#bigheartedbibliophile

[bigheartedbibliophile]

I finished Haunting Adeline a few days ago... wow. I need someone to talk to about this book, and I need to order Hunting Adeline immediately. I read reviews for Hunting Adeline and I'm lowkey worried for my mental health lol. Someone said it made Haunting Adeline look like a romcom 👀

I can't find the "I'm in danger" Simpsons gif, but I'm sure you know exactly which one I'm talking about.

I'll write a review for both of the books once I finished the second one. I have a feeling I'm going to want to compare them.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 😈💔🐱‍👤☠🕵🏻‍♀️

SPOILERS

I absolutely loved this book!

I loved that the characters were older ladies, I feel like that is an underrepresented group of people as main characters in books.

Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie, and Helen are retired assassins for the Museum. They are on an all-inclusive cruise as a retirement gift from the Museum. When Billie notices someone from the Museum is marking them as targets, the four of them fake their death in order to solve who put out a hit on them.

I appreciated the different timelines and learning new things about the characters throughout the book.

I did wish to learn more about the other ladies besides Billie’s past, but maybe there will be some sort of sequel.

I also loved how well the ladies got along. They essentially grew up together, and have been working together for 40 years, so they all consider each other sisters.

The person who set them up???? I wasn’t expecting that! 

I loved the planning period of each murder, and how the whole scenario is kill or be killed.

Vance holding a grudge for 40 years? Get over it dude.

10/10 would recommend!

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Agent 355 by Marie Benedict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 🕵🏻‍♀️🤴🏻☠

This was an interesting historical fiction book about the Revolutionary War and spies.

This isn’t a genre a typically read, so it was a nice change!

The story was about a woman that really existed, but they don’t actually know her name.

She lived in New York, New York, during the Revolutionary War. This area was loyal to the British, and did not approve of the rebellion to gain independence. 

This particular woman was not a Loyalist, and dreamed of helping the rebellion.

In this time period, women were not seen as anything besides arm candy, and men would freely talk of the War and their tactics in the women’s presence.

This woman noticed this fact about men, and British soldiers in general, and was able to use that to her advantage to become a spy. She was able to pass on information that was given directly to General Washington!

She was given the name Agent 355 to hide her identity as information was passed. 

Unfortunately, she was captured by British soldiers eventually, and she spent the rest of her life on a prisoner ship.

Overall this book was really good, and I learned a lot! I didn’t know what this book was about going in, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was an Audible, finished in January 2023.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 🌞🌟🌜

I love reading about science and space, and since this was an audiobook, Neil deGrasse Tyson was able to read it to me. His voice is so soothing, I could listen to it all day.

I enjoyed this book because it really gave an overview of the history of astrophysics and was easy for your average human to understand.

It was only about 4 hours long, so I was able to listen to it in one sitting.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you are just starting to get interested in space and the universe.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Check out my reading stats for 2022!

I've read 64 books in 2022, and my goal for 2023 is to read 75! Follow me on the storygraph @ bigheartedbibliophile to stat updated on my 2023 progress!

Cheers to 2023, and may you all read great books! Feel free to send book recommendations my way!

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Small Angels by Lauren Owen

Small Angels by Lauren Owen

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Summary: 💔💘🤯🕵🏻‍♀️☠

SPOILERS

It was pretty slow to start, but the last 100-150 pages were so interesting and captivating! I wish the beginning was more interesting. I’m sure a lot of people gave up on this book because of that, and it is quite long.

I enjoyed the different perspectives throughout the story, and how the full mystery of Harry isn’t explained right away.

The whole thing about a wedding is odd, but I guess it makes sense why they are back in Sam’s hometown. 

The woods of Mockbeggar are magical but can be dangerous if you aren’t careful...

This story has love, sisterhood, haunting, wedding, death, lgbtq+, and so much more.

I do recommend this story, because it is an interesting plot and mystery, and it’s worth getting through the beginning.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 💔💘👮🏻‍♂️🤯🕵🏻‍♀️

SPOILERS

I love this book. It made me laugh, cry, and my head exploded, all of the emotions.

The way it is written is from different perspectives, and you really get to know the characters.

I love that every time you think you know what’s going to happen, something happens to blow your mind.

I really loved this story because it’s about how seemingly random things are all connected, and that you are never truly alone in your experiences. 

The story is about a bank robbery that turns into a hostage situation, but it so much more than that. It was really easy to relate to the characters, and fully appreciate what they were going through.

10/10 would recommend!

[bigheartedbibliophile]

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Rating: ⭐⭐.5

Summary: ☠🤯😈

SPOILERS

This story was extremely slow to start. 

The plot is interesting enough, where Dorian, the main character, strives to stay youthful.

Dorian Gray is an unloveable character, which is the point. He is arrogant and selfish, and lustful.

He loves Sibyl, an actress, because she acts so well. When she decides that she can longer act because she has real love from Dorian, he breaks off the engagement. He is cruel.

His friend Basil painted a masterpiece of Dorian, and as Dorian is supposed to be physically changing as he gets older, the painting instead shows his age, as well as his cruelty.

As his cruelty continues, so does the painting’s wickedness. After murdering his friend and evading Sibyl’s brother through a hunting accident, Dorian is driven mad. He tries to destroy the painting, but the painting ends up destroying him instead. 

Listen, I think I didn’t like this book because of the time it was written. It’s an older book, and Oscar Wilde is notorious for detailing things instead of getting to the point.

It’s not a style of writing that I like to read, but that’s the beauty of books and book reviews in general; these are my opinion.

I did enjoy the plot though, I just wish it wasn’t so long-winded.

I would be interested in reading a more recent version of this storyline, I’m not sure that exists but it’s worth looking into.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Park Sue

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 😭😨💧🏜

This story is told from two different perspectives. One is from a girl named Nya in 2009, and the other follows the journey of Salva from 1985 to 2009. 

Salva’s journey takes him far from home. The journey starts when he is at school, and the rebels come into his town and start shooting and bombing. He is separated from his family, and has to walk many days in the desert, without food, shelter, or water. Eventually, he finds a familiar tribe he can join, and they continue their journey from South Sudan to Ethiopia. Salva faces many challenges along his journey and learns what it means to persevere. 

Nya’s story takes place in 2009, in a village without easily accessible water. She has to walk many miles daily just to get water for herself and her family. One day, strangers come to her village and start trying to find water, in places where she knows there isn’t. Nya learns what it means to persevere and work through the challenges she and her tribe faces, and learn to trust other people. 

Overall I enjoyed this story. I like how the different perspectives connected, and how they had similar challenges to access water. I wish we as the readers were able to learn more about Nya and her journey, because the book mostly focused on Salva. 

I read this with my 6th-grade students in April 2023. This is part of our curriculum, and we do a fundraiser every year for tribes like Nya’s to get access to water.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 💔🌈💖👨‍❤️‍👨

SPOILERS

Preston “PK” Kingsley is in love with his best friend Art. They drunkenly kissed in college once, and now he can’t let go.

Instead of telling Art how he feels like a normal person, PK decides to write a book about being the perfect boyfriend, where he can say how he truly feels.

Before long, the book takes off and people everywhere are obsessed with his character, including Art. PK’s success has gotten too big to tell Art, so he decides to pull a “romantic” stunt and announce he is the author of the book at a huge signing, where Art, and everyone else, will be. When his “brilliant” plan backfires, PK not only might lose a chance at dating Art, but lose them as a friend forever.

Spoiler alert, they end up together.

This was a super cute romance, and I loved the idea of PK creating a book in order to get his feelings out.

The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars was PK was kind of annoying. Loveable, but annoying.

Would definitely recommend this book if you want something fast and easy to read!

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Cosmos by Carl Sagan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 🌞🌟🌜

I really enjoyed this book! 

This is an audiobook, and Levar Burton narrated it. 

I loved going more into detail about astrophysics and the history of science and the universe. 

There was obviously a lot I didn’t understand, being an average joe when it comes to astrophysics, but Carl Sagan’s writing doesn’t make the reader feel stupid.  

I can honestly say I learned a lot about the universe, and I definitely recommend this book to someone who wants to take a deeper dive into the science of the universe.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Summary: 💔😈🧙🏻‍♂️🐻💘

SPOILERS

I love this book. It’s Beauty and the Beast, but if they were in high school and from the Beast’s perspective.

I love how much you can tell the character has grown throughout the book, I’m a sucker for character development.

The only reason it isn’t 5 stars is the beginning of the story. I know this book is supposed to be from an obnoxious, rich kid’s perspective, but it feels too obnoxious if that makes sense. 

He’s the narrator, and I just don’t want him to be.

I guess that helps with the character arc and growth throughout the book, but I still find the first 20-30 pages or so to be a struggle to get through.

I know the author has more books in this series, taking classic fairytales and making them more modern, so I am excited to read more of them!

I also know this was turned into a movie, but I haven’t seen it before. If you have, let me know if the book and movie are similar or if it’s completely different.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Rule of Wolves Spoilers!

K so I'm reading rule of wolves right now and what the hell?!

why the fuck did David die??? literally RIGHT after he and Genya had their fabulous wedding? whYYYYYY 😭😭

Loving the fact that Nina is bi 😍she honestly gets more and more amazing.

Nikolai basically just proposed to Zoya and she said no 😭I mean I get it, but still.

Jesper and Wylan are still together! 😍

What the fuck is going on with the Darkling man? his whole storyline is weird and he should have probably stayed dead, noah fence.

The thing with Zoya being Suli? Idk the way it was written just made the author seem like she was trying too hard. Like... I didn't think it was a secret. I get why in the story it might have to be? But the way the author wrote it was just... not good.

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 😲😈🤯 (I can’t think of anything else sorry)

I LOVED this book. I love all of the characters, I love the interactions, everything.

I like the perspective we got in this book, with each chapter told from a different character.

I am Kanej trash, 10000%

Also, Nina and Matthias? I am 10000% trash for them too

I honestly don’t know if I have a favorite character?? They’re all amazing (It’s Jesper, everyone knows it’s Jesper)

I thought the heist was really cool and intricate.

NINA?! Love that for her (even though it was badass, still didn’t want her to have an addiction to it)

Wylan is a little shit but I love him

My heart breaks for Kaz (I am surprised that he left Rollins alive, but I’m sure he will serve his purpose soon)

The cliffhanger? Can’t wait to read crooked kingdom now!

[bigheartedbibliophile]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: 💔🤩☀✋🏻😘☠

SPOILERS

This book was interesting. I really enjoyed Alina Starkov as a character, and I am excited to see more of her in the next two books. Her and Genya’s friendship? I am obsessed. I know Genya seems to be some sort of “traitor” but I really didn’t see it that way. I liked how the author was portraying the Darkling, and I definitely understand his thought process - the power of the Fold to keep the peace. I also really liked Mal in this first book, although he was kind of being a dick when he was with his guy friends. I understand why he was so angry with Alina when she was wearing black, the Darkling’s colors. He just lost two of his friends for essentially no reason, and the one person he thought he still had seemed to be over him. To be fair, Alina thought he was getting her letters and just choosing not to respond to her, so she had every right to be angry as well. What I didn’t like about this book was how rushed everything seemed to me. And poor Alexei! He was there for like 2 pages, and then poof! Gone. I wanted to see more darklina too. Everyone was hyping them up, and I can definitely see why for the show (cough cough ben barnes) but I really didn’t get much of that in the book. And I honestly think if the darkling had shared his intentions with the fold from the start with Alina, she would have done it willingly. I got glimpses from her that she understood his thought process of having peace forever with the power of the Fold. I’m intrigued to start the next book though!