Madison > Recent Status Updates

just started on the train, so not much progress but i already like jackson more than the other characters from the first book (which i already knew). this is a grumpy x sunshine so i’ll probably actually enjoy this one better than the first

i don’t have an emotional attachment to these characters, probably because of the brisk writing style. i’ve also skimmed ahead and i’m not sure the ending will satisfy me. i definitely won’t cry. sigh. i really thought it was a tearjerker. maybe if i wasn’t reading so much.

i’m on page 186/369 so ~just~ over halfway. i don’t think this book will make me cry, which is sad because i’m so easy, but it does make me want to read the iliad. the writing is very staccato and the author is clearly very knowledgeable. it’s just not a style or subject i enjoy

on page 110/369 (i rounded up). this copy has 400 pages but the rest are bonus material and i’m not counting that toward my total. was surprised that achilles was the main character but that was my dumb bitchery. happy i picked up early on the gay (like page 5!). i know achilles death is gonna piss me off though

my copy has 40 less pages so i might switch to the percentage but who knows. i’m already invested so yay! would keep reading but im sleepy

on page 202/254. she’s still throwing parties but she’s given up all pretense of working for the company and just spends a bunch of money renovating her event spaces even thought they lose her money. she’s literally just a socialite, famous because of her mother. also the business were were working toward failed within a year😭

on page 147 of 254. i really dislike this woman, she seems completely unsympathetic (like, how are you gonna refuse to allow your abused daughter to get divorced when you’ve been divorced twice!). i’m convinced the author hates her and is writing a hit piece cause she’s not going out of her way to be nice to her

read 40 while waiting to get my temporary crown yesterday. we’re getting there!

there’s only 254 substantive pages (i’m not reading footnotes babe). so much dumb bitchery that i cannot condone. am finding it difficult to care about this woman and want to read her story but i will persevere! sigh

this book only has ~245 pages of reading material so this percentage isn’t exactly right. i don’t like the writing style of this at all. i’m guessing the historical record is sparse but it’s a bit confusing how she’s written this. it’s not really a narrative, it’s like spitting facts at me? but in a non compelling way? i don’t know how to explain this

started the day at page 68, which i got to about two days ago. i had a few long train rides and waiting times so i really got into the swing of reading and will probably finish tomorrow. almost at the climax so yay. i dislike the characters less than before and margo is crazy but she’s starting to grow on me

since this is a genre i don’t typically read, i basically skimmed the whole thing and it’s kinda dumb. but im also intrigued cause there’s an investigation plot i skipped over so maybe it’ll still be interesting

skimmed to the end and it does exactly what you’d expect from the title. also it’s a journalist’s debut so it’s a stiff writing style but whatever. i do like that we aren’t supposed to like the main character

i’m not done reading for the day, but i’m about to take my shower so since i have to pause, i wanted to note that this is the book i would want to write. it’s about how hard it to choose to be alive but also a fucked up little love story. a reminder that i can read books quickly if i enjoy them. yay. also i’m learning that the books that scare me a little are the ones i love most

this chapter is depressed. like sylvia plath depressed. this author must’ve gone through it cause you only know when you ~know~. i’m enjoying the story but the font is so small so reading feels very slow

lots of signs. this book is very unserious, but that’s probably intentional. i’ve discovered a hidden metaphor: black men will force you to save them because if you don’t, they will take you down with them

i’m up to breeze’s backstory. i think im realizing that i can tolerate tia’s writing style if i care about the characters and i care about NONE of them. they’re all nonsensical and unsympathetic to me. also christian, ew. also, i’ve skimmed ahead to see ricki’s reaction and it’s personally upsetting to me.

i got to around page 70 yesterday but i forgot to add it. the break did help me come around to some of the language and i’m finding the story compelling, even if it is ridiculous. also, i was testing something and accidentally skimmed ahead enough to learn that he’s not a ghost. bummer

just started this on the train. this writing is bothering me because it doesn’t make sense for characters socialized in yt spaces. also the plot points are giving me pause. hopefully i get lost enough in the writing. that’s the difficulty of starting a book when you’ve just finished one. too dissimilar

slowing down the reading because i’m busier. we’re getting there though, about the get the first alice pov. think that means we’re winding down though…

the narrative is going by faster now, which is good. the writing feels less stiff to me. i’m starting to sympathize with all the characters, which is especially good. i even understand julia now, even though i stand by them needing psychology. i just wish a child wasn’t involved

this book is very upsetting and i dislike a lot of the characters. a lot of issues can be solved by reading one book about psychology. but, ive gotten to the point where people are starting to reckon with their demons and also i skimmed ahead for the rest of the book so this should all work itself out. perhaps … 4 stars?

i’ve just started. i got the sense that something bad was going to happen so i skimmed ahead about 200 pages and i am officially spoiled. maybe this will make this book more enticing for me, who knows?

i’m like 15 pages away from all the shit going down and i could read more but i think im good to stop mentally. i think i started the day at page 146? (i read some more yesterday) so pretty big progress. i’m enjoying the story and plot points but i wish il would come out about his mental health more. but he’s getting better. also i need to read troy and scott’s books now

haven’t been reading much though this isn’t hard to read. just never feel like it, i’m kinda sad. which means im heavy empathizing with my depressed baby ilya and it’s making me hate shane. they haven’t communicated so it isn’t really his fault but im feeling very sad for my boy

slow start but i think it’ll be like that throughout. i spoiled myself by skimming ahead but im a little anxious for my boy. depression is a bitch. we shall see

perhaps baldwin doesn’t hate women, it’s just the character. but i contend that he’s only gay because he’s attracted to masculinity and not men. such a chauvinist. also giovanni is pitiful and men are evil

i am halfway and goddamn did it take me a long time to get there. i’m not sure if i’m supposed to be liking the main character? maybe im too far away in time to understand why he does but he does but he hates women and trans people so… i also despise yt men. waiting for it to get good. and waiting to know what giovanni’s crime was! enough to get hanged!

my copy has less pages than this goodreads one and i thought i should be accurate as i get closer to the end of the book. show is very faithful but there are some added scenes im enjoying. love watching characters pine if it’s not too annoying, you know?