I don't know about you but when I first wanted to bake a red velvet cake myself, I was shook when I looked at the list of ingredients.
I was like, oh wI don't know about you but when I first wanted to bake a red velvet cake myself, I was shook when I looked at the list of ingredients.
I was like, oh well, just try and voila, it turned out like the red velvet cake I had from the shop if not better hehe.
This book is like a red velvet cake. So many plot points and conflicts I wondered midway through the book if any of these will ever make sense.
They kinda did in the end? Maybe this will be spoilery from now on.
I enjoyed how it is not apparent if the narrators are unreliable or there's a paranormal element to it or it's a physiological thriller or a murder mystery.
When I finished it I was relieved that all the loose ends were tied but a bit disappointed that everything was a series of tragic coincidence? Anyway, it's nice to found yet another page turner. ...more
If it is not obvious yet, I made it my goal this year to finish some of the series I'vMore like 3.5 stars I would say.
It...was a chore to get through.
If it is not obvious yet, I made it my goal this year to finish some of the series I've started way back when. It feels quite nice actually to not be aware of new releases and get distracted by them. And reading books in a series back to back because God...my pregnancy brain never left me.
I guess this series aged quite nicely with the diversity and its openness to discuss about religion and spiritualism - it's easy to write an overly dramatic, cringey angel book but Laini Taylor has that self-awareness way of writing that makes me...uh, not be ashamed of reading these books in public?
But at the end of the day - the entertainment value is obvious. Like Geralt and Yennifer in The Witcher series (I've only watched the TV show), the books would not work if neither Akiva nor Karou is breathtakingly stunning. would it? I also have to agree with lots of the reviewers who pointed out how looooong it takes for the book to end. Yes, we can have too much of a good thing. Although I do appreciate the more pragmatic ending....more
Since 2015 I've been quite out of touch with the bookish community so when I saw this was available from my library, I thought this was some sort of aSince 2015 I've been quite out of touch with the bookish community so when I saw this was available from my library, I thought this was some sort of an obscure read ...more
The least favourite from the series but still very, very solid. I think the book suffers from overcrowding. Like I already got attached to Kady, Ezra,The least favourite from the series but still very, very solid. I think the book suffers from overcrowding. Like I already got attached to Kady, Ezra, Hanna, Ella, Nik and ehem Aidan, I basically wanted to skip anything with Rhys and Asha in it. And I felt like the finale was written first because there is something very deliberate about it. It is not as ruthless as Illuminae, not as heart-pumping as Gemina, just...'yeah, okay, we need to wrap this up'.
Still not happy because we didn't know any details about Leanne's backstory and her dynamic with Ezra....more
Okay, okay. How on Earth did this book go from 'okay, this is boring and I want to know what happens in Hypatia' to 'whoaaa, did Hanna Connelly just bOkay, okay. How on Earth did this book go from 'okay, this is boring and I want to know what happens in Hypatia' to 'whoaaa, did Hanna Connelly just become my favourite character in the series so far?'
When the auditors start to show up...boy, I could not put this down. Didn't care that it reads like a thriller because this book is so ahead of its time (Marvel, take note. No need to overcomplicate stuff). I know it is somewhat formulaic - Lamina is Gemina's Phobos and the big twist is there too (although I did sense that something doesn't quite add up). But now the villains actually have personalities (and we do know how they look like thanks to the book's format), and not just a ship (Lincoln) with nameless passengers.
Loved how natural the progression of Nik and Hanna's relationship. And Ella is such a breakout star lol....more
I forgot to write a review for this. When did I even read it? Two years ago? But I remember being quite engrossed with it and kinda remember the plot I forgot to write a review for this. When did I even read it? Two years ago? But I remember being quite engrossed with it and kinda remember the plot and the ending so that's a good sign that it was an enjoyable read right?...more
Apparently this was a parting gift for my husband from his client's mother. The copy looks old and after I finished it only I realised that this was pApparently this was a parting gift for my husband from his client's mother. The copy looks old and after I finished it only I realised that this was published in 2004 ...more
I didn't want to rate a book I admittedly didn't read in its entirety but Goodreads doesn't let me write a review without rating the book first.
PhysicI didn't want to rate a book I admittedly didn't read in its entirety but Goodreads doesn't let me write a review without rating the book first.
Physics has never been my favourite subject and it seems like I would never be fully self sufficient in becoming self sufficient without that branch of knowledge ...more
I was surprised when I found out that this book was published in 2019. The content is now more relevant than ever. Found this as one of the 'sustainabI was surprised when I found out that this book was published in 2019. The content is now more relevant than ever. Found this as one of the 'sustainability books' sold at Aldi at discounted prices. While I appreciate the Australian-focused content (do you know how confusing it is to see my YouTube feeds filled with summer/autumn cooking and gardening right now?), I agree that the book is a bit, uh, preachy.
The first few chapters were like a loving smack to my face but eventually I accept that it's coming from a good place haha. Nothing like a good lecture from a grandma hey. The craft and dairy chapters were totally out of my depth but I do strive to work on that. This is a book that I'll be coming back to time and time again....more
Goodness, how long has it been. I even forgot my GR password. Anyway, I went to this book blindly. Found it for free on the roadside, never read any oGoodness, how long has it been. I even forgot my GR password. Anyway, I went to this book blindly. Found it for free on the roadside, never read any of Shannon Hale's other books and needless to say, can't remember the last time I actually finished a physical book (I want to blame it on motherhood but I know other mothers who do have time to read. Oh well).
I guess it's nice to start with such a light-hearted book after so long? No matter how juvenile the book sounds I could tell that it was written by someone who has write a lot in this genre, that this is her territory. They are a few heavy themes like child negligence and gender identity but they were dealt in such a way that keeps the tone of the book light.
The beginning of the book was a pain to go though but I flew the last hundred pages. Didn't expect it to go to that direction but uh...it did so that was awkward. ...more
My God, how do I do Goodreads again? I don't understand why I read less when I'm a stay home wife/soon-to-be-mom than I was a PhD student.
But I'm currMy God, how do I do Goodreads again? I don't understand why I read less when I'm a stay home wife/soon-to-be-mom than I was a PhD student.
But I'm currently in semi-lockdown so I should probably go back to my true introvert root...
I actually really like Kitty whenever she appears on The Project and Have You Been Paying Attention. She has this savage and deadpan sense of humour and she always manages to do this with a straight face. When I decided to pick up this book, I thought it'll be like, 'yeah, I should start doing that'. But it turned out to be 'damn gurl, people should totally start doing it'. 488 rules? I believe in most of these plus probably a hundred more rules. Which now makes me acutely aware of why I don't tolerate a lot of people. Hmm.
The highlights include - rule 108: that made me snort-laughed and maybe cried a bit too especially because it hit too close to home now with the coronavirus pandemic. - rule 121: never thought that, THAT is the function of penne. Since I always went with fettucini. But then again, I never went for a pasta on a date. - rule 155: I'm not vegetarian but I eat halal so normally the only option is to eat vegetarian and I seriously wanted to murder anyone who ate the vegetarian pizza after a student's talk at grad school. - rule 392: preach, girl.
Have to disagree with - rule 128: because I love avocado juice/jus alpukat. - rule 135: not exactly disagree because I never tried juicing a guava. But the guava juice that comes in tetra box? Love it! Although now that I think about it, might have contain artificial guava... - rule 243: not with the rule but with the insult on mocha. Come on, it's the best of both worlds....more
I think it was the year 2015 when I read seven of Maas' books and by the end of it, I felt almost like vomiting. Okay, that wasn't true, I didn't feelI think it was the year 2015 when I read seven of Maas' books and by the end of it, I felt almost like vomiting. Okay, that wasn't true, I didn't feel like vomiting, I felt like, I just needed a break from SJM, you know.
And by a break, I didn't mean a four-year break.
Man, I was so lost when I first started this book. I think I tried to read it at least three times, managed to sludge through three or four chapters, got frustrated, stopped and the library loan expired.
Until I was adamant to finish it recently since the whole series is out now. Visited Recaptain a couple of times to get my head around what actually happened in Queen of Shadows, still massively confused but for the life of me I.will.not.start.the.bloody.series.all.over.again. My ego would not tolerate that.
So I sludged through even more, pissed because EXCUSE ME, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS BOOK IS 704-PAGES LONG WHEN I STARTED IT BUT WHAT THE HELL, I'M IN TOO DEEP NOW TO STOP. I also tried to go back to my reviews of the previous books and OF COURSE, I DIDN'T WRITE ANYTHING USEFUL OTHER THAN GUSHING OVER THE CHARACTERS.
And ehem, although I'm supposed to be four-years-old more matured and my bullshit detector sharper than ever, I was still thoroughly enjoying the ride (there are bullshit alright, I'll get to them, don't you worry). SJM's writing is a drugggg. I guess we all secretly want a piece of Aelin or Lysandra or Manon. Hmm...maybe not so much Elide. And our current/future partner a little bit like Rowan or Aedion or Dorian or even Lorcan.
Which brings me to the bullshit #1: (view spoiler)[Ermm, so does all the main characters in this series have to be good-looking AND powerful? Not just in terms of physical or magical power but secretly a royalty or some sort? Even Elide who I thought was supposed to be the token average girl in the series is breathtakingly beautiful after a few meals and a lady of some sort?
Bullshit #2: Aelin and Rowan CAN'T be doing the deed right after Lysandra almost got mauled to death. I mean, at this point, they didn't even know if she was going to make it. I mean, Aelin and Rowan, you can't be this dumb and heartless!
Bullshit #3: I thought this series started as a YA and when we get to this book, THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A YA. I don't have any problems with New Adult/Adult book but if SJM decided to spice things up because of the success of ACOTAR series, then that's just low. (hide spoiler)]
Bullshit aside, of course I'm going to continue with the series because I'm gullible like that. But I'm going to skip of Tower of Dawn because I never liked Chaol....more
Hmmmeeehhhh~ I'm not sure if I waited too long to read this book but it was fine. Nice. Okay. I like the morally ambiguous protagonist, Yarvi. I was sHmmmeeehhhh~ I'm not sure if I waited too long to read this book but it was fine. Nice. Okay. I like the morally ambiguous protagonist, Yarvi. I was shook too at the betrayal early in the book but the rest...it was good but not spectacular.
The ending was probably the best part of the book. (view spoiler)[I actually liked Nothing until the ultimate reveal at the end. Like, once he is king, he sort of acts out of characters. But the last chapter when Yarvi actually killed Mother ??? (can't remember her name. Chills! (hide spoiler)]...more
I knew this wouldn't be as good as You going into it based on the other reviews. But I guess my curiosity got the better of it. I did finish this bookI knew this wouldn't be as good as You going into it based on the other reviews. But I guess my curiosity got the better of it. I did finish this book, so there's that.
(view spoiler)[I didn't like Beck but I dislike Amy and Love even more if that's even possible? The odd thing is, I'm not passionately disliking them, I'm just 'meh, these girls are so corrupted, it's not even shocking'. I still think Love is a totally unrealistic character. Like, come on! No girls stupid or crazy enough to be okay with knowing what Joe had done and still stick with him.
The ending was kind of underwhelming. I guess the author tried to make it as neutral as possible so that if the reception towards Hidden Bodies is good, she can write more books in the series and if it isn't good, then it kind of ends with a somewhat satisfying ending regardless whether you are rooting for Joe or not. (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm still not sure why adulting is so hard - leaving me with so little time to read. Or maybe I'm just a master procrastinator.
Either way, I thought II'm still not sure why adulting is so hard - leaving me with so little time to read. Or maybe I'm just a master procrastinator.
Either way, I thought I was losing passion in reading and I was ready to bawl and reflect on my entire existence until...I decided that maybe I just haven't found another book that really capture my interest.
Whoaaa...I actually breezed through this and it's not like it's a short book either. That sensation man...I think I fall in love with reading all over again. This series is in its own league, seriously. The characters are as unlikeable as ever, although I actually did ship Radu and Cyprian. And it handled difficult subjects like war, sexual orientation and religion in such an unbiased and matured manner. I think I took off one star just because things get a bit predictable (or maybe because I know the history already). Oh well, definitely pumped to finish the entire series soon....more
Re-reading this a month ago in preparation for The Crimes of Grindelwald. As usual, J.K. Rowling's books are a breeze to read, got through this in twoRe-reading this a month ago in preparation for The Crimes of Grindelwald. As usual, J.K. Rowling's books are a breeze to read, got through this in two days (it's a script so that helps too). I guess the re-reading value of this book isn't as great as the Harry Potter books. Although it does help now that I know exactly how Niffler, Frank, Pickett (my absolute fav) and all the other beasts look like. And Newt is the very definition of a dreamboat (fight me).
Ok, lets face it. I'm a sucker for school-genre, from Anime to books. ...more
Considering how long I waited in a queue for this book...this was mmmmmeeeehh~
Okay, let's get this out of the way. I'm not the most normal person everConsidering how long I waited in a queue for this book...this was mmmmmeeeehh~
Okay, let's get this out of the way. I'm not the most normal person ever, but the scientist in me just couldn't handle it whenever Marie recommends me to thank my bag for its hardwork, greet my house when I enter it and so on.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
And I think the kind of self-help book that I can really tolerate is the counter-intuitive ones, like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** and Get Your Shit Together. Because whenever Marie kindly says 'why don't you do this and do that", I literally screamed in my head 'BUT IT'S MY LIFE! DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!'
Yup.
So was this book helpful? Kind of. I did downsize my stuff a bit and end up reorganising my room. Is the advice practical for me? Hmmm...I don't really think so. Not because I'm not a minimalist or I don't want to become one, it's just I'm at stage of my life where I'm happy with my 'clutter'? Like, I love having many unread books (gosh, I was so offended when she said to get rid of them). And I am known to switch from one interest to another, so it's better to keep things related to the interests in my possession.
I swear I'm not a hoarder. *sweats profusely*...more
Yep, you guessed it. I only wanted to pick this up because of the Netflix adaptation.
Jenny Han's writing and me...ermm...we don't get along. I tried rYep, you guessed it. I only wanted to pick this up because of the Netflix adaptation.
Jenny Han's writing and me...ermm...we don't get along. I tried reading The Summer I Turned Pretty and couldn't even get passed Chapter 2. With this, it's definitely more interesting (let's face it, the motivation was that I wanted to know what the hype is all about!!!). Still, I definitely have outgrew books like this (cannot say the same for Morgan Matson's books though) and echoing the other reviewers, I do think Peter isn't as dreamy (he spent most of the book being an asshole), Lara Jean is VERY immature a lot of times and Margot is just uh...can't stand her.
AND THEN I WATCHED NOAH CENTINEO THE MOVIE ADAPTATION.
Damn boy, it's not often that the adaptation is so much better than the source materials. For starter, HELL YEAH TO THE NON-CLIFFHANGER ENDING (I DROVE HERE!!!). You had no idea how annoyed I was with the book ending. Secondly, movie Lara Jean is so freaking relatable. And she has amazing sense of style. Thirdly, the exasperating love triangle is pretty much non-existed.
AND LASTLY, CAN WE TALK ABOUT NOAH MOVIE PETER K?
Damn, boy. Damn.
Imma buy Yakult every week from now on.
So yeah, needless to say I'm a fan of the movie (it wasn't perfect but duhhh...it made me feel giddy like I'm a teenager again) but not the book :/...more