claudcloud's Reviews (310)

That last chapter made me tear up. To anyone who might feel like what they're going through isn't "bad" enough, valid enough or important enough - it is. I feel like that, too. And I'll always be here to listen.

3/3.5 stars

Sometimes required reading is good, and this was the case for "The Bell Jar"! I really enjoyed the raw, honest approach to Esther's story and was able to identify with her struggles, which brought me even closer to the character. The writing style is also beautiful - I had never read anything by Sylvia Plath before (save for "Cinderella", which our teacher showed us in class) and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy to read and connect with the story was! Maybe part of it was the fact that I was listening along on audiobook while I was reading (Maggie Gyllenhaal is a fantastic narrator), but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

3.5/5

This was exactly what I expected it to be! Very cozy, very adorable and very fall-themed which is 100% what I was after when I picked it up (both because I wanted to read it and because it perfectly fit one of the Gilmore Girls readathon challenges).

The parts I loved, I really loved.

Spoiler

I loved Deja as a character immediately, and I very much enjoyed her sassiness and her seize-the-day attitude. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HER FUDGE GIRL PUNS. THEY WERE INCREDIBLE. And also???? SHE'S A FELLOW BI BABY THAT I WILL PROTECT WITH MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE THANK YOU!! I also loved the main idea of the story, that is to say, kids who are faced with a huge part of their life ending/changing and having to deal with that and accept that (I myself am not the biggest fan of change). I could totally relate to those feelings of "oh no what am I going to do with my life now that this big part of it has to end", and I feel like I got the sense of hope and growing up that the book was going for, which is a plus! In general, it was an easy, very cute and fluffy read, and I knew I was going to enjoy it precisely because of that.

I only have one gripe with it, really.

Spoiler

I knew exactly what was going to happen from pretty much the beginning. I knew from the get-go that Josiah was going to have his epiphany and finally realise that Deja's the girl he actually likes. Her crush on him was also instantly obvious, so I could immediately see where the two were going to end up by the end. Not to say that it was completely predictable, because I did enjoy all the shenanigans that Josie and Deja went through on their adventure, but yeah, I totally saw it coming ten million miles away. I was honestly expecting for them to not end up together, because platonic relationships are just as good and valuable as romantic ones and I really liked them as friends who care about each other and want to always make each other happy, but, I mean, I can't be too mad at it either because I want Deja to be happy and if Josie's what makes that happen I'm good with it :D

Alright WOW did I ramble on! If you've read this too, definitely let me know what you thought!!

THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE. IT'S EVERYTHING. From the world-building to the characters to the ROMANCE to the heavy topics that it touches upon, I loved every minute of it AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL?!?!?!? I NEED IT RIGHT NOW IMMEDIATELY THANK YOU.

[4.5/5]

This was such a lovely little graphic novel!! I felt connected to the characters instantly, I was super invested in their story and I loved the art style and all the BEAUTIFUL designs!!

HOW CUTE WAS THIS STORY!!! I loved Nimona and Ballister's relationship and I fell in love with her instantly, I've been wanting to get my hands on this graphic novel for QUITE SOME TIME and I'm so glad I finally did!!

I was tempted to leave the rating at a 4.5 just because of THAT ENDING. I can't, though, I just can't. This was everything I yearned for and more, and I honestly did not expect to love it this much purely because I caved and saw the movie before the book (I know, I know, I'm very sorry but I just couldn't resist Lana Condor OKAY) and all the major plot points, I already knew, but the book. The book just blew me away. I'm 100% in love with Lara Jean, I love Peter, I love the Song girls and their bond, I love their dad, I loved how I could see pieces of myself all throughout this book and I loved that I got to experience Christmas Cookie Bonanza (NOW I KNOW!!! I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!) I could say that the one problem I had is that Lara Jean can be a little naive at times and tends to romanticise life a lot - but can I really blame her when I do the exact same thing? Also, she's sixteen years old, she's bound to be a little dreamy-eyed still, and at the end of the day it's also part of why I love her so much!! I'm excited to see how she matures during the rest of the series, I'm so ready for what comes next, and I'm SO READY to get back into this world with them!!!