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meelsbookshelf ⋆˙⟡

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meelsbookshelf is Currently Reading

meelsbookshelf ⋆˙⟡ is currently reading

The Familiar

by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: physical-tbr, currently-reading

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(page 10 of 379)
— Sep 29, 2025 06:31AM

Sep 29, 2025 06:30AM

meelsbookshelf ⋆˙⟡ is currently reading

Atmosphere

by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: favorites, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in June 2025

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meelsbookshelf ⋆˙⟡ said: " "tell my wife i love her very much, she knows." 🌌🚀
✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚

i wanna preface this by saying that i have very mixed feelings on TJR - i've read a lot of criticisms on her portrayals of BIPOC and i agree that the characterisation of Monique from TSOEH "tell my wife i love her very much, she knows." 🌌🚀
✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚

i wanna preface this by saying that i have very mixed feelings on TJR - i've read a lot of criticisms on her portrayals of BIPOC and i agree that the characterisation of Monique from TSOEH is both reductive and half-baked. this review is exclusively for the book Atmosphere and doesn't reflect the various shortcomings in her other books. i also want to highlight the importance of listening to BIPOC discussions on TJR's choices as a writer, and reading diversely rather than taking a white woman's interpretation of an experience she hasn't faced as the authentic truth. :)

onto my thoughts on the book (containing spoilers!):
i genuinely loved this! i think the format of beginning with the brutal loss of so many characters - something clearly heartbreaking to Joan and Vanessa, but relatively insignificant to the reader - then stepping back to a calmer, slower period in their lives and causing us to reflect on the events in a completely new way, when we return to the events of December 29th, 1984. the historical setting felt so much more authentic here than it does in TJR's other works, and the inclusion of Group 8 and Sally Ride helped to ground the story in reality. the 80s influences were very much there, with references to movies and music of the time, but it felt natural rather than shoehorned in. the romance, of course, is incredible - i'm not really into love stories but this had me kicking my feet, giggling and tearing up. i love the mundanity of this book, and the choice to linger on small, seemingly insignificant moments or everyday affairs like barbecues and trips to the bar was so meaningful. a story about astronauts did not have to be this wonderfully domestic but i adore it for that - instead of a simple space mission, Reid uses Joan's interest in physics, astronomy and understanding the universe to portray a beautiful interpretation of human life.

i would've liked a little more closure at the end, perhaps a short epilogue after Vanessa's return to Earth, with her settling back into life with Joan and Frances (maybe even Joan coming out to Frances, and the eventual revision of the rules regarding female pilots at NASA). however, given the transcendent, personal nature of the rest of the story, i feel like enough closure was given that ending on a sigh-of-relief-esque moment made sense for the story. ...more "

progress:

(page 21 of 337)
"reread time" — Jun 27, 2025 08:43AM

Jun 16, 2025 04:30AM · see review

meelsbookshelf ⋆˙⟡ is currently reading

I Kissed Shara Wheeler

by Casey McQuiston (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: physical-tbr, currently-reading

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(page 47 of 368)
— Aug 29, 2025 06:34AM

Jun 21, 2025 02:38PM

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meelsbookshelf’s Quotes

“Rosa Hubermann was sitting on the edge of the bed with her husband's accordion tied to her chest. Her fingers hovered above the keys. She did not move. She didn't ever appear to be breathing.”
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

tags: love, marriage

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“We accept the love we think we deserve.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

tags: inspirational, love

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“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

tags: infinity

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“I love you. I love you. I love you. I'll write it in waves. In skies. In my heart. You'll never see, but you will know. I'll be all the poets, I'll kill them all and take each one's place in turn, and every time love's written in all the strands it will be to you.”
― Amal El-Mohtar, This Is How You Lose the Time War

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“Make all your decisions based on how hilarious it would be if you did it.”
― Aubrey Plaza

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