Marla > Recent Status Updates

Sadly, I'm starting to get bored/not caring what happens to the main character. I feel like there is so much more she could have explored, despite limitations. Certainly more to find a solution - take up meditation and transcend or something - in 300 years. At least something more than what she has done.

First time reading this and I gotta say, I was not expecting such upsetting content in the first section. If this wasn't a classic, I may have put the book down.

Fascinating concept, but the way the "deal" happened feels like it was stolen from the TV show Supernatural, and the jumps to the past talking about her childhood are long winded and cringe-y (yes, I already figured that this was a spirited girl who didn't want the typical female trappings of the time, like EVERY other heroine in fiction). I like the "present" perspective and the past post-deal so far.

I'm pausing to update and going back to reading in a minute. This book is brilliant. Loving it.

I'm really enjoying this, but it is a dense, slow read. I read the first story 2x (4/5), the second 3x (plus some research - 4.5/5), and the third once (4.75/5). Not for everyone, but I'm loving it so far.

I'm really enjoying this, but it is a dense, slow read. I read the first story 2x (4/5), the second 3x (plus some research - 4.5/5), and the third once (4.75/5). Not for everyone, but I'm loving it so far.

Part 2 is more the Antimemetics I remember, yay.

It got muddled with too-many-perspectives-itis, but it's still interesting. Too many side characters and POV switches muddy an otherwise fantastic read.

I read the original self published version in February, this is the edited officially published 2025 version. On the first page, I started reading and my first thought was "Oh, qntm dumbed this down" *sad face* ...it's still good, but it's not hitting the same. Changing SCP Foundation to the "Unknown Organization" is also lame, I get why, but more fitting names are possible - it doesn't sound technical enough.

I'm still intrigued. This book has some difficult content, but so far it has been put together masterfully.

I am really enjoying this one so far. A lot. It's a whole mood.

The first story was fun, but that's about it so far. The second story was... stupid, for lack of a better term. The third was meh. The fourth was just child abuse. And the fifth? Well look at that, more child abuse/neglect just in a different frame. Child abuse aficionados, this one is for you! /End sarcasm

About to start the sixth, I hope it gets better.

Creepy. A bit bleak, a bit gruesome. Could have done without the awkwardly written sex scene.

Listening to this one on audiobook. I'm enjoying it so far.

Chugging along slowly. The stories are well written, but not really holding my interest.

Chugging along.

Enjoying this more than I thought I would.

I didn't realize Chekov wrote The Bet, so that was a pleasant surprise, though the ending was meh. Some other noteworthy stories so far, but his writing definitely requires a mood. It's fairly depressing, sometimes mundane, and for an atheist he certainly writes a lot about Christian morality...

Eh, it's okay. That was a really long cat driven astrology reading. I'm not super invested in any of the characters.

Really enjoying this so far. It's well written and fun.

I'm enjoying the story (as much such a story can be enjoyed) and the *idea* of the surreality of the shifting landscapes and perspectives, but I rather *hate* the writing style. It's 90% dialogue, presented in a way that makes it difficult to know who is speaking, and it makes what should be an interesting story dull. I know this is an important book, so I feel like an uncultured swine for feeling thus.

Still good, but getting repetitive.

This is keeping me fascinated. I dare say if it keeps going as it is it will end up being my favorite Palahniuk.

Intriguing internal logic from an unstable narrator. Interesting read so far, very different from The Ark Sakura.

Listening to this one on audiobook, it's good so far.

Second book,The Surprise Party, done. It was a bit better than The New Girl, I actually didn't see the twist coming.

One down, 3 to go - beginning my complete reread of all the Fear Street books I loved when I was around 9 or 10. #1 did not disappoint!

Mudder Tongue was excellent, A Pursuit was good, the rest were just okay so far.

OMG, I am HATING this. So so much. Unfortunately this + sequel is the only reasonable option to complete the readalong/book club square for hard mode Bingo on r/fantasy (have to participate in active discussion, which is limited to a couple of certain days). I'll try to power through and finish this today. Bleh.