sneha

This book constantly swings between being promising and completely irrelevant. It is constantly confusing and frustrating. I understand why he devoted significant chapters to his past and family. But why he kept revisiting Michelle Mcnamara's life and work a bit too much. I understand his contirbution to “I'll be gone in the dark” but it felt like he was overplaying it? (could be wrong here) but the mention of Michelle felt repetitive and desire to deeply associate her work with him?

The chapters were he used social media for solving crimes were my favourite, they packed a punch, talked about hardships and real-life challenges. It was also comforting to see vcitim's families finding closure and justice.

But around 80% mark I read about Jensen's recent controversies and allegations against him with made the last parts ... uncomfortable to read. Maybe there'll be investigations but until then seeing someone driven to get justice be the one to have victims made me qweezy.

real rating 2.5 stars, how after all these years, GR doesn't have a half star option is beyond me.

I'm very confused about how I feel. I love the female characters in this book. Daisy, with how stubborn, spoilt and unlikeable she is. Karen with her clarity and truth. Camille with her complicated take on relationships. They are flawed and messy and real. I'm glad we are able to see them and their stories.

And I think that's where my good vibes for his book ends. I really did not like the format. I think the audible audio book with various voice actors might have been the only format to truly enjoy this style. Giving that radio documentary vibes.

The rock and roll, sex drugs and flower power felt too repetitive and not engaging:3 I have said this for Malibu Rising I'll say it again, TJR is master for writing engaging characters and conversations. But this time around, I lacked the motivation to get to know a character, stick with them and invest in their journey. It was like “yeah cool story, bye”.

I have been reading some really good books this year. books that make me feel things, deep in my ribcage. books that swirl around in my head, hours after I have kept it aside. books that make me want to ghost slack notif to finish it. books that make me hopeful. :)

3.5/5, medium: audiobook + kindle
I'll continue asking for a half-star option, sigh.

every story starts with a bizarre premise or voice, and you're like, “huh wtf, this is so strange,” and then it starts talking about something familiar. And you go, “ah yes, I have experienced this feeling of emptiness and despair in my life. I resonate with this pain of pointless of life, hmm hmm.” and then sometimes it ends making you feel EVEN sadder, and sometimes it goes like, “maybe there's hope IDK”. And this happens again and again and again. My soul was crushed, sometimes rebuilt, and sometimes I grabbed a broom and cleaned it off the floor.

Man, he is a wacky writer. The production was great and voice actors made this super fun too.

Why Art Matters is a cute little collection of essays by Neil Gaiman (two of them originally being speeches) that are presented along side wonderful illustrations by brilliantly talented Chris Riddell.

A collection of four short essay, this book is a perfect ‘‘pick me up'' and ‘‘motivate me to create” nudge that one needs.

My favourite of them all is “Make Good Art”. While the essay is great, I'd recommend hearing Neil deliver the speech (which is where the essay is derived from), with his dramatic oratory, it's a delight for mind and soul!

2.5 rounded off to 3 because it is a debut novel.

I wish I grew up on books like these. Gorgeous illustrations with crisp information that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

I love Hank. I love his videos and I was quote psyched to read his book!
The plot is like nothing I have read before. It's bizzard and outer worldly (literally). The city is utilised very well. The fame and it's problems are described so bloody well! Portions discussing fringe groups and growing distrust and it's discourse on twitter is discussed so bloody well. I tip my hat to the author.
But the characters, all apart from April May, seem not well crafted. And even after 345 pages of this book, I cannot bring myself to like the protagonist or empathize with her struggles. The book is April May and all the characters that are either agreeing and supporting her (which are the good guys) or critical of her and not in her constant support (aka all the bad guys). April May comes off as a shallow, privileged, narcissistic individual and constantly makes me wonder why she was chosen. Maybe part two would rationalise it but all said and done. This might be the most bizarre and intriguing book I have read in past two years. I want to read more from Hank! :)

I just finished Good Girl's Guide to Murder and it was an absolute bundle of entertainment. It was really well written, the characters were developed with thought and consideration and it covered relevant and important issues. I can't wait for more Pip Adventures. Honestly, the best YA/murder mystery I read all year long! Just want someone to make this a TV series now. It would be a shaming hit.

I had picked up a fictional+YA book after a really long time. My last YA read was an Absolutely Remarkable Thing. This was an absolute gripper. I stayed up late to finish the second half of the book in one go. I even loved how the book was written (the collection of various forms, trying not to spoil). Just pick this one up, even if it's for Halloween vibe.

medium: audiobook
This book was a long journey, like that of Michelle. This book could be divided into two major sections: pre and post Barack.
I, for one, enjoyed her stories and tales of her life before Barack far more. Due to Barack's skill and ambition, the later half was heavily influenced by his political career and how it altered the very fabric of Michelle's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of her growing up on the south side and tales of her wonderful parents, sibling love, community bond - it was all very wholesome and also very inspiring. Michelle is a force of a woman, this book brought to light many reasons to support that statement. She is driven, ambitious, kind, caring, vulnerable and a total badass.
I respected her and look up to her in awe even more now.
Second favourite autobiography of the year, for sure!

“... becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim, I see it as a forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuosly to a better self. The journey doesn't end” - this line at the end sums up the message of her life quite well.
I hope to write a longer, I detail piece on this book. The way she covered several topics (including Trump) were done with such grace and dignity. Yupp, not getting over her for a while.

Also, slightly sad that she confirms not ever wanting to run for office :'/

good god, who am I finishing three books in four days ugh.
(perhaps revenge reading since the year was bleak book wise)

I miss my fav character Jamshedji, bring him back in book 3.

A must read for all individuals who live and wish to promote a healthy democracy!

** literally woke up at 5.30 AM for a week to read this without being judged for constant giggling and boy was it worth it **

You know what I love? Benedict Cumberbatch, yes. But also, books that make a claim, deliver on that and go above and beyond. Peter Crouch's How to be a Football is blockbuster entertainment. It's hilarious without trying hard. Dishing out spicy gossip without ever being mean, spilling the tea without feeling like a TMZ paparazzi. All the while staying true to his skills and love for the game.


It's not your average, borderline narcissistic footballing autobiography. It's heartfelt with stories from his youth club; covering the stories of him being signed for the first time, being let go by another club, dealing with the imposter syndrome of not being good enough and having dry spells of not scoring (goals, not girls or as Crouchy would say “If I wasn't a footballer, I'd be a virgin.)

His writing is so effortless and almost like a seasoned professional (making me wonder if he got any help). He is known for his humour and always seen as someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. He calls out some of the ridiculous attitudes and actions of footballer while also reminding the readers what the sport is truly about. I personally felt that he hit the balance between personal anecdotes through behind the scene and autobiography through factual accounts really well.

It took me mere two pages to feel connected and to feel like he is my bestie (heck, I even DMed him on Instagram like we play 5-a-side on the weekend). What an entertaining work, I am already ready with I, Robot part 2 of how to be a footballer.

Crouchy you're a beaut.

P.S. The last chapter is literally the cutest love letter to Steven Gerrard and it's so all kinds of adorable and beautiful. I admire Gerrard for the player he is, Crouchy made me love him for the man he is. Such adorable bromance, I can't even.

note: I woke up early because due to the pandemic, I moved home and it's really annoying to read something funny, have a chuckle and then be asked “what's written, why you laughing” by everyone else at home. Also, waking up early is fun. No? Just me? Cool cool cool.

must read <3

I am a hoe for these Hawthorne books.

I thought it would build up to something more ...

nonetheless, intriguing dark comedy (?) satire

... I feel very conflicted by this book

update: ok, it's been 24 hours since I finished the book. so I gathered my thought on why this book annoyed me. in the beginning, I thought it would be a satirical take on society and its expectation for everyone to be “normal” through the eyes of a character that doesn't fit that label. but as the book goes on, this clearly seems to not be the case. Instead, it loses its footing by making “society” (all characters, not Keiko) look like some evil cartoon villain of conformity and the one character who does spend a lot of time with Keiko does not even actual her being a “human”. the fact that neither the character throws light on their environment and people in it, nor does that gaze turn around the otherwise and critique her makes the whole damn book very – pointless. It felt like a waste of time because I spent a short duration with the characters and their stories, only for them to not matter. If this is a larger nihilism-adjacent take the book was going on, then perhaps it succeeded but otherwise, it felt hollow, sad and pointless.

review from the night i finished the book:
the protagonist clearly needs some help, but literally, every other character feels like a caricature. I understand that the idea is to present that society demands conformity, but that doesn't really get through. it feels that everyone is an evil meddling asshole which really isn't an accurate or even remotely true reflection. plus, the male character's arc is non existent with just unhinged incel chats.

I find a weird form of character arc for Keiko with her “accepting” her job and realising that's her calling despite the external criticism, but if that was the end point, why not make the journey better?

there are elements of trauma that is dealt in a passing. the whole “relationship” was super abusive but was made to look like it was nothing?

I understand problematic characters, but a problematic gaze? that won't work for me. it's just a really “why this” book. unsure about the hype.

this is probably the best audiobook I have consumed, ever. Goddamn Mr Macintyre, I adore you.
While part 1 was long and tiring to go through, I really enjoyed the pace it picked up in part 2 and part 3 felt like a fast-paced thriller. this book made a very busy work week bearable.

The extraordinary story of Oleg Gordievsky and his remarkable sacrifice for an ideology he held dear was inspiring. My heart reaches out to Leyla for all her loss and troubles. Despite everything Oleg might have done for his family and nations, his decisions truly hurt her and she never had much of a say in it. The story was written with empathy and respect. Truly a wonderful ride.
Also, Aimes go fck yourself you treacherous twat.

I swear I read this book before! Why is this so damn similar to her first work? Apart from the two pieces, everything else felt repetitive and bland. I am glad I didn't pay for this.

I read this because my cousin loves this book. it started off very “cute coming of age puppy love” vibe. which is adorable and expected from a book for young audience. but then, it doesn't grow from there. it tries to cram seriou topics and trauma for ... growth? but in a way that makes it forced not natural.

plus, I hated the secondary characters. they were one dimensional and felt very “yaass queen” or “yaah broo”. we could do better. I spiralled into a wattpaddy book, esp in second half and I just wanted more from it.

• not a bad starting place for re-evaluating digital relationship *
  
  I read Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism last year, and it made me question a lot of subconscious actions I had developed with my digital tools. While Newport focuses on minimising the overall digital dependencies across various tools and platform, Catherine Price's book tries to focus on phone and how one can alter the relation with it.
  
  The first half of the book discusses various design aspects that make the device addictive, sharing the research and stats on average humans phone usage. The whole book, like these chapters, felt a bit generic - regurgitating a lot of facts that we all know about phone usage. The second half, while serving as a practical 30-day follow guide, didn't surprise me.
  
  It truly isn't a bad start if one seeks to alter their behaviour with their phone slowly over time. I felt that I was following many of the said pointers and found Newport's book to serve as a better motivator to define a more precise “why” on re-evaluating the dependency on our digital devices.
  If you want an easy, quick to go through, step by step guide, pick this one but for a more long term sustainable practise, I'd suggest Newport's Digital Minimalism.

What a fun little concept for a semi-fiction murder mystery story. I was worried that Anthony was inserted himself a bit too much in his book, but this was balanced perfectly and overall very enjoyable. Audiobook was a good call on this.

// everyone should read this
I'm not a fan of autobiographies. In fact, this might as well be the first autobiography I truly enjoyed. It was a page turner, his simplistic yet engaging style of writing had me hooked to know what's going to happen next in his life. Lessons and tales of childhood memories, loss of loved one, money problems, family drama and friendship were talked about so eloquently, you do not want to keep this book down.
It's raw and blunt, not romanticising his struggles of becoming a beloved writer and the strenuous path that got him there. It also gives brief insights into the background of many of his favourite characters and short stories.
And when it's over, you'll be sad that there is not more. While reviewing ‘Love among bookshelves' I wrote “I haven't read a book that made me so happy and satisfied in a long time”. I would reuse that sentiment for this one.
reading this book was an experience that everyone, whether familiar or unfamiliar with Bond's work, should embarke on.
Read this for the love of Bond. I would like to thank the author for writing this. It's so freaking beautiful :')

okay, this is it, no more TikTok rom-com for me.
When the story is predictable and hits every trope, I really want the writing and characters to do some heavy lifting. And this does ... none of that. why is has so many rave reviews is beyond me. maybe I am not the target audience for it (?) I dunno, it was a drag to read. so boring and bland, my plain white rice has more character than these 300 pages.

I have come to expect a certain entertainment and excitement from all of Sharath's books and this one was no different! So happy to have finished the trilogy. :)