Long Spoon Scraps

After an uncharacteristic September where I didn’t read a single book, I turned it around and read 4 books throughout the month of October. It is interesting how much different I feel when I am consistently reading versus when I am not. This is in part due to the direct correlation between how much I am reading and my screen time. If it’s not a book in front of my face, odds are it is unfortunately a screen.

I often feel a bit embarrassed when people ask me what I am reading. My Kindle has become a sort of security blanket. Without a book cover to tattle, it could be assumed that I am an intellectual reading the likes of Don Quixote, Little Women, or any other influential novel, when in reality I rarely pick up a book without at least a liiiiittle sex or magic. Sue me! I live in the real world and it is hard so why would I want to also read about it? Reading is escapism. So let’s discuss which books I escaped to in October.

Books Read: 4
Total Pages: 1,247
Genres: Fiction
My Average Rating: 3.63/5

1. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

My Rating: 3.5
Goodreads Rating: 3.53

I’ve gone back and forth with Sally Rooney’s writing a lot. It feels like I enjoy every other book of hers, and unfortunately I would rank this one as my least favorite thus far. Rooney’s characters are typically flawed and selfish, which I find makes them feel more realistic and human, however the characters in this book felt one-dimensional and particularly unlikable. Every chapter is bifurcated into two parts: the main storyline and emails exchanged between the two main characters. Ultimately I enjoyed the emails much more because they dove into many philosophical and explorative topics, reminiscent of late night conversations with your best friend. Despite this lukewarm review, I thoroughly enjoy Rooney’s writing style and will likely pick up her most recent release Intermezzo.

2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

My Rating: 4.5
Goodreads Rating: 3.85

Never Let Me Go marks pretty much my first dip into the world of sci-fi. This is not a genre I often (or ever) gravitate towards, and this book is hotly debated as to whether or not it even is a sci-fi novel. I would argue in favor. I won’t dive into the exact why because it would spoil the book, but I don’t think sci-fi has to be all robots and AI and high tech world-building. I feel like main characters in sci-fi novels are often the ones breaking the system, but what I thought was so unique about this book is that the main characters have accepted their station in life. You are observing them as they live within the system and can unfortunately relate to their submission to it. I enjoyed this book for its simplicity. It’s subtlety draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. Ishiguro masterfully makes you question morality and the darkness the human race is capable of turning a blind eye to.

3. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

My Rating: 4
Goodreads Rating: 4.03

This review is unfortunately going to be tainted by my perception of this series as a whole. I rated the first book in this trilogy, The Cruel Prince, as a 4 because of its potential. I saw all the foreshadowing set up by Black that promised a rich story, however in the end she struggled to cohesively tie it all together. I would still recommend this series as it is an easy-to-digest fantasy trilogy with decent character development, but with a warning label that you may feel underwhelmed after finishing it.

4. The Lost Sisters by Holly Black

My Rating: 2.5
Goodreads Rating: 3.37

This was an unnecessary novella that I feel added little to no depth to the main storyline. You can just skip it if you decide to read the trilogy.