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tristesse's reviews
52 reviews
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
mysterious
tense
4.25
I think the story is pretty engaging, but not enough to give it full stars. I love how it makes me question almost the whole neighborhood, but the downside of it is, it never shows any strong motive that I am never so sure of who the real culprit is throughout the entire book. Instead, it provides unnecessary details that are so uncalled for, example: Meredith suddenly describes her husband handsome when she was just thinking of something else a second ago. (Really? Do you have to go that far?)
I, too, think there's something lacking. Delilah could have tried to escape anyhow, or the writer could have given us her point of view at the last part of the book, but nope, none. I like it as whole, I just think it could be better.
I, too, think there's something lacking. Delilah could have tried to escape anyhow, or the writer could have given us her point of view at the last part of the book, but nope, none. I like it as whole, I just think it could be better.
Please Look After Mother by Kyung-sook Shin
When I tell you I was crying hysterically throughout the whole thing, it held no ounce of lie, only truth in its entirety. The book is divided into four parts, four point of views. Each one so unique. First of the daughter, second of the eldest son, third of the husband, and fourth of the mom. It was an emotional read yet strangely it, too, provided me warmth and comfort that I would hold in my heart for a very long time.
While reading, I was reminded of the words I heard somewhere, that we oft forget that it's the first time our mom living a life. So please be gentle on her. Mom isn't a hero, she's a human being like us, who makes mistakes, who loves her child with the whole of her heart. It makes me appreciate my mom more. Hugs for all moms out there. ❤️
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
“To you, Mom was always Mom. It never occurred to you that she had once taken her first step, or had once been three or twelve or twenty years old. Mom was Mom. She was born as Mom. Until you saw her running to your uncle like that, it hadn’t dawned on you that she was a human being who harbored the exact same feeling you had for your own brothers, and this realization led to the awareness that she, too, had had a childhood. From then on, you sometimes thought of Mom as a child, as a girl, as a young woman, as a newlywed, as a mother who had just given birth to you.”
When I tell you I was crying hysterically throughout the whole thing, it held no ounce of lie, only truth in its entirety. The book is divided into four parts, four point of views. Each one so unique. First of the daughter, second of the eldest son, third of the husband, and fourth of the mom. It was an emotional read yet strangely it, too, provided me warmth and comfort that I would hold in my heart for a very long time.
While reading, I was reminded of the words I heard somewhere, that we oft forget that it's the first time our mom living a life. So please be gentle on her. Mom isn't a hero, she's a human being like us, who makes mistakes, who loves her child with the whole of her heart. It makes me appreciate my mom more. Hugs for all moms out there. ❤️
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
emotional
reflective
5.0
Wow... that was a lot to take in. All I want to say is I respect and admire Paul so much for his bravery while facing death. An excellent book to welcome August.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Peeta truly loves Katniss with every fiber of his being and no one can convince me otherwise. He would sacrifice everything for the girl he is helplessly in love with. It's interesting to see how the last part plays out, it was confusing at first, and now I'm extremely worried of our good baker boy's well-being. Some characters' deaths made me bawl my eyes out. Also, I love Finnick and I think I am growing so attached of him, I'm terrified of what will come. Suzanne's writing never ceases to amaze me. I can't wait to read the third book already.
5.0
"If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life."
Peeta truly loves Katniss with every fiber of his being and no one can convince me otherwise. He would sacrifice everything for the girl he is helplessly in love with. It's interesting to see how the last part plays out, it was confusing at first, and now I'm extremely worried of our good baker boy's well-being. Some characters' deaths made me bawl my eyes out. Also, I love Finnick and I think I am growing so attached of him, I'm terrified of what will come. Suzanne's writing never ceases to amaze me. I can't wait to read the third book already.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A million stars don't seem fitting to express my love for this one. I love love love LOVE this book so much.
One sunny afternoon, I was left with nothing to do so I thought might be good checking out new movies in the cinema; then I picked A Man Called Otto because there weren't many other choices, and it sounded intriguing anyways. I was sobbing throughout the movie, mainly because I found Otto as a relatable character─at the same time, reminding me of my own grandfather─and the other reason being I've always been a crybaby. So, I knew, going into this book, I most likely am going to cry. But it still didn't prepare me enough, I still cried in every other pages and Ove doesn't leave my mind even after days passed. This book wrecked me like no other. It broke my heart into pieces and I don't think I will ever recover.
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
She found it easy to forgive than Ove did. Forgive God and the universe and everything. Ove got angry instead. Maybe because he felt someone had to be angry on her behalf, when everything that was evil seemed to assail the only person he'd ever met who didn't deserve it. So he fought the whole world.
A million stars don't seem fitting to express my love for this one. I love love love LOVE this book so much.
One sunny afternoon, I was left with nothing to do so I thought might be good checking out new movies in the cinema; then I picked A Man Called Otto because there weren't many other choices, and it sounded intriguing anyways. I was sobbing throughout the movie, mainly because I found Otto as a relatable character─at the same time, reminding me of my own grandfather─and the other reason being I've always been a crybaby. So, I knew, going into this book, I most likely am going to cry. But it still didn't prepare me enough, I still cried in every other pages and Ove doesn't leave my mind even after days passed. This book wrecked me like no other. It broke my heart into pieces and I don't think I will ever recover.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Listen.... LISTEN.... IT BROKE ME.
Grief isn't something you can get over in a day or two. The sorrow eats you up, you see. Even so, she still has children─mouths to feed. I completely understand her mother's situation, but it wasn't very wise of her to neglect her responsibilities as a mother.
What makes me furious: The cruelty of starvation and injustice of The Capitol get me so upset, I want to strangle those people myself. It's the way they do everything in their power to ensure the game is entertaining in every possible ways, also the thing about mutts (apparently the movie didn't mentally prepare me for it). It's actually funny that they keep saying "May the odds be ever in your favor!" The odds were never in their favor, alright. Some people never experienced hunger and it shows.
What I like about Katniss Everdeen: I greatly admire Katniss' strength─for not letting there be a moment of hesitation when she takes Prim's place in the game by volunteering as a tribute immediately, for doing everything she could to stay alive, and her caring personality.
Don't you just love her!
What I think of Peeta: As much as I love Katniss Everdeen, I need to admit that Peeta stole my heart. It pains me that, maybe, him not getting mad at Katniss being the reason behind his hand injury before the game is a result of constant beating from his mother. He is so used of it that his suffering is quiet (please I want to cry). Even in the game, with his leg bleeding, he is not whining much. I just want to protect the precious baker boy.
What I think of the ending: Peeta's conversation with Katniss... I will never be okay again.
All in all, this is such an amazing book and I doubt I could stop thinking about it. I still have so much to say, for now though, I have to put my ramblings to an end. 5 stars, I think it's my best read of the month yet.
5.0
Oh, I genuinely have no idea where to start.
I think I would begin with saying: now, everyone, that is what I call a great dystopian book. The book discusses important matters and I feel like everyone should read it, at least, once in a lifetime. People aren't lying when they say THG has everything and how it's a pity to miss out on something as amazing as this. A few years back, the idea of reading didn't intrigue me. I feared I wouldn't understand a single thing because I considered the topic was too heavy for my liking. I put it off for years, and I finally get to join the hype. I'm not sure I can ever escape now, not that I want to.
I would like to add that from this point onwards, there may be spoilers. I understand most people have already finished the series, therefore, spoilers are fine. But if you haven't, same reason as me more or less, I suggest you proceed only if you are fine with it.
And, despite I said this before, I will say it again: The song The Great War is so Everlark-coded, no one can change my mind. I am 100% convinced that Taylor Swift made the song for them because it fits perfectly.
Okay, moving on to the actual review.
I watched the movies before I started the book and for most in my cases, it's usually enough that I wouldn't bother having it presented to me in a form of writing afterwards. Oh, how wrong I was.
Katniss' inner monologues are so fascinating, and I love learning about her thoughts that don't appear in the movies. I oftentimes find myself laughing at how silly she sounds from her suspicions of Peeta. The girl was so trapped in survival mode that she didn't realize how desperately in love Peeta was with her. It's actually saddening that Katniss is as strong as she is now because she was forced by the whole family situation. She was just a child.
I think I would begin with saying: now, everyone, that is what I call a great dystopian book. The book discusses important matters and I feel like everyone should read it, at least, once in a lifetime. People aren't lying when they say THG has everything and how it's a pity to miss out on something as amazing as this. A few years back, the idea of reading didn't intrigue me. I feared I wouldn't understand a single thing because I considered the topic was too heavy for my liking. I put it off for years, and I finally get to join the hype. I'm not sure I can ever escape now, not that I want to.
I would like to add that from this point onwards, there may be spoilers. I understand most people have already finished the series, therefore, spoilers are fine. But if you haven't, same reason as me more or less, I suggest you proceed only if you are fine with it.
And, despite I said this before, I will say it again: The song The Great War is so Everlark-coded, no one can change my mind. I am 100% convinced that Taylor Swift made the song for them because it fits perfectly.
Okay, moving on to the actual review.
I watched the movies before I started the book and for most in my cases, it's usually enough that I wouldn't bother having it presented to me in a form of writing afterwards. Oh, how wrong I was.
Katniss' inner monologues are so fascinating, and I love learning about her thoughts that don't appear in the movies. I oftentimes find myself laughing at how silly she sounds from her suspicions of Peeta. The girl was so trapped in survival mode that she didn't realize how desperately in love Peeta was with her. It's actually saddening that Katniss is as strong as she is now because she was forced by the whole family situation. She was just a child.
"I was terrified. I suppose now that my mother was locked in some dark world of sadness, but at the time, all I knew was that I had lost not only a father, but a mother as well. At eleven years old, with Prim just seven, I took over as head of the family."
Listen.... LISTEN.... IT BROKE ME.
Grief isn't something you can get over in a day or two. The sorrow eats you up, you see. Even so, she still has children─mouths to feed. I completely understand her mother's situation, but it wasn't very wise of her to neglect her responsibilities as a mother.
What makes me furious: The cruelty of starvation and injustice of The Capitol get me so upset, I want to strangle those people myself. It's the way they do everything in their power to ensure the game is entertaining in every possible ways, also the thing about mutts (apparently the movie didn't mentally prepare me for it). It's actually funny that they keep saying "May the odds be ever in your favor!" The odds were never in their favor, alright. Some people never experienced hunger and it shows.
What I like about Katniss Everdeen: I greatly admire Katniss' strength─for not letting there be a moment of hesitation when she takes Prim's place in the game by volunteering as a tribute immediately, for doing everything she could to stay alive, and her caring personality.
"Okay, maybe I don't go around loving everybody I meet, maybe my smiles are hard to come by, but I do care for some people."
Don't you just love her!
What I think of Peeta: As much as I love Katniss Everdeen, I need to admit that Peeta stole my heart. It pains me that, maybe, him not getting mad at Katniss being the reason behind his hand injury before the game is a result of constant beating from his mother. He is so used of it that his suffering is quiet (please I want to cry). Even in the game, with his leg bleeding, he is not whining much. I just want to protect the precious baker boy.
What I think of the ending: Peeta's conversation with Katniss... I will never be okay again.
All in all, this is such an amazing book and I doubt I could stop thinking about it. I still have so much to say, for now though, I have to put my ramblings to an end. 5 stars, I think it's my best read of the month yet.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
mysterious
tense
4.25
Turns out I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The plot twists are crazy, I got no time to recover and there was already another one. All in all, that was definitely.... something.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This book makes me feel so much emotions... from genuine happiness, sadness, and everything in between. I just love the familiarity of this book: the food, the common financial matters, and how the rivalry reminds me much of my own experience─the passion to do better─to get higher rank than the smartest guy at the high school I attended (also the constant push not from my parents, but myself). I wholly enjoy the academic rivals to lovers trope. Henry Li is, by far, the loveliest man character written by a woman I've ever come across. I love his remarks, I found myself cackling several times at those because he's just effortlessly funny (in a way that caused annoyance for Alice). And as for Alice, I completely understand her position (though it doesn't mean I justify everything she did), I feel for her. God, I just love how Henry supports her and believes in her. All in all, If You Could See The Sun feels like a comforting hug after a long tiring day. I can see myself picking this up again for a couple more times in the future. Please, please, read this book. It's worth your time I swear.
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
4.5
I can't help that I am still on John's side until the end, perhaps it's because I always have a soft spot for (cute) childhood friends to lovers compared to fake dating, but I am glad of how it turned out. It makes me linger for John, yes, but I'm happy Lara Jean and Peter were able to clear misunderstandings between them. This book brings me so much comfort and I'm liking it best compared to the first one. I'm just so in love, it feels like a warm hug in cold winter. Something I will always keep close to my heart.
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
Let me start off by saying I just can't stress enough how the foundation of Lucy and Gabe's "relationship" wasn't strong at all. It was merely infatuation and lust. Some may disagree of how I perceive it, but that's how I feel. The years of longing, their names lingering in the back of each other's minds, or only Lucy (I doubt Gabe thought of her as often as she did his). Lucy knew the consequences of her own actions and was well-aware of what was right, yet still, she managed to disappoint me just the same. How lovely! Apart from the writing, this book angers me and I just want Darren to step out of that marriage and be happier somewhere else.
1.0
"We see everything through the filter of our own desires and regrets, hopes and fears."
Let me start off by saying I just can't stress enough how the foundation of Lucy and Gabe's "relationship" wasn't strong at all. It was merely infatuation and lust. Some may disagree of how I perceive it, but that's how I feel. The years of longing, their names lingering in the back of each other's minds, or only Lucy (I doubt Gabe thought of her as often as she did his). Lucy knew the consequences of her own actions and was well-aware of what was right, yet still, she managed to disappoint me just the same. How lovely! Apart from the writing, this book angers me and I just want Darren to step out of that marriage and be happier somewhere else.