❀The Never-ending TBR❀ {You Are Loved} discussion

Hai

Hi!

Hello ! @blobbieee @imaunicornwithyellowfeet

Helloooo

Thanks a lot for this book nook @blobbieee !
I’m really grateful but umm…can you please add ‘journal’ after ‘reading’ in the title ?
Thanks again !

Hello everyone,

I’m Mary and this is my reading journal. Here, I plan to add my tbr list, my monthly book wrap ups with some additional notes, a separate journal entries for each book, some self-imposed book challenges and a lot more.

I love to discuss and share my thoughts with others. So if you’ll like to give suggestions, comments, or chat about anything, I’ll be really glad to interact !
I’m always up for a chat 😊 !

What books are you currently reading?

Also I love your pfp

Hello again, @iamaunicornwithyellowfeet !

Thanks a lot ! It means a lot, I tried to fit as much personality as possible into my pfp. I also find your username interesting. Though, I’m curious, is that a reference ?

I actually know you from your nook ! I saw someone screaming in my feed and was curious what it was about, haha. I even commented.

As for what books I’m currently reading, I’m almost finished with boyfriend material. I still have to decide what to read next though. I’ll see !

What about you ? 🙂

Unknown wrote: "Thanks a lot for this book nook @blobbieee !
I’m really grateful but umm…can you please add ‘journal’ after ‘reading’ in the title ?
Thanks again !"

i added it sorry

Unknown wrote: "Hello again, @iamaunicornwithyellowfeet !

Thanks a lot ! It means a lot, I tried to fit as much personality as possible into my pfp. I also find your username interesting. Though, I’m curious, is ..."

I came up with it really randomly actually 😂 my cousin needed to find my account on something, so I made it really long so she could find it easily and it ended up sticking

Yes, I scream a lot, and I saw your comment!

Right now I’m reading We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal and The Book Thief, and I’m really enjoying them both

Ohhh, my sister does the same thing in some games, so we can find each other quickly. Except she comes up with something dumb like ‘maryisanidiot’

Anyway, I am gonna finished it boyfriend material and I don’t know what to read next. Also, I don’t want to let go of the current book.

I’ve heard of book thief ! It does sound interesting with the death narration and everything. Haven’t heard of we free the stars but I’ll check it out.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts on those books !

yeah, part of the reason I wanted to read it was because of that, and also because this term we're going to be studying Nazi Germany

although it's quite a long book, it's easy to get through, and there are these sort of interjections (i don't know how else to explain them) from death

like this one from the first page:

  HERE IS A SMALL FACT

You are going to die

well i tried it didn't come out properly, but you get the gist

We Free the Stars is the second book in a duology, and it's really good - think fantasy mixed in with arabian representation

Hello! I have found a nook that I shall settle into!

To join into the conversation as though I was here form the start: The book thief is a FANTASTIC book. So sad though. But the narrative from death gave it that mythical kick and made it completely unique.

I can tell it’s going to be really sad, which makes me want to slow down my reading pace, but I really can’t

Oh no, the only way I could read the book was to power through it, the longer I took to read it the sadder it actually felt 😂 where about are you in the book?

I’m on page 260 I think, just after the part where max gives liesel a birthday present and IT WAS SO SWEET

I thought it’d take a long time to read since it’s so long and quite slow paced but I’m getting through it faster than expected

Vita wrote: "Hello! I have found a nook that I shall settle into!

To join into the conversation as though I was here form the start: The book thief is a FANTASTIC book. So sad though. But the narrative from de..."

YAAY ! You’re here !!!
I’m soooo happy you’re here !

Technically, this is a reading journal. But we can talk about whatever you want !!

I actually knew about the book theif, but I didn’t read it because it has that war theme which I felt a bit heavy about. I do read books with war theme but very rarely.

I feel like I should read this one though, it looks interesting.

Anyway, I’m probably gonna skim and skip because I get too sad and I just want to get through it.

Yes! Your reading journal - and I am very excited to read your journal entries!

I think you'd enjoy the Book Thief, it's definitely sad, but the sadness is worth the story. (In my humble opinion)

@iamaunicornwithyellowfeet - Max is a top tier character. I miss him.

Vita wrote: "Yes! Your reading journal - and I am very excited to read your journal entries!

I think you'd enjoy the Book Thief, it's definitely sad, but the sadness is worth the story. (In my humble opinion)..."

I love him so much already, but I can sort of guess what will happen

August wrap ups -


1. A Court of Thorns and Roses ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
- what a way to start august, this was the most ya book I’ve read last month. Also, made me realize that maybe I hate common ya heroine and tropes.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
( hey ! I just realized something. Vita, this is how we started talking, right ?
Well, ONE good thing )


2. Monster of the Week ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- It was nice, more of a personal taste. But it kinda made me nostalgic and made me realize why I liked ya ( unlike court of thorns and roses which made me realize why I hate it)

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


3. Heartstopper Series Volume 1-3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- this just made me go awww…so cute and adorable. Also, the hurt/comfort trope was great. Overall, a fluffy nice read

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


4. Arranged ⭐️⭐️
- disappointing and also very generic. Predictable and honestly waste of time.


5. Air and Ash ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- not bad, a bit predicable though. A good combination of pirate and magic, but not for me.


6. Seven Tears at High Tide ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- cute but cliche mermaid style story based on a myth. A short read and predictable.


7. Gone, Gone, Gone ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- angsty story about healing and moving on. It was good but I feel like it has nothing else to offer. I wish the author had build up the story more.


8. Winter's Orbit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- a well written romance with good world-building and murder conspiracy. If I was a sci-fi fan, I would have given it 5 stars.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


9. Six of Crows ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- a hyped book which let me down. Good writing but it felt slow at the beginning and I just couldn’t connect to it.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


10. They Both Die at the End⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- BEST book I’ve read this year and honestly, completely lives up to the hype. Beautiful writing and well written characters. The first book to get 5 stars in a while.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


11. The Spanish Love Deception ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Book #2 which let me down and honestly made me feel like I’m missing something. Was very exhausting to read.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


12. Heartstopper, Volume Four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- this one is different from others as it focus on mental health and I think it did a wonderful job.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


13. Vicious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- another awesome book I’ve read in august. Loved the morally grey characters and the writing.

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Final thoughts - honestly, august was a month of let down. So many books I had hopes for, only to get let down. Only a few books were memorable.
I hope September is better !

What do you guys think ? Was august a good month for you ?

I kinda hated ACOTAR too, and I won’t be continuing with the series

I loved Six of Crows, though I agree the beginning is a bit slow

I read all of shadow and bone and six of crows in under 3 weeks which is probably why it was easier for me to get through

Hello Zara !

ACOTAR was a disappointment but what do you think of Sarah J Maas ? Will you still try her books ?

Also, the greisha verse. I think to really enjoy this series, I should start from shadow and bone. I did read it but that was a long time and the plot is blurry to me.

I really wanted to enjoy six of crows but I don’t know I just didn’t like like I thought I would 🤷‍♀️. What do you like about six of crows ?

I don’t think I’ll ever read another Sarah J Maas book, not just because of ACOTAR but also because of other things I’ve heard both about her books and her as an author

The beginning was a bit slow, but I stuck through it since it has to be good if that many people love it, plus I wanted to finish it before the show came out. I really enjoyed it, as bothersome the characters and relationships were quite complex.

Crooked Kingdom (the second book) does go more in depth about Jesper and Wylan and their backstories, so if you want to know more about them then maybe you’ll want to read it

iamaunicornwithyellowfeet wrote: "I don’t think I’ll ever read another Sarah J Maas book, not just because of ACOTAR but also because of other things I’ve heard both about her books and her as an author"

I hope I’m not rude…but is she offensive in any way ? Because now I’m curious.

iamaunicornwithyellowfeet wrote: "The beginning was a bit slow, but I stuck through it since it has to be good if that many people love it, plus I wanted to finish it before the show came out. I really enjoyed it, as bothersome the..."

I didn’t enjoy the first book enough unfortunately. Also, I heard the second book is incredibly sad ? That’s another reason I don’t think I’ll read it.

Though maybe I’ll read Leigh bardugo’s books because I actually liked her writing.

She might be a Zionist (this video explains it better), which I absolutely do not support

https://youtu.be/YTGKtnWkiSA?t=1035

Here’s some stuff about what she’s done in her books

https://problematicauthors101.tumblr....

Even aside from that stuff, her books really aren’t for me, as I don’t really enjoy reading some of the more ~mature~ content

The second book is quite sad, but I think it’s possibly better than the first

Yess, I really love her writing style too

iamaunicornwithyellowfeet wrote: "She might be a Zionist (this video explains it better), which I absolutely do not support

https://youtu.be/YTGKtnWkiSA?t=1035

Here’s some stuff about what she’s done in her books

https://proble..."

Oh no…thanks for telling this all this. I really didn’t know all of this.
I don’t support Zionist at all.

Good thing, I didn’t like her books anyway.

iamaunicornwithyellowfeet wrote: "Yess, I really love her writing style too"

Also, the diversity.
I think I’ll try her other books. What do you suggest ?

I’ve only read the Grishaverse books, but I know she has another adult book called ninth house that came out recently, and apparently it’s really good

Ohh..I’ve heard about ninth house but I think it’s incomplete ?

Maybe grishverse is a better place to start.

✨ September Reads ✨

Book #1



Boyfriend Material
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Date read - 31/08/21 to 03/09/21

Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Plot points and themes-

(view spoiler)[

1. Luc and Oliver’s fake relationship -
adorable and kinda dramatic relationship. This is the main focus of the whole book, and compliments well with other plot lines. I feel like their relationship has a lot of unnecessary drama which seriously felt petty. I think they have almost broken up and made up together at least 4 times, and each for some silly reason. Overall, had a nice relationship development.

2. Luc’s reputation and beetle drive -
Went smoother than I wanted it go, and had lot less focus than expected. Both of them were slowly rescued after luc dated Oliver.

3. Luc’s relationship with his father -
Jon Fleming tried to reconcile with luc but didn’t put any effort. At last, he ditches luc when he discovered that he doesn’t have cancer. This plot point was a huge disappointment. The only reason for this plot point was to initiate hurt/comfort trope. I really thought that it will resolve properly, but it doesn’t. Just showed how insensitive and self centered celebrities are.

4. Oliver’s relationship with his parents -
A very short plot point which was very well written but ended in a disappointing note, I really really wish this was resolved properly. This plot point really highlighted how over controlling parents can raise kids with low-self esteem.

(hide spoiler)]

Characters -

(view spoiler)[

Luc -
The main character, son of two former famous rock stars and works at a charity fundraiser. Has a grumpy, blunt and sarcastic personality. Got abandoned by his father at 3 and betrayed by his ex who sold his photos and information to the media. Thus, making him very miserable, paranoid and single for a long time. Needs a respectable boyfriend to save his reputation and job. Takes Oliver to be his fake boyfriend and then falls in love with him. Has a good character development and a nice background information

Oliver -
The main love interest, a vegetarian barrister with strong ethics. Has an uptight, and controlling personality (though a sweet gentleman). Had multiple partners who left him due to his personality? (Unclear). Agrees to be luc’s fake boyfriend and then falls in love with him. Has a good character development and nice background information.

Alex-
Luc’s sweet coworker who has a very weak memory. Has a nice dynamic with luc.

Luc’s other coworkers-
Rhys bown, who is an older coworker unskilled at technology. Dr fairclough, luc’s boss who is obsessed with dung beetles and talks very little. and Barbara, a manager who is quite stingy with money.

Luc’s mother -
Forgot her name, was it even mentioned ?
Anyway, a former rockstar who now lives in seclusion. Really cares about luc.

Jon Fleming -
Annoying character and also luc’s father. Selfish, self-centered, and has potential to run for politics. The worst character (other than luc’s ex). Has cancer and wanted to reconcile with luc.

Bridget-
Common friend of Luc and Oliver, and the one to set them up on a date. An interesting side character with a chaotic work.

Luc’s other friends -
James Royce-Royce, James Royce-Royce (2), Priya, Tom. All of them queer and only there to support luc, otherwise forgotten.
Tom was his former crush and date before he became bridget’s boyfriend.

Oliver’s other friends -
Only there for like one scene and already forgotten. There is however an unethical lawyer named Sophia and her husband who has one more scene.

Oliver’s parents -
David and Miriam blackford, one of the worst parents ever. micro-manages their kids even now and are mostly passive-aggressive. Made Oliver cry. Seriously, hate them.

Christopher -
Oliver’s brother and the golden son of the family. I could say more but he’s there for only one scene.

Mia -
Christopher’s wife…that’s it.

Tamara and Adam Clarke-
One of the main sponsors of the beetle drive (charity luc works at). Typical hypocritical rich people who think they have a high moral ground because they are vegan donors. Kind of homophobic.

(hide spoiler)]

Relationship timeline -

(view spoiler)[

Past -
Oliver denied dating luc in a little rude way and didn’t sleep with him when luc brought him to his house while being drunk. Luc felt embarrassed, thus doesn’t like Oliver.

⬇️

First date -
At the restaurant, kinda cute and kinda awkward first date which ended in a bad note but oliver still agreed to be luc’s fake date and they have a deal.

⬇️

Second date -
Breakfast (dinner) brunch. Luc stood Oliver up due to family circumstances (and almost got dumped) but later apologized. Had a sweet evening together while luc slept over. Sweet bonding !

⬇️

Text conversations -
Cute conversations, more bonding !

⬇️

Third date -
Double date with Alex and Miffy at some club. Luc got jealous at how well Oliver bonded with Alex and miffy than him, and lashed out. Luc gets surrounded by media, Oliver saves him and takes him to his house. They make up and bond with each other (extremely cute !). Oliver sleeps over.

⬇️

More Text conversations and lunch date -
Oliver is busy with more work but they still text and it’s adorable. They both then confess to missing each other and have a lunch date on a bench.

⬇️

Meeting the mom -
Oliver and luc visits luc’s mom who immediately accepts and likes Oliver. They spend their time their watching rupaul’s drag race together and have an insightful conversation on acceptance.

⬇️

Fourth date
More cute texts and lucs asks Oliver out on a date at a vegan restaurant ( very thoughtful !)

⬇️

Meeting the dad
Doesn’t go well but Oliver defends and comforts luc.

⬇️

first kiss, first fight and reconciliation
They return home and Oliver kisses luc when he sees him cleaning the apartment just for him. Have a romantic moment which is then ruined by an insensitive news article about luc. He has a nervous breakdown and then dumps Oliver in panic (this part didn’t make much sense).
Later apologized and talks about his past with Oliver. They confess their feelings but decide to continue their fake relationship, Oliver sleeps over.

⬇️

Meet up with Oliver’s friend
Oliver and luc meet up with Oliver’s friends in a birthday party. They have a nice time together where they accept and like luc (duh). They leave the party early and sleep together.

⬇️

beetle drive
Luc and Oliver manage the guests together and the whole fundraiser goes smoothly. Luc and Oliver’s fake(real) relationship helped here.

⬇️

Meet up with Oliver’s parents
Luc and Oliver go to his parent’s anniversary. There, his parents are overly controlling and tried to micro-manage his every decision, while simultaneously comparing him to his brother. They then attack and hurt Oliver with taunts. Luc fed up with this, decides to stand up for Oliver while being disrespectful towards his parent ( literally told them to ‘f*** themself’). They are of course driven out of the house.

⬇️

After anniversary
Oliver is at first angry at luc but later cries out his feelings. They make up later go to luc’s house to eat bacon sandwich (remember he is vegetarian) and then sleep together.
However, Oliver ends their fake relationship in the morning by saying ‘they are not good enough’ ( this part was so confusing and out of place)

⬇️

Confessions and happily ever after
Oliver later moves to north. With the help of his friends, luc drives there to make up with him. He goes to his door where they talk their feelings while luc confesses his feelings to Oliver…. And gets brutally rejected ( ?? The plot is all over the place now).
Oliver later comes over at luc’s house at midnight and apologize. They confess and start a real relationship ( FINALLY).

And happily ever after.

(hide spoiler)]

Tropes and cliches list -

(view spoiler)[

Misunderstandings at the beginning - luc disliked Oliver at first and Oliver thought low of luc.

Fake dating - of course. though it’s more like a real dating but the people involved are scared to start a real relationship

Hurt/comfort - a lot, like a seriously lot of hurt/comfort. Not like I’m complaining.

Good boy/bad boy- not exactly, but it’s there somewhat. Also, it’s quite good for chemistry , so I’m not complaining.

Absent father - yeah, reminds me of ya.

Side characters as plot points - unfortunately a lot of them

Plot convenience - a lot, why is the media only mentioned when they are important ? And conveniently, luc is just famous enough for media to come at his at random times.

Fighting just for drama - seriously ? All of these could have been avoided.

Almost break up before happily ever after - I’m not complaining if it’s well-written but this one is not.

I have missed many but these are prominent ones.

(hide spoiler)]

Favorite Quotes

(view spoiler)[


“Fairclough took control of the conversation again. “Twaddle does have a point. With an appropriate boyfriend, I daresay you’d become endearing again very quickly.”
I’d been trying very hard not to think about my abysmal failure with Cam at The Cellar. Now the memory of his rejection flooded me with fresh humiliation. “I can’t even get an inappropriate boyfriend.”

“Apparently he hadn’t got the memo that the only socially acceptable way to watch reality TV was ironically”

“Hello, um…” He paused for way too long. “Darling?”
“His name’s Luc,” offered Alex, helpfully. “Don’t worry, I forget all the time too.”
Nice going, us. Undetectable fake boyfriending.”

“Any relation to Richard Twaddle?”
“My father actually, God rest his soul.”
I stared at him. “Alex, you never told me your dad died.”
“Oh, he didn’t. Why would you think that?”
“Because…never mind.”

“I thought you were ashamed of me.” Oliver was still staring aghast at the impressive collection of takeaway containers that I was definitely going to get around to washing so that I could then definitely get around to recycling them. “But it turns out you were quite rightly ashamed of yourself.”

“What was wrong with me? Why was I putting myself through this? This was all Oliver’s fault with his you-are-special eyes and his you’re-beautiful-Lucien bullshit, half convincing me I was worth something.”

“Bridge, of course. I think she’d had her caps lock stuck on since 2002”

“Oh my God, Luc,” cried James Royce-Royce. “What’s happened to your mouth?”
I glanced up, startled. “If there’s hummus on my face, just tell me.”
“It’s far worse than that. You were smiling.”

.“God, sorry we’re late,” boomed somebody about two shades posher than me and three shades less posh than Alex.”

“If David’s sigh of disappointment had been any more exaggerated, he would have passed out from lack of oxygen.”

“I’m not sure what reaction I’d been expecting. I mean, obviously it would have nice if they’d turned round and said, “Gosh, you’re right, we’ll go away and rethink our entire value system,” but I think that ship had sailed at around the point I told them to go fuck themselves.
“Get out of my house” was David’s predicable and, in context, not unreasonable reply.”


(hide spoiler)]

Further thoughts -

I liked boyfriend material for it’s humor, characters and relationship. And disliked it for it’s rushed plot points and ending. Yes, there is unnecessary drama but I don’t exactly dislike it.
So overall, I’ll say this is a guilty pleasure. Therefore the four stars.

A rough draft of my journal entry. Any suggestion or comment is highly welcome.

Book # 2

Pumpkinheads

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

(Journal entry to come !)

Book #3

The Wrath and the Dawn

Pre-Reading thoughts and expectations -

* a good enemies to lovers trope (please be true !) ❌
Rushed romantic development

* some epic magic system ( again, really hopeful !) ❌
Magic barely explained

* a redemption arc of some kind ( I mean the ‘king’ did kill people ) ❌
Nope,nope ….huge disappointment 😞

* strong heroine ( I mean strong in hope and stuff. Not the ‘special-not-like-other-girls’ type) ✔️
Kind of I guess

* a good setting hopefully. ✔️
Yeah, this was the only expectations properly met


Rating expectations - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Actual rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall thoughts - I’m really hopeful for this one and I think it is gonna have good plot and characters.
Actual thoughts - didn’t meet expectations, was still good though.

Haleema wrote: "Heyyyy Mary!!!! 💛💛💛💛💛"

Hellllloooo Haleema !!!! 💙💙💙💙

This was supposed to be a reading journal but I’m obviously too lazy for that 😣

This nook is dead 💀

maybe just update it every time you read a book with your star rating and a few thoughts

Hmm…you’re probably right. I would like to interact with people though, so maybe I should tweak the title a bit.

Wait, let me request it !

Hey Mary ✨

Hey Aazra !!

Thanks a lot for reviving this nook. I was just gonna announce its death date