Jacob
Had high hopes for this book. I definitely should not have had those hopes. Boring and unrewarding. Nothing about the book wanted me to keep reading (listening).
who cares if you don't understand what's happening half the time when the vibes are this good
4.5
just got out of my slump and this book is about to put me back IN ONE (dnf'd at 58%)
waste of my spotify premium audiobook hours
Okay. So. I don't want to drag a decent romance novel by a decent romance author. But I'm sick of it. Romance novels always follow this strict routine that I really don't get along with. I don't know WHY I KEEP READING CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES. You'll love this book if you eat up the average friends-to-lovers troupe. Some parts made me audibly cringe or sigh. Of course, I'm NOT in the target audience of basically any contemporary romances on BookTok, so I'm not surprised when I don't laugh at a joke meant for a straight 30 yr old woman. I'm a 16 yr old boy, I get it. Okay, since the negative parts are out the way here are some of the pros of this book
3.75 Stars!
Shortlisted For the 2023 Booker Prize
This honestly blew me away. Looking at reviews on goodreads, I honestly thought this was going to be a crap read. BUT when I saw the audiobook included with Spotify Premium I had to read it. And I'm soo glad I did! Study for Obedience touches on subjects like xenophobia and abuse.
This book had potential. It has beautiful writing and an exquisite plot, serving the author a gem of a book on a platter.Instead, Maya Binyam creates this dull atmosphere with unengaging characters. I was constantly getting bored, waiting for the book to end. I tried loving this book for what it is, but this was not for me.
The Pachinko Parlor by Elisa Shua Dusapin is a slice-of-life novel that follows a women and her friendship with the young girl she's tutoring her to help her with her French. There isnt much to say, since its very character-based and “bland”. I'm not using “bland” as derogatory, but more like it's very plain. But, the writing is beautiful, and really fits this genre of literature. You should check this one out if you like general/literary fiction!
actual rating: 3.75
dnf'd at 60%. Could not read it with my current mindset. But I will hopefully come back to it later
DNF'd at page 186.
Well. This was a roller coaster of emotions for me. Most of them being disappointment. Bleh. I did not care about any of the characters. The dialogue REALLY disappointed me. It was so stiff and rigid, it distracted me so much, it pulled me away from getting into the story and characters. Also, I do not know why, but the characters were very dull. Nothing was realistic character-wise. This is a young adult gothic horror novel, which i thought i rocked with after House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. Apparently not. Overall shitty experience.
3.25 stars ⭐
This was an odd novel. It follows an old woman after she finds a note that says a woman has been killed. She then spirals into madness, making a backstory for the deceased woman, a whole lore for the poor girl. It was quite bland in its execution, dull in general. It's very stream of consciousness which I usually enjoy, but this was over the top and draining. I got nothing from this book. Overall futile.
