To The Book I Didn’t Want To DNF
To DNF a book means you “did not finish” it. I have been expanding my reading selection and although I knew there could be some difficulties, I really didn’t want to DNF any books. You could say it’s because I’m stubborn, but it’s also because I hate not knowing the ending.
In February, I decided to give up buying books for Lent, so I could get through my rather large TBR pile. Unfortunately, with my will to not DNF one particular book, and February and March ending up being busier months for me. Come Easter, I still have a large TBR pile, and it is admittedly getting bigger after an online shop!
Hopefully I get the chance to get a few more in before the end of April. For now, here are the 3 books I’ve recently read…
How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
I picked up this book after reading a review by Yours Chloe. It had been sitting on my TBR pile for a while. I knew, not only the plot, but the ending of this from Chloe’s review. But the storyline intrigued me.
I really enjoyed this book but definitely had my gripes with it.
We meet Grace Bernard, who has had a very difficult upbringing. It’s not difficult to see why Grace wants revenge on her remaining family.
The book starts with Grace in prison writing her story, with chapters flashing back to the past and flashing back to the murders. Bella wrote creatively on the murders of Grace’s family members, but these flashback chapters are where I was frustrated.
This book has very short and then very long chapters. It made it difficult to read before bed, as I found my reading pace slowed. Even when the story got to an interesting twist. I think because I hadn’t expected to still be reading past midnight. In the end, I switched to reading this during my lunch break or on my days off.
Overall, I liked the premise of the book, after seeing the authors intentions for the ending on Chloe’s blog, it actually sat more realistically for me. Which is a hard thing to say, but it is reality for a woman in society. With the mismatched chapter lengths, I would recommend this as a travel read, for when you have a longer journey or are relaxing on the beach. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
This is the book I tried so hard not to DNF.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is the story of a young man who leaves home to find the meaning in life. During his spiritual journey, he meets many different people who help him find inner peace and enlightenment.
When I decided to read more classics, I was advised to look at what the world considers classics, as most authors on “classics” lists are American or British. Which I never realised before.
This is one of those books that many people who are trying to find themselves recommend.
After having a decade of my life consumed by ill health, I do have questions about being back out in the world. I have questions about myself and I thought this might change my outlook on life. Instead, it left me with so many questions.
I suppose it has had an influence on me, but I do not feel an inner peace of enlightenment. More so frustration and confusion. I do think I will go back through and re-read this book when I have time off. I think that reading this whilst stressed and having a busy work load wasn’t the best timing.
For now, I give it 2 stars.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
This is, by far, my favourite book I’ve read so far this year.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays follows Ann Stilwell as she moves to New York after graduation to work for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. On arrival, she finds her position is no longer available and instead, is assigned to The Cloisters. A gothic museum that hosts a collection of medieval and renaissance pieces as well as stunning gardens.
Labelled as a Dark Academia themed story, this has a heavy tarot influence to it that really interested me. It’s making me now want to reach out for historical books on the history of Tarot.
Without spoiling, there are many twists and turns that you either didn’t expect or you expected to go in a different direction.
The power struggle, in particular in this story, amongst Ann’s different relationships, for me, is a dynamic I thoroughly enjoyed. I ended up making so many more assumptions as I was reading along, than I do with other books.
This is easily a 5 star book. I also really liked Katy’s writing style, descriptive yet easy to keep in pace with, and I am excited to see what she releases next.
What are your thoughts on the books above, are they ones on your reading list? Do you have a different opinion?
As always, thanks for reading…