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nhborg's reviews
378 reviews
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
3.0
3.5
That was… something. There were some aspects that really fascinated me, and I admire it for being able to give me actual nightmares from atmosphere alone, but then there were some chapters where I really struggled to stay on the horse because it was so absurd/slow/out of place? I’m somewhat tempted to continue on with the series, but I notice I get exhausted from pushing through the parts where I have little or no idea what’s going on. Overall I still enjoyed it, mostly because it is so unpredictable and has an intricate, symbol-based world-building like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And based on how my interest peaked during the most disturbing and morbid scenes I’m lowkey concerned about my own morality and mental well-being.
That was… something. There were some aspects that really fascinated me, and I admire it for being able to give me actual nightmares from atmosphere alone, but then there were some chapters where I really struggled to stay on the horse because it was so absurd/slow/out of place? I’m somewhat tempted to continue on with the series, but I notice I get exhausted from pushing through the parts where I have little or no idea what’s going on. Overall I still enjoyed it, mostly because it is so unpredictable and has an intricate, symbol-based world-building like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And based on how my interest peaked during the most disturbing and morbid scenes I’m lowkey concerned about my own morality and mental well-being.
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
3.0
I’m impressed by Alice Oseman’s debut as a 17 year old, but I also have to give credit to how much she has improved as a writer since this first book. Several of the themes and storylines in «Solitude» had a tendency of coming across as prototypes for the ones I’d recently fallen in love with in her later works, «Loveless» and «Radio Silence». Hence, take into account that my rating is colored by the reading order. To others planning to read all of Alice Oseman’s works I would recommend reading them in chronological order by publishing date. On another note, it was fun seeing Nick and Charlie from Tori’s perspective, and I’m definitely gonna reread «Heartstopper» ASAP!
The Shining by Stephen King
4.0
4.25
Maybe it’s been too long since I watched the movie, but I felt like this was quite a different story. I found it less «spectacular», lacking some of the most iconic in-your-face horror scenes from the movie, but hence all the more interesting for the emphasis it placed on the characters. Danny’s POV was my favorite!
Maybe it’s been too long since I watched the movie, but I felt like this was quite a different story. I found it less «spectacular», lacking some of the most iconic in-your-face horror scenes from the movie, but hence all the more interesting for the emphasis it placed on the characters. Danny’s POV was my favorite!
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
4.0
Wow, it feels strange to be through with this!
Early on I described this as a combination of Norwegian Wood and The Promised Neverland, and I still stand by that. Heading into this I was pleasantly surprised to find myself wrapped in a soft kind of dark academia atmosphere, and the reading experience was like watching a ball of yarn unravelling slowly but surely to give you more insight into what’s going on. The storytelling seemed impressively genuine, like there’s an actual person reliving their memories in fragments and taking certain truths for granted, and in this way telling you what was going on, but not really.
In addition to loving the narration style, I was very interested in the themes being explored, especially since I felt like I could relate some of the central principles and discussions to my background in biology. I also felt that the considerations of art and creative expression made an impression on me and will stay summing in my thoughts for a while.
I sensed some 5-star tingles at the beginning of the book, but I think what brought it down a notch was the fact that I never found myself truly feeling for the characters. I tried to, but there was always this distance which I was never able to close, although I did sympathize with the designed situation. Acknowledgning that this may have been an intentional move, I personally still prefer when a book is able to tug at my heartstrings.
Nevertheless, a solid read, and I’m happy for those who have yet to experience it for the first time:)
Early on I described this as a combination of Norwegian Wood and The Promised Neverland, and I still stand by that. Heading into this I was pleasantly surprised to find myself wrapped in a soft kind of dark academia atmosphere, and the reading experience was like watching a ball of yarn unravelling slowly but surely to give you more insight into what’s going on. The storytelling seemed impressively genuine, like there’s an actual person reliving their memories in fragments and taking certain truths for granted, and in this way telling you what was going on, but not really.
In addition to loving the narration style, I was very interested in the themes being explored, especially since I felt like I could relate some of the central principles and discussions to my background in biology. I also felt that the considerations of art and creative expression made an impression on me and will stay summing in my thoughts for a while.
I sensed some 5-star tingles at the beginning of the book, but I think what brought it down a notch was the fact that I never found myself truly feeling for the characters. I tried to, but there was always this distance which I was never able to close, although I did sympathize with the designed situation. Acknowledgning that this may have been an intentional move, I personally still prefer when a book is able to tug at my heartstrings.
Nevertheless, a solid read, and I’m happy for those who have yet to experience it for the first time:)
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
5.0
This was absolutely fantastic. I simultaneously want to sit in silent contemplation and scream out to everyone about it; it’s the kind of book you wish everyone in the world had read. It is written with such curiosity, care and respect, and Bessel van der Kolk’s genuine desire to understand and help people radiates through all the pages. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned from this reading experience, spanning across personal and societal sectors of life. I can’t recommend it enough, but due to the heavy thematics I urge you to take care in how you feel comfortable with approaching it.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
4.0
3.75
“This isn't simply an orphanage. It is a house of healing, and one that I think is necessary.”
I loved how this whimsical, cozy fantasy manages to capture real-life thematics of inadequate orphanage care, bureaucracy, queerness, xenophobia etc. Nevertheless it functions as a wonderful escape from reality, being centered around a warm story about healing and belonging and a cast of characters you can’t help but love.
“This isn't simply an orphanage. It is a house of healing, and one that I think is necessary.”
I loved how this whimsical, cozy fantasy manages to capture real-life thematics of inadequate orphanage care, bureaucracy, queerness, xenophobia etc. Nevertheless it functions as a wonderful escape from reality, being centered around a warm story about healing and belonging and a cast of characters you can’t help but love.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
3.0
The mediocre rating is a reflection of the conflicting feelings making up my reading experience; sometimes the vibes were great and the concepts were very intriguing, while other times the story felt flat and unconvincing.
The main issue was the large degree of «telling» instead of «showing», but to be honest, sometimes there wasn’t even any telling… It could feel absurd to suddenly worry that you had missed out on several key paragraphs, since the characters would start acting as if some change had taken place off-page. Most of the character dynamics are examples of this. Romance storylines are being built upon chemistry that we’re told is there, but that we never see for ourselves. The matchups had potential and might’ve been great, but unfortunately they were handled very superficially.
However, there were several things I liked about the book. The general atmosphere, the contrast between cozy tea shops and illegal blood houses, the brutal plot twists, and the sprinkles of great quotes, just to mention some. The book had its 4 star moments, but I can’t ignore what I experienced as a lack of communication from the author to the reader.
Nevertheless, I had a very enjoyable buddy read experience and enjoyed discussing it along the way!
The main issue was the large degree of «telling» instead of «showing», but to be honest, sometimes there wasn’t even any telling… It could feel absurd to suddenly worry that you had missed out on several key paragraphs, since the characters would start acting as if some change had taken place off-page. Most of the character dynamics are examples of this. Romance storylines are being built upon chemistry that we’re told is there, but that we never see for ourselves. The matchups had potential and might’ve been great, but unfortunately they were handled very superficially.
However, there were several things I liked about the book. The general atmosphere, the contrast between cozy tea shops and illegal blood houses, the brutal plot twists, and the sprinkles of great quotes, just to mention some. The book had its 4 star moments, but I can’t ignore what I experienced as a lack of communication from the author to the reader.
Nevertheless, I had a very enjoyable buddy read experience and enjoyed discussing it along the way!
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
3.0
«And by that destiny to perform an act
Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come
In yours and my discharge.» (2.1.288)
Not my favorite Shakespeare read so far, but it was cool! I liked the complexity of the plot, the focus on stories and mythological creatures, and the thematization of European exploration and colonization. It also managed to make me chuckle a few times:)
Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come
In yours and my discharge.» (2.1.288)
Not my favorite Shakespeare read so far, but it was cool! I liked the complexity of the plot, the focus on stories and mythological creatures, and the thematization of European exploration and colonization. It also managed to make me chuckle a few times:)