thebookhoard

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Midnight Library

Author: Matt Haig

Pages: 288

”Nora`s life has been going from bad to worse. Then at the stroke of midnight on her last day on earth she finds herself transported to a library. There she is given the chance to undo her regrets and try out each of the other lives she might have lived. Which raises the ultimate question: with infinite choices, what is the best way to live?“

As I told my friend - this is an existential crisis in book format. It`s an easy read with a good message that gets you to think and some great quotes, but the story isn‘t that engaging. I do like the concept of getting to try out possible outcomes of your life and there were parts I could somewhat relate to. What I didn’t really like were the two or three poems in the story - I am sorry, but those just weren’t my case (and I usually really love poetry). Also, another thing, sometimes this hope and everything will be fine undertone was a tad over the top and thus felt really fake - you know, like forced optimism.

Someone told me, that for them the book felt like a self-help book disguised as fiction and I get where they come from. All in all, I did enjoy most of it, especially the fundamental message. If I had to rate it, I‘d give it a 6/10.

Quotes:

”She didn`t tell him that while coal and diamonds are both carbon, coal is too impure to be able, under whatever pressure, to become a diamond. According to science, you start of as coal and you end up as coal. Maybe that was the real life lesson.“

”The universe tended towards chaos and entropy. That was basic thermodynamics. Maybe it was basic existence too.“

”On the street outside, the wind was getting stronger, howling through trees as if attempting a language.“

”She had shrunk for him, but he still hadn’t found the space he needed.“

#the midnight library #matt haig #book hoarder #book lover #thebookhoard #book blog #book recommendations #book review #books and literature #literature #spoiler free

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Pages: 1243

"Thrown on prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantès is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and he becomes determined not only to escape, but also to use the treasure to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. Dumas' epic tale of suffering and retribution, inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment, was a huge popular success when it was first serialised in the 1840s."

The book club strikes again. I have to say that I needed some time to get into the story. The plot summary (above) didn't quite convince me that it's enjoyable, BUT I stand corrected. Although I was able to guess many plot points and relations between the characters I had fun in doing so and even more when I was right. As someone who doesn't speak French I sometimes had difficulties with pronouncing the names of people and places, but it was only a small hindrance.

Which amused me the most was that a book written 180 years ago uses the saying "cool as a cucumber" (at least the English translation, I don't know how it was written in French).

Memorable quotes:

'So remain a fisherman, don't dream of things that will make reality seem even more terrible to you - and be content with my friendship, because I cannot give you anything else.'

'In business, Monsieur, as you very well know, one has no friends, only associates.'

'But there are twenty-four hours in a day, sixty minutes in an hour and sixty seconds in a minute. A lot can be done in eighty-six thousand four hundred seconds.'

'Human justice is inadequate as a consolation: it can spill blood for blood, that's all. But one must only ask it for what is possible, not for anything more.'

'(...) all human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'wait' and 'hope'.'

#the count of monte cristo #alexandre dumas #book hoarder #book lover #book recommendations #book review #thebookhoard #book blog #books and literature #literature #spoiler free #edmond dantes #le comte de monte cristo

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Miniaturist

Author: Jessie Burton

Pages: 448

"On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead, she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .

Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets, she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?"

Another book I've picked up because of my book club. I remember that I gave it a 6/10.

The Miniaturist (not only the title, but also a character in the book) tells an interesting story, but I feel like there's more potential to it than used. Because for being the one giving the book its title, they don't show up too often. Be as it is, I remember that I liked the other three characters (Nella, Johannes, and Marin) well enough. I did guess their secret, though.

There's a sequel called "The House of Fortune" and also a show about "The Miniaturist" although I've neither read the second part nor seen the show.

3 of the quotes I've written down:

"Starling, she thinks, if you believe that building is the safer spot, then I am not the one to set you free."

"'I wish that knife had found your heart.' 'I hide it well.'"

"Sometimes it's hard to love a person you know too well."

#the miniaturist #jessie burton #book hoarder #book lover #book recommendations #book review #thebookhoard #book blog #books and literature #literature #spoiler free #lgbt books

[thebookhoard]

Title: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes & other Lessons from the Crematory

Author: Caitlin Doughty

Pages: 272

"Armed with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre, Caitlin Doughty took a job at a crematory and turned morbid curiosity into her life's work. She cared for bodies of every colour, shape, and affliction and became an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. In this best-selling memoir, brimming with gallows humour and vivid characters, she marvels at the gruesome history of undertaking and relates her unique coming-of-age story with bold curiosity and mordant wit. By turns hilarious, dark, and uplifting, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes reveals how the fear of dying warps our society and "will make you reconsider how our culture treats the dead" (San Francisco Chronicle)."

I partly read this book as research for my own story ideas, but also because those things (that other people might think of as macabre) always have interested me.

It's quite fascinating. Doughty talks about how we see and cope with death as well as our misconceptions and stereotypes.

I can only recommend that you read it - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes will answer questions and make you question your perception of death simultaneously.

Two quotes from the book:

"But ignorance is not bliss, only a deeper kind of terror."

"The meaning of life is that it ends." (quoted after Franz Kafka, as mentioned in the book as well)

#smoke gets in your eyes #smoke gets in your eyes and other lessons from the crematory #caitlin doughty #talk about death #book hoarder #book lover #book recommendations #book review #thebookhoard #book blog #books and literature #literature #spoiler free

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Pages: 220

"Intelligence. Integrity. Courage. Wisdom. These are the qualities a Receiver of Memory must have. And one more, which can only be named, but not described. The Capacity to See Beyond.

Jonas lives safely within the community, a place where there is no war, no hunger and no pain. But when he is selected as the Receiver of Memory he starts to discover dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of his perfect world. Secrets that will lead him to undertake an incredible journey..."

This book was recommended to me with the prospect of great drama. It wasn't as dramatic as I had expected but I did enjoy it. (I am a great enjoyer of dystopian novels.)

"The Giver" raises important social questions and how "Sameness" isn't a solution. What I've gathered is how important it is to ask questions. And books. It always comes down to books.

The character "the Giver" has to be my favourite.

Although there are three more novels ("Gathering Blue", "Messenger", "Son") I'll let it be a standalone for now.

I also haven't seen the movie (yet), but I do know that they raised the age of the children vom 12 to 16.

Two of my favourite parts:

"The Giver shrugged. 'Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness. Before my time, before the previous time, back and back and back. We relinquished colour when when we relinquished sunshine and did away with differences.' He thought for a moment. 'We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.'

'We shouldn't have!' Jonas said fiercely."

"'Do you love me?'

There was an awkward silence for a moment. Then Father gave a little chuckle. 'Jonas. You, of all people. Precision of language, please!'

'What do you mean?' Jonas asked. Amusement was not at all what he had anticipated.

'Your father means that you used a very generalised word, so meaningless that it's become almost obsolete,' his mother explained carefully."

#book hoarder #book lover #book recommendations #book review #thebookhoard #book blog #books and literature #literature #spoiler free #the giver #lois lowry

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Martian

Author: Andy Weir

Pages: 435

"A mission to Mars. A freak accident. One man's struggle to survive.

When a dust storm forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, astronaut Mark Watney finds himself stranded on Mars's surface, completely alone.

Armed with nothing but his ingenuity and his engineering skills - and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength - Mark embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive. But will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?"

To be honest, I wouldn't have picked up this book if it wasn't for my bookclub. But be as it was, I finished it in two days. It's an easy reading matter even though it talks about science stuff - but thankfully, Mark Watney spared us the math. His sense of humour certainly helped making me enjoy it.

I've also seen the movie and (as it's always the case) I like the book more. Especially the ending.

There where a few parts that made me chuckle, but this I remember the most:

"I work out my location when I am parked, and account for it in the next day's travel. It's kind of a successive approximation thing. So far, I think it's been working. But who knows? I can see it now: me holding a map, scratching my head, trying to figure out how I ended up on Venus."

(The fact that he made a boobies joke knowing his messages are being broadcasted around the world, just to annoy NASA also amused me greatly.)

#book hoarder #book lover #book recommendations #book review #thebookhoard #book blog #books and literature #literature #spoiler free #the martian #andy weir #mark watney

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Pages: 385

"Reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter, Monique Grant, to write her story, no one is more astounded than Monique herself.

From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to leaving show business in the '80's, and of course, the seven husbands along the way...Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship and a great forbidden love. But as Evelyn's story nears it's conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways."

This book broke my heart in many ways. I‘ve read it back in 2021, but I can still remember how much I loved it. This story is one of the few where I didn‘t guess the plottwist and I‘ll definitely re-read it sometime in the future. 100% one of my favourites. I, right now, don‘t know what else to say besides that I strongly recommend reading it.

Some of my favourite quotes:

”I‘m under absolutely no obligation to make sense to you.“

”When you‘re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.“

”Don‘t ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box, Monique.“

”If I can one day leave this world a little safer and a little bit easier for those who come after me…well, that just might make it all worth it.“

#the seven husbands of evelyn hugo #taylor jenkins reid #book recommendations #book review #spoiler free #book hoarder #book lover #thebookhoard #lgbt books #lgbt literature #booklr #book blog #books and literature #literature

[thebookhoard]

Title: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Author: Ocean Vuong

Pages: 242

”On Earth We‘re Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family‘s history that began before he was born, a history whose epicenter is rooted in Vietnam. At once a witness to the fraught yet undeniable love between a single mother and her son, it is also a brutally honest exploration of race, class, masculinity, and our current American moment - immersed as we are in addiction, violence, and trauma but undergirded by compassion and tenderness. The question of how to survive, and how to make of it a kind of joy, powers the most important debut novel of many years.“

I saw a quote and sent it to a friend, not quite realising that it was from this book. I just loved what it said. My friend, who had already read that book at that time, told me that I‘d enjoy it - it turned out that this was quite the understatement. On Earth We‘re Briefly Gorgeous touches topics I cannot relate to, for my reality is quite different than Little Dog‘s, but that doesn‘t lessen the fact that there are indeed many parts that I could actually connect with. To quote Ron Charles (The Washington Post) ”Not so much briefly gorgeous as permanently stunning.“

Some of my favourite quotes:

”I am writing you from inside a body that used to be yours.“

”What I really wanted to say was that a monster is not such a terrible thing to be. From the latin word monstrum, a divine messenger of catastrophe, then adapted by the Old French to mean an animal of myriad origins: centaur, griffin, satyr. To be a monster is to be a hybrid signal, a lighthouse: both shelter and warning at once.“

”Sometimes being offered tenderness feels like the very proof that you’ve been ruined.“

”(…)’what were you before you met me?‘ / ’I think I was drowning.‘ / A pause./’And what are you now?‘ (…) / I thought for a second. ’Water.‘“ (The one I‘ve sent to my friend)

#on earth we're briefly gorgeous #ocean vuong #books and literature #lgbt books #book blog #literature #book review #not really a review and more what i thought about it in a few words #spoiler free #book lover #book hoarder #thebookhoard #book recommendations #if someone wants to know more about the book please feel free to ask

[thebookhoard]

Title: The Mad Women's Ball

Author: Victoria Mas

Pages: 210

"The Salpêtrière asylum, 1885. All of Paris is in thrall to Doctor Charcot and his displays of hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad or hysterical. But the truth is more complicated - these women are often inconvenient, unwanted wives or strong-willed daughters. Once a year, a grand event is held - the Mad Women's Ball. For the Parisian elite, it is the highlight of the social season; for the women themselves, it is a rare moment of hope.

Geneviève is a senior nurse who has placed her faith in Doctor Charcot and his new science. But everything changes when she meets Eugénie, the daughter of a bourgeois family. For Eugénie has a secret and needs Geneviève's help. Their fates will collide on the night of the Mad Women's Ball..."

I enjoyed this book greatly, and it's no surprise that it has become one of my favourites. I do have to mention that it has two heavy scenes - I'll put the trigger warning into the tags. What surprised me, though, was the supernatural/spiritual element, but to me, it made the story even more interesting.

Here are two of my favourite quotes:

"In order to criticize, someone must be informed."

"As if intellectual constraints were not sufficient, women had to be hobbled physically. One might almost think that, in imposing such restrictions, men did not so much scorn women as fear them."

#the mad women's ball #the mad women's ball book #victoria mas #tw rap3 #books and reading #book review #book lover #book hoarder #thebookhoard #book recommendations #booktok #spoiler free