To continue on the Agatha Christie trend, this book had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. Considered a classic and a must-read piece of literature, And Then There Were None is a novel that anyone remotely interested in either “old timey” writing or mystery. This book was on my shelf for a really long time until one day I was really in the mood for a short and intense read. I don’t think I could’ve chosen a better novel. It was short, captivating, and kept me on my toes the entire time.
I always wondered why I never got spoilers regarding the book. This book’s plot always seemed shrouded in mystery, which obviously I will try to continue to the best of my ability. What I can tell you is that this book is about twelve people who are invited or brought to Soldier Island, located just off the British coast, and slowly but surely they all die one by one. That’s all that can really be said about the plot. After reading this book, I undoubtedly can say that Christie has made me want to actively read more mystery and even horror for that matter. The problem is, that in mainstream media, contemporary books and dystopian novels are pushed so much. Usually, these novels also have the same cookie-cutter plot. The fact that this novel was so different, and so well structured, that it sparked my desire to read voraciously once more. I really hope you read this book at least once in your life. It really is a great piece of literature. I also want to encourage everyone to actually read something they don’t usually see pushed in media. Something random and bizarre that caught your interest. Those, my friend, are usually the best ones. -M
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Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express was a fast-paced novel from start to finish and its pages never failed to capture my attention. The story begins with Hercule Poirot heading to Stamboul in order to catch the train heading to London. I love the character of Hercule Poirot because it was fascinating to read about him putting together the clues from the different passengers on the train. Christie does an amazing job with character creation by showing the different languages each passenger speaks, but still keeping most of the book in English.
This book didn’t leaving me feeling the same way as Flowers for Algernon did, but it was a fun book and it makes you feel like you are Poirot and you’re on the train solving the murder. I recommend this book to people who want to expand their mental bookshelf, love mystery, who are in a reading slump, or people who have never read an Agatha Christie novel. It’s a short story, so it won’t take too much of your time and once you’ve completed it you can watch the movie and compare the two. Keep reading books! If you have already read this book or seen the movie or you just want to talk about books then please leave a comment or DM us on instagram! Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day. -K This book is one that I have enjoyed so much while simultaneously cried so many tears over. This story follows an intriguing French family, the Lavenders. The captivating journey starts off with the first Lavenders in America, who arrive in New York from France (think Gangs of New York vibes), to present day Ava Lavender, the third generation of Lavender. Odd detail about Ava is that she was born with wings while her twin brother was not. It is crucial for me to not tell you much more about this story, but instead continue to sing its praises.
There is no other book I have ever enjoyed more that incorporates serious and such grim topics so poetically. Well, I guess I do have to warn you that this does deal with rape and abuse. HOWEVER, do not consider this a stereotypical story. This is not one of those contemporary novels that tend to romanticize a topic such as rape. It shows the pain, sorrow, and strength associated with the topic so beautifully. It honestly makes you want to marvel at the words, and to wonder how strings of words could truly sound so majestic. I know this might seem like a broken record about just how the experience reading this was and too much of not saying much about the story, but I really truly hope you pick up this book. It’s just one of those stories that will touch your heart in an indescribable way. However be warned, this book does discuss some serious topics that aren’t really suitable for younger audiences and requires a level of maturity that some people reading YA might not have developed. -M Flowers for Algernon. Where do I even begin. This story is written entirely in “progris riports” and follows the life of a mentally slow middle-aged man, Charlie Gordon, who writes about himself before and after he undergoes an “operashun” to make him intelligent. Before Charlie, the only other soul to have this operation is a mouse named Algernon, whom Charlie identifies with throughout the book.
If I had to rate this book on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (great) I would give it a 9.5 because nothing is perfect, but this book came super close. The way it is written is almost like reading Charlie’s diary because you know his deepest secrets, thoughts, and desires. The flashbacks he has from his life before the procedure do an excellent job of building his character and creating his family; as well as, Charlie’s changes in grammar and spelling as he becomes smarter. More importantly, this book draws attention to what it means to be human and that intelligence doesn’t matter, but how we treat each other does. Living in 2018, people are extremely aware of civil rights, but this is beyond civil rights. This is personal. This book tells us that people are people and no procedure to refine them will ever really change them. I hate to spoil books, so I won’t. The only thing I can tell you is to go to your local library or bookstore and GET THIS BOOK. I hope that you will fall in love with this story, as I have. -K Feel free to DM us on instagram @mkwritesreviews to discuss books :) I just want to say that we all have our own interpretations of literature and I would love to hear what you think about this book in the comments. I am just putting it out there, I have enjoyed my share of classic contemporary romances. However, i did not enjoy this book as much as I would have liked to. This is my second book that I read by this author. My first choice was “This Is What Happy Looks Like”. She is just not the person I would trust to give me a rush of happiness and the girly squeals were not escaping my mouth like they usually do in a very light and happy novel. Maybe it was because I was just not in the mood for a contemporary novel. However, I believe that it may be because it was just another average novel.
The plot goes as follows: Hadley is supposed to go to London for her father’s second marriage. At the airport, she ends up missing her original flight and had to get another flight. While she was waiting in the airport, she meets this stranger, a very handsome, seemingly British, gentleman. They end up on the same flight and on the same row. The rest is history. As you can tell, this seems simple enough. The book can alway be used as a quick read if one wants to. In the end, I do not completely despise this book, no one can despise a simple romance novel. Though, if you want to enrich your literary experience, I would not waste my time nor my money on this book. -M BEWARE: (minor) SPOILERS
The Lovely Bones is told in first-person narration by Susie Salmon. The book starts on December 6, 1973 which is important because “It was still back when people believed things like that didn’t happen.” This book made me realize that even when you’re gone the world still turns without you just the same way it did with you (yes I am referencing the book). I would classify this literary work by Alice Sebold as a twisted bildungsroman. Sebold has written The Almost Moon, and Lucky, as well. After her death, Susie Salmon wakes up, “trapped in a perfect world.” She watches her family learn to deal with her death from her heaven (in this book different people have different "heavens" that correspond to their character). She is there through their tough times, happy times, and still watches them when they are alone. Susie sort of narrates their life when they fall apart and pick up the pieces. She is gone, yet there for it simultaneously. Don’t read this book if what you’re looking for is a murder mystery, or a thriller (honestly I don't think the book fits under either of these categories). Read this book to learn to care for someone. Read this because you want to make Earth a home instead of a living place. Read this to change someone; maybe yourself. “I wish you all a long and happy life.” -K P.S. This book is one of my favorites because the main character loses everything, and she isn't bitter or jealous that other people got to live their lives while she didn't. I think that the characteristic of people to not be envious is beautiful. "Jealousy's the ugliest trait." -Keri Hilson Another book I like, how surprising. Girl in Pieces is a novel that is fiction, and deals with self-harm, suicide, addiction, and a plethora of other mental health issues, so this is your warning if you cannot handle that kind of content. To those who can, this novel is a sad one, no if and buts about it. Charlie Davis is a girl, who at seventeen, has probably seen more sadness and pain than an average person does in their lifetime. However, we get to learn about all of this as the book continues, because no spoilers will be given from my side. All that I can say is that she is in a psychiatric facility that helps people get better and lower their dependence on self-harm so they can stay clean. In the beginning, she seems like a person who observes, the chapters are short, suggesting she does not like to say much, and the longer chapters are describing other people and other things and situations and scenarios. As the book develops, we see her and she starts to get more comfortable while “talking” and talks about herself more. Then we get to learn about her, how she got to where she is, and how she will get better, if she gets better that is.
The story is not a unique one in the sense that many in this world crowded with people can relate to Charlie. This story is important, it shows how one has peaks and valleys when dealing with recovery. At some points, it does show the romanticism around mental illness, however it is more so to tell the reader that it is okay to be accepting of love, and that one’s illness does not immediately lead to a lonely, sorrowful life. It does not shy away from the feelings of loss and burden and pain. Girl in Pieces is a novel that has the capability of telling other people who are suffering in silence that they in fact do have a voice and should use it. -M This novel is about a seven year-old named Elsa, who believes that all seven year-olds should have heroes. Elsa is mature for her age and this often angers the adults who have to deal with her. This book takes place in Sweden in 2013. The setting is important because the currency mentioned in the novel is different than what is used in other countries and the names of the characters are unique. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry deals with the loss of a loved one through the power of imagination and the belief that all seven year-olds deserve a superhero.
Fredrik Backman has written other novels such as A Man Called Ove, Britt-Marie Was Here, and Bear Town. His other books are similar to this one because they all discuss change. Backman is my favorite author I recommend My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry if you are dealing with the loss of someone dear to you or if you would just like a story to read. -K This high fantasy series is about an assassin Celaena Sardothien. She has been stuck in this prison, Endovier, in this land, Ardalan, for about a year. Suddenly, she gets taken away from that prison, for a competition. The competition a position in the Royal Court, as the King’s Assassin. She just so happened to be the pick of the Prince of Ardalan for the competition. Little spoiler, she wins, but that’s just the beginning the story. The story gets really interesting really fast with involvements of magic, which seem to not exist in the land. There’s a bit of romance sprinkled in there, and the sequels just develop and spend time expanding this world that Maas created. This is a book and series that has a bit of everything, action, romance, drama, and a very strong female lead character.
In my opinion, the writing is so poetic and wonderful and captivating. However, this story is one I may not continue. I adored the first three books, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire. Once the fourth book came along, Queen of Shadows, I am starting to just be bored of the story. It is not because of the writing style or the plot, but because it is just too long of a story. To my knowledge, there are going to be seven books in this story, not including the short stories along with them. Two of them are yet to be seen by the general public. I, by nature, am a very impatient person, which is why I do not pick up long series very often. I am hopeful that once I finish the fourth book that I will want to continue, but for now there’s a pause for me on this series. Overall, if you are able to read very long series and keep up with it, I’m pretty sure you will find this enjoyable. -M 13 Little Blue Envelopes follows the summer adventures of Ginny Blackstone in third-person narration. The given narration provides all the details of Ginny’s backstory and current situation. This book takes place in 2005 in New York City, with the exception that location changes often in this story. NYC is a perfect location for our lead character because it is a diverse place that hints at the plot. This book taught me to take chances; to be unafraid of life. Ginny’s aunt leaves a package of thirteen envelopes, and inside each envelope is a task that Ginny must complete before she opens the following envelope. As Ginny completes these tasks she begins to take steps out of her comfort zone and love life for what it is. I would consider this book an amalgamation of adventure, healing, comedy, and a bit of romance.
Maureen Johnson has written Let It Snow (with John Green and Lauren Myracle), and The Bane Chronicles, Devilish, and many more. I absolutely loved 13 Little Blue Envelopes. It encouraged me to really live and enjoy the life I was given. I would totally read more novels by Maureen Johnson. If any of you feel shy, or nervous about anything this book is a great read. I hope it inspires you as much as it did for me. If you can find this book at your library/bookstore it is a must-read!! -K |
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