Happy Thursday, everyone! Find out more about Thursday’s Top 4 here! It’s basically a meme I started mainly for myself, but anyone can participate! Visit this page for the upcoming topics 🙂
This week the topic is books you have mixed feelings about. I actually had a hard time finding books I had mixed feelings about. I’m pretty opinionated, but I also don’t really hate on things. So I have a lot of books where I’m like “this was amazing, everyone read it” or books where I’m like “it just didn’t connect with me.” But having truly mixed feelings was hard to find.
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
I reviewed this last week, so if you want to hear all my jumbled thoughts, you can go read that review here! But essentially, I enjoyed a lot of this book but had a hard time getting into it. I loved the women and the story and though it was so interesting, but the format made it hard to connect with the characters.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
This is more about the second and third books in this trilogy. On the one hand, the story and world-building are amazing. On the other hand, I was so let down by the characters in the second and third books. If you read my review of ADSoM, I say something like “I liked how Kell and Lila didn’t turn into caricatures or the stereotypes I thought they would”. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what they do in the second and third books. I think everything that I was like “I’m glad this book didn’t do this!”, that exact thing happens later.
Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami
This book is undeniably well-written. But,,,,, I just don’t get it. It’s at the same time very profound and also doesn’t really say anything. The second one is much better (review still to come, I’m so incredibly sorry). That was Murakami’s debut, though, so I give it a bit of a pass.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
This is one of those books that I know I should hate but,, I just don’t? Every time I reread it, I expect to dislike it. I’m always like “this is the time I don’t enjoy it!” And yet, I still enjoy it. I recognize the shitty things and all the issues, but I still think it’s a fun read and I enjoy it every time.
So those are some books I have mixed feelings about! What about you? Have you read any of these? Do you have the same feelings? What are some books you have mixed feelings about? Let me know!
Ally xx
Ally Writes Things 
Sometimes Haruki Murakami’s stories can get that way… Don’t feel like you’re the only one! 🙂 I feel like I’ve never really heard of his debut before, probably it’s overshadowed by all his other famous books.
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Good to know I’m not alone! I would still recommend his debut if you enjoy his writing
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I just didn’t get a darker shade of magic and mara dyer as well. Both seemed to be well liked and when I finished them it was just with a feeling of ‘that’s it then?’. I have that problem with all of Schwab’s books in general without having found a reason for it?! The synopsis and concept is always so great, but there’s just something missing for me to connect and care about her books sadly
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omg SAME about ADSOM! Like, I didn’t have any complaints about the first book but I was also not overwhelmed? And I don’t understand why it’s so loved?
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I had this problem with red rising by pierce brown as well – it wasn’t bad, I just couldn’t find out what people really loved about it (with a 4.3 star rating on goodreads still, wow) Feel like I’m missing out when it happens, haha
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I really liked Red Rising, but I know some people had issues with it too so I get it
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