Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
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Plan B - 2025
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 40. A book you'd consider a comfort read
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
The Courage to Be Disliked felt like a calming podcast, perfect for listening to it in parts rather than all at once. The stoic philosophy in the book made me reflect deeply on its lessons and how they relate to my life. I recommended this book to my book club because I believe its insights are valuable for anyone seeking personal growth and a more thoughtful approach to life.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2020: A book with an emotion in the title
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
Ana Suy's book is nothing short of a hug in the form of words. Reading about love has become a challenging task for me. Yet, Ana's writing stitches together the loneliness within love and shows how the two are inextricably linked.
At 33, I still have so much to learn about what love is. This small yet profound book taught me lessons on patience—with myself and with others. It showed me how loneliness embraces love and emphasized the importance of understanding their inseparable connection.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
Ideias Para Adiar o Fim do Mundo sounded intriguing enough to capture my attention, but I must admit I felt a bit disappointed by its brevity, both in terms of length and depth. Ailton Krenak is a voice worth listening to, yet the concept of this book felt like it could have been integrated into a larger discussion of more complex themes.
I understand that the book originated from a speech, and I found the title to be brilliant, but I expected more development of the theme. Yes, we’re all aware that industries are destroying Mother Earth, and while there’s a grim hope that she might retaliate first—what else is there to add?
I’d like to explore more of Krenak’s works to see a fuller picture of his ideas.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 5. A book with a weird or intriguing title
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Someone I barely know recommended this book to me many times until she eventually brought it over, handed it to me and begged me to read it. It’s the kind of book I would never, in my life, have found time to read. Maybe because the title is provocative but also because it feels a bit attention-seeking.
It stayed with me for a couple of months until someone else, who I am fond of, handed me another one of Greene's works and asked me to read it. That’s when I realized the author wanted to speak to me, and I was running away from him.
The book is indeed interesting, but it’s dangerous if you use it as a manual and follow the very rational author’s thoughts. In my opinion, seduction has an expiration date. I don’t think anyone can maintain a character for too long. But once I started seeing this book as more of a reflection and less of a tool, I enjoyed it a lot.
I was able to recognize my own type of character and the type I’m most attracted to. There were also a few key points in the seductive process where I saw myself reflected, either as someone using these strategies or as someone who had been receiving them. It was fascinating to recognize how people sometimes use these tools and then change suddenly.
Overall, it’s a very interesting book if you have the time and want to learn more about yourself. But if you’re planning to seduce someone by following the steps in this book, well, you’re a weirdo.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 26. A book by an author with a common noun in their name
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I sadly think that bell hooks' views in All About Love are too romantic for this patriarchal world, but I can't deny that reading about her views and imagining the utopian world she describes was a moving experience.
This book made me think about how badly men need to seek help for their mental health. We, as women, and obviously in a heterosexual relationship, are exhausted from constantly working on ourselves while the people we engage with in relationships often don’t put the same energy into improving their emotional intelligence, or in communicating things clearly. hooks' ideals are based in a world where love is built on mutual growth and care, but in reality, emotional labor is disproportionate in relation to women.
I would love to live in hooks' utopic world, but the reality is harsher: if it demands too much to stay with someone, leave that person behind and never look back.
"Men writing about love always testify that they have received love. They speak from this position; it gives what they say authority. Women, more often than not, speak from a position of lack, of not having received the love we long for."
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2. A prompt suggestion for this year that did not make the list (A Book Club Recommendation (Poll 5))
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
If this book was meant to make me feel uncomfortable, then Elena Ferrante mastered it. Nothing about this book really shocked me, but how real it felt. It’s as if I could see Naples, taste it, smell the food and the people, touch their faces and arms. I felt, sometimes, as if I was the city and the characters lived inside me.
Ferrante has a gift for complete immersion, dragging us so deeply into her world that even after closing the book, I feel like I’m still stuck in it.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2017: A book whose title doesn't contain the letter "E"
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Rooney is sharp, and that’s what I like about her writing. Mr Salary made me realize that I enjoy her short stories more than her longer books. I like feeling curious, rushing through the pages, and wishing there was more to read when it ends.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 23. A book that involves art, music, dancing or acting
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★☆☆☆
Dolly Parton is a gem herself, and there is nothing that shines brighter than her smile and nothing more valuable than her joy, but this audiobook felt as exciting as nude moccasins. I think that this format would work perfectly with a recorded podcast. I would have loved to watch Dolly and the people who were interviewed, and also her niece, in a studio with the images being shown, but as a book, it didn't stitch together very well.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 1. A book with a cover that has an image of something that starts with A, T, or Y
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
This book made me more philosophical, but not at all sad. I did feel suffocated reading Stoner's story and watching him remain stuck in situations where the people involved were unwilling to communicate, but then I realized he wasn’t making a real effort to name things either. Though he was literate, communication was not his forte. He seldom expressed himself, and I don’t think he could name his feelings. Everything seemed to be felt in a shallow way.
College may sharpen academic intelligence, but it does little for interpersonal relationships. There are rules to be followed everywhere, and if one wants to truly live, these rules must be broken. Yet, moral values in society always pull one back in line. Stoner, like the title, was simple, like most of us. We will come and go, and very few will notice our existence, but he understood that his life was not above others, just as others' lives were not above his, which is quite fair.
In the end, I saw Stoner as a rebel, but not in a self-sacrificing or defiant way. His resistance was quiet, almost passive, certainly stoical, yet there was always something beneath it. I admired him for not exhausting himself by constantly fighting others' issues and behaviours.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 48. A book with a character dealing with death
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
O Avesso da Pele exposes what hides in the light of consciousness. Hidden racism, prejudice disguised as jokes, violent sex based on submission and power, and the insistence on staying in relationships and systems for the sake of a greater love and meaning to life. It’s a beautiful and also very sad book that made me think about what keeps this racist structure alive in Brazil. If it’s fear, what are we afraid of? Or rather, who are we afraid of? Or even a bit deeper than that, who puts this fear in us?
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2025: A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Bad Girls made me uncomfortable, and its magical realism approach almost made me put it down, as I was expecting something slightly different. But that thought led me to reflect: instead of trying to project myself onto the story, I should simply understand what the author wanted to show to the readers. Surreal or realistic, it is their narrative, and not mine, that deserves to be considered.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 4. A book set underground, under sea or in an underworld
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I absolutely adore memoirs, and Claire's is one of those that are so worth listening to. I say listening because it was a Bolinda Audiobook read by the author herself, and what a soothing voice she has! The experience of having her narrating the book, using just the right intonation, kept me captivated and made me feel like I was chatting with a gal over a glass of Prosecco. And honestly, I think I was. Such an inspiration, Claire's story is like any other: so messy and so beautiful to experience as a friend. I hope I can call her my friend, because I feel she is genuinely friendly and warm as she sounds!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 45. A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
The Gifts of Imperfection is one of those books that tells you everything you somehow already know, but have never quite organised in your mind. When we think about imperfection, it’s easy to associate it with a negative trait or a flaw. But it’s in being imperfect that we show our humanity.
As a former perfectionism freak, I realised, with the help of our gal Brene Brown, that looking constantly for perfection is often just a way to seek approval from others, making it impossible to feel truly happy in our skin. Perfectionists like everything neat, yet rarely see themselves as good enough. That’s been me for nearly my whole life. Only recently have I started embracing my flaws and, in a way, considering them flawless.
I’m grateful I gave this book the chance to teach me valuable lessons from a brilliant researcher who still manages to be so naturally down to earth.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 3. A book connected to something mentioned in the Do Re Mi song
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I absolutely adore books about love that aren’t only about romance, but about feelings that travel through time, overcome actions, and create bonds between people who have no blood ties. This one, in particular, is a breeze of hope in humanity. Allende has a magical way of taking us on a journey and making us care for characters who feel so real, they could easily be one of us.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 22. A book you have high expectations or hope for (2018)
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I had high expectations for this book, but never quite had the focus to get into it. It was only when a loved one recently passed away, and I found myself back home going through papers and old memories, that I came across The Voice of the Silence once again and thought, for once, it was about time to give it a go.
Reading this work while grieving someone I love turned out to be a meaningful experience, and I was right to believe it was the right moment to explore it. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky had an interesting and inspiring life, and although I do not share the same religious beliefs, I found common ground in her spiritual reflections. It was a good starting point to get to know this author and esoteric figure, who continues to mesmerise and inspire so many people, including me.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2016: A book originally written in a language other than English
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Another book that had been hanging around the family bookshelf, The Man Who Counted, though set in Baghdad and written by an author with a Persian-sounding name, was written by a Brazilian scholar. To my surprise, the book was just as good as my godmother had promised, and I enjoyed most of it. It was only towards the end that I found it a bit too long, and the very conclusion didn't sit well with me. Still, I can understand why it’s considered a classic. I wish more people knew about it, as I truly believe it’s one of the best books written by a Brazilian author.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 30. A short book (2018)
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
It has been a pleasure to read Blavatsky's works while navigating through grief. I don't think I fully understand her theosophical philosophy, but I can relate to most of her personal experiences.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 41. A book that involves digging up the past
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
Socorro Acioli não é apenas promissora, como já se fez notar na literatura brasileira. Seu livro partia de uma premissa interessante, mas, com o passar das páginas, o ritmo do desenvolvimento ficou desconexo, apesar de fluido.
A história parece se apoiar demais na justificativa de que, dentro do realismo mágico, tudo é possível. No entanto, se toda narrativa do gênero usar como pretexto seu próprio estilo para validar o improvável, corremos o risco de transformar as pinturas surrealistas em prosa e aceitar isso como literatura.
O início é bonito e empolgante, mas muitos elementos acabam ficando sem resposta, perdendo a graça e tornando a leitura morna, tal como as canções. Por isso, apesar do bom começo, minha avaliação também precisará ser mediana.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 17. A history or historical fiction book set prior to 1925
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Que livro extraordinariamente ordinário. Em todos os sentidos, Brás Cubas é aquele típico personagem da elite carioca do século XIX que não desperta qualquer simpatia. Na verdade, é justamente na antipatia causada por seus valores duvidosos que fui, de algum modo, me refletindo. Talvez aquilo que eu achava ser intolerável fosse justamente o que mais admirava nele!
É um livro digno de ser chamado de clássico, embora minha estima só tenha se firmado nos últimos capítulos.
Foi justamente quando comecei a me simpatizar com o homem que ele me deixou com suas memórias.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 43. A book whose title has ten or fewer letters
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★☆☆☆
A good idea poorly executed.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2018: An author's debut book
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
This is a book I had on my bookshelf for a while, with no real intention of reading it. But, oh boy, it came at the right time into my life. I am so impressed with how the author, Bonnie Garmus, sewed all the characters together and concluded all of their stories.
I am also so relieved to finish a book with all the questions being answered, and not to mention finally reading a love story that can truly be considered a romance, and not a nonsense connection that happens out of the blue.
So far, this is the only book written by this author, and I am not surprised now to know it. It does seem like she put a lot of research and love into her work. She just turned someone with no knowledge of the topic into an enthusiastic chemistry apprentice - me!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 4. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #1 Earth (in title, cover, content, setting, author...) (2018)
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
Eu nunca li um livro que trata de amor com tanta pureza, e este, em si, fez reacender em mim sentimentos que eu não tinha ciência de estarem adormecidos. Ouso dizer que me apaixonei pela vida novamente, graças ao olhar de Socorro Acioli e a toda a delicadeza que ela coloca em palavras com tanta maestria.
Livros, muitas vezes, nos fazem fugir do real porque, no imaginário, encontramos o afago que temos dificuldade em reconhecer à nossa volta. Oração para Desaparecer me levou a uma viagem para dentro de mim e de tantas pessoas que eu amo. Eu atravessei portais, abri caixas de Pandora e dancei com meus ancestrais.
Transmutamos espelhos que refletiam memórias que outrora foram difíceis de encarar, em caleidoscópios de novas possibilidades.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 6. A book with a serpentine element on the cover
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I didn't have high expectations for this book, especially since I think that a physical book might be better for children, allowing for a clearer picture of the story. In this case, Mitali Perkins highlights, at the very beginning of the story, the main words or new terms for the non-Bangladeshi population, explaining what they actually mean. I liked it, it made me want to see the physical book out of curiosity, and it was an overall great experience.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 13. A book involving a "group" with at least 4 members that's not a family
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Although I appreciated finding a book that explains more about the Ho'oponopono method and philosophy, I felt Joe Vitale’s writing lacked depth and was overly exaggerated with repetition. I understand that Dr. Hew Len was a very discreet gentleman, but I would still love to read a proper biography about him. Overall, I enjoyed being introduced to the topic and finally feel I understand it a bit better.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2021: A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
I would have liked this book twenty years ago.
And this might be a compliment.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 38. Two books with a connection from different genres: Book 1
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
Striking and mind-blowing, this book has everything it takes to be banned, but it’s exactly the kind of story that should be mandatory reading, no matter where you’re from. Dear Martin caught both my attention and my heart, and I can’t wait to continue with the series.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 12. A book by an Irish author
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
What a delightful surprise to come across this audiobook! Oscar Wilde will forever be a charming writer who mesmerises his readers with wit, humour, and a sharp way of poking people's pride, even one and a half centuries later.
"- What is the difference between scandal and gossip?
- Oh! Gossip is charming! History is merely gossip. But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality."
Lady Windermere's Fan won another fan, it had me listening to the audiobook while I was on the treadmill because I could not stop listening to it! The trickiest part for me was not to laugh while jogging!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
This book didn’t hit me the same way it did last time. It’s powerful, yes, but at this moment in my life, I couldn’t help but feel saddened for every woman who has suffered because of a relationship that didn’t work out.
I especially loved the poems about self-love and even copied one or two for future reference, as they resonated with who I am now. And although I’m not sure I’ll be reading Kaur’s work again anytime soon, I could feel how much of herself she has put into this work and admire her for her courage.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 31. A book with a coastal setting
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Capitães da Areia é sempre mencionado como um clássico brasileiro, mas foi só agora, aos trinta e três anos, que eu consegui pegá-lo para ler e me emocionar com a história dos Capitães. Concorde ou discorde, julgue ou acolha, os Capitães são um reflexo de uma sociedade que continua desigual mesmo oitenta anos após a publicação da obra de Jorge Amado.
Eu particularmente me emocionei muito com as lutas da classe da estiva (ou trabalhadores das docas), pois meu avô também fez parte desse movimento, e sei como a organização de um coletivo pode trazer muitas glórias a pessoas marginalizadas por grandes companhias e classes elitistas. É na coletividade que nos descobrimos mais fortes, e assim como Pedro Bala liderava um grupo para a insubordinação a um destino fadado à miséria, reflito que, se os ricos se unissem para igualar as chances de oportunidades aos pobres em vez de viver de caridades que apenas acalentam seus egos, eles não precisariam temer o levante daqueles para quem a marginalidade é a única forma de sobrevivência.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Had I known this was a short story book, I would have understood that, after two hours of the audiobook, the stories were no longer the same, and the characters did not converse. Apart from that, it was an interesting read, and I became much more appreciative of the intensity and depth of the characters.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 7. A book by an author that uses 3 names
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
Although forgettable, it has its charm.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 36. A book with a common household object on the cover
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
This book caught my attention from the very beginning. Sadly, I am inclined to take one star out only because I felt like it should either have finished earlier or a few pages later. But maybe this is the point, to leave the reader on the edge of the cliff.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 9. A book that has been long-listed for the Tournament of Books in any year
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
I can’t count how many times this book has been recommended to me, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. I find Nigerian writers captivating, and their stories usually hold my interest from the very beginning. Braithwaite’s work was no different, even though I’m not a huge fan of thrillers.
The audiobook was narrated by Weruche Opia, and kudos to her for keeping the rhythm of the story so engaging.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 16. A book that fits a prompt from the 2016 ATY list - Prompt 50. A book originally written in a language other than English
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★☆☆☆
As exciting as having boldo tea with plain rice crackers, this book felt like a tram ride through a forest of bare leaves. Speaking of leaves, the main character eventually talks to the plants. If only she had spoken to herself at least once, instead of random characters who added absolutely nothing to the plot, maybe we would have gotten something out of it. It would have fit the title perfectly, since she was practically a plant herself.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 15. A book of secrets, lies, or deception
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
A familiar drama that will take the reader's breath away, whether by anger or expectation, depends on each one's point of view and experiences. Venturini knows how to expose pain, especially her own, and invites us not only to watch it closely but to put a finger into the open wound. The deeper the reader dives in, the more they will uncover their own sufferings.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 14. A science fiction or fantasy novel written by a woman
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
I wish I had liked this book more than I did. In fact, I found it rather mild, almost too bland for my taste. I love anything related to quantum themes, but I don’t think the author explored them deeply enough for the story to make a strong impact on children’s lives. Instead, she spent too much time overexplaining what could have come naturally through the story itself. And Meg, the main character, is extremely annoying.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 18. A book set primarily in nature
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
Another disappointing read for me. As a short classic, I thought I would finish this book within a few days, but the weeks dragged by, and I found myself lost in the middle of the wild, wishing I were too, resting by the fire.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 10. A book about witches, goddesses or nuns
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
So, this is how it ends! Yes, I read Harry Potter years ago. Luckily, I was around the same age as the characters when the films came out and took part in all the buzz and obsession. Two decades later, Harry Potter still lives in my best memories, but reading it as an adult was a bit challenging.
I honestly think Harry should have stayed where he was sent to, and everything would still have worked fine. I love the characters, but I find the ending a bit underwhelming, just as I did when I was seventeen. Nothing has changed much, except that I’ve grown to love McGonagall more and more over the years.
But let's be honest, so many deaths in this book were unnecessary and heartbreaking.
But I feel like I should still have to say: Thank you, J. K. Rowling!
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 35. A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
I do love a dystopic book more than anything else, so I was super excited to read Station Eleven, especially because of its Goodreads ratings and how many people I’ve seen reading it. But, sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected to. I can’t even bring a strong argument to the conversation. I just felt that the plot in relation to the “future” wasn’t nearly as interesting as the “present.”
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 2019: A book related to one of the elements on the periodic table of elements (2019)
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
This book is adorable and truly touching. The storytelling and dialogues are well done, and Daisy, the main character, is very easy to relate to.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 51. A book published in 2025
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
It might be Keating’s first published work, but you can already see the quality of her writing. I felt immersed in the stories, including the most disturbing ones. And speaking of disturbing, Keating forces the reader to relate to her characters, whether through shared experiences or pure disgust. She made me admit she is a genius, and a writer I don’t exactly like but will still devour every time.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 19. A book with a cover that has a building or cityscape
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★★
I cannot stress enough how many times I felt rage while reading this book, which is why I think it was brilliantly written. The life of Mileva Marić is mostly a mystery, with some information known and others imagined. I understand that many parts came from the author’s imagination and the possible scenarios she created, but I did some research and found that, indeed, what she came up with has a strong possibility of having happened.
The former Mrs. Einstein is easy to admire, a genius in her own right. She was a brilliant mathematician and, in her later years, found a way to use her talent and hard work to help other people. But it is during her marriage that the questions arise: what is the extent of her contribution to Einstein’s most famous theory?
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 24. A book with a main character who is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★☆☆☆
I am clearly reading anything just to achieve my goal for this year. So far, this is the least interesting children's story I have read. I wouldn't recommend or buy it to anyone.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 30. A monster book
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
An unforgettable book, and one of the best of its kind. The only reason I’m not giving it the highest rating is that I feel it would have been an even better experience to read it rather than listen to the audiobook.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 21. A book connected in some way to any collective noun for animals
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★☆☆☆
This book is recommended for younger readers, but I am sure there are better options out there. I could not have had a duller experience, it is boring from beginning to end. The main character believes she is superior and the cleverest of all, bragging about how much she wants to help the other girls, even though she is neither thoughtful nor empathetic. I do not think this book delivers a meaningful message at all.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 28. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 1
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Cute. Would definitely buy it for a friend's child.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 29. Two books with a pair of opposites in their titles: Book 2
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★☆☆
Not as nice as The Bad Seed, but still quite enjoyable.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title (2016)
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Yasmin vai ao inferno resgatar a deusa que inspirou seus poemas em Romãs Incandescentes no Inverno, e sinto que navegar pelas quatro estações que nos são oferecidas é como flutuar com Caronte em seu barco: não há como voltar atrás. O jeito, então, é seguir, sem saber se há, ou até se queremos, o fim na jornada.
𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮: Around the Year in 52 Books
𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽: 32. A mystery or true crime book
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓮: ★★★★☆
Very entertaining, it caught my attention from the first few minutes of the audiobook. Sadly, I predicted the ending, and the last hour or so felt a bit flat. Still, it is so well written and captivating that I can’t give it less than four stars. I only wish the ending had been more amusing for me.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Snow Bear (other topics)The Snow Bear (other topics)
What You Are Looking for Is in the Library (other topics)
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library (other topics)
Sunrise on the Reaping (other topics)
More...
𝓜𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓼:
✤ Around the Year in 52 Books 2018: 01/16
✤ Around the Year in 52 Books 2018: 04/49
✤ Around the Year in 52 Books 2025: 49/52
𝓣𝓪𝓰𝓼:
📖: 207 + 272 + 33 + 288 + 130 + 130 + 168 + 360 + 208 + 204 + 283 + 356 + 196 + 256 + 179 + 106 + 208 + 124 + 387
🎧: 06:50:59 + 03:10:00 + 00:54:34 + 05:28:49 + 04:21:24 + 05:10:27 + 09:19:47 + 04:44:03 + 09:03:29 + 05:22:04 + 01:33:19 + 11:37:28 + 11:56:46 + 01:13:38 + 05:34:42 + 11:47:50 + 04:46:51 + 01:21:22 + 04:06:17 + 06:27:15 + 24:30:08 + 10:10:58 + 02:32:08 + 08:30:36 + 01:26:08 + 04:01:32 + 03:04:48 + 00:04:53 + 00:06:37 + 09:14:21 + 00:08:29 + 00:05:36 + 07:19:22 + 01:44:40
🔠: Acioli (x2), Alcott, Allende, Amado, Aoyama, Assis de, Benedict, Blake, Blavatsky (x2), Brown, Collins, L'Engle, Ferrante, Fine, Garmus, Greene, hooks, John (x3), Kaur, Keating, Kishimi, Krenak, London, Mandel, Mather, Michaelides, Morais, O'Leary, Orriols, Parton, Perkins, Pjilyaw, Quintana, Rooney, Rowling, Ryan, Stone, Strong, Suy, Tahan, Tenório, Venturini, Villada, Vitale, Walsh, Webb (x2), Wilde, Williams (D, I, N, U, X, Y, Z)
𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰:
❌❌❌❌❌: 01
❤️️🖤🖤🖤🖤: 00
❤️️❤️️🖤🖤🖤: 06
❤️️❤️️❤️️🖤🖤: 09
❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️🖤: 28
❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️: 11
𝓡𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔀 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓼: