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I’m taking time reading the book. It’s a story of a boy discovering himself. The novel stretches out from their adolescence to their adulthood. Achilles is likable and genuine. Patroclus, as the main character, is endearing and easy to root for. I’m having fun, so far, reading it.

I am not a fan of Greek mythology. I've always thought they're too complex and sequential. But the once 'highbrow' literary media has become very enjoyable for me to read. I'm companioned by the audiobook so I can rest my eyes during my trip.

I can understand why this book is considered one of the best, the author's voice is perfect and I can really grasp the world with the way she describes its surreal nature.

The story is steady so far, I love the inclusion of a gay couple and I feel a lot for Bella. Her taking care of a young cougar, just as Mother Cat had taken care of her is such a nice callback. The wilderness part was harsh but it was educational to read. Yeah, it's true that dogs need to hunt. I can't wait to finish the book.

It's an easy read that I can't put down. The tension regarding the building is a good build-up to Bella's journey in the wilderness. The characters are nice too. The author's voice is so distinct and innocent it really sounds like a dog or a child wrote it.

Bella's self-discovery is endearing to read and it made me remember my days with my old dog. Days are brighter with a loving pet, that's for sure.

It takes a death to realize what means in one's life. Japanese literature has so many lessons. Profound guides on how to live a content, modest life that always involves a community. I loved Hirai's character growth; the author really takes time with world-building, and he's one storyteller.

The 'Husband & Wife' bit really was the highlight and heart of the novel. The writer’s attention to detail and ability to emotionally narrate the scene beautifully laid out a memorable reading experience. Love is unconditional, love is eternal. I can see it making people ugly cry. This story alone would suffice and give the book justice for its persistence as a top book recommendation.

I'm having real hard time reading this because I'm not really good at remembering names and characters. And it doesn't really help that the names are in Japanese. Reading the book took me a lot longer than I had expected. I will now continue watching the film, so I am more familiar with the story and appreciate the small details left by the writer. Their stories intertwine, and I’m excited to see where they lead.

I was not expecting the twist but I guess I had finished 1/3 of the novel. I liked it. Though it was funny I had read female leads getting dumped back-to-back, but in Fumiko's case it was very ambiguous. The build-up was slow and had too many interruptions but the payoff was worth it. I want to know how the author will intertwine the stories. This is a book full of surprises.

It's compelling and riveting! To be honest, you need context before going into this book. It helped a lot that I read in its wiki that it's adapted from a stageplay, so the one setting made sense. There were moments that I imagined would work well in a theater play.

Other than that, the story is simple but the deployment of characters made it unique. I'm engaged with Fumiko, she is likable and enjoyable to read.

The book suddenly took an unexpected turn. Though the introduction of a new character felt disjointed, it takes you to a new journey for Tatako. The first part of the book ended abruptly without much character arc, it wouldve been nice to not split the book in two parts. The new love interest is nice but all in all, their introduction felt more like a setup and easy route to keep the story moving.

"Don't be afraid to love someone. When you fall in love, I want you to fall in love all the way. Even if it ends in heartache, please don't live a lonely life without love. I've been so worried that because of what happened you'll give up on falling in love. Love is wonderful. I don't want you to forget that.
Those memories of people you love, they never disappear." - Uncle Satoru to Takako

I love the pacing and the story. It feels like a movie or a K-drama I would watch. I cheer for the character progression of Takako. I relate parts of my life with her and her uncle. I made a mistake of reading the reviews and I wonder how this will turn out because I'm gushing with the first few chapters.

"But, I don't know, maybe it takes a long time to figure out what you're truly searching for. Maybe you spend your whole life just to figure out a small part of it."

Such a good first chapter! I am hooked immediately. It sets a precedent to be a fun, unusual and unexpected read. I love Takako and the characters. I'm taking note of the new words I'm learning. I'm looking forward to finishing this book.

"We also need to forgive ourselves... For all the things we didn't do. All the things we should have done. You can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened... I always wished I had done more with my work. l wished I had written more books. used to beat myself up over it. Now I see that never did any good. Make peace.
You need to make peace with yourself and everyone around you."

Morrie finally met Mitch's wife. They talk a lot about love / marriage, most importantly about what is it you're looking for in a partner? I look over Jeremy, my boyfriend who's in the video call with me. And I think, he just let me be me. Among all the other things I can complain about him, this is why I stay. He makes me a better person, and he asks me to be continuously better.

"Remember what I said about finding a meaningful life? I wrote it down, but now I can recite it: Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.

"You notice," he added, grinning, "there's nothing in there about a salary."

Morrie talks a lot about detachment and envy. In the age of social media, we’re predisposed to feel more aware of what we’re lacking— “At this age, I should’ve done more.”

And I live my life a lot online and try to create an ineradicable digital footprint. When Morrie talks about detachment, it’s what we need to hear most. We’re constantly reminded of what we're supposed to have. We need to detach.

I've learned a lot about how to live life from a man dying. Wherever where you are in life, we need to be constantly reminded that these material immaterial things don't make us us. It's how we feel and how we love that we give life purpose.

Listening to Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens is perfect. It's an album and ode to Sufjan's dying mother.

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

Book came in perfect timing, I just resigned from work and I'm feeling what Morrie is feeling. Working for money, life had been stale and meaningless. I hope I get a lot from this book!

The book shifts perspective in three persons actually. Duncan’s perspective was kind of a ‘Fever Pitch’ input in this novel. And their heated argument is the reason why “you should never meet your heroes.” For it to be at the end makes sense because all it really was is Annie and Tucker’s growth, not their romance and relationship. It’s really a journey. A fun one that I enjoyed reading.

I’m starting to believe Nick Hornby’s a Joni Mitchell fan. Anyways, the essential two characters; it’s nice how we see them struggle. Especially with Tucker, not having enough money to pay for his trip while being put at a superstar pedestal; and Annie who’s redirecting her life all over again— Hornby craves on your empathy for them. They’re characters that aren’t perfectly written but well thought-of.

The book doesn’t seem dragging at all, it’s just very non-dramatic. Kurt’s death, Ellie & Marcus’s trip to visit his dad, Will’s empathy, and Fiona’s suicidal intention; all things Hornby had interspersed on a plot point. You can feel Marcus & Will even they’re simple-minded characters. You feel that they’re both growing up in a lot of ways.

In its final pages, it becomes clear what Flush is all about. The joy of family and justice. Fighting for what is right and caring for the environment.

The Underwood family shines as a unique one. The identity reveal of the pirate was great too. Paine getting arrested for arson was so abrupt. But I was really strucked by Donna’s remarks to the lieutenant, that alone made me change my mind. Sure I’ll reread this.

Kids having trouble with their parents and a man who thinks like a kid is essentially the book’s recipe. Will meeting Rachel was unexpected but it extended the story for Will to be enlightened. But Will, the way you confessed to Rachel, Marcus could choose his words more carefully than you.

Hornby has mastered intricacy and humor in his novels. The conflict isn’t as big or as dramatic as any books but the way he’d set up the story in the nonchalant-entertaining way possible. Marcus being a step-in dad for Marcus is nice to read, though unconventional.

“Marcus needed help to be a kid, not an adult. And, unhappily for Will, that was exactly the kind of assistance he was qualified to provide.”

Marcus is mature, Will is childish & self-important. They’re polar opposites and their backgrounds fit with each other so well, it makes the story more interesting.

The highlight is Marcus’s relationship with his mom through his straightforward caring demeanor. Marcus alone carried the novel as a character, but Will’s presence made it entertaining. His choices thoughts come off as a joke, which is good for me.

Wow, what a chapter seven! Things between Annie & Duncan unfolded smoothly and Hornby’s writing made me stop, highlight, think, & reflect.

“But people who are quite content don’t have a rubbish life,” said by Malcolm, Annie’s co-worker who’s putting up with him (ironically).

“Even if he could take everything he owned, he’d still be leaving it behind” is for Duncan. It’s such a great partition.

Bullying, to school and in real life is nicely put and narrated. But it suffers from a farfetch story, though I’m a fan of those, this one’s really complicated. Elements like a mystery man, Noah’s family problems, his sister goes missing seems unrelated that contribute to the complication of the story.