jhabelita's reviews
109 reviews
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Ayoko na. Natapos na lahat lahat yung loaned audiobook ko sa Libby pero wala talagang kahit anong “umph” or spark both on the plot and the characters 😩 ang hirap nyang basahin.
📱— I paused reading on my Kindle at 18%
Get back to it after a month in a different format.
🎧— I spaced out while listening to audiobook at 57%
Hanggang sa nakatulugan ko na lang. So I can’t give any stars to this book. More like I DNF’ed it.
I can’t remember most of the scenes, tbh. Sana dual POV na lang nila Wyn at Harriet to see each side after their breakup kasi walang silbi rin naman yung past vs present. Pampahaba lang but walang substance IMO. Actually, I skipped those chapters in the audiobook. Nagfocus ako sa “real life” or yung present timeline na. Pero inantok pa rin ako mhie.
Also, nakakabwisit yung “miscommunication” trope dito. Parang mga di nag grade 2 yung mga characters.
Sayang excitement ko sa “skip the line”. Overhyped lang pala 😑
📱— I paused reading on my Kindle at 18%
Get back to it after a month in a different format.
🎧— I spaced out while listening to audiobook at 57%
Hanggang sa nakatulugan ko na lang. So I can’t give any stars to this book. More like I DNF’ed it.
I can’t remember most of the scenes, tbh. Sana dual POV na lang nila Wyn at Harriet to see each side after their breakup kasi walang silbi rin naman yung past vs present. Pampahaba lang but walang substance IMO. Actually, I skipped those chapters in the audiobook. Nagfocus ako sa “real life” or yung present timeline na. Pero inantok pa rin ako mhie.
Also, nakakabwisit yung “miscommunication” trope dito. Parang mga di nag grade 2 yung mga characters.
Sayang excitement ko sa “skip the line”. Overhyped lang pala 😑
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
It was ok, like "so-so" okay. It gave me the same feelings when I read the House of Hollow. The start was interesting to be honest. It intrigued me lalo na nung pinakilala na si Ursula. Andun na agad yung hunch ko na "ahh okaaay, antagonist ito" and the first 40% really hold my attention. It was so creepy!
Then, *poof! it became coco crunch!* 😂 nagpalaboy laboy na yung imagination ko towards the end of the book. I agree to some reviews that it could've been shorter na lang sana. Kasi parang kinaladkad nalang ni Neil yung story hanggang sa naging kala-kalamay na sya (for me).
Then, *poof! it became coco crunch!* 😂 nagpalaboy laboy na yung imagination ko towards the end of the book. I agree to some reviews that it could've been shorter na lang sana. Kasi parang kinaladkad nalang ni Neil yung story hanggang sa naging kala-kalamay na sya (for me).
Overall, I think magical realism genre is not my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Infidelity
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Antagal ko nag procastinate para matapos kasi sure ako sad ending ‘to. Hayyy, Ove. 🥺
I do not have grumpy grandfathers pero iba yung feelings ko talaga towards sa mga lolo na pagod na mabuhay at naghihintay na lang ng oras nila. 😭
I do not have grumpy grandfathers pero iba yung feelings ko talaga towards sa mga lolo na pagod na mabuhay at naghihintay na lang ng oras nila. 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
It was okay. There are nice quotes about life that I liked but nothing much of the plot that made me stick 100%. I just powered through it. Thanks to audiobook!
The story is not all about Veronika's failed suicide, it also tackled Mari's life as a lawyer and a wife and Eduard, a 17-y/o schizophrenic and Veronika's love interest.
The story is not all about Veronika's failed suicide, it also tackled Mari's life as a lawyer and a wife and Eduard, a 17-y/o schizophrenic and Veronika's love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
🎧 - The audiobook is not that good, unfortunately. I noticed that the voices were no longer changing that much per character. Parang paos na si Jim Dale. [read it both in Kindle and audiobook format] Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it.
*there were a lot of differences on the movie adaptation unlike in the Sorcerer's Stone. BUT this made me understand more the plot! Mas nabwisit rin ako sa character ni Gilderoy Lockheart and Wood.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Dobby! 😭
🎧 - The audiobook is not that good, unfortunately. I noticed that the voices were no longer changing that much per character. Parang paos na si Jim Dale. [read it both in Kindle and audiobook format] Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it.
*there were a lot of differences on the movie adaptation unlike in the Sorcerer's Stone. BUT this made me understand more the plot! Mas nabwisit rin ako sa character ni Gilderoy Lockheart and Wood.
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
*also, hirap na hirap ako basahin sya. Probably dahil sinunod ko sya agad after book 2.
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This gave me a reading slump! Oh, Jason 🥺
*also, hirap na hirap ako basahin sya. Probably dahil sinunod ko sya agad after book 2.
Spoiler
I was expecting Jason will die but I did not know it will be on this book 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book! Naririnig ako ng asawa ko na tumatawa at kinikilig while reading this. A perfect 'breather' after reading 2 fantasy books in a row. Kaya naman pala na walang spice eh.
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a redemption book for me and makes me want to finish the series ASAP!
(Backstory: I really planned to read only book 1 and 2 this week then I'll take a break para hindi ako maumay. and then the "ending" made me want to continue the book 3 because (view spoiler))
Medyo underwhelming yung book 1 kasi for me though I know naman na iikot sya sa trials (also read: karma
(Backstory: I really planned to read only book 1 and 2 this week then I'll take a break para hindi ako maumay. and then the "ending" made me want to continue the book 3 because (view spoiler))
Medyo underwhelming yung book 1 kasi for me though I know naman na iikot sya sa trials (also read: karma
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Why did I read this just now. 😭 Reading this on my kindle while listening to the audiobook made the whole reading experience feels like I am watching the movie.
I so love the voice of Jim Dale whenever it's Hagrid or Professor McGonagall or Dumbledore is speaking. Sobrang cute!!! 😭 This made me look for the physical copies kahit naka book buying ban nga ako dahil andami ko pang physical TBR since 2022.
Once I read all the books on my shelf, I will treat myself with the complete set in hardcover.
🎧 - from Libby
P.S. This is the 100th book I've read since I got back to reading in 2022.
I so love the voice of Jim Dale whenever it's Hagrid or Professor McGonagall or Dumbledore is speaking. Sobrang cute!!! 😭 This made me look for the physical copies kahit naka book buying ban nga ako dahil andami ko pang physical TBR since 2022.
Once I read all the books on my shelf, I will treat myself with the complete set in hardcover.
🎧 - from Libby
P.S. This is the 100th book I've read since I got back to reading in 2022.
P.P.S. Oh, I saw this interview of Jim Dale as the narrator of the HP audiobooks. 300 voices?! 🤯https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whzhEIB9Qkg
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hindi sya ganun ka exciting and adventurous for me. Apollo is GGSS in any shape or form na nag-c-cringe na ako while reading. Still, I will read this series kasi need daw mabasa before yung The Sun and the Stars.
What I only love here was Will and Nico’s cute banter and yung pa-cameo ni Percyyyyy
What I only love here was Will and Nico’s cute banter and yung pa-cameo ni Percyyyyy