Book reviews: Wide Sargasso Sea | The Catcher in the Rye | Fahrenheit 451

Title: Wide Sargasso Sea
Author: Jean Rhys

Original title: Wide Sargasso Sea
First published: 1966
Genre: Classic, Historical, Retelling
Series: --
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
Format: Paperback
Pages: 266
Finished: 12/02/2023
Summary: Prequel to "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. Born into an oppressive, colonialist society, Creole heiress Antoinette Cosway meets a young Englishman who is drawn to her innocent sensuality and beauty, but soon after their marriage, rumors of madness in her family poison his mind against her. He forces Antoinette to conform to his rigid Victorian ideals.

My thoughts: I read this for a uni course about literary theories. Naturally, we were assigned to read this for, among others, postcolonial theory. Wide Sargasso Sea tells the story of Jane Eyre's crazy woman in the attic, Bertha. Well, in this prequel, her name is Antoinette, and Bertha is only the name Rochester forces upon her in an attempt to morph her into the wife he wants her to be. Without having completed my read of Jane Eyre, I still find this book to be a powerful companion to the famous classic. It is a highly character driven story that portrays the climate of post-slavery abolishment in early 19th century Jamaica. It shows the heteroglossia between English and Jamaican culture, coloniser and colonised, masculinity and femininity. Antoinette is a creole, white but born in the Jamaican colony, caught between cultures and accepted by neither. Rochester represents the cruel but frightened coloniser, who sweeps into Antoinette's life and is paid to marry her by her relatives. Repulsed by the life and culture he encounters in Jamaica, Rochester attempts to force Antoinette into an identity that better suits English culture. I must say, the story is extremely gloomy and it left me with grave emotions. It is also a story that moves at a slow pace, really showing how both Antoinette and Rochester are slowly driven mad by each other. Still, some parts felt slightly rushed and unmotivated, especially in the development of said characters' relationship. Overall, I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and it's sure to influence what I think about Rochester and I eventually continue reading Jane Eyre.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger

Original title: The Catcher in the Rye
First published: 1951
Genre: Classic, YA
Series: --
Publisher: Penguin
Format: Paperback
Pages: 192
Finished: 01/04/2023
Summary: It's Christmas time and Holden Caulfield has just been expelled from yet another school... Fleeing the crooks at Pencey Prep, he pinballs around New York City seeking solace in fleeting encounters—shooting the bull with strangers in dive hotels, wandering alone round Central Park, getting beaten up by pimps and cut down by erstwhile girlfriends. The city is beautiful and terrible, in all its neon loneliness and seedy glamour, its mingled sense of possibility and emptiness. Holden passes through it like a ghost, thinking always of his kid sister Phoebe, the only person who really understands him, and his determination to escape the phonies and find a life of true meaning.

My thoughts: Wow! I never in a million years expected to even like this novel, much less to be as blown away by it as this. Considering what I've heard about this book - that its protagonist is insufferable without any redeeming qualities - I was certain I'd hate it, too. That couldn't be further from the truth, though! The Catcher in the Rye is, to my great pleasure, a character driven book that follows Holden as he flees from yet another school he's been expelled from and tries to survive a few days alone in New York City before the day he's supposed to come home for Christmas. Really, this book is about Holden interacting with an array of different characters, both from his past and new encounters. Yes, Holden is a difficult character to root for, especially since every other character he meets seems to hate him to some degree. Everyone struggles with dealing with him. And that's no surprise, seeing as Holden is often misogynistic, selfish, and unpredictable. I see why other readers have a hard time relating to him. And yet, I found that I felt compassion for him. By no means would I defend his faults (he is often an asshole), but he is portrayed in such a vulnerable way that said faults were explained, or at least softened. Another thing I liked was the narration. It was so uniquely and expertly tailored to this kind of story. It really felt like a biography of sorts - so well adjusted was the text to the voice and personality of Holden. And the story, despite being character driven, felt exciting to read. What was going to happen next? Was he going to survive his days alone in New York? Who was he going to meet next, and would that person be the one to lose patience with him and try to kill him? It really kept me on my toes and kept me wanting to continue reading constantly. Wow, what a book. Hopefully, I'll reread it someday and like it just as much.

Rating: 5/5

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Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury

Original title: Fahrenheit 451
First published: 1953
Genre: Classic, Dystopian
Series: --
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 190
Finished: 09/04/2023
Summary: Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.

My thoughts: I had the opportunity to read Fahrenheit 451 for a uni course about American 1950's literature. I found it quite easy and quick to read, even though I decided not to rush through it. To me, this is a book that builds more on a concept or an idea than on characters or plot. For what it is, I enjoyed it well enough. For sure, it can be thought provoking, and that's one of the novel's good sides. I also enjoyed some of the more exciting parts, where the stakes rose high. Character wise, I wasn't blown away, but neither was I particularly let down. I thought Montag was an alright vessel to observe this vision of a dystopian world through. I liked Clarisse and Faver even more, and even Mildred for what she is meant to represent. They were all interesting characters. I did get a bit annoyed with Montag at times. I thought some of his reactions to things were exaggerated, his actions were at times unmotivated, and he was often unnecessarily rude to his wife. To some extent, I understand all this, but it got to the point where I was a little bit too frustrated. The prose itself I'd call effective and sometimes beautiful, with plenty of nature metaphors that quite pleased me.

Rating: 4/5

Book reviews: Oryx and Crake | All Systems Red | Annihilation

Title: Oryx and Crake

Author: Margaret Atwood

Original title: Oryx and Crake
First published: 2003
Genre: Sci-fi, Adult
Series: MaddAddam
Publisher: Virago
Format: Paperback
Pages: 433
Finished: 20/07/2021
Summary: Pigs might not fly but they are strangely altered. So, for that matter are wolves and raccoons. A man, once named Jimmy, now calls himself Snowman and lives in a tree, wrapped in old bed-sheets. The voice of Oryx, the woman he loved, teasingly haunts him. And the green-eyed Children of Crake are, for some reason, his responsibility.

My thoughts: I read this for my summer studies but also for my own Reading Rush (since there was no official one this year). I used it for the challenge to read a book by an author who's first initial is the same as my own. My name is Maja and this author's first name is Margaret. As for my opinions of the novel, I did like it a fair bit. Watching the development of society and humankind lead to destruction and mass death was interesting and I think Atwood managed to present it in a way that really seemed plausible, which made it all the more horrifying. She creates bizarre creatures and odd social structures that felt alien but might not be far ahead of us on the timeline.

Some details set back my enjoyment of the novel. What really interested me here was the apocalypse and man's decent into chaos and destruction (a destruction based on playing God rather than wars). However, a good chunk of this novel revolved around the protagonist's family drama, love interest, and childhood memories. Not to say this was pointless, as these parts helped build his character. Through these flashbacks to the past, we also catch glimpses of what society was like and can compare it to how Atwood describes the post apocalyptic world that Snowman inhabits. But it became too much for me. This is a rather long book, and it becomes especially evident when one reads it over the course of two days that a lot of pages are dedicated to things that I just didn't care about. Snowman/Jimmy was not a character I cared for, and I don't think that's even the point. I think his role is just to be a vessel from which we can observe Atwood's intricate imaginations. That is why I got tired of learning more about our protagonist, because he wasn't much of a person.

All in all, I enjoyed the novel and would like to continue reading the series at some point in the distant future, preferably within the upcoming five decades or so.

Rating: 3,25/5

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Title: All Systems Red

Author: Martha Wells

Original title: All Systems Red
First published: 2017
Genre: Sci-fi
Series: The Murderbot Diaries #1
Publisher: 
Format: Paperback
Pages: 148
Finished: 23/07/2021
Summary: On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

My thoughts: I read this for my summer studies and for my own Reading Rush of 2021, which I insisted on participating in though no official readathon was held. I decided to read this for the challenge to read an entire book outside, and so I did. It was an excellent opportunity to acquaint myself better with the parks around my apartment, and I could not complain about the weather either. Under these perfect conditions, I was happy to enjoy the story of Murderbot. It is a short book and my review will likewise be so, for as is the case with some stories, I liked it well enough but have little to say about it. The story, especially Murderbot's perspective, is charming and entertaining. Compared to earlier sci-fi (this is very modern sci-fi), it contains adrenaline-inducing scenes of action while still posing questions like "what is it to be human?" and "can I feel love/empathy for an alien/robot?" as is common in older works like Solaris and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. It was a fun and quick read which I would recommend for long train rides, flights, or long peaceful days of rain or sunshine.

Rating: 3,75/5

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Title: Annihilation

Author: Jeff VanderMeer

Original title: Annihilation
First published: 2014
Genre: Sci-fi
Series: Southern Reach #1
Publisher: Fourth Estate
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Finished: 25/07/2021
Summary: For thirty years, Area X has remained mysterious and remote behind its intangible border - an environmental disaster zone, though to all appearances an abundant wilderness. The Southern Reach, a secretive government agency, has sent eleven expeditions to investigate Area X. One has ended in mass suicide, another in a hail of gunfire, the eleventh in a fatal cancer epidemic. Now four women embark on the twelfth expedition into the unknown.

My thoughts: Like the other two books in this review, I read this for university and the Reading Rush (for the challenge to read a single word title). In hindsight, I should have reviewed this sooner, for I can not recall very few opinions that I had about this novel. I will try to list and many as I can remember, though I apologize in advance for not offering more. I liked that the cast was all female. This was a pleasant break off from most of the sci-fi novels I've read this summer. In fact, this has been the only sci-fi novel so far that has featured a female protagonist. The escalating tension and distrust between the individuals of the expedition could surely put some readers at the edge of their seats. Like I said about All Systems Red, this modern piece of sci-fi literature mixes action with philosophy, though perhaps not as well as in Martha Wells' novel. I was fond of the main character, though not so much that I would have grieved her death. However, she was intriguing enough. Did I love this novel? Did I hate it? No is the answer for both questions. Will I soon forget it? Here, the answers is yes. Though VanderMeer's story and ideas have potential, they seem to be presented to me in a way that doesn't rouse curiosity. And the way the novel ended (spoiler, highlight to view white text: with the almost religious experience the protagonist had with the creature in the tunnel) was just not the way I wanted the story to progress, which makes me hesitant to continue the series.

Rating: 3,25/5

Book reviews: Calamity | Wayward Son | Sent i november

Title: Calamity
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Original title: Calamity
First published: 2016
Genre: Sci-fi, YA, Dystopia
Series: The Reckoners #3
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: Paperback
Pages: 421
Finished: 17/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David’s fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father. Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy. David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when the Reckoners’ leader struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back. . . . But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.

My thoughts: I've finally finished this trilogy! This series has been a very solid 4/5 star series, which is not to the looked down upon, because not many series manage with such a consistency in quality until the very end. This conclusion was well thought out and executed in a great way, with a ton of explosions and epic fight scenes. It was all I wanted it to be. I don't have a more to say, but feel free to check out my reviews for previous books in the series, which you'll find on this blog (just search for "Steelheart" and "Firefight" in the search bar). I highly recommend this series if you're looking for exciting action and super hero elements, along with a quirky and fun narrative.

Rating: 4,25/5

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Title: Wayward Son
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Original title: Wayward Son
First published: 2019
Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, YA
Series: Simon Snow #2
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 368
Finished: 31/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after…
So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?
What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light...

That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…

My thoughts: Getting through this novel was a long process, despite the average page numbers. While I enjoyed this novel and had looked forward to continue following the characters from the previous book, I didn't get what I'd hoped from "Wayward Son". I believe this feeling is based on a few aspects that I'll be mentioning just quickly, because this is not a book that I disliked, it just wasn't what I'd expected or hoped for.
One thing I'd expected was for this to have more feel good elements to it. I assure you that I didn't expected it to be all lovey-dovey, happy sappy, golly good the entire time, but perhaps a tad more lighthearted. I knew that this novel was going to be about dealing with mental health, depression, and feelings of being lost in life. This novel delivered on those aspects in I way that I think was done well, but the angst wasn't really what I came here for.
The other main thing that actually disappointed me with this book was the setting. I just had a hard time enjoying the rapid road trip through America. I found it blurry and not descriptive enough. With such a fleeting environment, I'd have hoped for a more secure spot (such as the school in the last book of the series) that I could properly imagine in my mind. However, I found that this novel had few such places to offer.
On the more positive note, which I believe this novel actually deserves, I do think Rowell dealt well with the mental health issues in this book. I also feel that Baz's and Simon's relationship developed in a realistic way that can be hard to find in other YA fantasy novels. I also think that Agatha got a nice shot at character development. The plot had some pretty exciting points that I enjoyed, and overall it's a decent fantasy adventure story. It didn't have me loving it like "Carry On" did, but it's still a rather solid book.

Rating: 3,75/5

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Title: Sent i november (Late in November)
Author: Tove Jansson
Original title: Sent i november
First published: 1970
Genre: Fantasy, Classic
Series: Mumintrollen #9
Publisher: Alfabeta
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 161
Finished: 13/11/2019
Summary: 'They can't have moved away without saying a word!'
Winter is coming, and the Fillyjonk, the Hemulen, Toft, Mymble, etc. are all waiting in Moominvalley to see the Moomins return home. Winter doesn't seem right without them...

My thoughts: My love for the Moomin design has grown over the past few years, resulting in a small collection of T-shirts and mugs. This book, however, has been with me for a long time. It was gifted to me on the day of my baptism (19 years ago) and has remained in my possession ever since. However, I have no memory of ever reading it before. Hence is why I decided to do so now, in November. Fitting, since it's obviously titled "Late in November" in Swedish.
I was immediately drawn to the character depth in this novel, and I was surprised to find that it appeals to an older audience than I thought it would. In my mind, the Moomin stories are for children and I had therefore prepared myself for a children's book. Nevertheless, what I got was something more and something unexpected. I found a story that delved into the lives and minds of side characters that I knew very little to nothing about. These characters had surprising depth to them, and also substantial development throughout the story. I felt that the tale offered wisdom on expectations we hold for others and ourselves, and how we can easily be very disappointed when those expectations aren't met, and learning to live with life, one's self, and people as they truly are and appreciating that. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised and will be looking for other Moomin novels to read in the future.

Rating: 4,25/5

Book Reviews: The Raven King | Den sorgsna sjön | Firefight

Title: The Raven King
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Original title: The Raven King
First published: 2016
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Series: The Raven Cycle #4
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Paperback
Pages: 438
Finished: 26/09/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he's drawn others into his mission: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a life; and Blue, who loves Gansey … and is certain she is destined to kill him.

My thoughts: Going into “The Raven King”, I’d read the previous two books in the series within the past two weeks and gave them both over 4/5 stars. I read “The Raven Boys” years ago, but had fond memories of it. So what expectations did I bring with me when I picked up this fourth and final installment in the series? Well, what I liked most about the series so far were the characters; we follow a cast of four main character (Gansey, Blue, Ronan, and Adam) whom we’ve gotten to know on a deeper level in the previous books. The series focuses a lot on character development and relationship development, which I appreciate and was one of my favourite parts of the series so far. I especially liked Ronan’s perspective. Another thing I enjoy about the series is Maggie Stiefvater’s writing. I found that I at several points felt urged to highlight or take notes on certain quotes in the story.

In “The Raven King”, the writing style is one thing that didn’t let me down, though at times it became a bit sappy. No, what actually let me down in this novel was the abandonment of character closeness. The book is over 400 pages, but most of it is spent on kinda pointless plot detours that don’t really lead anywhere and just builds frustration for the reader. I’d wished to see more of several characters, like Noah and other spoilery folks. Instead, a handful of new characters are introduced, neither for which I can really understand the purpose. Yes, they drive the plot, but add nothing to what made me like the books in the first place. And truly, I didn’t care much for the plot at any point. It’s not what I came here for, and it’s not a plot that in itself had me hooked. Had it not been for the characters, I’d have never read further than the second book. And so it seems like a bleak finish to the series when what I got was 400+ pages of the thing I didn’t come to the party for.

Spoiler thoughts (highlight white text to read spoilers): So… Blue turned out to be a tree… I think it was at the moment of this reveal that I realized I really didn’t like “The Raven King”. And not only because Blue’s silly father stepped out of a tree to tell her she is also a tree, but also because of that not-so-amazing RoboBee of Henry’s and other minor stupid things that had me disappointed. The ending was anticlimactic and rushed, and the rest of the book did poor work of building up to it. We’re left with some loose ends that open up for sequels, but I don’t think I’ll consider reading those. Even though Ronan is my favourite character.

Rating: 3,25/5

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Title: Den sorgsna sjön (The Sorrowful Lake)
Author: Lemony Snicket
Original title: The Wide Window
First published: 2000
Genre: Middle grade, fantasy
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events #3
Publisher: Richters
Format: Hardback
Pages: 224
Finished: 30/09/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! Dear Reader,
If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted; but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all. If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

My thoughts: The series continues with this third instalment! I have bad news, however. I think I'm starting to feel done with the series. Yes, I know, there are 10 more books to go, and they are pretty fast reads, but I just don't see myself getting to the next book anytime soon. It's a good series, and I would probably have appreciated it a lot at the age of 9 or 10. However, this is not the series for me right now. These would be great to read out loud to someone younger in age; they're quirky, exciting, educational, and original. My problems are simple; I've seen the Netflix show and know everything that will happen, and the books are targeted at an audience where I don't belong anymore. This isn't meant to sound negative, because I don't dislike these books. They just don't do much for me.

Rating: 2,75/5

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Title: Firefight

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Original title: Firefight
First published: 2015
Genre: Sci-fi, YA, Dystopian
Series: The Reckoners #2
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Finished: 09/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic—Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

My thoughts: I’ve been eager to grab another Brandon Sanderson novel ever since I read "Steelheart" two years back. Despite my eagerness, I have yet to begin any other series by him, but I can finally say that I’m now two books into the "The Reckoners" trilogy. This series offers a ton of action that would look super cool on a screen. Of course it works in written form as well! I think the idea of a world taken over by supervillains is imaginative and so exciting to follow. Our main character, David, is witty and charming. His characteristic weird similes and metaphors are a nice touch to an otherwise rather serious story of battle, science fiction, and betrayal. I think what I wish this particular book had more of are “oh shit” moments to make me gasp and gawk. I want this series to just sink its claws into my brain so I can only think about the story all day. Unfortunately, I’m not feeling quite that so far in the series, which is why this doesn’t get a higher score than 4,25/5. I’m hoping for a grand finale in the next book, “Calamity”, which I’ll be picking up immediately after this one.

Rating: 4,25/5

Book reviews: Animal Farm | The DUFF | Liftarens guide till galaxen

Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
Original title: Animal Farm
First published: 1945
Genre: Classic, Dystopian
Series: --
Publisher: Penguin
Format: Paperback
Pages: 95
Finished: 23/07/2019
Summary: A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.

My thoughts: My second read for this year's Reading Rush! "Animal Farm" was read to complete the challenge "read a book with a non-human main character".
Wow! A really good story for its length (95 pages). It manages to fit a surprising amount of character depth, political satire, and storyline into a short tale about animals on a farm. I’d love to reread it sometime at a slower pace, and maybe attempt to write an analysis on it, just to really get into the morals and ideas of the piece. For now, I don’t have a lot more to say.

Rating: 4,25/5

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Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
Author: Kody Keplinger
Original title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
First published: 2010
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Series: --
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 277
Finished: 24/07/2019
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.  But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.  Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

My thoughts: This is the third book I read for this year's Reading Rush! "The DUFF" was read to complete the challenge "read and watch a book to movie adaption".
Also, lo and behold, this is the 222nd book on my "read" list!

This is a book that receives a (to me) low rating not because it is exceedingly bad, but because it was exceedingly not good. I just can’t think of anything that I particularly liked about it. On the bright side, I didn’t struggle with reading it, which means it wasn’t horrible. I’d compare it to unsalted pasta, perhaps a bit overcooked. Sure, I can eat it, and in the right mindset I won’t outright disapprove of it, but I certainly won’t savour it like actual good pasta.
The character did have different personalities, but none of them really stuck with me, and I was hardly rooting for someone. The storyline was basic af; idk how many times I’ve seen this exact plot in a low budget American high school movie. The not-super-girly girl and the school’s hottest and rudest guy fall for each other and everybody’s minds are blown… not. I can honestly see how this novel tries to twist the cliché tale, but the added elements that hope to achieve this just aren’t enough or miss the mark. I have a hard time appreciating the effort, since coming up with something a little more original would have been a lot more admirable. In the end, I’ve had too much good pasta to like “The DUFF”. Sorry.
(Oh, and the movie seems so different from the book? Why did they change so much about the plot? If possible, they made it more like the cliché story than the book already was.)

Rating: 2,75/5

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Title: Liftarens guide till galaxen
Author: Douglas Adams
Original title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
First published: 1979
Genre: Sci-fi
Series: Liftarens guide till galaxen #1
Publisher: Månpocket
Format: Paperback
Pages: 168
Finished: 26/07/2019
Summary: Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor. Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

My thoughts: My fourth read for this year's Reading Rush (AND my fortieth read this year)! This one was read to complete the challenge "read a book in the same spot the entire time". I had some business outside my house the day I read this, so I had to squeeze it into my schedule before and after daily activities. I didn't manage to finish it the day I intended, but luckily I had it finished the day after before noon.

The concept of “random is funny” has seen many failures, but also a few successes. I believe this book is one of those few. At first, I was somewhat put off by the seemingly incoherent plot, but as I continued reading, I found logic and pattern in the madness as the pieces slowly started to come together and become understandable. I was definitely able to appreciate the book’s humour, and I laughed out loud at several points while reading. It would surely seem that in the case of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, random is funny.
My main complaints about the book are that it took me slightly too long to get into it, that I didn’t really find the plot exciting (though it was entertaining still), and that the text was too small for my liking. Other than that, I liked it! I am very likely to continue reading the series (since I have the whole thing in this bind-up edition).

Rating: 3,5/5

Book Reviews: We Were Liars | Call me by your name | Rör mig inte!

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Original title: We Were Liars
First published: 2014
Genre: YA, Mystery, Contemporary
Series: --
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Paperback
Pages: 225
Finished: 15/07/2019
Summary: We Were Liars. I will LIE too, as to not spoil your reading. This is a book about a girl, about friendship, about summer. It's a book about money and a wealthy family. It's a book about values and about pretending. It's a book about LIES, those that we tell others and the ones that we tell ourselves. The LIES that are exposed and also, the hidden lies.

My thoughts: “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart became an object of hype and mystery within the YA reading community upon its release ca. four or five years ago. Its biggest selling point is that the reader should have as little knowledge as possible about the plot when diving into the novel, hence I won’t give a summary of the plot itself in this review. I will, however, discuss my thoughts about it.
We follow the protagonist and teenager Cady Sinclair; the eldest grandchild of a filthy rich old man who, amongst other things, has three daughters and a private island, which the family visits each summer. Cady hardly made a good impression on me. Usually, I tend to favour protagonists that have flaws; it makes a character more relatable. However Cady didn’t offer any other characteristics than spoiled, boring, and slow. Not even the mystery of a rich family’s dirty secret could save her from being plain, and neither was she saved by the attempt of a poetic writing style.
Yes, this is my segue to talking about the writing style. At first, I was annoyed by it, because it reminded me of other disappointing novels with failed tries at unique and poetic language. Nevertheless, it wasn’t too bad, and I got used to it in the end, though I sometimes found that the style of writing clashed with the personality of the protagonist. And though I got used to the style, it never got good.
So what made this novel? Well, in the end this book is held up by its selling point, the mystery. It’s the mystery, unravelling, and reveal that made this book worth the read. And these things are executed well by the author; I could tell that the resolution was thoroughly thought out and plotted by Lockhart, and I’m glad to say the ending made an impact on me. However, I need more than the climax of the novel to affect me for it to be considered good. In the end, I’ll remember this as a book with a grand finale, but not, unfortunately, as anything else.

Rating: 3/5

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Title: Call me by your name
Author: André Aciman
Original title: Call Me By Your Name
First published: 2007
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ+
Series: Call Me By Your Name #1
Publisher: Brombergs
Format: Hardback
Pages: 262
Finished: 21/07/2019
Summary: A sudden and powerful romance blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliff-side mansion on the Italian Riviera. Unprepared for the consequences of their attraction, at first each feigns indifference. But during the restless summer weeks that follow, unrelenting buried currents of obsession and fear, fascination and desire, intensify their passion as they test the charged ground between them. What grows from the depths of their spirits is a romance of scarcely six weeks' duration and an experience that marks them for a lifetime. For what the two discover on the Riviera and during a sultry evening in Rome is the one thing both already fear they may never truly find again: total intimacy.

My thoughts: I watched the movie adaptation of this when it came out in 2017 and pretty much loved it. In February of this year (2019), I finally purchased the novel at the annual Swedish book sale. And now, in July of 2019, I’ve read it.
The movie and book are rather different; since the novel is mostly based on Elio’s thoughts, fantasies, and observations of Oliver, the movie became a compilation of the few actual scenes that the book offers, resulting in a slow paced, silent, and atmospheric film. However, we never realise the full extent of Elios feelings for Oliver in the movie, because we miss out on everything that goes on in his head. This is where the novel fills in.

Elio is beyond taken by Oliver; he’s all he can think about, really. Every page has a paragraph dedicated for Elio’s thoughts on the American, though despite everything being about Oliver, I felt that I rarely got to know him. He’s more the object for Elio’s desires and fantasies, rather than a character that we become familiar with. We truly only see him as Elio sees him. This has a charm to it, because while Oliver remains as some sort of centre for the plot, Elio really takes up all the space in the novel. “Call me by your name” is just Elio, who is just about Oliver, if that makes any sense.

I have a hard time finding things to say about this novel. I enjoyed the writing style and the depiction of Elio’s total obsession. It was a nice summer read, and I’m glad I’ve finally read it. Though I think I liked the movie a bit more, I want to say that the two really compliment each other well. I warmly recommend them both.

Rating: 4/5

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Title: Rör mig inte!
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Original title: Shatter Me
First published: 2011
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Dystopia
Series: Shatter Me #1
Publisher: B. Wahlströms
Format: Hardback
Pages: 302
Finished: 22/07/2019
Summary: Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

My thoughts: First book read for "The Reading Rush" 2019! This one was read for the challenge "read an authors debut novel". I completed it within my schedule, which means I read and finished it within the first day of the week.
I have a few scattered thoughts about this novel that I took notes on with my phone, so this review will be a sort of coherent compilation of those notes.
The best part of the book was the beginning. I felt compelled by the writing style, which I’d heard a lot about from the time when this novel blew up back when it was first released. Yes, the style is worth noting, and yes, I liked it at first, though I felt that what I enjoyed about it (which is mostly the crossed out parts of the text) ebbed out as the story progressed. Hence, what I liked most about the writing style sort of went away the more I read, which was really too bad, though I can understand it was used as a tool to note the character development of the protagonist and improvement of her mental state/health. 
I quickly noticed that Adam, the main love interest of the book, seemed to be built on rather weak and ambiguous descriptions. That’s a nicer way of saying his character lacks depth, and this is a problem basically from the moment he’s introduced and for the rest of the novel. I actually found that this was the case with pretty much every character besides Juliette, but even she wasn’t a striking exception. I’d hoped Adam would grow with time, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Nevertheless, it’s very possible that we see a greater change with him in future novels of the trilogy, hopefully along with all the other characters.

Furthermore, speaking of Adam, I found the main romance pretty boring… It started off as sort of intriguing, but their falling for each other went way too quick and didn’t feel motivated enough, despite the author’s attempts.

Another thing that annoyed me were the shallow descriptions. It seems this novel is overflowing with metaphors, yet I rarely got any elaborate or imaginative descriptions on the environments that Juliette finds herself in. Perhaps that’s something that was lost in translation, but I honestly doubt it. The shallowness also affected character descriptions overall; new characters were introduced clumsily, mainly because Juliette was annoyingly quick to judge them as good or bad. Because of that, I as a reader felt that the author was trying to tell me outright to think a certain way about a character, rather than actually showing me the nature of their character with actions and interactions. For example, Juliette is at one point introduced to a new character, and she has legit not known him for more than an hour before she starts making statements like “I could never imagine This Character ever being surprised at anything!”, which I found highly unrealistic and clumsy. Really, this book would have needed an extra 100 pages or so to delve deeper into characters, relationships, and world building in order to truly convince me that this is a decent/good book.

I sound negative, I know. But despite my many remarks, I did enjoy reading this a bit. Maybe not as much as I’d hoped, and the faults of it were a tad too many, but I think I would consider reading at least one of the sequels. The plot was rather fast paced (maybe too fast, actually), and I can see the potential. Overall, it’s not a book that I struggled with completing because of its flaws, but I didn’t really fly through it because I enjoyed it a lot.

Spoiler thoughts (mark white text in order to read it): Adam’s motivation of risking so much for Juliette is very weak! Why would he risk the safety of this younger brother, which should be his main priority since he’s his brother’s only guardian, in order to save Juliette? I didn’t buy that their love was strong or deep enough at that point in the plot for him to be so reckless.

Rating: 3/5