One of the most heart wrenching, astounding, eloquent and haunting books I have EVER read! Following a girl in the afterlife desperately longing to reOne of the most heart wrenching, astounding, eloquent and haunting books I have EVER read! Following a girl in the afterlife desperately longing to remember her name and the life that she lived previous ~ this is a book that will stick to you.
Wholeheartedly recommend this if you love: the walking dead (the zombie narrative is to die for), cannibal*sm as a personification for survival, notes on mortality, post-apocalyptic fiction and books that'll make you question EVERYTHING...more
Near to the Wild Heart is an astounding story following a woman’s journey through a world of womanhood, heartbreak, an innate desire to be loved and wNear to the Wild Heart is an astounding story following a woman’s journey through a world of womanhood, heartbreak, an innate desire to be loved and whether any of us truly know who we are.
Clarice’s prose endlessly sweeps me off feet... my favourite book EVER EVER EVER!!! ...more
the memory police is a dystopian novel reflecting upon the importance of memory, humanity and connection. disam I obsessed with this book? absolutely
the memory police is a dystopian novel reflecting upon the importance of memory, humanity and connection. discussing the cost of losing vital parts of our being in comparison to losing passions that we are expected to survive without, every page of this book brought a new insight, conversation and fragility to the characters. with the most beautiful, fast paced writing too, I could NOT put this book down and it consumed every part of me until the very last page.
this is one I'll be revisiting again, knowing I'll get even more out of it with every read!...more
Babel is not only one of my favourite reads of the year, but undoubtedly one of my favourite reads ever. Presenting the tedious yet the absolute obsesBabel is not only one of my favourite reads of the year, but undoubtedly one of my favourite reads ever. Presenting the tedious yet the absolute obsessiveness of study, language and writing, we follow Robin on his journey entering The Royal Institution of Translation all through to its downfall.
R.F. Kuang discusses colonialism and the racist, prejudice traditions of not only 1800s Oxford but the entirety of Britain, particularly through the characters of Robin and Victoire. The colonial resistance and the use of translation as not only a direct commentary on colonialism, but also the importance of language within society. Discussing ‘is translation always an act of betrayal?’ was one of the many things I adored about this book. Being an avid lover of translated works, it was absolutely fascinating to read a deep dive into the logistics, morals and absolute skill it takes to transform a story from its original form.
Also noting that with this being my first R.F Kuang book and loving the dark academia genre, I was initially daunted by Babel (though now I recognise, in the best way). Her writing is now one of the most gorgeous, lyrical, raw and astounding I have ever read. With every paragraph created with such emotion and truth, Babel completely consumed my reading and is undoubtedly, my favourite dark academia book I have ever read. Her analysis on a white privileged focused genre, and exposing the parts of study and education that are racist and prejudice makes it an absolute stand out from the rest.
It’s also worth highlighting the characterisation and friendships within Babel. From their differences to their complicated love for one another, Robin, Ramy, Victoire and Letty were such a joy and heartbreak to read about. Exposing the polarising ways that different people, their race, nationally, ethnicity and gender are treated at Oxford and how often those with the privilege are unable to recognise it.
Babel has left me absolutely breathless. I am in complete and utter awe of the writing, imagery and impact this book has not only had on me, but the entire dark academia genre....more
I can't put into words how beautiful, astounding, haunting and personal my alls well reading experience was.. a full review will be coming to my instaI can't put into words how beautiful, astounding, haunting and personal my alls well reading experience was.. a full review will be coming to my instagram soon!!!...more
FIRST FIVE STAR OF THE YEAR (and I couldn't be happier)
'We are imperfect mortal beings, aware of that mortality even as we push it away, failed by ourFIRST FIVE STAR OF THE YEAR (and I couldn't be happier)
'We are imperfect mortal beings, aware of that mortality even as we push it away, failed by our very complication, so wired that when we mourn our losses we also mourn, for better or for worse, ourselves. As we were. As we are no longer. As we will one day not be at all.'
The year of Magical Thinking is a memoir following Joan Didion's experiences with grief and the sudden death of her husband. With this being my first Didion work, I was unaware of what the book would entail but Joan Didion had such a way with words that left me absolutely speechless. This book without a doubt came to me at the perfect time and instantly became a very personal and difficult reading experience. A childhood lost I have personally experienced, almost to the point, was narrated in this book which was very strange, but both heartwarming and shattering to read. No one has ever so perfectly described my emotions, questions and contemplations with grief and death like Joan Didion did here.
Absolutely in awe with this book, I feel so appreciative for Didion to have shared such raw and personal emotions with her readers... and I am so excited to read more from her this year!...more
I who have never known men is an astounding piece of speculative and dystopian fiction with discussions on womanhood, love and death, all with amazingI who have never known men is an astounding piece of speculative and dystopian fiction with discussions on womanhood, love and death, all with amazing character studies! A bleak but powerful read, this is one that will undoubtedly stay with me for quite some time. ...more
No writer has ever touched my soul the way Rilke has, and I am so filled with joy that I found his cI am once again left breathless at Rilke's words.
No writer has ever touched my soul the way Rilke has, and I am so filled with joy that I found his collections and that now, I can go to them to seek comfort, inspiration and love. Duino Elegies was such a breath of fresh air. Discussing history and how its spirits live on in the walls of historical buildings, the love we have for animals, the hopefulness of death, what happens after and humanity in a way that feels so fundamentally special. Rilke makes you fall in love with life, nature and words in a way I have never experienced. There is no doubt in my mind, that he is absolutely my favourite writer. I am so excited to read the rest of his collections, but also daunted for the day I no longer can read his words, influence and stance on life for the first time. ...more
this book much like the title, was GORGEOUS! I went into this book with the hope of beautiful prose and a heartbreaking story and that is exactly what I received.
the book is hard to describe and is definitely best going into, not knowing too much about but this is a story surrounding the dynamics of different relationships and character development. on earth we're briefly gorgeous follows little dog's complicated relationship with his family and mother due to the vietnam war. its such a powerful, moving story that really grips you with the writing style.
it is absolutely no question to me that ocean vuong is an incredibly talented poet and writer. I found myself tabbing so many beautiful elements and just being in awe of such an arrangement of words. I fell so in love with the writing and portrayal of this book, I'll definitely be picking up more of ocean vuong's work in the future!...more
THIS BOOK?! I have been sat contemplating my thoughts on this book and I'm absolutely mind blown.
first and foremost, this book was ➶ 2021 books: 27/60
THIS BOOK?! I have been sat contemplating my thoughts on this book and I'm absolutely mind blown.
first and foremost, this book was incredibly clever. I went into it knowing that many people describe it as strange and wow, what an understatement! mona awad's writing style was amazing and the way she described every element of this book really enhanced the question of 'is this real?' there were so many subtle hints informing us on what was actually occurring and what was a figment of samantha's imagination but they were so embedded within the unreliable narration, that I had absolutely no idea.
the entirety of this book felt like a tripp... reflecting samantha's own imagination and experiences and yet again, the writing style aided this massively. mona awad was somehow able to make it feel like so much was happening at once, making time go increasingly quicker but other times, coming to a sudden halt. I honestly can't put into words how baffled I am at her writing in this book!!
I absolutely adore books that have an unreliable narration and are left open to interpretation and this book was EXACTLY THAT. this is an absolute new favourite book of all time and its one that I'll definitely be rereading soon! I highly recommend it to everyone!...more
After wanting to pick this book up for years but being quite intimidated by the sheer size and contents of The Secret History... I ended up LOVIWOW...
After wanting to pick this book up for years but being quite intimidated by the sheer size and contents of The Secret History... I ended up LOVING IT.
This book was beautifully created with such lyrical prose and many notable quotes. Donna Tartt did such an incredible job at creating a vivid, mysterious and dark atmosphere that only enhanced the plot and I could imagine every single scene perfectly. Aswell as this, THE CHARACTER ANALYSIS was amazing and I was constantly left baffled at how complex and intricate each character was (specifically Henry). It was fascinating to see how each character would justify their terrible actions and their reasonings. Characters that are far from perfect and that are painfully ambiguous are always my favourite kind of reads and I absolutely loved pulling apart each one of them.
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