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justjussy__'s reviews
693 reviews
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
by Mizuki Tsujimura
translated by Philip Gabriel
QUICK SUMMARY
In a neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven students have been avoiding going to school for one reason or another. Unable to face their family and friends, they one day find mirrors in each of their bedrooms are shimmering.
As they touch the mirrors, they're pulled into another world away from their lonely lives to a beautiful castle. Where they're met with a young girl explaining that there is a hidden key, and with that key the winner will receive whatever they wish.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Another winner from @curiously.katt. This one did hit close to home as someone who did not have a great school life. This book hits mental health and the struggles young people face. There's not a single person I didn't love about this book.
4.5
“In another world, we were already friends.”
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
by Mizuki Tsujimura
translated by Philip Gabriel
QUICK SUMMARY
In a neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven students have been avoiding going to school for one reason or another. Unable to face their family and friends, they one day find mirrors in each of their bedrooms are shimmering.
As they touch the mirrors, they're pulled into another world away from their lonely lives to a beautiful castle. Where they're met with a young girl explaining that there is a hidden key, and with that key the winner will receive whatever they wish.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Another winner from @curiously.katt. This one did hit close to home as someone who did not have a great school life. This book hits mental health and the struggles young people face. There's not a single person I didn't love about this book.
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
I Am Still Alive
by Kate Alice Marshall
narrated by Amy McFadden
QUICK SUMMARY
Jess, who suffered a tragic accident causing the loss of her mother and severe injuries for herself is taken off the grid to the Canadian Wilderness where her estranged father is living. Things turn bad quickly and Jess is left alone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This book was so unrealistic and .... not good.If there hadn't only been ten minutes left in the book when she killed her dog I would have stopped right then and there. Very unfortunate since I have enjoyed some other books by this author.
1.0
“My mind refuses to retrace my footsteps, to go further into the past than the night, the fire.”
I Am Still Alive
by Kate Alice Marshall
narrated by Amy McFadden
QUICK SUMMARY
Jess, who suffered a tragic accident causing the loss of her mother and severe injuries for herself is taken off the grid to the Canadian Wilderness where her estranged father is living. Things turn bad quickly and Jess is left alone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This book was so unrealistic and .... not good.
Confessions by Kanae Minato
Confessions
by Kanae Minato
translated by Stephen Snyder
narrated by Elaina Erika Davis & Noah Galvin
QUICK SUMMARY
Yuko Moriguchi called off her engagement after a traumatic revelation, and now all she has to live for is her four year old daughter, Manami. Once a tragic accident befalls Manami on middle school grounds, Yuko has given up.
Before she leaves, she has one last lecture to deliver, upending the students lives in her class.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This book held nothing back, the punches were thrown from the very beginning and just kept coming. Another winning book recommended by @curiouslt.katt, seriously she has her own hashtag now, #KattSaidSo.
This book was shocking and moving, and if it doesn't leave you speechless .... I don't know what to tell you. It's been a week for me since reading it and I still can't find the words to describe how good this book was for me.
5.0
“But doing something good or remarkable isn’t easy. It’s much easier to condemn people who do the wrong thing than it is to do the right thing yourself.”
Confessions
by Kanae Minato
translated by Stephen Snyder
narrated by Elaina Erika Davis & Noah Galvin
QUICK SUMMARY
Yuko Moriguchi called off her engagement after a traumatic revelation, and now all she has to live for is her four year old daughter, Manami. Once a tragic accident befalls Manami on middle school grounds, Yuko has given up.
Before she leaves, she has one last lecture to deliver, upending the students lives in her class.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This book held nothing back, the punches were thrown from the very beginning and just kept coming. Another winning book recommended by @curiouslt.katt, seriously she has her own hashtag now, #KattSaidSo.
This book was shocking and moving, and if it doesn't leave you speechless .... I don't know what to tell you. It's been a week for me since reading it and I still can't find the words to describe how good this book was for me.
The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones
The Angel of Indian Lake
Final instalment of the Indian Lake Trilogy
by Stephen Graham Jones
QUICK SUMMARY
Proofrock, Idaho just can't seem to catch a break. It's like the place is cursed to attract the worst.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you, @NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this copy of #TheAngelOfIndianLake.
Leaving off from the second book I was excited for this third one, the second one was so strong in terms of a story I had high hopes... High hopes, that came crashing down. This book felt like it would never end, the inner monologue took me out of the story and by the end I truly didn't care. If we had LESS of the inner monologues and more of the story this book would be a winner, but it just felt like the monologues were put there for filler and became really repetitive. Which is truly unfortunate because the book did have a good story behind it, but in the end it just lost its punch.
2.75
Dream on, Slasher Girl.
The Angel of Indian Lake
Final instalment of the Indian Lake Trilogy
by Stephen Graham Jones
QUICK SUMMARY
Proofrock, Idaho just can't seem to catch a break. It's like the place is cursed to attract the worst.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you, @NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this copy of #TheAngelOfIndianLake.
Leaving off from the second book I was excited for this third one, the second one was so strong in terms of a story I had high hopes... High hopes, that came crashing down. This book felt like it would never end, the inner monologue took me out of the story and by the end I truly didn't care. If we had LESS of the inner monologues and more of the story this book would be a winner, but it just felt like the monologues were put there for filler and became really repetitive. Which is truly unfortunate because the book did have a good story behind it, but in the end it just lost its punch.
Secret Sex: An Anthology by Russell Smith
2.0
The concept of this book was what first drew me to this book. Twenty-Four Canadian authors are given the chance to anonymously write a short story around the topic of sex.
Unfortunately for me, like with most anthologies I read it was very hit or miss, and it was more of a miss than hit most of time. Knowing it was many different authors I was expecting this mixed bag but I wasn't expecting ... well I don't know to be honest. Maybe some authors just aren't meant to write about sex and thats okay.
Unfortunately for me, like with most anthologies I read it was very hit or miss, and it was more of a miss than hit most of time. Knowing it was many different authors I was expecting this mixed bag but I wasn't expecting ... well I don't know to be honest. Maybe some authors just aren't meant to write about sex and thats okay.
A Life with Ghosts: True, Terrifying, and Insightful Tales from My Favorite Haunts by Steve Gonsalves
A Life with Ghosts
by Steve Gonsalves
with Michael Aloisi
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Steve shares stories of his some of the places he’s investigated in his career. He gives us history, personal stories and some of his history.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
Another little read that started out band of #ProblematicReaders , after reading an absolutely TERRIBLE “memoir” of another paranormal investigator Jeri recommended this one to us to show us a good book talking about paranormal investigator. I am so thankful she recommended this. It was such a great read, I loved receiving history lessons of each place for a little better understanding. I loved the personal snippets of his life and his experiences at this place.
4.75
“Sometimes it’s the luck of the draw; other times, I can’t help but wonder if a spirit is conscious enough to pull back when they know they’re trying to be coaxed out of hiding.”
A Life with Ghosts
by Steve Gonsalves
with Michael Aloisi
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Steve shares stories of his some of the places he’s investigated in his career. He gives us history, personal stories and some of his history.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
Another little read that started out band of #ProblematicReaders , after reading an absolutely TERRIBLE “memoir” of another paranormal investigator Jeri recommended this one to us to show us a good book talking about paranormal investigator. I am so thankful she recommended this. It was such a great read, I loved receiving history lessons of each place for a little better understanding. I loved the personal snippets of his life and his experiences at this place.
The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter, Andrew F. Sullivan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I’ll come back to this to read. But I wasn’t liking the audiobook.
The Narrow by Kate Alice Marshall
The Narrow
by Kate Alice Marshall
Quick Summary
Everyone knows about the Narrow, a river that runs behind the school. The Narrow seems innocent enough, but beneath the surface the water will drag you under and near let go.
Although, Eden White knows that isn't true. Six years ago she say a girl fall into the Narrow and ... live.?
Final Thoughts
Loved the journey, the ending was something I saw coming from a mile away. Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Did I love it like everyone else? No.
3.5
"We hear it before we see it. For the deadliest body of water in the county, the Narrow doesn’t sound very threatening—no crash and rush of rapids or waterfalls, just a cheerful babble that suggests a friendly forest creek."
The Narrow
by Kate Alice Marshall
Quick Summary
Everyone knows about the Narrow, a river that runs behind the school. The Narrow seems innocent enough, but beneath the surface the water will drag you under and near let go.
Although, Eden White knows that isn't true. Six years ago she say a girl fall into the Narrow and ... live.?
Final Thoughts
Loved the journey, the ending was something I saw coming from a mile away. Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Did I love it like everyone else? No.
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Witch of Wild Things
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
narrated by Krysta Gonzales
Quick Summary
Legend has it that the Flores women offended the old gods and their family has suffered a curse ever since. Now ever woman born into the family is touched with magic.
Sage Flores is returning home after trying to run her life ever since her younger sister Sky died eight years earlier.
Falling into comfortable habits, Sage takes back her old job at a flower farm and uses her magic to converse with the plants. This seems to simple until the boy her broke her heart is paired with her for botany sleuthing.
Final Thoughts
This one started off fun and cozy, and QUICKLY turned annoying and childish. This girl could not get over her high school crush and how he "broke her heart". Girl get over it.
The further into the book I got the more annoyed I became. I continued because of the plants and the magic but even that ended up letting me down.
2.75
Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.
Witch of Wild Things
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
narrated by Krysta Gonzales
Quick Summary
Legend has it that the Flores women offended the old gods and their family has suffered a curse ever since. Now ever woman born into the family is touched with magic.
Sage Flores is returning home after trying to run her life ever since her younger sister Sky died eight years earlier.
Falling into comfortable habits, Sage takes back her old job at a flower farm and uses her magic to converse with the plants. This seems to simple until the boy her broke her heart is paired with her for botany sleuthing.
Final Thoughts
This one started off fun and cozy, and QUICKLY turned annoying and childish. This girl could not get over her high school crush and how he "broke her heart". Girl get over it.
The further into the book I got the more annoyed I became. I continued because of the plants and the magic but even that ended up letting me down.
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space
by Amanda Leduc
Quick Summary
What happens when you identify more with the beast in the fairy tale than the beauty.? Amanda Leduc looks at fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm to Disney. Explaining how they influence our expectations and behaviour. Exploring and linking the quest for disability rights to new kinds to of stories that celebrate difference.
Final Thoughts
I was excited to read this one, it's been on my radar for a while. But unfortunately the book didn't live up to the hype. The author, although a talented write only used the stories to fit her own narrative of the world and not the actual meaning of the stories.
I also wanted less academics and more fairy tales, but found myself needing to reread passages because it was losing my attention.
2.0
“Why, in all of these stories about someone who wants to be something or someone else, was it always the individual who needed to change, and never the world?”
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space
by Amanda Leduc
Quick Summary
What happens when you identify more with the beast in the fairy tale than the beauty.? Amanda Leduc looks at fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm to Disney. Explaining how they influence our expectations and behaviour. Exploring and linking the quest for disability rights to new kinds to of stories that celebrate difference.
Final Thoughts
I was excited to read this one, it's been on my radar for a while. But unfortunately the book didn't live up to the hype. The author, although a talented write only used the stories to fit her own narrative of the world and not the actual meaning of the stories.
I also wanted less academics and more fairy tales, but found myself needing to reread passages because it was losing my attention.