Thursday, October 12, 2017

No Review Required (But Here Are Some Thoughts Anyways)

Hey everyone! So I've actually been reading a lot since the beginning of the academic year, surprisingly. And I've decided that even though these aren't anything I'm required to review, I'm still going to talk about them anyways. Because that's why I created this book blog in the first place, TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS. So I here are three mini reviews, with the images linked back to their respective Goodreads pages.


CAN WE TALK ABOUT GOOD OMENS? Why have I never read anything from Terry Pratchet until now? And I just loved that Neil Gaiman wrote this as well?

My best friend (shout out to Vanessa) rec’d me this book after having it pitched to her. And even though she didn’t even read it, she pitched it to me and I needed to IMMEDIATELY have it in my hands. Luckily I was able to get a hold of it at the library. I mean, who doesn’t want to read about the Anti-Christ and a regular normal boy getting switched at birth? And having all of hell freaking out about it? And an angel and a demon working together to prevent the apocalypse?


“He stared down at the golden curls of the Adversary, Destroyer of Kings, Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Great Beast that is called Dragon, Prince of This World, Father of Lies, Spawn of Satan, and Lord of Darkness.


"You know," he concluded, after a while, "I think he actually looks like an Adam.” 


Does the book live up to my expectations? Yes. Yes it does. It was also downright HILARIOUS. Though there were times I didn’t understand what was going on. Like I couldn’t for the life of me understand the switch of the babies. I had to read it at least three times because I just couldn’t believe that the nun was that absent-minded.

Either way. Amazing, hilarious novel. And I would definitely take the time to reread it. Maybe even buy my own copy.



Teeth was an interesting read, and I did end up liking it a lot! It just wasn’t the typical mermaid story. Instead, it featured a half boy half fish, who yes, I absolutely loved. And I just wanted to hug and squish him because he was at times, in a world of pain.


“It's not just like that. I can't just swim away."
"Why not?"
"I'm afraid I'll drown."
He looks up and gives the world's smallest smile. He takes a deep breath with those lungs. "I'm afraid I'll drown.”


Also, really loved that the main character, Rudy, was bisexual. At least he was to me.

But yeah, all I can say is that it was unlike anything I’ve read before, and a twist (a better twist imo) on the whole mermaid/siren theme.



Surprisingly, I expected Howl’s Moving Castle to differ way more than the movie, more so than I anticipated. But actually, the beginning of the novel and the beginning of the movie line up pretty well! Nevertheless, I did very much enjoy the book, and of course I watched the movie right after finishing.


“Yes, you are nosy. You're a dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy, appallingly clean old woman. Control yourself. You're victimizing us all.”


But because I did that, I now can’t really distinguish between the book and the movie. Good job Val. All I know is that I enjoyed reading this, and I’m glad I FINALLY got around to it as it had been on my TBR for years.

Oh, I did recognize that the movie used some characters from the book! Though it was only one of Sophie's relative though, and not both of them.


Have you read ANY of these books? Do you review or talk about any books besides ARCs?

Comments (18)

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I review a lot of books that aren't ARCs. I have so many backlogged books so I kinda of have to! Nice mini-reviews, I've been interested in reading Teeth for a while, but you know never got around to it. I'm the worst
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
I haven't reviewed anything BUT ARCs for a while, so having a backlog of reviews is new to me! I think I only have one to write at the moment. And yes I hope you get to Teeth at some point!
Interesting. I actually did think Howl's Moving Castle was very different in book vs. movie, and I wasn't expecting it!
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
I think definitely the latter part differed, but I felt the beginning was a bit true to the book. Though only a bit though because it is a Miyazaki film haha.
Ohhh, I LOVED Howl's Movie Castle - the book, I haven't seen the movie, but now I feel like I need to watch the movie as well? :)
Teeth sounds also quite good - I'm really intrigued by the story, and this quote... well, strangely, it makes me even more curious about the book. ON the TBR it goes! :D
I do review and talk about books, other than ARCs - since most of the books I read are books I have bought and are already released. I only talk about ARCs whenever I get lucky enough to read one :)
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
Yes you definitely need to watch the movie! Though yes, fair warning it is different :) And yay for adding Teeth to the TBR! I used to only talk about ARCs because I randomly got a lot, but now I have become super picky and just end up reading whatever haha.
I've read both Good Omens and Howl's Moving Castle. Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite authors, I've reread the Discworld Series a dozen times, at least. I do read a lot of books that would be consider "older". Though I do try to mix is up as much as can with newer books, and books that I've picked through the library and used bookstores.
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
I still need to get to the Discworld series. I don't know why I haven't read the series yet.
I would like to read Teeth, I think. I've been hearing a lot about it lately, and it intrigues me. So, reviews. I mean, I mostly review ARCs because TIME. But I do throw up some "reviews" (and I use the term VERY loosely) of books I don't need to review from time to time. In fact, now that I'm done reading 2017 ARCs, as soon as I review the 13 I have left (SOBS), I plan to talk about some randos. This is a fun post, Val!
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
YOU SHOULD READ TEETH. Enough said.

Wow yeah 13 reviews is a lot. You should just lump them together all in one post :D
Isn't Good Omens so good? I haven't read that book in a long, long while and I know I adored it when I did. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett were an amazing writing duo. I think I love both their humour and so that book just totally worked for me. And Howl's Moving Castle! I loved that book and never read any of the rest of the series. I loved the Ghibli film too but the book was totally amazing and I adored it. I have a strong urge to reread both of those books now.
2 replies · active 389 weeks ago
Good Omens was amazing, yes!

And wait, there's a series? The book isn't a standalone? What? This is new information to me!
Yeah, there are like three books set in the same world as Howl's Moving Castle, I suppose it's less a series and group of books set in the same place. I don't know if they're good reads or not but I do intend to get to them at some point.
Most of the books I read and review aren't ARC's. I'm in that mindset at the minute where I'll read what I want when I want.
I had no idea How's Moving Castle was a novel. Shows's how in the loop I am haha. I'm really curious about the book now so I might have to give it a read.
I've never read a Terry Pratchet book either, but I'm guessing Good Omens is a good place to start. :D
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
Yes you should get to both of these haha.
I have a copy of Teeth but have never felt the pull to pick it up really until now. I had no idea it was so wonderfully weird. I really love the snippet reviews Val, sometimes you only need to know whether a book is worth reading and like to go in without knowing much at all. I luuuurve these! <3
1 reply · active 389 weeks ago
Awww thanks Kelly <3 <3 And yes, I actually love reading books blindly, and others do too and this helps! Also I hate summarizing books and I don't know why I do it in regular reviews. Just making more work for myself I suppose
I love it when i get shoutouts

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