Joy > Recent Status Updates

It's hard to stomach, but I press

The first story? Ugh, rip my heart out, and stomp it flat. I liked him.

Exorcism scenes. Just nope. Fast forwarded through some of the recitations because it grates me to hear it (feels sacrilegious in a way, but it's handled fairly respectably---until the point I needed to skip past it because it felt wrong to me personally). But only did very little. And am in the middle of it still where Marjorie frequently is having to be covered by her comforter. We will see if I outlast this book.

I am not exactly sure where I am in the book, though I am about halfway, so therefore I estimated a page number based on how I recall the pages folding atop the table, left cracked open (carefully-no spine damage) to a reading position. I am enamored with this story and the mystery that is slowly built, the relationship dynamics between a ruined family, a terrible relative, and a pact to earn an estate. I'm invested.

The only reason I persist in reading this is because the internal debate: Is it possession or mental illness? The reason I'm particularly susceptible to this debate is due to my prior studies in mental health. I watched some students at the school I attended jump first to possession vs. mental health being the actual issue, and while I do believe that either is possible, I would begin always with mental status.

Blast, I completed this too and now I need to write two more reviews.

This was finished Sunday. I am so behind on reviews.

Reading out of order continues! I have a physical book coming (I am starting to have a shelf dedicated to Kingfisher), but am reading an e-text until it arrives. At least, in my defense, I'm now reading the first one in the two part with the Clocktaur War? That counts, right?
Though, someone told me perhaps I need to go back to learning more about her paladins.
Alas, I'm behind.

Yes, I’m reading backward, but at the time I wasn’t planning it, and it’s all very well and enjoyable. Finished this one today and Daggerbound the day prior. Clockwork Boys, the first one, should be arriving Monday. There’s a certain charm in reading a set of books with common threads backward. It works the same as reading a series forward, except some things (and characters, like Sarkis) grow richer.

I read the book in its entirety between yesterday and today. I was couch locked and not feeling well. I couldn’t think of a more pleasant escape. I even read the acknowledgments.

Kingfisher writes fantastic acknowledgments.

I look forward to writing a review later.

She has wonderful characters. I’ve read out of order, so I suppose Clockwork Boys is next.

Shall I mention I am currently reading an ARC that I won, and I have never won a book that was not yet released. I was slower to get to this, only because I was reading other Kingfisher books, but I am consuming it now with the vengeance of about a dozen of her characters breathing down my neck. Yes, I started, much later than I received it, though I anticipate it being read fast. Update soon.

Maybe this is just not the time to read this book. The writing is vivid enough, but it's not gripping me.

Completely delightful. Loving the story so far. Saw this recommended by BooksandLaLa.

Of course, I'm enjoying this one. Details are sometimes intense, for those not already comfortable with medical things.

I know I am close to the last few pages of the book, as I am certainly on the last chapter, though I don't have the book here with me to check the page numbers on. This is such a nice ride from beginning to end.

Kingfisher writes in such a way that she well and truly enchants me. I loved the last story so far: "Wooden Feathers."

I don't remember what page I am on, though I am about 1/3 done with the story and I love it thus far. Why do I enjoy children's books, you might ask? Maybe it goes back to being a former elementary educator or the fact that I enjoy sharing stories with parents now that their children might enjoy. or perhaps, it's because children's stories can go darker places sometimes than adult fiction thinks it can.

I still truly and really appreciate our main character and Chess most out of the rest of the cast.

I am taking breaks while reading this, not because this is not very interesting, but rather because sometimes the frank discussion of darkness and law-breaking can be a bit much for the average individual. I appreciate, however, the way that things are not shied away from.

Patric's take on her experiences wove a lot of different thoughts in my head, many which are hard to capture except in the moment I am first consuming the material. Later reflections miss my analyses. I held my breath when she hurt an animal, but was relieved to find her code kept her in check and she did not want to do it again- nor did it die.

I am REALLY hooked. Patric's story is riveting.

I am guessing. I have no clue as to the actual page I am on as I write this note away from my book, though they have arrived at the titular Villa at this point. I enjoy the main character so far and really am rooting for her. Her flow of feelings with her best friend is endearing. I do find it a bit jarring to switch perspectives to the people years ago that occupied the same place, with a writer known for horror.

I had just gotten to the part where she stabbed a child in the neck in order to make her leave her alone (after a series of stealing things in order to make an internal itch leave her be). I am struck by the duality of Gagne, the sweetness of her interactions with her mother and Nanny juxtaposed with this burst of violence. She writes to share her experience, and it is riveting/emotionally charged.

A lot of these stories are not my cup of tea, mostly abrupt or hard to follow the story's logic. So far, "Executable" & "Omnibot" are my faves.

I picked this back up today. I haven't since the last time I updated.
This book is wonderfully fun, it reads in Macchio's voice, and I sincerely love his stories. I really appreciate all the ways his book has made me smile throughout. I even had someone to comment on my wide grin while I read it. If you're a fan of the film(s) -at least 1st and 2nd, with 1st really being my favorite, you'll love this.

The chapter about his practice fights and actual stunts with Zabka sent me into hysterics.

Oh yeah. Much better. Just what I needed! This is so fun- and I never knew Ralph was uncertain of Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi! Makes me want to go home and relive the movie. I haven't seen The Karate Kid in years!