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My Thoughts on: Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval [SPOILERS AHEAD]

★★★★☆

I loved this book in a way that I actually had no idea what was happening. I know it was supposed to be real deep and I believe it was meant to be a bit sapphic. I did enjoy the more twisted take on how to go about it though, it wasn't just a girl learning how she feels, it was a girl who viscerally went through the emotions of having a crush and growing up. I felt connected to Jo in the strangest way possible.

I love the images and the descriptions that Jo was connecting to her crush on Carrol, the rotting fruit inside of her own stomach. She doesn't say it like it's a bad thing, she says it like she's enjoying watching the oranges and the apples rotting, she likes to see the process. I could say that it relates to her fascination of mushrooms and fungi but I would like to think that she feels that the rotting is what a crush feels like.

The way the apartment is described I couldn't quite wrap my head around but I kind of felt like it was a bigger metaphor for Jo's body. The thin walls of the apartment and the mushrooms growing along with the grass tufts feels like Jo doesn't know her own body, but she's wanting to be seen and heard but she also wants to just ignore some of the things happening around the apartment.

LET ME GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY THOUGH.

I AM NOT FUCKING WITH PYM. I do not like what he does as a character but as a character he is doing exactly what I assume he was meant to be in the story, an asshole. I do not like that he was like a werido freak with Jo and Carrol.

I will be so honest though I do not know what exactly happened at the end of the book but I like to think that Carrol and Jo melted into eachother like in Jo's dream.

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My Thoughts on: Bonding by Maggie Siebert [HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD]

★★★★☆

I heard a lot of good things before reading this book since it was recommended to me. If you like a lot of random short stories and want something to rack your mind, PLEASE read this book. This book has SUCH good descriptors about how things take place and how gory the scene is. There's a couple of stories that I did skip because they did not hook me immediately. The rest however, I loved ! I can say for sure that this book has something for the morbidly curious (especially the last story). The four stars is because some of the stories did fall just a little flat for me, not all of them, just a few of them. BELOW IS AN IN DEPTH IN EACH STORY.

Messes (9/10):

I liked this opening story SO much and I actually made a comic about it (i would share it but it's clunky, it's on my twt!!). The writing for this story is PHENOMINAL, I thought this was such a good opening for the book and if there was anything different to this opening, I might not have read the book itself. I LOVED that the story was not dialogue heavy, yes there is some, but there is no real need for it. The internal dialogue of the main character to us, the reader, is enough. I also enjoyed the horrifically awful descriptors of our main characters hand going through his body to feel his insides and through his mouth to kill him. The quip at the end gave it an extra point.

Opportunities (8/10):

I honestly wasn't the expecting of the loop. I know it's obvious now reading it back but upon my first read my jaw dropped when I realized it was him that was running himself over. Going from the big descriptors of the first story, I would've liked to see some more descriptors of the body being run over by the car instead of what we got. I enjoyed reading our main characters panic though, I was on the ride with him as to why his memory was so fucked up and what was happening to him.

Ammon (4/10):

I was SO confused of this story because of the layout and having to keep up with the characters of the kids and the parents, then the teacher, and finally the priest. I could be missing one I have no idea. I understood the story, of course, but I was just having to remember who everyone was. Not only that but the last bit of the boys burning up in the flames that came from no where, but I guess I just didn't feel a lot of WOW factor from it since it was set in a look back kind of story, not something that was happening then and there.

Alumni Association (2/10):

Was SO bored by this one, it wasn't scary, it wasn't gory, it was just a guy running away. I think I was just confused since there was no real explanation to why he was running, sure the money and stuff, but HOW did his father get roped into it? I think it's a statement on colleges and their money prices, but don't quote me on that.

Best Friend (5/10):

Def teetered on a 5 or a 6 for me, this one was weird, and I liked that, but it was an EXPLAINED kind of weird. I wish I knew what had happened to Sadie so I could be more sad or grossed out with what happens. I will say that the end of the story with old man and Sadie becoming vessels for this parasite (???) was SO interesting to me, I loved it. I loved the lead up to it, I had no idea what was going to happen, I wanted to hope that Sadie would be okay. I thought maybe she was going to eat the old man but I think it was sweeter that they were both doomed.

Coping (3/10):

This was one I did not finish, not because it was bad, but it was SO slow. I HATED how slow this was ohhh my god. I LOVED the concept but it would've been quicker if they did not have to say every time she was back at the lab and in the chair. I also was just bored with announcing the next kill, boooo.

Prime Minister (5/10):

THIS HAD SUCH A GOOD CONCEPTTTTT. I wish they had done more world building. However, this was TOO good for it to just be a short story, that's why it gets only half. I would've SO read an entire book of this concept of what would happen to this 25 (now 24) people in this house. i would've liked descriptions of the monsters, the people, etc. Like I said, more world building. I wanted more is all.

Smells (3/10):

I think this was boring. Just straight up. I liked the concept, again but it goes NO WHERE. Why is her tooth like that? Why does it make people just die on instant, what happened to her to get this thing about her tooth? It ends like ??? why didn't she pull her tooth out before ??? I thought for sure it would've been like 'oh her insides are decaying, that's the bad smell' I WISH they had done this instead of the world ends cause of bad breath, bffr.

Witches (8/10):

Annnd this brought me back to why I was so interested in this book, I loved loved LOVED this story, HOWEVER, points off because the ending was ASSSS. I honestly had forgotten that the witch was the main 'problem' that we were supposed to focus on. There's little to no reference to her. The conversation between Charles and her is a nice additon, I enjoyed it. I liked that the kids acted liked kids, there was no way as a kid I would've said anything about a dead body. I am still wondering about the bullet wound in Charles's head, I know that witch does not wear a glock??

Bonding (9/10):

THIS. is a short story. I loved the description of the kill and the back and forth of the sort of why the son will have to kill his father is just gah I loved it. The idea of 'generational' killing is such an interesting concept to me. The mother at the end just silently watching was also a good touch, oh yeah.

Marriage (N/A):

Didn't like the format so I skipped it, not my thing to read a script like book.

Every Day for the Rest of Your Life (10/10):

PLEASE GIVE ME MORE OF THISSSS. This is my favorite one. I unfortunately related to our main character in more ways than one. I LOVED that there was a back story to put some bricks to was wall of why our character acts the way he does. I liked that it was the reason as to why he was so morbidly curious. I HIGHLY encourage to read this one of not any of the other ones.

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My Thoughts on: Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica [SPOILERS AHEAD]

★★★★★

If you're looking for a more gruesome book that is about cannibalism, go somewhere else. This book does such a strange yet good job at normalizing cannibalism in the society that the book takes place in, it's weird. I felt as if I knew the ins and outs of the society itself. There is a bit from before the book that is left unknown to the reader but it is not that hard to piece together. The split halfway through the book did not feel rushed and I enjoyed it. The first part was a bit slow but the second part had me going back to the pages over and over. This is so well written and utterly chaotic that I just can't get over it. The ending honestly completely shocked me and yet I should've seen it coming but gah it was just perfect for me. I felt on the edge of my seat and those final couple of pages I sat up and gasped. I was stunned.

I was so utterly shocked when he killed Jasmine at the end to take her son and claim it as his and Mari's. I thought for sure Mari would've said that it was wrong but then I thought about both characters in the book and how they had been with each other, both distant with the one thing that connected them, their dead son. I knew when I read the words "It's a boy." I started connecting the dots but a part of me had told myself, "Well, maybe he will just kill Mari in order to hide the evidence etc. etc." but then Mari was in on it ??? She was so ready to keep that baby and pass it of as hers. She was reluctant to help Jasmine on the floor but then she knew the baby was going to die and was ready to help.

I didn't know what was going to happen to Jasmine, I was a little sad when she died but I realized it was too late for her anyways, she was a tool, nothing more nothing less. I think that's the big takeaway from the book, to understand what really is important to the society, who are the slaughtered and who will slaughter.

This book has some parts that I really did not enjoy reading, not because it was bad or anything but because it just upset me in the brain. The teenagers with the puppies and the rape scene in the butcher shop, along with some others.

This book also has some phenomenal quotes that really made me excited to highlight them in my book and keep for later. It made me think about our society and how we work, those quotes can even be put up now.

This book is a really good read, it only took me a while since I have a slightly busy life but having a break from uni work has let me finish this book on a random Tuesday night.

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My thoughts on: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan [SPOILERS AHEAD]

★★★★☆

This book took me a while to read, however, that is not a problem to the book or to Rick, I had my own problems in my life. I liked this book, the big finale of the series. The tension leading up to Gaia rising at the end, hoping that both groups finish their quests. However, I just couldn't help that this book completely missed the mark on the big battle, I feel like it just wasn't enough. THE big bad, Gaia, rises from her sleep that our teams have been trying to avoid and she's taken down with a bit of charmspeak and an explosion ? There should've been more of the Greek and Roman camps fighting together, it should've been harder, the team getting beat to the ground and then by 'the power of friendship' (I'm half joking) they defeat the mighty Gaia. Just felt like the 502 page book maybe just fell a little flat.

Leo's end felt a smidge out of character ? I understand that he wanted to save the day with Gaia, he wanted to go and sacrifice himself. However, when all of his friends AND both camps are mourning his death and wholeheartedly missing him. And what does he do ? He goes to find Calypso and goes to free her off the island. I have no problems with him and Calypso, BUT I feel like he could've gone and said bye to both camps, and then explain that he needs to go find his girlfriend to go and free her.

Percy and Annabeth's end is SO sweet you have no idea, I love the fact that they are excited to go finish their senior year of high school AND go to college together in New Rome and then possibly live there after finishing their schooling. I do wish that Percy had said something about going to see his mom, or just saying he's gonna send a letter to her soon. Just a small thing to add to a previous statement about wanting to see his mom again.

Nico's confession to Percy was my FAVORITE part. Annabeth's chill demeanor and Percy being like ??? You're?? and Nico is just like yeah. right. mhm. Of course I can't talk about the confession without talking about Nico's small, budding feelings about Will, he's confused about his feelings and of course, it will build later on.

I loved this book, don't get me wrong, it was great, a good conclusion to the second series. I loved it, and with all books I have my gripes.

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My thoughts on: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison [Spoilers ahead !]

★★★★☆

This book will hold a special place in my heart. I give it four stars only because it took me so long to get into and start, nothing against Dot or her writing. So many people had said so many things about it and what drew me to it that is was meant to be disturbing, supposed to put you on edge. And while I think maybe some of the people may have been overrating a bit, this book surprised me til the very end. I felt like I was curious right along with the rest of the girls. Strangely there was points where I found myself attracted to The Gardener, only because of how he would treat the girls when not r*ping or killing them.

The differences with Desmond and Avery nice to see, two extremes yet making their father proud was their common ground. One of my favorite scenes, because it did make me chuckle, was with Desmond, Inara, and Avery. In the scene Inara and Desmond are having sex in her room and having a fun intimate moment. In the middle Inara sees something out of the corner of her eye and Avery is there jacking himself. Inara does her best to not laugh at Desmond being embarrassed and Avery beliving that he has, "as much right to her as you do". Though a serious book, it was funny to see a moment where two siblings are fighting about a 'mundane' thing.

The twist end with Sophia being the escaped butterfly AND Inara/Maya knowing the entire time STUNNED me. I had to do a walk around my living room because I was shocked. I do wish that the end would add a bit of the trial or even an epilogue with the sentencing of Desmond and The Gardener. I wasn't a huge fan of how Keely, a twelve year old girl, was r*ped and brought into the Garden. However, playing devil's advocate, it makes sense that she was not taken back because The Gardener was terrified that she would rat him out, a staple that the man will never change. Of course, it was also needed so that Desmond would actually get off his ass and call the police.

This book was really good and when I finally locked in a read it, it was hard to put down. I highly recommend.

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CURRENTLY READING: "She's Always Hungry" by Eliza Clark

Read This Year: "Paradise Rot" by Jenny Hval