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michelareads's reviews
584 reviews
This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances by Eric LaRocca
4.0
This Skin Was Once Mine - 3⭐️
Seedling - 3⭐️
All the parts of you that won't easily burn - 4⭐️
Prickle - 4⭐️
* I'd like to thank Eric LaRocca, Titan Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Seedling - 3⭐️
All the parts of you that won't easily burn - 4⭐️
Prickle - 4⭐️
* I'd like to thank Eric LaRocca, Titan Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review
The Bad Daughter by Joy Fielding
2.0
I am SO disappointed by this book. I am giving it 2 stars simply because it was an easy read, and it kept me entertained for a few hours, but at the same time I am FUMING.
First of all, it's extremely predictable: the fact that I could easily deduce who is responsible of the murders halfway through the book is not great. I hoped I was wrong, I was waiting for a big plot twist... there was none.
And then the second half of the book has SO MANY REPETITIONS. The narrator has clues right in front of her nose, she points them out but she is unable to make 2+2. She made my blood boil.
Not a very nice or articulated review, I am well aware, but I am just too disappointed to focus on what I enjoyed about this book, which I believe says enough.
First of all, it's extremely predictable: the fact that I could easily deduce who is responsible of the murders halfway through the book is not great. I hoped I was wrong, I was waiting for a big plot twist... there was none.
And then the second half of the book has SO MANY REPETITIONS. The narrator has clues right in front of her nose, she points them out but she is unable to make 2+2. She made my blood boil.
Not a very nice or articulated review, I am well aware, but I am just too disappointed to focus on what I enjoyed about this book, which I believe says enough.
The Meek One by Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.0
ah yes, another story of a man who assumes instead of asking, who feels superior but is actually a coward, and ugly cries when he is alone again
what's not to love about this
4 stars
what's not to love about this
4 stars
youthjuice by E.K. Sathue
3.0
Youthjuice is essentially American Psycho for beauty girlies: outrageous body horror for the goop generation. Don't give this book to Gwyneth Paltrow!
It's a quick horror/thriller read that I enjoyed a lot, especially the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson who did a fantastic job. The story is intriguing and fun, and especially the second half of the book is very well written. There are two storylines (present and past of the main character) and I really liked how the two intertwined and connected, but I feel like I wanted a bit more from the present: I expected Sophia to become completely unhinged, losing control, giving into her "wild" side. Because of this, the story remains a bit flat for me (the reveal is very predictable and like... literally on the book cover) and never fully picks up. The epilogue was also a bit unnecessary and difficult to believe.
Overall though I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read more by E.K. Sathue!
* I'd like to thank E.K. Sathue, RB Media and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
It's a quick horror/thriller read that I enjoyed a lot, especially the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson who did a fantastic job. The story is intriguing and fun, and especially the second half of the book is very well written. There are two storylines (present and past of the main character) and I really liked how the two intertwined and connected, but I feel like I wanted a bit more from the present: I expected Sophia to become completely unhinged, losing control, giving into her "wild" side. Because of this, the story remains a bit flat for me (the reveal is very predictable and like... literally on the book cover) and never fully picks up. The epilogue was also a bit unnecessary and difficult to believe.
Overall though I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read more by E.K. Sathue!
* I'd like to thank E.K. Sathue, RB Media and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
4.0
Normal People is the story of Marianne and Connell: they meet in high school and, just like two flowers sharing the same pot, they grow one next to each other, sometimes supporting each other and other times stealing each other's air. It's a love story that never seems to find its happy ending, two souls that keep looking for each other and at the same time running away looking for independence.
It's painful, beautiful, real.
Sally Rooney was able to portray the brutal and sometimes boring sweetness of a relationship where two normal people, who feel anything but that, find the courage to look each others in the eyes and confess their feelings and, at the same time, find themselves. Repetitive and predictable at times, just like real life can be, Normal People kept me glued to its pages until the very last line. My favorite parts were obviously the conversations between these two complex main characters, I highlighted many quotes that I found extremely beautiful and poignant and I could see myself re-reading them from time to time. Ultimately I didn't find it as mindblowing or heartbreaking as many others did, but I still enjoyed it a lot and I'm happy to have finally read this best seller.
4 stars.
It's painful, beautiful, real.
Sally Rooney was able to portray the brutal and sometimes boring sweetness of a relationship where two normal people, who feel anything but that, find the courage to look each others in the eyes and confess their feelings and, at the same time, find themselves. Repetitive and predictable at times, just like real life can be, Normal People kept me glued to its pages until the very last line. My favorite parts were obviously the conversations between these two complex main characters, I highlighted many quotes that I found extremely beautiful and poignant and I could see myself re-reading them from time to time. Ultimately I didn't find it as mindblowing or heartbreaking as many others did, but I still enjoyed it a lot and I'm happy to have finally read this best seller.
4 stars.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
3.0
Without giving the plot away (the blurb of the book says already enough), I'll just say this: I do not agree with the ending, and some of the behavior or actions of the two main characters made no sense for me. But hey, I'm about to be divorced so what do I know, right?
Still, I devoured this book in 2 days so it was not bad at all, I enjoyed the majority of it and it was a quick read. 3 stars and fingers crossed for a new book by TJR soon!
Still, I devoured this book in 2 days so it was not bad at all, I enjoyed the majority of it and it was a quick read. 3 stars and fingers crossed for a new book by TJR soon!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
I just want to take a moment to appreciate the writing of Madeline Miller in this book. I am honestly speechless. Some paragraphs truly read like poetry, they are SO BEAUTIFUL they gave me tears.
That's all I wanted to say.
The story is great, and you'll probably fall in love with the characters.
But it's the writing that really stole my heart.
5 stars.
That's all I wanted to say.
The story is great, and you'll probably fall in love with the characters.
But it's the writing that really stole my heart.
5 stars.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
5.0
Dear Jane,
GIRL. Grab your glass of wine, we need to talk.
You know I love you dearly, but I really don't understand your attraction to Mr. Rochester. Please explain it to me. Is it because you can be rude around him with no consequences? Is it because he seems unfriendly, but he is actually sweet to you in private? Or maybe you're just looking for a man that is not as shitty as your stupid cousin? Look, I get it, these are all valid reasons, but you can do so much better, darling. Focus on yourself, keep building your career, don't listen to those who keep telling you that you're ugly (why do they even do that).
I want you to know that you're a true inspiration to me. From the moment you threw random objects to your nasty relatives during your horrible childhood, to when you started applying for jobs looking for your path, I admire the way you always stood up for yourself and your values. And even though in my book club I secretly called your beau Mr. Cochroachester (sorry, not sorry), I applaud you for accepting his love only when he was in a position to be be truly honest and respectful towards you.
And I'm really sorry it took me 177 years to read your story. It is, and will always be, a favorite of mine. Keep slaying, queen.
GIRL. Grab your glass of wine, we need to talk.
You know I love you dearly, but I really don't understand your attraction to Mr. Rochester. Please explain it to me. Is it because you can be rude around him with no consequences? Is it because he seems unfriendly, but he is actually sweet to you in private? Or maybe you're just looking for a man that is not as shitty as your stupid cousin? Look, I get it, these are all valid reasons, but you can do so much better, darling. Focus on yourself, keep building your career, don't listen to those who keep telling you that you're ugly (why do they even do that).
I want you to know that you're a true inspiration to me. From the moment you threw random objects to your nasty relatives during your horrible childhood, to when you started applying for jobs looking for your path, I admire the way you always stood up for yourself and your values. And even though in my book club I secretly called your beau Mr. Cochroachester (sorry, not sorry), I applaud you for accepting his love only when he was in a position to be be truly honest and respectful towards you.
And I'm really sorry it took me 177 years to read your story. It is, and will always be, a favorite of mine. Keep slaying, queen.