Here’s a list of some of the books I’ve read and my opinions on them. Most of these reads are either recent or they really stood out to me, for good or bad!
Top Favorites
Irreplaceable. Spectacular. No words.
- Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard by Kiran Desai ⭐️
A long time favorite of mine- most everyone can relate to feelings of wanting to do something with purpose, wanting to live life outside of conventional means- a struggle our main character faces as he wishes to live a peaceful, insightful life in a guava tree, an absurdity for many of the people around him. At least, until they begin to view him differently. Yet wanting too much doesn’t achieve the best result. A great story with humorous moments, endearing characters, and a valuable message.
- Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie ⭐️
Rushdie’s world building and imagery is gorgeous in this book. I couldn’t put it down- I read it in one afternoon, and felt a little empty at the end. Featuring witty dialogue, adventure, heroism, and characters creating happy endings. I’m going to be revisiting this story soon.
Books I Recommend!
- We Spread by Iain Reid 9/10
An incredible story about the concept of aging, loss, and friendship. The characters felt so real on the page.
- Curtain by Agatha Christie 9/10
An incredible finale to the Hercule Point series. Please read a few Poirot books before this one- it makes the ending so much more meaningful.
- End of Watch by Stephen King 9/10
The third in the Mr Mercedes trilogy. Did I read this series in order? No. Did this book become my favorite Stephen King book for some reason? Yes.
- Richard III by William Shakespeare 8.5/10
It’s been a while since I read Richard III, but it is easily my favorite out of what I read for my high school English classes (Crime and Punishment is a close second).
DO NOT CONSUME
Books I’ve read and do not recommend.
- If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin 5/10
This was a frustrating book- some of it good, as emphasis on the characters’ bad teenage choices and regrets, but a decent amount bad, of feeling like “what did I just listen to?” (I was listening to the audiobook version. Also can we talk about the voice actor doing the impression of the Indian psychiatrist? Only POC I can remember and his voice butchered.) Ending felt cliche and predictable. Overall, not the worst, not the best. Except the ending, that was the worst. I laughed at that part.
More coming soon! Just let me turn a few more pages, in either my memory or in future volumes.
To Be Read
- [BOOK] Murder Your Employer
- [BOOK] Inheritance by Kiran Desai
- [MANGA] Insomniacs After School
- [MANGA] Witch Hat Atelier #1
- [AUDIO] Finna by Nino Cipri
- [AUDIO] The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Currently Reading:
- [AUDIO] The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim