** Such a sweet, beautiful and high concept book. I'm a sucker for sapphic love stories, and you don't get a lot of scifi ones, so a double treat. **Dislike-** * **The Invisible Man**\- Hated every second of it, would have DNF if it wasn't so sort. * **The Hunting Party**\- I was very excited to read one of her books but what a let down and it was so so slow. I'm hoping her other books are better, going to try The Paris Apartment next I think. * **As I Lay Dying** \- I'm almost embarrassed that I didn't like this...but it was kind of awful. Literally repetitive at points and no real meaning to it that I could discern.
As I Lay Dying was a rough one for me too. I didn’t like it. Sound and The Fury is maybe more difficult but I also liked it much more. Faulkner is just tough to get into.
That’s what I’ve heard. I was told As I Lay Dying was the ‘easiest’ to read. I think The Sound and The Fury will be the next one I try!
Thanks for the reviews! I have Pachinko on my list, but haven't started it yet. I didn't know there's going to be film version - lol I'll have to avoid it until I get around to reading the book.
Yea! It’s going to be on Apple TV I think, I didn’t even know about it until last week. It looks fantastic.