1Q84: Review

Title: 1Q84

Author: Haruki Murakami

Publisher: Knopf

Rating: 3.5/5

A young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” Meanwhile, an aspiring writer named Tengo takes on a suspect ghostwriting project. He becomes so wrapped up with the work and its unusual author that, soon, his previously placid life begins to come unraveled.

As Aomame’s and Tengo’s narratives converge over the course of this single year, we learn of the profound and tangled connections that bind them ever closer: a beautiful, dyslexic teenage girl with a unique vision; a mysterious religious cult that instigated a shoot-out with the metropolitan police; a reclusive, wealthy dowager who runs a shelter for abused women; a hideously ugly private investigator; a mild-mannered yet ruthlessly efficient bodyguard; and a peculiarly insistent television-fee collector.

I was really excited to read this book. Maybe it was because of my somewhat high expectations that this book fell relatively low. Or maybe not, I’m not sure. All I know is that this book felt kind of empty to me by the end. It’s a huge book but after the first 300 pages or so the plot seemed to slow down considerably. Nothing much seemed to be happening. There were a couple bumps after that but overall the plot was pretty flat.

That being said, I really enjoyed the setting. This is the first book I’ve read set entirely in Japan and I loved reading about the culture and Tokyo.

I’ve heard that many others enjoyed this book and the characters were engaging and relatable, but as a mostly plot-based reader, I felt a bit disappointed at the end. However, there were still really interesting parts that got me thinking and I’d still recommend this.

SPOILERS:

Authors I’d Love to Meet!

Even though I read a lot, I haven’t been to very many book signings, mainly because I’m always in the wrong place for book signings. There are so many authors I’d love to meet, and it was so hard to narrow it down to five.

5. V.E. Schwab: I just love her books and her writing styles. I’d love to meet her and tell her how much her books have impacted me.

 

 

4. Jojo Moyes: Y’all know how much I love Me Before You and if I ever had the chance to meet Jojo Moyes, I’d never pass on that. Me Before You was just so incredible and I’d love to see her and have her sign my copy and for me to be able to tell her how much her book resonated with me.

 

3. Cassandra Clare: I’ve read so many of her books and loved all of them. My favorites are, of course, The Infernal Devices. I’d just love to meet her and fangirl about Will and Tessa.

 

 

2. J.K. Rowling: This one doesn’t really need any explaining. She’s some sort of childhood hero in my mind and meeting her would be a dream come true. Her books formed the basis of my love for reading and I’d just love to talk to her.

 

1.Markus Zusak: Again, not surprising. His books have completely changed my life. I can’t even put to words how much I loved The Book Thief and I am the Messenger. I’d just love the chance to meet him and tell him how amazing I thought his books were and how much I love his writing style.

That was it for today’s post, just a few of the authors I’d love to meet.

February Wrap-Up

I read seven amazing books this month:

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven: Oh my god, this book was beautiful. I wish I’d done a full review on this book but I forgot and then somehow a month had gone by. I read this book in a sitting and was constantly amazed by the beauty of it. I loved the theme of discovering new things and doing things that scare you. It was absolutely brilliant and if you ever get the chance, you should most definitely check this book out.

 

 The Evil We Love by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman: I’m slowly but surely making my way through this series of novellas.

 

 

 

 

World War Z  by Max Brooks: The format was really interesting and really helped to make it seem as if these events had actually taken place. While it may have been a bit boring at times, it made all the events that much more real and never ceased to give me chills.

 

 

 

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater: I finally finished this series! I’m a bit sad to see it over, but the ending was really satisfying and I think it did the series justice. Overall, I really enjoyed this series, but the first book is still my favorite.

 

 

 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes: So the anniversary of me first reading this book was sometime in February and I just felt it right that I should reread it this month. I’ve mentioned before that I was hesitant about rereading because I felt like I wouldn’t feel the same about reading it the second time around. Of course, I was wrong. I was completely blown away by the beauty of this book once more. My love for this book has only grown now that I’ve reread it. Again, if you ever get a chance, you should most definitely check it out.

 

Pale Kings and Princes by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman: Looks like I’ll be starting Lady Midnight next month at the rate I’m going. I love the constant chemistry tension between Isabelle and Simon and I’m really happy they worked it out.

 

 

 

Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin: Ahh! I finally got to this book, after months of anticipating it and wanting to read it. It was honestly so amazing. It was hands down better than the first one and I couldn’t put it down. It was brilliant, the character arcs were amazing. I honestly love the relationship that grew between Yael and Luca. Oh Luca…

 

 

Anyway, these were the seven books I read this month. Leave a comment about the books you read this month.

Review: A Gathering of Shadows

Title: A Gathering of Shadows

Author: V.E. Schwab

Publisher: Tor Books

Rating: 4/5

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

It was so refreshing to be completely wrapped up in a book and everything that’s going on. At first, it took me a while to get into, as it’s been a really long time since I read the first book. However, after a couple of chapters, it all came back to me and I really enjoyed the book.

It was an incredible read and I enjoyed it immensely.

SPOILERS:

January Wrap-Up

I read three books this month:

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

 

 

 

 

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

 

 

 

 

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

 

 

 

 

That’s all I read in January. How about you? What did you read in January?

Most Anticipated Releases of 2017

2017 is an amazing year for book releases and I’m super excited for the books coming out this year. Here are the top 10 books I’m looking forward to in 2017 in the order they are released in:

A List of Cages by Robin Roe: I’m super excited for this book and it comes out very soon: January 10. I don’t want to go into a full synopsis but it’s about this boy called Adam who helps the school psychologist. One day she asks Adam to track down a troubled freshman. Adam finds out that the boy is Julian, the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years.

This sounds super interesting and family based, which I’m really looking forward to. Click here for the link on Goodreads.

City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson. Comes out January 24. I mentioned this book in a previous post, but I’m really excited for this release especially since it’s set in Kenya. Click here for the link on Goodreads.

 

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab. Comes out February 21. This is the third and final book of the Shades of Magic trilogy. I’m currently read A Gathering of Shadows, the third book, and I’m really enjoying it so far and can’t wait to read the final book. Click here for the Goodreads link.

 

 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Comes out February 28. I’m super excited for this book. It’s about the Black Lives Matter movement and a super important read. Here is the Goodreads link.

 

 

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: Comes out May 2. This is the third book in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series and I’m so excited about this one. I honestly was not expecting there to be a third book, but here it is. Here is the Goodreads link.

 

 

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich: Comes out May 16. I am so unbelievably excited for this book. Essentially, it’s about a love triangle where the two boys fall in love with each other instead of the girl. That in itself is something I’ve been looking for for a while and I’m so happy there’s finally a book about this. May can’t come fast enough. Here is the Goodreads link.

 

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon: Comes out May 30. This book is about a modern arranged marriage, and Indian main characters. I’m looking forward to how this story plays out. Here is the link.

 

 

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger: Comes out June 1. The synopsis sounded super interesting and I can’t wait for this book to come out. Here is the link.

 

 

Our Dark Duet by V.E. Schwab: Comes out June 13. This is the second and final book in the Monsters of Verity series. I read This Savage Song  a while back ago and loved it, so I’m really excited for the sequel. Here is the link.

 

 

This is How it Happened by Paula Stokes: Comes out July 11. This is another internet story type thriller and I’m very interested to read it. Here is the link.

 

 

 

These were my most anticipated releases of 2o17! Hope you enjoyed and comment what your most anticipated reads are.

My Dream Loot Crate

First off, more than two posts a week? Who am I?  Anyway, the lovely team at Loot Crate, a monthly geekish subscription box, is looking for people to talk about what they would do if they could put together their own dream crate. When I was asked if I’d be interested in creating something I immediately said yes.

My dream box would be a diversity crate.

I think it is really necessary in today’s society to include minorities and explore diversity in the media. So, in my dream crate, I would include books, movies, and merch that is focused on supporting diversity. For instance, every month would be a different genre such as action, thriller, romantic comedy, or anything like that. However, instead of including mainstream titles in the box, the box would include new releases of the month that are diverse, whether it be in race, gender, or sexualities. The point is just to spread diversity and recognition.

For example, the January box could contain books that are going to be released in the month of January, following the theme, and include some merch relating to the product. For instance, if the theme were murder mystery/thriller, a great example would be the book City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson, which follows the story of a girl who fled the Congo with her mother and came to Kenya seeking refuge. It’s said to be very fast paced and thrilling. It features a strong female character who also happens to be African and it is set in Africa, something we don’t see very often. Fitting the theme, the book comes out January 24, so it is a new release. Along with that, the box could contain items that fit the theme, in this example the theme is murder mystery/thriller such as a notebook pertaining to mystery, or a t-shirt of another diverse tv-show or movie. All of this would help raise awareness and bring more people to the need for diversity in the media and books.

Again, a huge thank you to the team at Loot Crate for giving me this opportunity to talk about my dream crate. Thanks for reading!