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elle_reads's Reviews (446)
(Instagram @elle_reads)
[book review] The Alchemist
//
Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? Why?
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I'm an optimist, but my husband is a pessimist. I suppose we even each other out.
//
Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a much-needed cup of healing optimism riddled with beautiful metaphors and crisp sparks of wordplay. My Kindle notes were over 6 pages long! This book made me reflect on my own life. What is my personal journey? How is the universe conspiring to help me? How have I experienced the language of the universe? Have I taken time to recognize the world today? The Alchemist will make you pause. It will extend a calloused hand (for the story is not without strife) and show you the importance of your senses in a singular moment. This is a for sure reread.
//
The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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Synopsis: A shepherd boy follows omens to find a mystical treasure. His quest will lead him to robbers, tribal wars, love, questions... It will how him the importance of choice. Your decisions are your own.
//
#ellesbookreviews2019
#ellereadstheword
#thealchemist #paulocoelho #personallegend #conspiringworld
[book review] The Alchemist
//
Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? Why?
//
I'm an optimist, but my husband is a pessimist. I suppose we even each other out.
//
Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a much-needed cup of healing optimism riddled with beautiful metaphors and crisp sparks of wordplay. My Kindle notes were over 6 pages long! This book made me reflect on my own life. What is my personal journey? How is the universe conspiring to help me? How have I experienced the language of the universe? Have I taken time to recognize the world today? The Alchemist will make you pause. It will extend a calloused hand (for the story is not without strife) and show you the importance of your senses in a singular moment. This is a for sure reread.
//
The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
//
Synopsis: A shepherd boy follows omens to find a mystical treasure. His quest will lead him to robbers, tribal wars, love, questions... It will how him the importance of choice. Your decisions are your own.
//
#ellesbookreviews2019
#ellereadstheword
#thealchemist #paulocoelho #personallegend #conspiringworld
(Instagram @elle_reads)
[book review] The Fiery Cross
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How often do you debate (or argue 🙃) with those closest to you?
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All. The. Time. Mwahahaha. I love it! I'm very strong willed, and my husband as a stubborn Fraser-like streak. I'm definitely better at listening (though he might disagree).
//
I believe the strongest relationships must have strife. It I am being 100% myself and my loved one is being 100% themself, how can we not? We aren't the same person. Feeling comfortable enough for a good debate is the hallmark of a healthy relationship in my book. Granted, I know we all have our own thought-books. For me, this is when I learn the most about the other person. I learn their values, their logic, and their favorite topics.
//
Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross shows that even in marriage, there may still be uncertainty. Claire and Jamie are still growing in their relationship. Brianna and Roger are starting one. I'm excited to see the choices of Brianna and Roger in their relationship. I felt like Claire and Jamie were almost thrown into theirs (literally - basically - almost) in a matter of life and death. That's what a relationship is - the choices you create with someone else!
//
The Fiery Cross has a great balance of physical and psychological conflict. Yet, I wish Gabaldon pushed the envelope of character development further. There are so many NEW characters in the New World! It's equally exciting and disappointing because many of them turn out to be flat in this book. I hope they develop in the next. With a little push, these rocks could be turned to diamonds!
//
The Fiery Cross (by Diana Gabaldon) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Synopsis: Jamie and Claire are starting a homestead in the Great American Outdoors. There is a wedding night mystery, near war declaration, and many funny puns about the development of modern culture.
//
#ellesbookreviews2019
#thefierycross #clairefraser #dianagabaldon #outlander #outlanderbooks #outlanderseries
(reading the box set - adding this for reading challenge count)
[book review] The Fiery Cross
//
How often do you debate (or argue 🙃) with those closest to you?
//
All. The. Time. Mwahahaha. I love it! I'm very strong willed, and my husband as a stubborn Fraser-like streak. I'm definitely better at listening (though he might disagree).
//
I believe the strongest relationships must have strife. It I am being 100% myself and my loved one is being 100% themself, how can we not? We aren't the same person. Feeling comfortable enough for a good debate is the hallmark of a healthy relationship in my book. Granted, I know we all have our own thought-books. For me, this is when I learn the most about the other person. I learn their values, their logic, and their favorite topics.
//
Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross shows that even in marriage, there may still be uncertainty. Claire and Jamie are still growing in their relationship. Brianna and Roger are starting one. I'm excited to see the choices of Brianna and Roger in their relationship. I felt like Claire and Jamie were almost thrown into theirs (literally - basically - almost) in a matter of life and death. That's what a relationship is - the choices you create with someone else!
//
The Fiery Cross has a great balance of physical and psychological conflict. Yet, I wish Gabaldon pushed the envelope of character development further. There are so many NEW characters in the New World! It's equally exciting and disappointing because many of them turn out to be flat in this book. I hope they develop in the next. With a little push, these rocks could be turned to diamonds!
//
The Fiery Cross (by Diana Gabaldon) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
//
Synopsis: Jamie and Claire are starting a homestead in the Great American Outdoors. There is a wedding night mystery, near war declaration, and many funny puns about the development of modern culture.
//
#ellesbookreviews2019
#thefierycross #clairefraser #dianagabaldon #outlander #outlanderbooks #outlanderseries
(reading the box set - adding this for reading challenge count)
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[Daisy Jones and The Six] A 70’s rockband writes music.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
I would recommend this book to a reluctant teen reader. Like the teen who you just want to read SOMETHING! There’s lots of action, a cast of characters (each with their own motivation), dreamy/gritty movie star life, and it’s still easy to digest with it's quick interview-style writing. Lots of white on the page - great for an easily intimidated reader. The song lyrics at the end were my favorite part of the book.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
In the end, I thought it was just ‘meh.’ It didn’t really make me think. I pretty much coasted through it. If it were longer, I’m not sure I would have committed to finishing it. That being said, I get why it has such commercial appeal, but it’s just missing the ‘umph’ for me.⠀
//⠀
Daisy Jones and The Six (by Taylor Jenkins Reid) ⚡️⚡️✨2.5/5⠀
//⠀
#daisyjonesandthesix #taylorjenkinsreid #70sband⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[Daisy Jones and The Six] A 70’s rockband writes music.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
I would recommend this book to a reluctant teen reader. Like the teen who you just want to read SOMETHING! There’s lots of action, a cast of characters (each with their own motivation), dreamy/gritty movie star life, and it’s still easy to digest with it's quick interview-style writing. Lots of white on the page - great for an easily intimidated reader. The song lyrics at the end were my favorite part of the book.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
In the end, I thought it was just ‘meh.’ It didn’t really make me think. I pretty much coasted through it. If it were longer, I’m not sure I would have committed to finishing it. That being said, I get why it has such commercial appeal, but it’s just missing the ‘umph’ for me.⠀
//⠀
Daisy Jones and The Six (by Taylor Jenkins Reid) ⚡️⚡️✨2.5/5⠀
//⠀
#daisyjonesandthesix #taylorjenkinsreid #70sband⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019
(Instagram @elle_reads)
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[The Immortalist] Four siblings have their death days told.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
I liked how Chloe Benjamin portrayed the struggle between staying a part of your family unit but still striking out alone. The book follows each of the siblings as they try to find their individual paths. Benjamin does an amazing job researching the historical context of each character’s plot and making the miniscule implications of that history come alive. Plus, she does this with beautiful similes and quotable text that made me question my own thoughts about death, uncertainty, and fate.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
It's slow to start. The narration seems to float above the action. But. The. Wait Is. Worth. It. I would even consider rereading it in the future. I hadn’t predicted that within the first few chapters. Warning: book hangover imminent.⠀
//⠀
The Immortalists (by Chloe Benjamin) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5⠀
//⠀
#theimmortalists #chloebenjamin #bookreview⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019⠀
#elles5starbooks
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[The Immortalist] Four siblings have their death days told.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
I liked how Chloe Benjamin portrayed the struggle between staying a part of your family unit but still striking out alone. The book follows each of the siblings as they try to find their individual paths. Benjamin does an amazing job researching the historical context of each character’s plot and making the miniscule implications of that history come alive. Plus, she does this with beautiful similes and quotable text that made me question my own thoughts about death, uncertainty, and fate.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
It's slow to start. The narration seems to float above the action. But. The. Wait Is. Worth. It. I would even consider rereading it in the future. I hadn’t predicted that within the first few chapters. Warning: book hangover imminent.⠀
//⠀
The Immortalists (by Chloe Benjamin) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5⠀
//⠀
#theimmortalists #chloebenjamin #bookreview⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019⠀
#elles5starbooks
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[Peach] A young songwriter finds his way with an older mentor.⠀
#gifted for an honest review⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Wayne Barton truly immerses you in his introspection. The first sentence is beautifully simple and mind-boggling. His later description of Freddie Ward’s epiphany was one of my favorite sentences. How he dealt with grey area themes like the wish for a blank start and the pull between what society expects versus someone’s personal obstacles was unique. I can’t quite put my finger on how his characters feel on all levels, and I’m not sure his characters know either. It’s a shared uncertainty I love. There is one pretty good twist (though I felt it was a little too easily resolved) and a few flashbacks I thoroughly enjoyed.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
The main character was my main problem. Freddie Ward is a shy, talented guy who worries about causing others pain. It sounds like a surefire great character! In fact, I LOVE imperfect characters! But he isn’t allowed to totally fail. His falling is cushioned by attempts to make you love him no matter what. Let me hate him, and then make me fall back in love with him. ⠀
//⠀
The book takes awhile to pick up. For me, I think Ward’s characterization is the reason why. Besides the small jewels like the one I mentioned earlier, there's some fluff in the beginning chapters. I started to skim at times because I felt I read the line “grab a beer” so often. Freddie and Hal’s relationship is definitely awkward at first, but I think it could have fleshed much of this out and the story left standing would have a greater impact. The hidden gems which had me questioning my own life experience made the fluff worth it!⠀
//⠀
Recommended if you like: The Notebook, The Fault in Our Stars⠀
//⠀
Peach (by Wayne Barton) ⚡️⚡️⚡️✨3.5/5⠀
//⠀
#peach #waynebarton @FOWbooks @peachthebook @waynebarton⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019
[Peach] A young songwriter finds his way with an older mentor.⠀
#gifted for an honest review⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Wayne Barton truly immerses you in his introspection. The first sentence is beautifully simple and mind-boggling. His later description of Freddie Ward’s epiphany was one of my favorite sentences. How he dealt with grey area themes like the wish for a blank start and the pull between what society expects versus someone’s personal obstacles was unique. I can’t quite put my finger on how his characters feel on all levels, and I’m not sure his characters know either. It’s a shared uncertainty I love. There is one pretty good twist (though I felt it was a little too easily resolved) and a few flashbacks I thoroughly enjoyed.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
The main character was my main problem. Freddie Ward is a shy, talented guy who worries about causing others pain. It sounds like a surefire great character! In fact, I LOVE imperfect characters! But he isn’t allowed to totally fail. His falling is cushioned by attempts to make you love him no matter what. Let me hate him, and then make me fall back in love with him. ⠀
//⠀
The book takes awhile to pick up. For me, I think Ward’s characterization is the reason why. Besides the small jewels like the one I mentioned earlier, there's some fluff in the beginning chapters. I started to skim at times because I felt I read the line “grab a beer” so often. Freddie and Hal’s relationship is definitely awkward at first, but I think it could have fleshed much of this out and the story left standing would have a greater impact. The hidden gems which had me questioning my own life experience made the fluff worth it!⠀
//⠀
Recommended if you like: The Notebook, The Fault in Our Stars⠀
//⠀
Peach (by Wayne Barton) ⚡️⚡️⚡️✨3.5/5⠀
//⠀
#peach #waynebarton @FOWbooks @peachthebook @waynebarton⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019
BOOK REVIEW ⠀
[Things Fall Apart] Time brings changes to an African village.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Achebe’s writing is conceise and still gives readers insight into the African village’s culture. I love how he describes things that would seen “weird” to other cultures as nothing special. He doesn’t point out differences. He just includes the details eventually and where necessary. There is no apology, and it’s great. He also make stunning commentary of how different cultures should inteact.⠀
//⠀
The characters are given the chance to explain how and why their belief systems work for their village. Playful proverbs, sincere character reflection, and family dynamics unfold before reader’s eyes with the feel of stories told over a campfire.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DID’T LIKE⠀
While I liked the campfire storytelling tones at first, I wanted it to evolve from there. I found myself skimming near the end of the book. Most of the quotable material is in the first half. Not to say the second half isn’t great, but I definitely highlighted less sentences. I wish the language of the second half was a beautiful as the first.⠀
//⠀
Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ 4/5⠀
//⠀
#thingsfallapart #chinuaachebe #africanlit #africanliterature⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019⠀
#ellereadstheword
[Things Fall Apart] Time brings changes to an African village.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Achebe’s writing is conceise and still gives readers insight into the African village’s culture. I love how he describes things that would seen “weird” to other cultures as nothing special. He doesn’t point out differences. He just includes the details eventually and where necessary. There is no apology, and it’s great. He also make stunning commentary of how different cultures should inteact.⠀
//⠀
The characters are given the chance to explain how and why their belief systems work for their village. Playful proverbs, sincere character reflection, and family dynamics unfold before reader’s eyes with the feel of stories told over a campfire.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DID’T LIKE⠀
While I liked the campfire storytelling tones at first, I wanted it to evolve from there. I found myself skimming near the end of the book. Most of the quotable material is in the first half. Not to say the second half isn’t great, but I definitely highlighted less sentences. I wish the language of the second half was a beautiful as the first.⠀
//⠀
Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ 4/5⠀
//⠀
#thingsfallapart #chinuaachebe #africanlit #africanliterature⠀
#ellesbookreviews2019⠀
#ellereadstheword
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[The Magicians] Mopey magician Quentin tries to find life’s meaning in magic.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Secret magical school? Sign me up. Like now. I like Grossman’s play on Narnians multi-worlds and Tolkien magical beings. He plays with the same ideas in a darker tone. There is one good twist at the end (which I unfortunately already knew from watching the show) which Grossman continuously hints towards without being too obvious. I loved his play with time and the define - though kind of static - characters.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
Grossman’s characters remind me of Salinger rich kids with magic still never finding happiness in the world. Which would be great if I liked Salinger, but I pretty much have hated everything I’ve read by him. The characters are always distraught for basically no reason, and it tries my patience. I understand the whys of the writing…but really. YOU HAVE MAGIC. YOUR LIFE IS LITERALLY MAGICAL. I’m here if you want to trade abilities. Just saying. Also, the male gaze just kills me. It just serves no purpose. The Magicians is a product of its time - with usage of the r-word to boot. ⠀
//⠀
Ending note: I like the show more.⠀
//⠀
The Magicians (by Lev Grossman) ⚡️⚡️✨2.5/5⠀
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[The Magicians] Mopey magician Quentin tries to find life’s meaning in magic.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
Secret magical school? Sign me up. Like now. I like Grossman’s play on Narnians multi-worlds and Tolkien magical beings. He plays with the same ideas in a darker tone. There is one good twist at the end (which I unfortunately already knew from watching the show) which Grossman continuously hints towards without being too obvious. I loved his play with time and the define - though kind of static - characters.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⠀
Grossman’s characters remind me of Salinger rich kids with magic still never finding happiness in the world. Which would be great if I liked Salinger, but I pretty much have hated everything I’ve read by him. The characters are always distraught for basically no reason, and it tries my patience. I understand the whys of the writing…but really. YOU HAVE MAGIC. YOUR LIFE IS LITERALLY MAGICAL. I’m here if you want to trade abilities. Just saying. Also, the male gaze just kills me. It just serves no purpose. The Magicians is a product of its time - with usage of the r-word to boot. ⠀
//⠀
Ending note: I like the show more.⠀
//⠀
The Magicians (by Lev Grossman) ⚡️⚡️✨2.5/5⠀
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[Love in a Fallen City] Different loves find their way through eastern and western influences.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
My edx course only required me to read Eileen Chang’s story story “Sealed Off,” but “Sealed Off” opened my eyes to all Love in a Fallen City has to offer (heh pun). I had to read the entire book. Chang’s works are perfect for readers will little prior knowledge of Chinese history. She focuses on family dynamics - mainly a woman’s place in the world - amidst the cultural clashes of eastern and western thinking across China.⠀
//⠀
Chang’s dainty allusions to major thinking controversies are masterful. She doesn’t beat you over the head with her thoughts, but create a disequilibrium that makes the reader ask why? Sometimes the answer is easter tradition, sometimes the answer is western thinking, sometimes the answer is humans are just plain unpredictable.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DID’T LIKE⠀
Chinese family relations are specific and daunting. Even the Mandarin language has specific words for nearly every relation (complete with how to address each person) while English has comparably few. A few stories quickly introduce a myriad of characters. Readers are expected to understand the implications of Chinese family relations that will overlay the rest of the story. However, this is something a reader with a Chinese background would easily understand. Furthermore, many characters are given titles “Third Sister” and later given a name. Matching the person to the title/name can be a small puzzle, but it’s worth it.⠀
//⠀
Love in a Fallen City (by Eileen Chang, translated by Karen S. Kingsbury) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5⠀
BOOK REVIEW⠀
[Love in a Fallen City] Different loves find their way through eastern and western influences.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I LIKED⠀
My edx course only required me to read Eileen Chang’s story story “Sealed Off,” but “Sealed Off” opened my eyes to all Love in a Fallen City has to offer (heh pun). I had to read the entire book. Chang’s works are perfect for readers will little prior knowledge of Chinese history. She focuses on family dynamics - mainly a woman’s place in the world - amidst the cultural clashes of eastern and western thinking across China.⠀
//⠀
Chang’s dainty allusions to major thinking controversies are masterful. She doesn’t beat you over the head with her thoughts, but create a disequilibrium that makes the reader ask why? Sometimes the answer is easter tradition, sometimes the answer is western thinking, sometimes the answer is humans are just plain unpredictable.⠀
//⠀
WHAT I DID’T LIKE⠀
Chinese family relations are specific and daunting. Even the Mandarin language has specific words for nearly every relation (complete with how to address each person) while English has comparably few. A few stories quickly introduce a myriad of characters. Readers are expected to understand the implications of Chinese family relations that will overlay the rest of the story. However, this is something a reader with a Chinese background would easily understand. Furthermore, many characters are given titles “Third Sister” and later given a name. Matching the person to the title/name can be a small puzzle, but it’s worth it.⠀
//⠀
Love in a Fallen City (by Eileen Chang, translated by Karen S. Kingsbury) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5⠀
(Instagram @elle_reads)
BOOK REVIEW
[Diary of a Madman] A madman’s diary holds stories across revolutionary China.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Lu Xun’s writing defies genre. I still don’t know if I should classify it as an unreliable narrator, an anthology of short stories, a manifesto…hmmm... I suppose it is all of those things. The book begins with a short introduction in which a character reads a childhood friend’s diary. The friend is said to have gone mad, but it now safely working for the government in another province (smells fishy, right?). Anyway, the introduction narrator opens the diary and away we go.
//
Every passage could be completely new. From characters to setting, Lu Xun stretches his writing across many perspectives of the "madman's” China. Some of the stories are retelling of classic myths, others are letters between colleagues. Lu Xun captures you into the new setting within a few lines. His inferencing clues left for the reader are fantastic.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The first few chapters were my favorite. I loved the building of the story frame within the madman’s mind. There is no end to the story frame, and I wish there was more written about it! (But I understand this is quintessential Lu Fun move.) This book’s constant change eats at your stamina, but each chapter brings something new. I would also recommend brushing up on any knowledge of China’s cultural revolution and modernism movement before reading. Lu Xun’s wonderful allusions may be lost without this prior knowledge.
//
Diary of a Madman (Lu Xun) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
BOOK REVIEW
[Diary of a Madman] A madman’s diary holds stories across revolutionary China.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Lu Xun’s writing defies genre. I still don’t know if I should classify it as an unreliable narrator, an anthology of short stories, a manifesto…hmmm... I suppose it is all of those things. The book begins with a short introduction in which a character reads a childhood friend’s diary. The friend is said to have gone mad, but it now safely working for the government in another province (smells fishy, right?). Anyway, the introduction narrator opens the diary and away we go.
//
Every passage could be completely new. From characters to setting, Lu Xun stretches his writing across many perspectives of the "madman's” China. Some of the stories are retelling of classic myths, others are letters between colleagues. Lu Xun captures you into the new setting within a few lines. His inferencing clues left for the reader are fantastic.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The first few chapters were my favorite. I loved the building of the story frame within the madman’s mind. There is no end to the story frame, and I wish there was more written about it! (But I understand this is quintessential Lu Fun move.) This book’s constant change eats at your stamina, but each chapter brings something new. I would also recommend brushing up on any knowledge of China’s cultural revolution and modernism movement before reading. Lu Xun’s wonderful allusions may be lost without this prior knowledge.
//
Diary of a Madman (Lu Xun) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5