izasballad's reviews
345 reviews

This was a light and enjoyable read! I usually can't stand overly cheesy books, but I enjoyed this. I admit that it is too cheesy, but sometimes we just need a silly little romance book in our lives! It's exactly what I needed for a quick read. I loved that there was no spice (!!!) and I loved the characters, except for Taylor and Robby (I hate them so much!) I'm not going to lie, I think that if I read this at the wrong time and mood, I would have hated this (The problems of being a mood reader) Overall, it's not the greatest romance book, but it was a fun and quick read.

This edition also featured ‘The Rocking Chair’ and ‘Old Water.’ I loved this book. It was a thought-provoking read, tackling a range of themes, including patriarchy, mental health, obsession, and more. I admire authors who can pack so much depth into a short story, and Charlotte Gilman truly delivered. No wonder this is a classic!

"The Yellow Wall-Paper" shows us what can happen when we are denied agency. Moreover, it shows how downplaying mental illness can exacerbate the situation. The narrator's psychological decline is demonstrated throughout the story. Her mental health has been deteriorating, but her husband who is a doctor, continues to downplay it. He brushes off her interests and concerns while continuing to give her medication— completely taking control of her. She was confined both mentally and physically, every self-expression and power over her life has been removed, which creates a pathway to her downward spiral. The short story was not only powerful but also showcased Gilman's masterful use of language and symbolism

"The Rocking Chair" didn't stand out to me, but I do like the seemingly mocking tone it has on men obsessing over women. This obsession and jealousy between the two men became their downfall. It shows how obsession and desire can lead to destruction.

"Old Water" has similar themes to the aforementioned. I enjoyed this more than "The Rocking Chair." I don't want to delve into this more to avoid spoilers because the ending shocked me (but it was well-deserved LOL).

Abigail explores Gina's coming-of-age story during the tumultuous backdrop of a war. Having been the center of her father's life, Gina was devastated when he suddenly decided to send her away to a boarding school. She struggled to adapt to the strict rules and environment of the school. While staying at the institution, Gina found guidance in a statue named Abigail.

I had high hopes for Abigail after hearing so many good reviews and enjoying Iza's Ballad. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I don't hate it, but I was hoping for more. The writing was beautiful. It was able to paint the scenes of the characters and surroundings perfectly. Szabo was able to translate the symbolism she used to convey the message of the story perfectly, but my problem lies in the connection or tone of it. It just felt too distant (maybe, it's because of the translation?), so I wasn't emotionally attached to the story or characters. 

However, I understand why this has become a classic. The novel's exploration of identity, rebellion, and the impact of war is powerful. I appreciate Szabo's ability to show the devastating effects of war through subtle details. We can see how the conflict has shaped the choices of the characters, and ultimately the characters' lives. Despite my lack of enjoyment when reading this, I would still recommend this if the premise intrigues you. 

I knew from reading "Caught Up" that I would adore Isaiah and Kennedy's book and I DID! I was hooked from the beginning until the end. I loved the characters, the tension, the dynamics, the banter, the raw and tender moments. I LOVEEEEEEE THE YEARNING. This book quite literally made me fall in love with love again. Their dynamic and relationship were so pure and perfect. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this book, and that's saying coming from me (a complainer!) I hope Liz sleeps and eats well every day of her life because what did we do to deserve such a writer??? She continues to deliver with her books!!

To be honest, I wasn't that into the book at the beginning. Given the length of the book, I was hoping for a slower burn/build-up and yearning. Nevertheless, when the latter half kicked in, I was in for an emotional rollercoaster ride— I was crying my eyes out!! (Note: I cry easily and  I’m a total sap for these kinds of stories) This was supposed to be a 3-star read, but the story managed to tug at my heartstrings, so I added another star for emotional impact. Loved every character so much <3 

I enjoyed this right off the bat. The characters felt more fleshed out than in previous installments, and their interactions were both witty and heartwarming. I love the chemistry between them and the dynamics with all the characters in the story. The epilogue was so sweet, especially with the Willa and Luke scene!! Unfortunately, the latter part of the book included a twist that felt too forced for me. I'm not against that trope when executed well, but in this case, it just didn't. I understand the reason for including it, but I would have liked this more if that didn't happen. Overall, I still enjoyed this and it makes me want to read more from this series. I need more from this family!!

With such beautiful prose and subtlety, Stefan Zweig perfectly captures the complexity of human experiences and emotions. Since this is a posthumous work, the ending may be abrupt, but I think it was just right. The unknown invites introspection. It invites people to grapple with the themes of unfulfillment, social class, and happiness. It shows the lengths people would go to achieve their desires. It was such an amazing exploration of human conditions and experiences.

Christine, a post office clerk, has lived in poverty with her mother all her life. She portrays a life of unfulfilled dreams and hopelessness. A sudden invitation from her wealthy aunt offered her a glimpse into a world of opulence she had only imagined. A week of freedom in her newfound world had left her disillusioned, her previously held beliefs crumbling beneath her— her reality feels more heavy than she had ever experienced.

The novel highlights the fragility of happiness and the corrosive power of wealth. The transformation of Christine is exhilarating but tragic. Christine started hopeless with her condition, accepted it as is, and was even scared to go on a vacation; scared of entering the other side of the unknown world. However, when she gets a taste of freedom, she starts to yearn for it more than ever. The abrupt transition from poverty to wealth exposes Christine to the harsh realities of social inequality. She went from not remembering what it felt like to be happy to living with such happiness she had never experienced before. Confronted with the privilege others have that she yearns to attain, the haunting question of "Why not me?" lingers.

Zweig has cemented himself as one of my favorite authors. His ability to delve into the complexities of the human psyche is just amazing.

Unfortunately, I found this bland. I had high hopes for this, but the execution fell short. While there were moments of interest, certain plot points and backstories felt underdeveloped. I would have enjoyed it more if the characters had been explored in greater depth. The narrative felt flat due to an absence of vivid imagery. The author primarily told the story rather than showing it. Will I still read the next books? Yes, because I've experienced reading a series in the past where I disliked the first book but absolutely loved the next ones! (Hoping for the same case for this series)

This was such a remarkable poignant read. It is definitely a quiet and subtle novel. We follow Stoner as he lives his life, from his academic career, relationship with his wife and daughter, affair, and to his very last breathing moments. Stoner was such a flawed character which made him so much real. We were able to see the profound impacts of his actions and beliefs. This book is full of introspection as it explores love, loss, the meaning of life, and such. I found myself having an existential battle in my head. There were things in the book that I wished were delved into more, but since we are seeing things from Stoner's perspective, I'll let it pass. For such mundane and ordinary experiences, Williams was able to explore and reflect on the depth of human emotions. The prose was able to give life to these moments. It is a very simple read but with beautiful existential meanings.