Alayna > Recent Status Updates

From a 200 page book to almost 1,000!

I've heard lots of good things and based off of chapter 1, I'm excited!

If anyone would like to join me in reading this, I'd love a discussion buddy!

Love the size and readability of Christie's books. I repeatedly said out loud while reading this, "This doesn't feel like it was written a century ago!"
I'm relatively new to the mystery genre but find it very fun to keep guessing who the murderer is during the unfolding of the story. Excited for my next Christie!!

I'm already deeply enjoying this book.

It is so fascinating learning how similar ancient travelers' experiences were to our own. The author's tone is very humorous and engaging and the short chapters make it move quickly and keeps the reader's interest.

Looking forward to delving into more specific destinations as the author completes his journey.

Love this duology. The intermittent rhymes give fantastic foreshadowing and are very well written. A very atmospheric read.

Making my way through this series based off some rave reviews I've heard.

Each book seems to have the same problem of starting achingly slow but then picking up in the second half. Still withholding my full review until I'm further into the series.

Very slow start. Almost gave up on it but at about the 40% mark it started getting interesting. The tropes and situations feel forced and not very natural. The connections between scenes are weak and don't make a lot of sense. Hoping it will finish strong.

I've heard so many good things about this book. It's the August pick for my bookclub so a good push to pick it up.

I'll be honest. So far it's... Sad? Like, really sad.

Of course the scarred backstories of the mothers are heavy but the total disconnect between the mothers & daughters is just really heartbreaking. The generational and cultural differences are explained well but are still tragic.

Wow! I know it's very famous for being good but I have to admit it is so good!

Even for modern audiences with short attention spans, this short book moves fast!

I'm having a lot of fun with my various theories. And they have changed over the last few chapters. Can't wait to see where it goes! While I have my suspicions, I am hopeful and optimistic about a twist.

This is my first Agatha Christie novel and I decided to start with her best. Or so I've been told by the Internet.

Very confusing at the start with so many characters but you just need to jump in and figure it out as you go. My copy has a useful character chart at the beginning and it's a lifesaver.

You don't have to wait long for the action. The "oh snap" moment happens pretty early and the pace keeps rolling on.

Wow! So good! There were some slower parts but the ending was fantastic. It really builds momentum without feeling rushed. It made me think about it for some time after finishing and that is a rare accomplishment for a purely "for fun" novel.
I don't want to give anything away but being in Coriolanus' head was a fantastic experience.

The movie is good but better with the book in your memory.

[I finished it but don't like leaving public reviews]
While I enjoyed the book as a whole, the ending was quite disappointing. I REALLY wanted to like it!
The last ~40% of the book is building to the final climax which is resolved in literally 2 pages. Very anticlimactic and feels like it ends quite suddenly.
Cute epilogue at the end though :)

I'm not sure if Stoker meant this book to be a commentary on the role of women in society or if it is just a reflection of its time but DANG is it a heavy theme in the middle of the novel.

Perfect woman=innocent, sweet, docile, servile.
EVIL VAMPIRE LADY=SEXY!!!

Huge breakdown in writing quality that pulled me out of the book when Stoker used "voluptuous" THREE TIMES IN HALF A PAGE!!

All in all, still enjoying it.

I'm very tickled that a book written so long ago can still elicit such strong reactions from me. I find myself frequently saying "Oh SH*T" as the suspense grows as little pieces of the puzzle come together.

Reading for an upcoming book club. It's so classic it feels very trope heavy until you remember that this is the original.

I'm enjoying the multiple POVs.

I've never really read much horror but listening to the audiobook narration by Simon Vance at a much slower pace than my natural reading gives it a lot more suspense! I'm finding myself genuinely spooked! The character of Renfield is very unsettling.

Enjoying this re-read. Currently using a UK copy and I believe there are some small semantic differences but can't confirm without my US copy.