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pineconek's Reviews (816)
This messed me up.
While this collection contains a few skips, the strong stories are sooo strong that the skips end up being breathe of fresh air.
This is atmospheric horror and definitely isn't for everyone. Dread mounts with every paragraph and stories sometimes end abruptly, and ambiguity only adds to the dread. I found this truly creepy and memorable.
All that said, content warning for most things. If the mention of a particular dark theme upsets you, it's safe to assume it's in this book. Some topics include cannibalism, self harm, sexual violence, all kinds of bodily fluids, abuse of minors, the occult, human trafficking, and lots of death.
Recommended if you're into horror that relies on dread and uncertainty, are interested in South American lit, and have a strong stomach.
While this collection contains a few skips, the strong stories are sooo strong that the skips end up being breathe of fresh air.
This is atmospheric horror and definitely isn't for everyone. Dread mounts with every paragraph and stories sometimes end abruptly, and ambiguity only adds to the dread. I found this truly creepy and memorable.
All that said, content warning for most things. If the mention of a particular dark theme upsets you, it's safe to assume it's in this book. Some topics include cannibalism, self harm, sexual violence, all kinds of bodily fluids, abuse of minors, the occult, human trafficking, and lots of death.
Recommended if you're into horror that relies on dread and uncertainty, are interested in South American lit, and have a strong stomach.
A quick and poignant read dealing with adolescence, catholic guilt, and ~*~family~*~. Recommended if you're ready to explore some of the big feelings of being 15 through slam poetry.
What to say about this book that hasn't been said before.
Firstly: I really enjoyed reading it. The writing was great and so many plot points were so absurd that I remained thoroughly entertained. I'm pretty sure many things weren't supposed to be funny but I found large stretches of this hilarious. I've compared a few dark academia books to the tv show Riverdale and this is no exception - it's engaging given its absurdity.
So I enjoyed my reading experience but I agree with a ton of the one star reviews. The book falls short in several places - we don't see Julian nearly enough for my liking, several characters are interchangeable/blend together, and way less focus is spent on some of the more interesting and spicy things than the reader would want.
But it's still an inherently entertaining novel, hence my high rating. I would generally recommend that folks read this, provided that you're not looking for anything realistic or that actually pays homage to the classics. About halfway through, I realized the book could've easily been about pharmacology majors experimenting with hallucinogens and very little would need to be changed to the plot. Because of this, I recommend it's spiritual successor If We Were Villains (where the Shakespearian influence is more tangible) as the stronger of the two books.
All criticism aside though, I'm glad to have read this and do eventually want to own a copy to revisit it. I have a soft spot for the unrealistic gothic that remains consistent with its own internal rules (a la VC Andrews), and I got that here. So, in spite of its flaws, a well deserved four stars. Recommended if you're curious about the dark academia genre since this is its seminal text - just don't go in with too many preconceptions and instead enjoy the ride.
Firstly: I really enjoyed reading it. The writing was great and so many plot points were so absurd that I remained thoroughly entertained. I'm pretty sure many things weren't supposed to be funny but I found large stretches of this hilarious. I've compared a few dark academia books to the tv show Riverdale and this is no exception - it's engaging given its absurdity.
So I enjoyed my reading experience but I agree with a ton of the one star reviews. The book falls short in several places - we don't see Julian nearly enough for my liking, several characters are interchangeable/blend together, and way less focus is spent on some of the more interesting and spicy things than the reader would want.
But it's still an inherently entertaining novel, hence my high rating. I would generally recommend that folks read this, provided that you're not looking for anything realistic or that actually pays homage to the classics. About halfway through, I realized the book could've easily been about pharmacology majors experimenting with hallucinogens and very little would need to be changed to the plot. Because of this, I recommend it's spiritual successor If We Were Villains (where the Shakespearian influence is more tangible) as the stronger of the two books.
All criticism aside though, I'm glad to have read this and do eventually want to own a copy to revisit it. I have a soft spot for the unrealistic gothic that remains consistent with its own internal rules (a la VC Andrews), and I got that here. So, in spite of its flaws, a well deserved four stars. Recommended if you're curious about the dark academia genre since this is its seminal text - just don't go in with too many preconceptions and instead enjoy the ride.
I think Nina LaCour and I have very similar ideas of love.
This is my fourth book of hers and, as with all the others, I feel wrapped and at home in the pages. I feel recognized. All the familiar themes are there: growth around painful things, gentle tender love, the importance of art and working with your hands. She writes female bisexuality with a warm that I resonate with, something that I don't see nearly as often as I would like.
Objectively, this is the worst book of hers that I've read. And I still really really liked it. It reminded me most of We Are OK, since it shared themes of flight, lost love, and navigating difficult families. I fought the urge to cry during and after reading this book, and I can't even really tell you why. The best I can say is this: it feels intimate without being voyeuristic. I'm happy that my heart has no defences against this book.
I wouldn't recommend this as your first Nina LaCour, because she doesn't shine quite as overtly here as she does in other works. But if you, like me, find yourself at home in her words, give this one a try.
This is my fourth book of hers and, as with all the others, I feel wrapped and at home in the pages. I feel recognized. All the familiar themes are there: growth around painful things, gentle tender love, the importance of art and working with your hands. She writes female bisexuality with a warm that I resonate with, something that I don't see nearly as often as I would like.
Objectively, this is the worst book of hers that I've read. And I still really really liked it. It reminded me most of We Are OK, since it shared themes of flight, lost love, and navigating difficult families. I fought the urge to cry during and after reading this book, and I can't even really tell you why. The best I can say is this: it feels intimate without being voyeuristic. I'm happy that my heart has no defences against this book.
I wouldn't recommend this as your first Nina LaCour, because she doesn't shine quite as overtly here as she does in other works. But if you, like me, find yourself at home in her words, give this one a try.
This feels a bit like reading Matt Haig's grocery list. But here's the thing: I will happily read Matt Haig's grocery list.
Notes on a Nervous Planet is a series of very loosely organized short thoughts. I dipped into it while waiting in line at the coffee shop, on a train to and from a camping trip, when I needed a breath at work, and so on, and found something that helped bring me back into the present moment. Although at times things can be simplistic, the heart of the book follows principles that have helped me a lot: mindfulness, slowing living, and love.
Recommended if you, like me, dream of throwing your cellphone into the river.
Notes on a Nervous Planet is a series of very loosely organized short thoughts. I dipped into it while waiting in line at the coffee shop, on a train to and from a camping trip, when I needed a breath at work, and so on, and found something that helped bring me back into the present moment. Although at times things can be simplistic, the heart of the book follows principles that have helped me a lot: mindfulness, slowing living, and love.
Recommended if you, like me, dream of throwing your cellphone into the river.
This is incredibly moving as an audiobook. Highly recommended.
If Lisbeth Salander has 100 fans, I am one of them.
If Lisbeth Salander has 10 fans, I am one of them.
If Lisbeth Salander has 1 fan, it's me.
If Lisbeth Salander has 0 fans, it is because I am deceased.
What do I even say about this book? I loved it. It's so immensely readable while also fulfilling some revenge fantasies against men who hate women. I usually hate reading series but I can't wait for the third one. Recommended broadly.
If Lisbeth Salander has 10 fans, I am one of them.
If Lisbeth Salander has 1 fan, it's me.
If Lisbeth Salander has 0 fans, it is because I am deceased.
What do I even say about this book? I loved it. It's so immensely readable while also fulfilling some revenge fantasies against men who hate women. I usually hate reading series but I can't wait for the third one. Recommended broadly.
No plot, only vibes.
I'll echo some other reviews I read: this reads like watching someone play diner dash and upgrading their cafe for the first time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (and can be very wholesome!) but it also reads like a nanowrimo draft that could've used more edits which... It is. Theres also a fanfiction/forum roleplay vibe to the narration which also isn't my typical style, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
The concept is adorable and there's some great characters and funny little universe quirks that I thoroughly enjoyed. But this eventually got repetitive and, under that, it was tropes all the way down. Given all that, I wasn't the right audience for this book. I enjoyed it in small doses but did find myself looking forward to it being over. And I feel bad for saying that since it is a comfy cozy read but, in the end, it was lackluster for me.
Recommended if you want cute, saccharine, low stakes, if you don't mind repetition, and if you think the concept sounds cute (because it is and the book is exactly what it says on the tin). A rounded 2.5 stars.
I'll echo some other reviews I read: this reads like watching someone play diner dash and upgrading their cafe for the first time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (and can be very wholesome!) but it also reads like a nanowrimo draft that could've used more edits which... It is. Theres also a fanfiction/forum roleplay vibe to the narration which also isn't my typical style, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
The concept is adorable and there's some great characters and funny little universe quirks that I thoroughly enjoyed. But this eventually got repetitive and, under that, it was tropes all the way down. Given all that, I wasn't the right audience for this book. I enjoyed it in small doses but did find myself looking forward to it being over. And I feel bad for saying that since it is a comfy cozy read but, in the end, it was lackluster for me.
Recommended if you want cute, saccharine, low stakes, if you don't mind repetition, and if you think the concept sounds cute (because it is and the book is exactly what it says on the tin). A rounded 2.5 stars.
I started off really disliking this book and I'd argue it got better as it went on. At no point is it a particularly enjoyable read but enjoyment is clearly not the goal. The writing itself is quite stunning and there are some excellent stand out lines. The misogyny is rampant and inherently intertwined with self loathing, and the danger of that combination is illustrated. It's hard to give this book a rating so I'll settle for 3 stars - I'm ultimately glad I finally got around to reading it but would only recommend it if you think you'll have insight to gain from reading a (very literary and well written) first person account of being a deeply depressed misogynist.
