Happy 2026, Friends! I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season. It was another fun year of reading, but I definitely slowed down over the past few months. I want to expand my hobbies, so knitting and painting have taken the place of reading recently. However, I also feel like I hit a few reading slumps throughout the year. And, that’s okay!
I want to make it clear that reading goals should be for you and you alone. Creating friendly competition to help keep you motivated is great too, but I think it’s important to remember to read for yourself. Take the time to enjoy what you’re reading, absorb the words and emotions, learn, and grow. Don’t rush through books needlessly. Be proud of reading even one book per year!
If there’s a book you’d like to recommend, please do! Feel free to leave a comment or find me on Instagram, Facebook, or Goodreads. Without further ado, may I present the third edition of At Home With Joanna’s Book Reviews.
James by Percival Everett
“A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and ferociously funny—told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.” – Goodreads
Fiction ● Pages 303
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★
I kept hearing about this book from various book reviewers I follow, so I was excited to jump into it. Although I know the premise, I have not read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (yet). Once I read that, my views of this book may change, but for now, these are my thoughts on James.
The first page starts with Daniel Decatur Emmett’s written words; I really liked the cursive font used for the writing. It’s such a simple detail but it added to the vibe of the book nearly instantly. From that point on, you’re thrown into Jim’s story.
He is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans and therefore separated from his wife and daughter, so he decides to run away while he comes up with alternative plans. Eventually, we run into Huck who has faked his death to get away from his abusive father. The story revolves around these plans, including rescuing his family and everything that follows.
Thoughts
303 pages go by quickly! (I started it on New Year’s Day and finished it by noon on January 2nd). I didn’t know what to expect from this book as reimagining any story tends to leave things up in the air. There were definitely moments of discomfort. However, if you can read a book on slavery and feel comfortable the entire time, I think that there’s a bigger issue at play.
I had to constantly tell myself who the characters were because my brain kept pushing Tom Sawyer into the story even though the story didn’t revolve around him. With this being said, I enjoyed getting James’ perspective and seeing all that he endured. A few moments stood out more to me- I had to hold my breath as the events unfolded. I wasn’t expecting to be so invested in the well-being of these characters. However, I think it’s a sign of good writing when it does happen.
One of the more difficult aspects of reading this story for me personally was taking the dialogue a bit slower than usual. In the beginning, I would have to go back to read some sentences more than once to fully grasp what was being said. “Dat a fortune. Wha ya gone do wif all dat money?” (pg. 82), for example. This isn’t a hard sentence to understand, of course, but it still made me pause. Eventually, I grew accustomed to needing to reread certain lines so I learned to take it a bit slower the first time around.
I appreciated many aspects of this book (the mention of books, the sparse comedic lines, the wit, and much more) but didn’t know how I felt about it until it was over. If you read it and find that you’re having a hard time, I would stick with it to see how you feel by the end. In my opinion, the last two pages were perfect, especially the final lines. You wish for the story to continue but the ending is fulfilling nonetheless.
Memorable Quotes:
All of pages, 18, 22-23, 75, 91, 96, 151, 171, 258, 280-281, 290,
“‘He’s got a heap of trouble,’ I said. ‘Sad as that may be, I’m still a slave and I can’t help him at all.'” – Page 32
“Ain’t people a part of nature? If’n dey is, den dey ain’t no good part. Da rest o’ nature don’ hardly talk to no human peoples anymo. Maybe it try from time to time, but peoples don’ listen. Anyway, gone be a big rain.” – Page 43
“I’m glad you didn’t die,” Huck said. “Ima right pleased ’bout dat my own self.” I stared into the fire. “Dyin’ can ruin a good time.” – Page 53
“I had to hide my excitement about the discovery of books. As to the monetary value of books, I had no knowledge, but their intellectual value was immediately evident.” – Page 69
“I was somewhere else. I was not on one side of that damn river or the other. I was not on the Mississippi. I was not in Missouri.”
– All of page 73: I love the appreciation for books and how they take you somewhere else.
“I read. I never felt more exposed or vulnerable as I did in the light of day with a book open. […] I read and read, but I found what I needed was to write. I needed that pencil. I could not keep track of my thoughts. I could not follow my own reasoning after a while. This was perhaps because I couldn’t stop reading long enough to make space in my head.” – Page 89
“I had to ask myself and answer honestly, How much do I want to be free? And I couldn’t lose sight of my goal of freeing my family. What would freedom be without them?” – Page 139
“Are you all right?” Easter laughed. “What if I’m not? What’s going to change? What are you going to do about it? What would all right look like?” – Page 150
“If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning.” – Page 153
“He said something that confused me. Confused me because I had never heard anything like it before. He said, “I’m sorry.” – Page 179
“It’s darker than the inside of a cow,” Norman said. I found this funny and laughed. Norman laughed and soon we were laughing like two children. It felt good. It wasn’t that anything was so funny, but we needed to laugh.” – Page 193
“What did I do? I’m a slave, Norman. I inhaled when I should have exhaled. What did I do?” – Page 217
“I read the first pages of the narrative, and it might as well have been my story. It was, in fact, my story. I read even though I wanted to sleep.” – Page 296
You Like It Darker by Stephen King
“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal.” – Official SK Website
Short Fiction ● Pages 502
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
I loved this book. I wasn’t expecting to find so much emotion, so it was pleasantly surprising. Even though I cried my eyes out about five times. Some parts are so, so, heart-wrenching.
With multiple stories, it’s hard to summarize them all in one go- each has a different depth but I really enjoyed them all. I think “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” and “Rattlesnakes” were my favorites but I really loved all of them. (There was a more sci-fi vibe to one of them and it was a lot of fun!)
This may even be one of my top 3 Stephen King books (for now- I still have a lot more of them to read). If people assume to know all about SK stories, I would ask them to read this one anyway. It’s a fun, emotional journey and I bookmarked 19 quotes/pages that hit my heart in different ways.
Memorable Quotes:
“Then he asked her if she could believe in God but not his dream.” – Page 205
“He looks so haggard, she thinks. So lost. And so dangerous.” – Page 231
“Sure. But belief is hard isn’t it?” – Page 234
“The world is full of rattlesnakes. Sometimes you step on them and they don’t bite. Sometimes you step over them and they bite anyway.” – Page 351
Poirot reference on Page 399
*** The entire paragraph concerning “Prisms” on page 410 is some of my favorite writing of the entire book.***
“People have problems enough coping with their own tragedies without taking on the tragedies of others.” – Page 416
Anthill, stars, etc on Page 433
The rain slackened, New Hampshire, rainbow … on Page 445
Think about what they’re asking … Page 455
I have often wondered … Page 456-457
There were scars – Page 494
Others on pages 250, 323, 330, 354, 447, 452, 497
Born A Crime Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
“The memoir of one man’s coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth.” – Goodreads
Memoir ● Pages 288
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
I haven’t watched Trevor Noah regularly but this book makes me want to. There are so many good stories from his life, beginning with his upbringing in South Africa. From his appearance, way with languages, education, and class, to moments with girls, trying to make money, and more… let’s say, “turbulence”.
While I know he’s not the only one to go through so much starting at a young age, I appreciate that he shared so much with us. I laughed and I also cried my eyes out. Even if you know a bit about his life and/or the book, you don’t want to turn the page to see a few scenes unfold. You want to stop reading before things unravel but you can’t. The stories are heartwarming while also quite insightful.
I’m glad his humor comes through at times; otherwise, it would be even harder to read. It almost makes you wish you could thank him for writing it.
Memorable Quotes:
The first mention of what happens to his Mom – Page 9
“[…] struck by lightning […]” Page 33
“As a nation, we recognized the power of women, but in the home they were expected to submit and obey.” – Page 39
“The story of Soweto is the story of the driveways. It’s a hopeful place,” – Page 42
“I became a chameleon. My color didn’t change, but I could change your perception of my color.” – Page 56
“My books were my prized possessions […]” – Page 68
Others on pages 30-31, 40, 43, 49, 66, 74, 86-87, 90-91, *97, 100, 110, 118, 147, 190, 194, 195, 217, 226, 236
The Vision by Dean Koontz
“Mary Bergen aids the police in solving crimes, those that have happened and those that are about to. Now this gifted clairvoyant is using her psychic gift to help track a serial killer. But something terrible from Mary’s past has been invading her dreams and she is haunted by the sound of leathery wings.” – Amazon
Suspense Thriller ● Pages 204
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
Another fun read from Koontz! This book brings you on quite the journey. Throughout it, you experience a build-up of questions mixed with learning about the main character’s past trauma. What happened in her past? Is she actually clairvoyant? Is she connected in any way to the murders?
Thoughts
I really enjoyed reading this and did so in less than a day (I read it from the AM to noon the next day, and yes, I slept). There were multiple murders, an unknown suspect, the element of clairvoyance being used to find the killer, outside dangers vs personal mental health and trauma factoring into possible explanations of things…. then BAM.
It’s a story that passes quickly and I never felt like it was dragging on. When I figured out what was happening at the climax, I audibly said “Oh my God”. The thought of what was happening had crossed my mind about 3/4 of the way through the book. However, I also suspected another person so by the end, it was still up in the air but the end was fun.
Memorable Quotes:
“Clairvoyant, shmairvoyant” – Page 11
“[…] the female Atlas, carrying the world on her shoulders”. – Page 27
“She opened her book to the page she had marked and, refusing to acknowledge him, she pretended to read”. – Page 78
“My dear, you should know […]” – Paragraph on Page 102
“The closest I’ll ever come to a brainstorm is a light drizzle.” – Page 182 (In the Top 10 of my favorite quotes of this year so far).
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
“An elderly artist and her six-year-old granddaughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. Gradually, the two learn to adjust to each other’s fears, whims and yearnings for independence, and a fierce yet understated love emerges—one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the island itself, with its mossy rocks, windswept firs and unpredictable seas.” – Goodreads
Fiction, Finnish Literature ● Pages 170
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
A story of family, youth, aging, nature, and overall way of life set in Finland. I love this book and not just because I’m part Finnish. Some may think it’s a story that doesn’t have much happen but it’s simply not true. It’s full of subtle lessons.
Revolving around family, life, hardship, laughter, and lessons, I really enjoyed the “slowness” of it. (Especially when compared to some of the more fast-paced books I like to read). The drawings alone are beautiful and had me thinking, “That would make a beautiful painting or tattoo”.
I laughed out loud a couple of times, mostly at parts that show the grandmother’s reactions to the actions/thoughts of her 6-year-old granddaughter. Having this be a shorter book (it feels much shorter than 170 pages!) allowed me to take my time with every page to really absorb it all. It’s like a good kind of slow burn.
It feels like getting a hug from my grandmothers and not just because one of them is Finnish. It was just a cozy book full of subtle love. The way nature is woven into the book makes you wish that you could walk in a forest next to the water and then rest in a cabin to enjoy the rainfall. After reading this book, I would like to look into more works by Tove Jansson.
Memorable Quotes:
“Pipsan” – Page 24
“In the middle was the hermit, lying in his bed reading.” – Page 28
“Did she really drive?” Grandmother asked. “Yes, really. I gave her a shove and she dived.” – Page 29*
Paragraph on Hell – Page 37
“WHAT did you say?”, the song, swear word – Page 39
“But that’s what happens when people won’t let you do anything fun.” – Page 53
“The Cat” Chapter – Page 54
“Sophia adored Eriksson” paragraph – Page 72
“That’s strange” paragraph – Page 80
“My dear child” paragraph- Page 97
The Robe Chapter- Page 100
Page 114***- Favorite Page
Discussing God – Page 118
All of the flowers- Page 120 (Made me think of my Mom)
It was August Page 129
Pages 58, 63, 78 for photos, 129-131, 145-146, 152, 161
Stoner by John Williams
“Stoner (1965) by John Williams is a literary fiction novel that tells the story of an average man and highlights how beautiful an average life can be.” – Super Summary
Fiction Novel ● Pages 278
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
Once again, I find it difficult to summarize my thoughts for this review. Not because I didn’t enjoy it (because I loved it) but because there’s almost too much to say. I want to thank Nick Parry from “Books Are Sick” for constantly (not in a bad way) talking about this one and getting me interested in reading it!
It’s a story about a man’s life. It follows him as a student, a teacher, a reader, a writer- a man who has a past and a family. Life lessons, sticking with responsibilities, parenthood, marriage, relationships, life as a professor, and dealing with all types of students (including challenging ones). Put very generally, it’s just a good book.
You almost forget you’re reading a book about a character that someone created. It feels more like you’re reading a friend’s autobiography. A friend that you hope the best for and feel close to; one that also makes you wish you could shake them awake here and there. However, people make mistakes, grow, and live. Eventually, we all end up in the same place.
The end has some of the most visually inspiring writing I’ve read. Not because it’s anything extraordinary, but because it puts what I have envisioned many times into words. I was left in tears. It made me feel so peaceful and calm- I loved it. Overall, this book consists of the ups and downs of life and proves that even the main characters don’t always have things figured out.
Memorable Quotes:
“But don’t you know, Mr Stoner?” Sloane asked. “Don’t you understand about yourself yet? You’re going to be a teacher.” – Page 20
“[…] he felt his love increased by its loss.” – Page 26
“He found himself wondering if his life were worth the living” – Page 179
“We would both become something else, something other than ourselves. We would be nothing.” – Page 215
“It was as if something inside her […]” – Page 235
“[…] he saw young men go again to war […]” – Page 251
“What did you expect? He thought.” – Page 275
“He dimly recalled that he had been thinking of failure- as if it mattered”. – Page 277
Others on pages 37, 111, 119, 156, 179-180, 181, 188*, 215, 219, 220, 224, 245, 269
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The story of the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.” – Goodreads
Classics ● Pages 208
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★
I love the movie and was worried something would be drastically different about the book. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. With themes revolving around moral decay, corruption, fake loyalty, love, unhealthy relationships, selfishness, ignorance, and betrayal, there’s more to the book than one initially thinks.
It’s a prime example of how a movie can be amazing and the book is still better. Both are amazing but it’s just a different experience. However, I didn’t find Gatsby as likable in the book as in the film. Maybe, we can blame Mr Leo DiCaprio for this or I can blame my age at the time of the film’s release. It makes me want to watch the movie again now that I’m older but reading the book felt like I was playing a movie in my mind as it is!
Overall, I love the book! The writing itself is almost poetic. It’s descriptive without being overly so. The end made me feel equally disgusted by people and saddened as the film did. You feel sadness throughout the book but the end will always get to me. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t believe I kept putting it off.
Memorable Quotes:
*Unfortunately, I read this book via a mixture of hardcover and ebook so I don’t have the proper pages for citing the quotes.*
“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone”, he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you have.”
“[…] as if each speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again.”
“He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.”
“[…] enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.”
“Did I tell you about the books?”
“Reading over what I have written so far […]****”
“Pipeline to Canada” – Chapter 6
“Daisy began to sing…”
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” (A famous quote!)
“An Oxford man! Like hell he is!”
“You make it ten times worse crabbing about it”.
“Gatsby was overwhelmingly aware of the youth […]”
“They had never been closer in love than […]”***
“They’re a rotten crowd […]”
“If that was true, he must have felt […]
“Blessed are the dead that the rain falls on.” A favorite line!
The part mentioning the Finnish woman made me smile. (Surprising, I know).
While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark
“A suit paired with the wrong blouse becomes a major clue in the murder of writer Ethel Lambston in the Mary Higgins Clark novel While My Pretty One Sleeps.” – Bookrags
Fiction ● Pages 318
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
This was a typical Mary Higgins Clark book. Following the murder of Ethel, a gossip writer, there are several other murders. (I could say more but it involves the climax of the book and it would reveal too much).
It’s an easy book to get through and you’re just along for the ride. It’s not one of my favorites of hers but it’s still a good read. There are a few lines that stood out to me but I think that’s due to personal tastes. It’s not because of stupendous writing. (Sorry, MHC!) I’m glad that I’ve read it but I think this is one I would pass along rather than keep in my personal library. Sharing is caring, right?
Memorable Quotes:
Pages 12-13
Paragraph on writing as a freelancer on page 27
Jeopardy and Donald Trump references
The entire paragraph on page 211 beginning with “He turned to Jack […]”
“Don’t credit these punks with brains.” – Page 282
Fight Club by Chuck Palachniuk
“Fight Club’s estranged narrator leaves his lackluster job when he comes under the thrall of Tyler Durden, an enigmatic young man who holds secret after-hours boxing matches in the basement of bars.”
– Goodreads
Satirical Novel, Fiction ● Pages 218
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
After years of loving the movie (ever since high school!), I’m glad that I finally read the book that so many of my friends had raved about at the time. Even though I knew about the basic idea of it because I’ve loved the movie for so long, I still didn’t know what to expect from the book. It makes me wonder what I would have taken away from it if I hadn’t seen the movie.
I’ve heard many different takes on the book and it was hard for me to pinpoint everything it touches base on.
Consumerism, masculinity, work grind/corporations, the need for human connection, mental health (especially men’s), the cost of success…. for what seems like a simple book, there are many layers to it.
Does the pressure put on men, on people force us to go back to caveman status regarding how we act? (Fighting to let out emotions etc). What do people feel forced to resort to when they realize how their lives have turned out? What are our priorities? What is our main focus and why?
As a whole, I really enjoyed reading it. I’m sure I would have different thoughts if I had read it before seeing the movie. But again, seeing the movie first wasn’t the end of the world. It’s still a great book!
Memorable Quotes:
“If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person?” – Page 33
“You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life.” […] Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you.” – Page 44
The rules of Fight Club – Page 50
“This is insomnia. All night, your thoughts are on the air.” – Page 99
“This is why I loved the support groups so much, if people thought you were dying, they gave you their full attention.” – Page 107
Others on pages 115, 122, 149**, 157**, 214, 217-218
We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
“As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. […] As soon as the strangers enter their home, uncanny and inexplicable things start happening […] when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family — or is Eve just imagining things?” – Goodreads
Fiction ● Pages 312
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
I kept hearing the title of this book floating around but I had no idea what it was about. I’m glad I avoided hearing and knowing more about it before having the chance to read it. (It would’ve been a bummer to have it spoiled so I’m going to purposely be a bit more cryptic with what I write for this review).
A very quick rundown = house flippers, new house to work on, family shows up at their door claiming to have lived there, then the twists and turns begin. I don’t get freaked out by books often, but this was a lot of fun to read and the imagery did make me hold my breath a few times. While it’s not exactly “scary”, the build-up made for many intense moments.
I had fun reading this- it kept my attention the entire time. It’s a story that has you guessing what is real/happening the entire time. You really feel the character’s confusion. Even at the end, I sat there wondering what it was that I was feeling.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and I got excited to hear about it becoming a movie/show before realizing Blake Lively will star/have a large part in making it. (My timing for reading this was great.) Apparently, the project got a green light in 2021, but as of 2024 there was no release date.
I also appreciated a certain Lord of the Rings reference. One more thing to note is that I read the acknowledgments in full for this book, which is very rare. I am very glad that I did; they’re sweet without being overly so. I would definitely read another book by Kliewer.
Memorable Quotes:
“It’s okay […] Even when the event was completely out of her control, even when the other party was blatantly overstepping her bounds, she always found a way to blame herself […]” – Paragraph on Page 61
Ringwraith is mentioned on page 64
“The surrounding woods whispered with the rain- like the patter of melting snow.” – Page 209
Sir Gaiwan and the Green Knight (with Pearl and Sir Orfeo) Translated by J.R.R. Tolkien, Edited by Christopher Tolkien
3 Medieval English poems (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo) translated by Tolkien for modern-day readers. A longer summary continues below:
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl are two poems by an unknown author written in about 1400. Sir Gawain is a romance, a fairy-tale for adults, full of life and colour; but it is also much more than this, being at the same time a powerful moral tale which examines religious and social values. Pearl is apparently an elegy on the death of a child, a poem pervaded with a sense of great personal loss: but, like Gawain it is also a sophisticated and moving debate on much less tangible matters. Sir Orfeo is a slighter romance, belonging to an earlier and different tradition. It was a special favourite of Tolkien’s. The three translations represent the complete rhyme and alliterative schemes of the originals.” – Goodreads
Middle English Narrative Poems ● Pages 254
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★
I don’t do well with reading poetry all too often. Although I used to write it, it has been a long time since I last attempted writing one. I read one of Rupi Kaur’s works last year and have another book of hers to read, but other than that- poetry isn’t really in my collection. Add to the fact that these are Middle English Narrative Poems, and let’s say, I didn’t have the easiest time reading them at the beginning. However, I got into the groove eventually, and as a whole, I enjoyed it.
They were harder to absorb than I thought they would be, except for “Pearl” which broke my heart. I was left in tears but I am very glad that I read it. Some may have a harder time than others. (Depending on their patience and love for poetry). I would read Pearl over and over again, but the others, while beautiful, weren’t exactly for me.
Memorable Quotes:
“That loveliest lady there on them glanced with eyes of grey; that he found ever one more fair in sooth might no man say” – Page 27
“Middle-earth” reference – Page 29
“Rain is shed in showers” entire paragraph – Page 41
“Who hears him will, I ween of love speech learn some art.” – Page 55
“Allegory”, “Symbolism” – Page 161
Pearl – Page 171 (My favorite one)**
Others on pages 176 line 14, 177, 179, and 217
The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
“The Illustrated Man is a collection of short stories, many that take up from the “The Martian Chronicles” with his fascination with Mars as an alternate reality, loosely connected with a centerpiece of a tattooed carnival worker whose body art moves and shifts and tells stories.” – Goodreads
Sci-Fi Short Stories ● 280 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★
20 Chapters, 18 Stories: The first few took me time to get into. I kept wondering why the stories were published in the order that they were. Was it to have a certain effect on the reader? What is the order in which Bradbury wanted them published? etc.
I love most of these stories but The Exiles was a particular favorite; each one handles human emotions on various levels while specific ones are based more on technology, dreams vs reality, priorities, and our chosen connections. There are sci-fi elements to many of them but the book as a whole feels so ahead of its time. It was like reading something from the future yet seeing it as a black-and-white movie.
It reminded me of an episode of Black Mirror. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. It may even be one of my new favorites. I read Fahrenheit 451 in school but I wish I had read this one too. Bradbury has such an imagination and the stories themselves end up making you feel like you’re reading philosophical studies.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I love the cover of the edition we have too. (When I lookied into it, I discovered it was designed by Davina Mock-Maniscalo, for anyone who may be interested). I would eventually like to read “Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Bradbury.
Memorable Quotes:
Peter, Wendy – Page 12 (Peter Pan reference?)
“[…] we’re going to live.” – Page 24
“We’ve been fools”- Page 52
“[…] and stood upon it, listening to the small sounds it made in the rain” – Page 58
“You’re entitled to your opinions but keep it to yourself, sir.” – Page 69
“Can’t you recognize the human in the human?” – Page 123
The Exiles – Page 145
Edgar Allan Poe – Page 146
Flotsam, Jetsam – Page 152
Others on Pages: 5, 33, 39, 52-53, 56, 63**, 65, 77, 118-119, 134, 145**, 148, 151, 152, 154, 162, 163, 166, 167, 168, 198, 211-212, 222
If It Bleeds by Stephen King
“If it Bleeds is a collection of four new novellas —Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and the title story If It Bleeds— each pulling readers into intriguing and frightening places.” – Goodreads
Dark Novella ● 434 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
Various stories, all of them enjoyable. Mr Harrigan’s Phone made me emotional and I found it much better than the movie (surprise, surprise). Not to say that the movie was bad, but I needed to read the story for myself. I found that it was much more impactful.
I also didn’t expect a story called “Rat” to be so enjoyable but here we are. It had me wondering where the story was going a few times and it didn’t disappoint.
I love how even short stories can still pack such a punch. Each one had its moments of humanistic and emotional elements. It had underlying tones of humans supporting each other; even while knowing that that evil will always exist. Good prevails… (a lot of the time).
The Life of Chuck left the least amount of a lingering hold on me but it was still good. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I am very glad to have it as part of my “King” collection. (I also love the book cover!)
Memorable Quotes:
All of page 8 but “A mother-hug on that day might have changed a lot.”
Heart of Darkness – Page 12
“I felt like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, using a spell he didn’t really understand to wake up brooms.” – Pages 22-23
Arsenic and Old Lace reference – Page 71
“I love —– ” – Page 113
“It would be like Ginger without Fred” – Page 127 (and another Singin’ In The Rain reference)
Pages, 41, 80, 103, 141*, 199, 205, 250*, 295, 352*, 358, 362, 363, 370*, 371, 388, 409
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
“An intriguing combination of fantast thriller and moral allegory, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde depicts the gripping struggle of two opposing personalities — one essentially good, the other evil — for the soul of one man.” – Goodreads
Literary Fiction ● Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
(Only doing a very short review for this one). I think we all know the basic idea behind this story but it was neat to actually read the original work. We see it embellished and used for various movies etc but reading what they’re all based on brings a more humanistic side to it.
Overall, it wasn’t bad at all! It’s a very fast read that is perfect as a palate cleanser between longer reads. The edition we have is beautiful and the images inside are simple but effective. I’m glad to have it in our collection; it’s the perfect read for a rainy day.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
“Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.” – Harper Collins Canada
Literary Fiction ● 548 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★
There was a lot of hype around this book. Do I think it’s worth that much hype? Mmm… not quite. It’s a good book and it crushed my heart a few times but I don’t think it’s a book that I would read over and over again.
David Copperfield for this generation… it’s not an easy read and it made me emotional a few times. A difficult childhood, his relationships with his Mother, foster parents, siblings, and figuring out who he is while juggling trauma… it’s a lot.
We know David Copperfield isn’t a pleasant story and this is no different. I considered putting it down a few times but I didn’t know if I would ever pick it back up again if I did that. I’m glad that I followed through. However, it does start to feel a bit long and then it’s just… over. I almost wish a few things were removed so that there was room in the 548 pages for there to be a longer conclusion. With this being said, the author knows their characters better than anyone, so if she felt it was time for the story to end… I have to respect that.
As a whole, it’s a good book but it may not be easy for everyone to get through. Once I looked over the number of quotes I saved from the book, it was made clear that a lot of the story resonated with me. It just felt so long that by the time I was done, I forgot about the lines that really stood out. (Take photos of your favorite lines/pages! It’s extremely helpful and has been a game-changer for me!)
Memorable Quotes:
“It’s in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.” – David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
“Stoner” – made me think of Books Are Sick (no wonder he loved this one!)
“We had the moon in the window to smile upon us for a minute and tell us the world was ours.” – Page 77
“It hit me pretty hard, how there’s no kind of sad in this world that will stop it turning.” – Page 112
“Counting on Jesus to save the day is no more real than sending up the Batman signal.” – Page 138
“What is the deal with women?” – Chapter 28
Titanic reference Page 229
Pages: 105*, 109, 110, 124, 127, 156, 158, 169, 170, 182, 185, 186, 189, 205***, 210, 230, 232, 246, 249, Ch. 36, 313, 318***, 321, Ch. 41, 365, 374, 402, 425, 427, 440, Ch. 53, 450, Ch. 56, 476, 505, Ch. 61, 515, 531, 548
Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J Fox
“Always Looking Up shares the critical themes of Michael’s life: work, politics, faith, and family. The book is a journey of self-discovery and reinvention, and a testament to the consolations that protect him from the ravages of Parkinson’s.” – Hachette Book Group
Memoir ● 279 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
This is a very easy read, even with harder and emotional aspects to it. While it brings you on an interesting ride through important events in MJF’s life, he scatters funny moments throughout. It offers insight into his perspective on several facets of life- politics, family, work, events, tragedies… he covers quite a bit and it’s enjoyable throughout.
I, of course, knew of MJF and grew up watching him here and there. I was too young at the time to care about Spin City and never really cared about Back To The Future (I know, I know, I’m sorry). However, I always liked Michael J Fox and I really enjoyed learning more about his life and his thoughts. There is one instance where he discusses the loss of his sister and it made me nearly burst out crying. He also discusses 9/11 so when I say there are some harder parts, I mean it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it! It discusses politics a lot more than I thought it would. This includes presidential elections, and campaigns for stem cell testing along with other many other topics I didn’t realize he was passionate about. I didn’t know very much about him and I didn’t know how involved he was in various missions. It was also nice to read more about his family (mostly his children). It was an overall interesting read!
Memorable Quotes:
Most of the quotes I enjoyed weren’t just one-liners. For this reason, I’m simply making note of their pages.
Pages: 11, 45, 60, 62-63, 65, 67, 77, 79, 83, 92, 135, 137, 148, 150, 153, 161-163, 175, 178, 201, 208, 220, 233, 244, 246, 257, 262, 269, 271, 272, 279
Jaws by Peter Benchley
“A great white shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A heart-pounding novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic thrillers ever written.” – Amazon
Thriller ● 340 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
The well-known story of man versus shark. After a couple of deaths and Amity losing income, they are desperate to kill the shark causing all of the mayhem.
I’m very happy to finally read the book that my favorite movie (one of them, anyway) is based on. It is similar to the film but also very different. It’s rare for this to happen but I actually like the movie much more. (Sorry, Mr Benchley). The beginning did have me feeling a bit suspenseful; I was reading it in bed before going to sleep and it felt like the beginning of a good “campfire” story. That was fun!
I laughed out loud a few times but there was also so much “fluff”. It felt like it was a bunch of unnecessary drama and then it was over. There was very little actual hunting of the shark. I loved the forward and the photos that are in the back of our edition. You can see the love Benchley has for sharks and the good motives behind writing the book. (He wanted more people to be fascinated with them and not terrified by them).
Now… I despise Ellen Brody in the book. She’s simply awful. I don’t want to give any spoilers but the affair she has, and who she has it with makes certain dynamics completely different. On top of this, her priorities of money and status vs her past, her views of her husband…. it’s all just terrible. I am thankful she isn’t like this in the movie because she was insufferable.
I was saddened by a death that occurs in the book (and not in the movie). But, it’s also much harder to like any of the characters in the book. At least in the movie, there are more humorous elements to it and you don’t see much about their personal lives…
Overall, I am glad I read it so I won’t one day say, “I can’t believe I never got around to reading Jaws“. Is it one of my favorite books? No. There are other books in what I now know is a series so maybe I will continue to read those eventually. For now, I will gladly watch and recite the movie; I don’t see myself reading the book again for some time.
Memorable Quotes:
The author, Peter Benchley, was a speechwriter for President Lyndon B Johnson
Cup of spit – Page 39
Matt Hooper is introduced on Page 42
September 15th – Page 53 (My birthday is mentioned in Jaws!)
“And? What am I supposed to do? Brody thought. Fall on my ass?” – Page 65 *** This made me laugh out loud numerous times. It’s my favorite line of the whole book.
Peter Pan – Page 111
“The past always […]” – Page 124-126
“Good thinking”, Quint said with a derisive cackle. “If that doesn’t work you can tickle him to death.” – Page 286 (I forgot to write the page down but based on my research findings, this was the page that was most referenced.)
Pages: xi, xiii, 244, 255, 257-258, Megalodon is mentioned, 264, 284, 290, 292, 296
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
“An unlikely pair, George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression, grasp for their American Dream. They hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own.” – Penguin Random House
Fiction/Novella/Tragedy ● 107 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
Published in 1937, Of Mice and Men has been mentioned countless times throughout my life. For some reason, I thought it was a long and daunting story so I only got around to reading it now. I am glad that I finally read it after hearing about it for so many years. It was my first time reading anything by Steinbeck and I really enjoyed it — even with the very difficult themes and events.
For a quick summary, vegetable laborers get a job at a new ranch, where they hope to work just until they can earn enough to buy their own place. They don’t mind working hard but they want to be the ones who reap the benefits. With this goal in mind, we are introduced to the people they encounter at the ranch. Things quickly get more… complicated.
It’s truly hard to say anything about the events that follow without giving away the entire ending. But, it had me in tears at the end. (I’d be mindful of the content warnings for the entire book in general). It doesn’t matter if you guess the ending or not- it’s how it plays out, the words used, and the imagery the writing invokes.
It reminds me of The Green Mile a bit, and it made my emotions hit harder than I expected. I gasped at one part and hoped for the best right until the very end. Then, it was over. I believe it is worth it for everyone to read it, and seeing as it’s a mere 107 pages long, it’s one of the more manageable “must read” books.
Memorable Quotes: *Spoiler warning*
“Funny,” said George, “I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with him […]”
“I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t out to of let no stranger shoot my dog.” – Page 63
Page 38 and 92***
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Modernist Novel/Queer Literature ● 169 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
After what felt like a bit of a slow start (that had me worried that I would struggle throughout reading it), I was relieved to become completely enthralled. Set in 1950’s Paris, the story revolves around a man’s (David’s) relationship with his fiancée and a man (Giovanni) he meets and becomes close with. Struggles with identity, societal roles… there is a lot to unpack here.
I thought this would be good to read around Juneteenth and I’m glad I’ve finally read a book by James Baldwin. I really enjoy his writing style and some moments had amazing word choice that made it almost feel like you’re reading poetry. There are a few really beautiful lines.
Overall, I’m not sure that I feel the need to read it again but I also wouldn’t object to doing so. I would prefer to read more of his other work instead. I also don’t especially love how women are viewed in this story. There are quite a few instances of them being spoken of quite terribly. Yes, I understand it adds to how the character is handling his emotions and the inner turmoil but it still isn’t exactly pleasant. Not that it has to be pleasant, of course.
Memorable Quotes:
“And yet – when one begins to search for the crucial, the definitive moment, the moment which changed all others, one finds oneself pressing, in great pain, through a maze of false signals and abruptly locking doors.” – Page 10
“Love him,” said Jacques, with vehemence, “love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?” – Page 57
“Somebody,” said Jacques, “your father or mine, should have told us that not many people have ever died of love. But multitudes have perished, and are perishing every hour–and in the oddest places!–for the lack of it.” – Page 58
“Look at my books- I often wonder what I’d do if there weren’t any books in the world.” – Page 99
“There are women who have forgotten that to be a woman doesn’t simply mean humiliation, doesn’t simply mean bitterness. I haven’t forgotten it yet […]” – Page 163
Others on pages: 11, 12, 17, 18-19, 58, 80, 116***, 129, 138, 144, 152- Christmas Carols***, 165, 169
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
“Milk and Honey is a collection of poetry and prose about survival. About the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.” – Goodreads
Poetry ● 204 Pages
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
After reading The Sun and All Her Flowers last year, I put Milk and Honey on my TBR list. Almost a year to the day, I read it (unintentionally near the anniversary of the last read). I think I like this one more! This one has more experiences based on the woman’s perspective, but this somehow felt more gender-neutral, which I liked.
I think I saved/made note of a LOT more quotes for this book than the last. Some parts were still difficult to read, but they are very much in Kaur’s style. The letter to the end is sweet, too.
Memorable Quotes:
“There is no bigger illusion in the world than the idea that a woman will bring dishonor into a home if she tries to keep her heart and her body safe.” – Page 22
“Nothing is safer than the sound of you reading out loud to me. – the perfect date” – Page 47
Pages 137, 139, 140, 144, 146, 147, 149, 154, 155, 161, 165, 167, 171, 180, 188
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
“Peter Pan, the book based on J. M. Barrie’s famous play, is filled with unforgettable characters: Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up; the fairy, Tinker Bell; the evil pirate, Captain Hook; and the three children-Wendy, John, and Michael-who fly off with Peter Pan to Neverland, where they meet Indians and pirates and a crocodile that ticks.” – Goodreads
Classic, Tragedy ● Pages 300
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
I will start by saying that I have seen numerous plays/movies of Peter Pan variations, and nothing compares to the actual book. The bittersweet experiences of growing up as seen from the aspects of both children and adults, and the lessons involved while embracing your imagination. And, keeping that part of yourself alive.
Peter Pan is full of magic and adventure, but part of it makes your heart ache, too. Reading it as an adult is a completely different experience, and I love it. If someone only knows of the films/plays, I would definitely encourage them to read the book.
Memorable Quotes:
“Second to the right, and straight on till morning.” – Page 61
“You silly ass!” cried Tinker Bell in a passion.” – Page 77
“Jas. Hook” – Page 84
“Someday,” said Smee, “the clock will run down, and then he’ll get you.” – Page 93
Mother’s love – Page 174
Others on pages 223, 265, 267
*I read “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” by Omar El Akkad, and listened to the audiobook of “The Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude” by Dan Akroyd but did not write reviews for these. The first one is well written and had me sobbing (and angry at the world), and The Blues Brothers one is really fun if you’re a fan of Belushi, Akroyd, or the film as a whole. You’d learn a lot about behind the scenes moments and Dan Akroyd does a great job narrating.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
“It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.” – Goodreads
Ghost Story ● 223
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★
I loved the show, so I was excited to see how the book differed. In all honesty, it just made me want to watch the show again.
In summary, individuals are invited to Hill House by Dr Montague to find evidence of the existence of the supernatural. The story discusses Hill House and its visitors as they begin to experience what the house has in store for them. There is something to say about how Jackson describes settings and sets the mood. You almost feel like you’re in the house. It’s like the characters (although important and they add humanity to the story) are put on the back burner, and the house is the star.
I made note of various pages that I really enjoyed, but if you’re looking for a “scary” novel, another book might be better. This one is a fun ride; it definitely has a more subtle eeriness to it. It lingers throughout the story, and when it ends, it almost feels like it’s over too soon. However, I will say that I loved the show more than the book. BUT I have to watch it again to be sure. Stay tuned.
Memorable Quotes:
“It was the first…” – Page 21
“She wants her cup of stars.” – Page 27
“People leave this town”, he said. “They don’t come here.” – Page 31
Others on pages: 39-40, 42-44, 46, 47, 49, 76-77, 86, 91, 139, 140, 154, 167, 168, 178, 201, 218
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
“Told with deadpan humour and bitter irony, Kurt Vonnegut’s cult tale of global destruction preys on our deepest fears of witnessing Armageddon and, worse still, surviving it …” – Goodreads
Satirical Postmodern Fiction ● 287 Pages
Rating: ★★
Enjoyment: ★★
Ease of Reading: ★
Okay, I know the ratings don’t look too good. But, I always encourage readers to come to their own conclusions. I want to read this again in the future to see if I feel the same way as I do now because I feel like I must be missing something.
It’s not a terrible book, but I couldn’t connect with it. I don’t even know if “lackluster” is the word I’m looking for to describe it. The writing itself is great. I just lost interest towards the end and wanted it to be over faster, which is quite the opposite of how I felt at the beginning.
At the start, I thought I would finish it by having a “eureka” moment, but instead, I finished it yawning. It’s just a bit… forgettable to me. I don’t think any of it will be staying with me, unfortunately. Although, there were a lot of great lines. They just didn’t come together to make something astounding like I thought they would, I suppose.
Memorable Quotes:
“Life is funny sometimes.” “And sometimes it isn’t,” said Martin Breed.” – Page 66
Others on pages: 54, 63-68, 89, 97, 98-99, 151, 162, 165, 169, 176, 182, 197, 212, 229, 230, 232, 237, 254, 276
The Eights by Joanna Miller
“Following the unlikely friendship of four women in the first female class at Oxford, their unshakeable bond in the face of male contempt, and their coming of age in a world forever changed by World War I.” – Goodreads
Historical Fiction ● 370 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★★
While I used to love books about female friendships as a teenager, it had been some time since I read anything with it being a main focal point. I loved this book. It’s full of love, loss, strength, and twists. (Oh, the twist!)
The Eights revolves around the first women to matriculate at Oxford University after World War I in 1920. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto make up “The Eights” and they will be staying with me for some time. The book handles many topics, including misogyny and life as a woman during this time in general, an influenza outbreak, studies, familial relationships, love, loss of love, friendship, and how this friendship helps get them through hard times.
I laughed out loud a couple of times, I cried, and I also audibly gasped. I did not expect a book of this genre to make me gasp, but here we are! Nor, did I expect to want to follow the lives of the featured women. However, as I closed the book, it felt like I was ending a personal friendship with this group of females. (I’m not-so-secretly hoping for a Part II. Ahem, Ms Miller.) Another thing that I really appreciated is the glossary in the back; brilliant idea! It wasn’t difficult to read by any means, but some terms were unknown to me due to the time/setting. Overall, I loved it, and I look forward to future books by this author if more are to come.
Memorable Quotes:
“It is important to have purpose in times of change. Don’t let the unknowns overwhelm you. Hold on to your purpose.” – Page 104 (The entire page is amazing, though.)
The segment about the cats on Page 120
“Don’t underestimate your contribution, Miss Wallace-Kerr.” – Page 138
“Isn’t it comforting […]” – Page 143, This paragraph felt like an empowering hug.
Sir Gawain is mentioned on page 227, which is amazing since I just read it for the first time not too long ago.
The Shining by Stephen King
“Evil forces residing in the Overlook – which has a long and violent history – covet young Danny for his precognitive powers and exploit Jack’s weaknesses to try to claim the boy.” – Official Stephen King
Horror ● 574 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
So, so, so, good- 574 pages fly by! It’s definitely one of my favorite Stephen King books now. The imagery and suspense are fantastic. The Shining got to me more in a very simple way compared to other “horror” books. Isolation, alcoholism, general struggles, supernatural/psychic abilities, family dynamic turmoil- there are a lot of components that come together to create a lot of uneasiness.
Having loved the movie but knowing the book was different made me excited to see how they compared to each other. It’s very obvious why my favorite part with the topiary isn’t in the film but it’s a far better ending. (I love the movie’s ending as well, so this is saying something).
Additionally, the way certain events unfold with Danny in the book made me cry. While I felt awful for him throughout the movie, having even more background and descriptors of his life before the hotel deepens your connection to him. Don’t even get me started on what my reaction was to learning his middle name is in Chapter 54. It was such a “Eureka!” moment that I had goosebumps. Overall, I truly love this book and I will read it numerous times.
Memorable Quotes:
Phantom of the Opera – Page 54
Flattery is “lying for fun” … “You’re pretty Mommy” – Page 83 (I laughed out loud)
“The Shining” appears on Page 99 (Chapter 11)
All of the writing on page 138
Robert Redford reference on Page 139 (Quite timely since he passed away a week prior to me reading this)
“(Dear God, do old scars ever stop hurting?)” – Page 191
Redrum – Page 193
Bad Moon Rising – Page 254
“He could be off the juice for 20 years and still […]” – Page 303
Others: State Highway on Page 219, and Pages 335, 372, 382, 386, 390, 450*, 462*, 463, 469, 502*, 573, (and pages 436-544 in general- oh my heart!)
The Nature of The Beast by Louise Penny
“Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn’t cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village. But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true.” – Gamache Series
Mystery, Thriller ● 376 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment:★★★
Ease of Reading:★★★★
To begin, yes, this book is #11 in a series surrounding Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. And, no, I didn’t read any of the other books yet. While this does affect how you may connect to certain characters, it can still be read as a stand-alone book. However, I am unable to say if this takes away from the overall experience. As a Montrealer, having this book set in Three Pines, QC was fun. While it is a fictional village, they are set in the real-world Eastern Townships of Quebec. (Visitors can tour the Eastern Townships, with Knowlton playing a large part in inspiring the fictional village. A local bookstore and cafe are named after it!)
This book has a sad storyline- the disappearance of Laurent Lepage after he discovers something in the woods, the outcome of what happens to Laurent, the aftermath, the confusion etc. You’re left wondering what is truly happening, and who is involved, all while grappling with the sad event that started unraveling the people and town. However, the descriptions of both the setting and the emotional components surrounding it are amazing. What I struggled with throughout the book was keeping all of the names and characters straight. This probably wouldn’t be as big an issue if I had read the previous books in the series beforehand. So, that is my own fault.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. If you’re a fan of crime/mystery novels, I recommend it. Also, while I haven’t looked into it yet to see if it already exists, I wish they would have a separate book just for recipes from the book. I nearly salivated while reading parts of their dining experiences. (I plan on coming up with a recipe for one dish in particular, so stay tuned.)
Memorable Quotes:
Neil Young + more – Page 15
Fahrenheit 451 – Page 29
To Kill a Mockingbird – Page 30
“The illusion shattered. That was the price of looking at things too closely.” – Page 38**
“All right, Clousseau.” – Page 40
“A regular murder isn’t enough?” – Page 48
“They were not yet ready […]” – Page 55
“No more than any gun.” – Page 95
“‘Go to hell,” she said quietly. “I will. If necessary. I expect I’ll see you there.” – Page ?
“Shhhh? […] Is that the sound of secrets escaping from you?” – Page 239
“Ravenous” expression – Page 243
Others on pages: 96, 147, 154, 167**, 219, 220, 235-236, 251, 253, 259, 264, 268, 269, 298, 299, 325, 329, 331, 336
The Long Walk by Stephen King
“One hundred boys are selected to enter an annual contest where the winner will be awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life..” – Official Stephen King Website
Dystopian Horror ● 311 Pages
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
Being a fan of Stephen King doesn’t mean that you always know what to expect from his books. You have an idea, of course, but sometimes you’re left surprised by what is (or is not) featured in his stories. The Long Walk is gut-wrenching at times and quite funny at others.
The story revolves around one hundred boys who are on a long walk of survival. The last one remaining gets anything he wants for the rest of his life. But, at what cost? I’m glad that I read it, but I don’t believe it’s one of my favorites. It was a harder read than I thought, only because I didn’t quite know how attached I would get to some of the characters. Right away, knowing the “goal” of the walk, you know that it’s better not to form any type of relationship with any of them. This is easier said than done. (I said, “Ugh, oh no…” aloud approximately 15 times throughout the book).
The writing is so beautiful at some points, but there are still moments you wish you could skip over. It is not due to the writing being “bad” but because you just don’t want to know how some things play out. I rarely want a story to be over, but this book is an exception.
Memorable Quotes:
Jeopardy, Art Fleming quote – Start of Chapter 3
“There was not a sign of life or movement about her except for the wind-twitched hem of her black dress.” – Page 44
“Just go on dancing with me like this forever and I’ll never tire. We’ll scrape our shoe on the stars and hang upside down from the moon.” – Page 44
Mt. Washington Cog T-shirt – Page 63
“Pick up your feet. I want to see you dance up this hill like Fred Astaire.” – Page 71
“How deep inside himself is he? Fathoms? Miles? Light-years? How deep and how dark? […]” – Page 170
Others on pages 131, Chapter 8 song, 173, 184, 204**, 252
The Land of Sweet Forever by Harper Lee
“The Land of Sweet Forever combines Lee’s early short fiction and later nonfiction in a volume offering an unprecedented look at the development of her inimitable voice. Covering territory from the Alabama schoolyards of Lee’s youth to the luncheonettes and movie houses of midcentury Manhattan, The Land of Sweet Forever invites still-vital conversations about politics, equality, travel, love, fiction, art, the American South, and what it means to lead an engaged and creative life.” – Goodreads
Stories & Essays ● 187 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
I fell in love with To Kill A Mockingbird as a young girl. When I had first watched the movie, I quickly became enamored of Gregory Peck, and then I read the book. I think this is one of the very few times that watching the movie before reading the book didn’t negatively affect my relationship with the book in the slightest. Then, I watched the movie and read the book again, and again, and again.
Years went by, and I eagerly read Go Set A Watchman and was left longing for TKAM. Truth be told, I will need to read Watchman again now that I’m older. It did not compare to To Kill a Mockingbird at the time, but perhaps now that I’m even older, I will feel differently. With this being said, The Land of Sweet Forever was released, and I finished it within 5 hours of receiving it (with a couple of breaks to eat in between). What a treat it is to be able to read more work by Harper Lee nine years after her passing!
After a great introduction by Casey Cep, we get a look at a few of the other creative stories of Harper Lee. Some with familiar characters, most with new faces and personalities. The nostalgic component of once again reading about Scout and Atticus was enough to make my heart happy. However, other stories, such as the one discussing Truman Capote, were a nice surprise!
The writing is beautiful throughout the book. I laughed more than anything, but there were a couple of instances that had induced tears. “The Pink Shears” sticks out to me the most, mostly because of Atticus and being able to picture his reaction to the story’s major event. It almost feels like having a dream of your grandpa, and seeing him slowly fade as he walks further away from you.
Overall, I am unbelievably happy to have this posthumous work of Harper Lee on my shelf. It almost feels like reading it now is the best way to celebrate her life and her work. I hope she knows how much she made us all laugh, and gave us more bravery to stand up for what is right. Thank you, Harper Lee.
Memorable Quotes:
The entire introduction by Casy Cep was brilliant. (Calpurnia on xxix, Lee’s writing opportunity on xxxi)
The Water Tank and Roomful of Kibble stand out as great stories.
“In her second year she got secretly married, which was worse than drinking, and divorced, which was worse than getting married.” – Page 51
“Now, Sarah keeps calling me up with that on her mind. I tell you, it’s beginning to get me down”. – Page 57
The Phantom of the Opera mentioned on Page 73
“Love purifies. Suffering never purified anybody; suffering merely intensifies the self-directed drives within us. Any act of love, however- no matter how small- lessens anxiety’s grip, gives us a taste of tomorrow, and eases the yoke of our fears. Love, unlike virtue, is not its own reward. The reward of love is peace of mind, and peace of mind is the end of man’s desiring.” – Page 135
Snow – Page 148**
Gregory Peck – Page 153
Page 171-172
“We don’t always remember […]” – Page 187
Others on Pages 13, 34-35, 36, 38-39, 50, 66-67, 77, 80, 90-91, 93, 104, 105, 130**, 131, 134-135**, 158-159
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
“A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.” – Goodreads
Memoir ● 305 Pages
Rating: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★
This was quite the rollercoaster. You feel a mixture of sadness, disgust, and empathy as you read the experience of this child in the entertainment industry. I’ve seen McCurdy here and there, but not to the point where I would be able to identify her in a crowded space. The more the book progressed, the less I felt like I could predict how it would end.
By the time I read the final pages, I was almost glad that it was over. It was… a lot. You are once again reminded that everyone – even those in the spotlight- goes through things that no one knows about. Unless they write a book about it, of course.
Depicting what it’s like to grow up too fast and all of the experiences that go hand-in-hand with that, McCurdy was also forced into the spotlight by her own Mother. If you have a good relationship with your Mom, this book makes you feel even more appreciative.
I don’t believe I would read this again. Once was definitely enough. However, it does get better the more you read. Whether this is due to becoming more invested or you’re hoping for the best and need to know what happens, I can’t say for sure. I really liked the ending. It is unfortunate, but also completely understandable.
Memorable Quotes:
“I’m desperate for something else to talk about with him. For some kind of connection. With Mom, it’s effortless. Why does everything feel so stuck with him?” – Chapter 6
“This feeling of sadness and ending is really common on sets. You get to know the people around you so intimately because you’re around them more than you’re around your family. For a period of time. And then you aren’t anymore. And little by little, you realize you start talking less and less to the people you thought you were so intimate with. Until you don’t talk to them at all anymore. And it makes you wonder if you were ever really intimate with them in the first place or if it was all just a facade. If the connections were as temporary as the sets they were made on.” – Page 167
“I feel like the world is divided into two types of people: people who know loss and people who don’t.”
– Page 184
Hush Money – Page 217
Others: Chapter 9, Monsters Inc on Page 82, Page 196**, Chapter 63*, Page 244*, Page 262 (LOL), Page 275, 279, Chapter 90
Never Flinch (Holly Gibney #4) by Stephen King
“From master storyteller Stephen King comes an extraordinary new novel with intertwining storylines—one about a killer on a diabolical revenge mission, and another about a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker—featuring the beloved Holly Gibney and a dynamic new cast of characters.” – Goodreads
Human-Based Thriller ● 439 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Ease of Reading: ★★★★★
Book #4 of Holly Gibney! In Never Flinch, two storylines meet- we follow Holly, who has accepted the position of being a bodyguard for a famous performer, and a murderer plotting to kill 14 people who were jurors in a trial that convicted an innocent man.
I didn’t dislike this one, but I didn’t love it either. If you’ve read a few Stephen King novels, you’ll be well-adjusted to his writing style- suspenseful but also witty/humorous. I will say that it was nice to have a break from COVID being mentioned consistently throughout the book (but yes, it’s still mentioned).
Holly, Jerome, and Barbara are as likable as ever. In general, it is very easy to like most of the characters in this book. It does feel like there is a lot of build-up for a bit of a… “less exciting than anticipated” ending. However, it was still fun to read. I think the beginning was a great way to dive into the story, but there wasn’t a consistent feeling of dread. It felt like a story that was more suspensefully bookended.
Overall, I’m glad I read it, especially after reading the others that revolve around Holly Gibney, but I also look forward to reading a Stephen King book that is unrelated to these characters. I want to read The Green Mile soon, so that will probably be my next SK book, but I also want to read Misery. We shall see!
Memorable Quotes:
E-mails- Holly explaining who Lewis Black is (LOL) – Page 20
“And new things can be good things. New things are almost always a chance to learn.” – Page 118**
Fin Tutuola and Olivia Benson from Law and Order – Page 135
“Shouldn’t have flinched” – Page 351 and “Flinched” again on Page 366
“[…] this is just another human being. A fellow rider on the journey from cradle to coffin.” – Page 375
Others on Pages: 24-25, 155, 213, 369, 373, 392, 393, 434**, 438-439
That’s all for now, folks! If you’ve read this far, please know that I appreciate it! I know there is a lot to read, so thank you! Have a wonderful year and happy reading!
Related:
2023 Book Reviews
2024 Book Reviews: A Great Year of Reading
Favorite NDG Spot: Encore Books and Records