Rikki > Recent Status Updates

Reading a book to feel inspired to write a book. Let’s go!

Not sure if I’ve said this already or not, but just in case I haven’t, allow me to reiterate: I get the hype. Emily Henry is a good writer. I love how she incorporates emotional depth in a fizzy story, she really does banter well. I also love the meta aspect of having two writers as the leads.

Okay, I’m seeing the hype for this one. It’s definitely sweet with a bit of emotional depth. Plus, all the parts about writing make me feel so seen, as someone who’s also been struggling with chronic writer’s block ahahhahaha

I have a feeling the stories from the star jars are just metaphors for Halmoni’s backstory. If I’m right, then I think this book is about healing from generational trauma or something.

One complaint: I wish the author would go all in with the star stories. In a way, she does make them feel atmospheric, like they’re folktales, but then she would drop jokes and that takes me out from the story.

Decided to give Tae Keller another try because I heard this book won the Newbery Award. So far, I'm still neutral about the book. It's not because I'm not interested in the story; it's more so that Tae Keller's writing style just isn't my vibe.

Reading this book just to see what the fuss is all about!! It took me some time to get to, but things have finally started becoming interesting.

I like how Taylor Jenkins Reid pull off writing a story in this format. In theory, it’s tricky, but it’s good so far.

Finally, things are getting interesting. My biggest gripe with this book is that it’s so slow. It’s not even boring, really, because there are enough crumbs in the chapters to string me along. But yeah, the pace for the first half is taking its sweet time.

In the mood for some fantasy, so here we go!!

So far, things have been slow so far, which is understandable because we do have multiple characters, so there's a lot to establish first. The medieval-inspired world is what I like most, simply because medieval fantasy is one of my comfort genres.

WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GONNA HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE SEX IN A CARRIAGE??? OF COURSE IT WILL BREAK 😂

OH MY GOD. COLIN GOT ME FANNING WITH HIS ROMANTIC LINES TO MINERVA. 🥵

Why does Tessa Dare make playboys seem so sweet and endearing??? 😭

Ah, yes, the playboy kissing the nerdy girl just because he’s horny ends up catching feelings after that said kiss. I’M GOING TO GO FERAL GAAAAAAAAAAAH

Jumping on another Enola Holmes mystery! So far, so good. This one's more quick-paced than the other two, which I guess makes sense because we've already established the characters and the world, so it's now straight to the plot.

Oh, this story is taking a turn I didn’t expect. 👀👀👀

Okay, I want Sherlock and Enola to meet again already!! I just find it sweet that Sherlock cares so much for his sister even though he’s always been described as someone cold. Also, I could just sense them becoming an iconic duo!

Decided to come back to this series after more than a year of reading the first book. And I’m loving it just as much as the first one! Honestly, Enola is such an easy character to root for, and I do love how this book actually gets dark and faces some of the issues prevalent at the time head on. Also, the writing style! Springer has done a great job emulating the Victorian style of writing.

Okay, this book’s structure is that we start at the present, and then after a few chapters, we get a massive flashback, starting from when Craig was young until he got depression, and then full back to the present. And honestly, I’m a bit iffy with this style because it feels lazy. I feel like there could’ve been another way to structure the story without dumping several chapters of flashback.

How fitting is it that I'm reading a book about a depressed teen during the point in my life when I'm also not feeling great mentally 🤪

It’s been a while since I read a verse novel. Now it’s time to get back to it. 🥰🥰🥰

Reading a wholesome middle-grade story to fill the empty void inside my chest. 😂

So far, so good. The story is as wholesome as I expected it to be, and the characters are adorable.

TESSA, WHAT THE FUCK??? OF ALL THE THINGS YOU CAN DO, WHY LIE??? I really want to cheer you on, but your actions lately have been so dumb. 😭😭😭

Hoestly, I wish Tessa started noticing her feelings for Sam way earlier. Or that she’s actually writing but she mistakenly attributes it to their Nico plan, when in reality it’s Sam inspiring. She needed some wins. 😭😭😭

I’m enjoying this book, and I am rooting for Tessa. But!!! Sometimes, she just tests my patience. GIRL, WHY ARE YOU ANGRY AT SAM FOR JUDGING YOU ABOUT YOUR PLAN TO STEAL SOMEONE’S BOYFRIEND????? I get you just want to be loved and adored, but there are single guys for that!!! 😭😭😭

“I don’t get why Sam is all judgy.” UHH, MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO STEAL SOMEONE’S BOYFRIEND??? OF COURSE, HE WILL BE JUDGY. TESSA, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? 😭😭😭

SAM IS JUST THE SWEETEST THOUGH 😭😭😭

Would you look at that? It’s the story of my life! (Well, not really, since Tessa goes to a fancy school and all that.) Jokes aside, this book reminded me so much of my young self. I peaked at writing during HS, and I was 16 when I studied creative writing and came across a block when I discovered about workshop. Tessa is me. I am Tessa.

And so, my problem with suspending my disbelief for this book continues because I'm not exactly convinced with Jenny and Jaewoo's feelings for each other. They've barely interacted! They had that one night in LA, but like, they didn't even have that deep of a conversation. How in the world did they develop feelings after that? Is this really how romance irl works and I'm just too demi to see that???

Another issue I have: I thought Jenny's mom has a strained relationship with her mother. So why are they all chummy-chummy when they arrive in Seoul? And Jenny and her grandma are acting like besties even though they haven't even met before. There are really just some things in this book that make suspension of disbelief so hard.

That said, I do love the whole forbidden romance thing. I live for the angst. Ahahaha.

Okay, I have a few gripes with this book. First of all, some things just happen conveniently. Like, Jenny's mom immediately accepting the idea of Jenny coming with her to Seoul? And Jenny immediately getting into a prestigious school — WITH A SCHOLARSHIP — just like that? How convenient. Another gripe: the first act dragged so much. It was just a bunch of chapters that could've been condensed into one or two.

Okay, I’m a little bit struggling with suspending my disbelief for the first few chapters. Like, I need more to be convinced that Jenny spending some time with Jaewoo is a logical chain of events. I also need more from their initial interactions. They almost kissed, but I don’t feel the chemistry. I wanted to see more of that initial connection. Hopefully, things would get bettee.

The best way I can describe this book is that it’s like what a Creative Writing major would write if they were to write a dissertation on magic. 😂

Also, I’m convinced only Nico is genuinely on Libby’s side. I’m pretty sure Parisa only used Libby to get on her good graces to avoid elimination, and Tristan is just tiptoeing around Libby. Libby must be so powerful that everyone feels so threatened of her.

Okay, I get why many people love this book. The author's writing style is addictive, and she's skilled enough that her prose reads lovely. I have to say that the characters are my favorite part of this book. They're just so compelling, and I find it interesting how Olivie pairs the characters' personalities with their powers. Like, Callum is an empath but couldn't care less about people, and so on and so forth.