Hello, friends and foe! I have this issue where, even though this is a book blog, I never review the books I read. Often, it’s because I don’t have a ton to say other than “I really enjoyed this book and thought it was entertaining”.
So I have quite a long list of books I read in 2019 that I still need to review. Some of those will get longer reviews (maybe) but here are some mini reviews for some of the others. Another post like this may be coming, I’m still thinking about it.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman: 3 stars
This was a very classic Gaiman novel. If you like his work, you’ll like this. If you don’t like his work, stay away. I thought it was an easy read with a super interesting plot. I really liked the setting and thought it felt very cozy. But there was just something about it that didn’t connect with me. I felt disconnected from the main character and the plot throughout the whole book.
Recommended for: fans of Neil Gaiman
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee: 2.5 stars
This book is often marketed as a dystopian Gossip Girl, and that is the most accurate description by far. This book didn’t make my “most disappointing” or even my “worst” books of the year lists despite the low rating because I had zero expectations going in. I didn’t expect it to be brilliant, and it wasn’t. But it also wasn’t bad, per se. I think there are definitely arguments to be made that it could be interpreted as racist and that the step-sibling relationship is weird, but I am not qualified to discuss those so I won’t.
Recommended for: those who want a mindless, drama-packed book
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness: 4 stars
I really, really enjoyed this book. My favourite complaint about this book is “this book was about ordinary people doing ordinary people things” because, my man, that’s what the book is. It’s a fantasy novel that focuses on the side characters just going about their day. If you’d read the synopsis, you’d know that. I thought it was super entertaining and a lot of fun. I loved the characters and how diverse and real they were. I loved the plot and everything that happens. I love that we got a look into the fantasy story happening around them, but that wasn’t the focus. I just thought it was a super solid book.
Recommended for: those who like slice-of-life books; those who like fantasy but don’t want to read fantasy; those who don’t like fantasy
So there are three mini reviews of books I read in 2019! Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts? Let me know!
Thanks for reading! xx
I’ve read The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and I completely agree. Gaiman fans will enjoy it, those who don’t like his work won’t like it, and it’s probably not the best place to start reading his stuff to see what you think.
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It’s just such a quintessentially Gaiman book! I totally agree, though, that it’s probably not the best place to start with his work
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To be fair, though, I’m not exactly sure where the best place *is* to start with Gaiman. It’s all a bit odd.
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SAME I feel like they’re all weird enough to not really recommend. Maybe some of his short stories could work as a foray into his writing. I think the first Gaiman I read was one of his short story collections
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I think my first Gaiman was Neverwhere and I didn’t really like it? I kept going because I loved the Stardust movie so much (even though I didn’t like the book).
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Great post 🙂
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Thank you! 💕
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