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readwithciara's reviews
173 reviews
Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
"Bend like a grass, that you do not break."
Nectar in a Sieve left me in a daze. It was very intriguing and definitely moving. This book tackles life in India where poverty left people with no choice but to find various means to survive day by day. It portrays what desperation and need can drive one to do.
"It is not enough to cry out, not sufficient to lay bare your woes and catalogue your needs; people only have to close their eyes and their ears, you cannot force them to see or hear– or to answer your cries if they cannot and will not."
Reading this book made me see women, especially mothers in a completely different light. How heartbreaking it must be to see your children suffer and in worst cases, die of hunger or diseases because you cannot provide their needs. That they have to resort to prostitution just so they won't starve to death is really painful although not uncommon.
Nectar in a Sieve left me in a daze. It was very intriguing and definitely moving. This book tackles life in India where poverty left people with no choice but to find various means to survive day by day. It portrays what desperation and need can drive one to do.
"It is not enough to cry out, not sufficient to lay bare your woes and catalogue your needs; people only have to close their eyes and their ears, you cannot force them to see or hear– or to answer your cries if they cannot and will not."
Reading this book made me see women, especially mothers in a completely different light. How heartbreaking it must be to see your children suffer and in worst cases, die of hunger or diseases because you cannot provide their needs. That they have to resort to prostitution just so they won't starve to death is really painful although not uncommon.
Downtown by Ed McBain
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have mixed opinions about this book. The way it was written is very witty and funny, although at some points confusing. Even the whole plot is confusing, as a matter of fact.
Michael went through a series of misfortunes (if you can call it that) in the span of 2 days? He was then accused of murder so he tries to clear his name.
It was a crazy ride all throughout the book. The characters are crazy as well. Everyone's crazyyyyyy! HAHAHA but it was a fun read. There were slow parts but all good nonetheless.
Michael went through a series of misfortunes (if you can call it that) in the span of 2 days? He was then accused of murder so he tries to clear his name.
It was a crazy ride all throughout the book. The characters are crazy as well. Everyone's crazyyyyyy! HAHAHA but it was a fun read. There were slow parts but all good nonetheless.
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't know what to feel about this book. It wasn't frightening, but it sure is dark.
The first part was very promising. I love Victor's thirst and enthusiasm for knowledge. I love his constant pursuit for more. But I got stuck in the middle where all he did was run from the consequences of his creation. All the talk about his dejection became very tiring and exhausting. I wish he's stop whining and take action for once. But would I? Had I been in his situation, would I have done anything at all? Probably not. But I sure won't put myself in that to begin with.
I love the way the monster was portrayed. I somehow feel for him, although I do not justify his actions. Murder is murder of course. But I believe it was Victor's responsibility to deal with what he created. It was, after all, the fruit of his labor (no matter how gruesome T.T)
The first part was very promising. I love Victor's thirst and enthusiasm for knowledge. I love his constant pursuit for more. But I got stuck in the middle where all he did was run from the consequences of his creation. All the talk about his dejection became very tiring and exhausting. I wish he's stop whining and take action for once. But would I? Had I been in his situation, would I have done anything at all? Probably not. But I sure won't put myself in that to begin with.
I love the way the monster was portrayed. I somehow feel for him, although I do not justify his actions. Murder is murder of course. But I believe it was Victor's responsibility to deal with what he created. It was, after all, the fruit of his labor (no matter how gruesome T.T)
Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I love the characters in this book. Ruth has always been called a misfit, has always considered herself a misfit as a matter of fact. At a period where women were expected to be refined, dainty and graceful, she found herself not belonging in the picture the society has painted for women.
"I could live to be one hundred and never show a fraction of her poise. When I get to heaven, I'm going to ask God why measles are catching and manners aren't."
Seeking for her father after her mom's death, she met people who will take a huge place in her life. and in thee process, unfolding secrets of the past and even find danger looming around.
Ruth is an interesting character to me. Like her, I have never been graceful and has always been clumsy. It makes me glad for her that she she found herself in a circle where she appreciated and uplifted. I also share her love for books and it has always been my dream to build my own library thus I am extremely happy for her endeavor. And to think it was to commemorate her mother and promote reading. So beautiful.
"I could live to be one hundred and never show a fraction of her poise. When I get to heaven, I'm going to ask God why measles are catching and manners aren't."
Seeking for her father after her mom's death, she met people who will take a huge place in her life. and in thee process, unfolding secrets of the past and even find danger looming around.
Ruth is an interesting character to me. Like her, I have never been graceful and has always been clumsy. It makes me glad for her that she she found herself in a circle where she appreciated and uplifted. I also share her love for books and it has always been my dream to build my own library thus I am extremely happy for her endeavor. And to think it was to commemorate her mother and promote reading. So beautiful.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Got hooked from the very beginning. Jane Eyre is a brave and strong female protagonist. She's direct, strong willed and independent. She was also surrounded by interesting characters. I loved witnessing her growth from a resentful child to a remarkable woman. It was always astonishing when people with unstable foundations grow to be wonderful people.
Am I the only one who hate Mr. Rochester and St. John? 'Cause it was extremely annoying how they try to rule Jane's life. Like, come on. Mr. Rochester has not been transparent with Jane about his status. He even tried to guilt trip her into marrying him. Then there's St. John who seems to be the master of gaslighting. Was it the difference in period that I find all these really frustrating? Was this common in during their time? Daaaaaaaaaaamn. I swear my annotations were full of exclamation marks and letters all caps.
Did I like the ending? Probably not. Go figure.
Am I the only one who hate Mr. Rochester and St. John? 'Cause it was extremely annoying how they try to rule Jane's life. Like, come on. Mr. Rochester has not been transparent with Jane about his status. He even tried to guilt trip her into marrying him. Then there's St. John who seems to be the master of gaslighting. Was it the difference in period that I find all these really frustrating? Was this common in during their time? Daaaaaaaaaaamn. I swear my annotations were full of exclamation marks and letters all caps.
Did I like the ending? Probably not. Go figure.
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
This is probably my first time finishing CoHo's book dry-eyed. For the first time, I did not feel much of the characters' pain, and I am craving for a heart-wrenching book so I might have picked it up on the wrong time.
At the same time, it was an eye-opener about life&death which I really liked for it is true that we don't want to talk about death and in our futile attempts to delay it, we end up getting caught off guard. And what about those who we've left behind? How do they get going again?
I also liked the idea of the Slam because I love poetry, but still I could not connect to the poems that were featured in the book.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is probably my first time finishing CoHo's book dry-eyed. For the first time, I did not feel much of the characters' pain, and I am craving for a heart-wrenching book so I might have picked it up on the wrong time.
At the same time, it was an eye-opener about life&death which I really liked for it is true that we don't want to talk about death and in our futile attempts to delay it, we end up getting caught off guard. And what about those who we've left behind? How do they get going again?
I also liked the idea of the Slam because I love poetry, but still I could not connect to the poems that were featured in the book.
The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook
4.0
The Night Journal is actually a good read, though slow-paced. The story revolves around a family trapped in the past with the lives of their older generation preserved through journals. Encountering series of entangled events, they came to unravel secrets and tragedies of the past.
"Everything we ever do in this life comes back to us in the end."
I was hooked from the very first page. The plot was interesting, and the characters realistic.
I was moved by the tragedies they went through especially at their age and the way they surpassed those by hardening their resolves. I've also read a lot about how poor parenting (or none of it) affects a child and it is really interesting how those children were able to get through life even with a lot of searching, scraping and craving for love and validation not only from their parents, but from themselves and other people as well.
It was sometimes frustrating how the story shifts to present when I'm deeply gripped by the story of the past and vise-versa.
"Everything we ever do in this life comes back to us in the end."
I was hooked from the very first page. The plot was interesting, and the characters realistic.
I was moved by the tragedies they went through especially at their age and the way they surpassed those by hardening their resolves. I've also read a lot about how poor parenting (or none of it) affects a child and it is really interesting how those children were able to get through life even with a lot of searching, scraping and craving for love and validation not only from their parents, but from themselves and other people as well.
It was sometimes frustrating how the story shifts to present when I'm deeply gripped by the story of the past and vise-versa.
The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
3.0
The Lady of the Rivers portrays the story of Jacquetta, Dutchess of Bedford. She was first married to the Duke of Bedford where she was introduced to the world of Alchemy. The Duke then died and she fell in love with her only constant friend and companion, Richard Woodville, the late duke's squire. They became lovers and married in secret. Jacquetta then became one of queen's ladies-in-waiting. They were close and she were loyal to the queen.
It was actually tiring to read about the neverending conflicts and chaos in their court and reign. But I admire how Jacquetta and Richard stayed loyal through it all. I love their devotion and love for each other as well and aches whenever they have to part again.
(I had a hard time getting to end pf the book and I wonder if I just opened the book in the wrong time and wrong mood. )
It was actually tiring to read about the neverending conflicts and chaos in their court and reign. But I admire how Jacquetta and Richard stayed loyal through it all. I love their devotion and love for each other as well and aches whenever they have to part again.
(I had a hard time getting to end pf the book and I wonder if I just opened the book in the wrong time and wrong mood. )
Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney
4.0
Enter Three Witches depicts the famous story of Macbeth. It featured his unexpected rise and fall. In this book is Lady Mary and how she survived when she was left to fend for her own because of her father's treachery to the King.
This story made me ponder on how easily we may be reduced to nothing in a short span of time, the same way we may rise so abruptly, it will leave us reeling. It reminded be of the wheel of fortune.
I like how the book was fast-paced and intriguing. It was a pleasure as well to get to know the characters. As always, I was reminded of cruel people can be when driven by greed and jealousy, and it saddens me how easily they end one's life as if it was nothing and hardly matters at all. I hate how men treat women as if they are inferior. It was foolish really, that notion that women are not entitled to have a say on anything, not even on her own life.
This story made me ponder on how easily we may be reduced to nothing in a short span of time, the same way we may rise so abruptly, it will leave us reeling. It reminded be of the wheel of fortune.
I like how the book was fast-paced and intriguing. It was a pleasure as well to get to know the characters. As always, I was reminded of cruel people can be when driven by greed and jealousy, and it saddens me how easily they end one's life as if it was nothing and hardly matters at all. I hate how men treat women as if they are inferior. It was foolish really, that notion that women are not entitled to have a say on anything, not even on her own life.