"-- Not today, and probably not tomorrow, but someday, and that was enough. Until then, I'd found an outlet... I could tell stories."
What do you mean"-- Not today, and probably not tomorrow, but someday, and that was enough. Until then, I'd found an outlet... I could tell stories."
What do you mean, I am not crying, you are crying... *sobs*
The Greatest Thing is truly the greatest thing and I wish younger me would have had this book. Current me is doing a lot better but younger me felt exactly like Winifred, I too wanted to go away. And I did not believe things could get better until things finally did get better. It's hard and it takes time but things do get better.
This book made me think of the Virginia Woolf quote: “How many times have people used a pen or paintbrush because they couldn’t pull the trigger?” and I think it sums up this book rather well. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I didn't have art, if I didn't start writing and if I didn't travel to different places through books. I am afraid that if I didn't have art, the answer would be not here. Shoutout to art, thank you for quite literally saving my life.
I am not good at writing reviews but I am good at rambling. This book deals with friendship and how you see yourself and eating disorder and other such heavy topics. But I think they are talked about in such way that it is simply a warm hug telling you, you are not alone and it's going to be okay. Maybe not today, and probably not tomorrow, but someday, and that is enough.
This is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel and I usually don't give ratings to biographies etc. because I don't feel comfortable giving a rating to someone's life's story and how it is told but I think this has enough fiction for me to make an expectation.
I really loved this book and the story. I also feel like it ended exactly when it needed to end, when the story was told but I still was left craving more. I wish I could see Winifred when everything is finally okay.
Actual rating: 4.5/5
TRIGGER WARNINGS: eating disorders, biphobia, self harm, fatphobia, mental health issues - one of Winifred's friend also has very strict/controlling parents (and the father drinks), which I think in this context is also worth mentioning...more
Darius suddenly has it all: boyfriend, internship, spot on the soccer team. Everything he ever wanted! What if he deserves better?
To my surprise, I lDarius suddenly has it all: boyfriend, internship, spot on the soccer team. Everything he ever wanted! What if he deserves better?
To my surprise, I liked this book more than I liked the first book. Though I did miss Iran horribly and I cried for his grandfather like he was my own. I think that hit me especially hard because my grandma received some bad news from a doctor a while back.
I love seeing Darius thrive and be happy. I love him and his relationship with his family. And I love the discussion of mental health. Things can be good and you can still be depressed. Things can get better and you can still be depressed. Depression is not everything you are. With Darius words; "My depression was part of me. Just like being gay was. A part, but not the whole."
And I really needed this book right now. I have almost everything I ever dreamed of right now. And I found myself to not be satisfied with it. But it thought I had no right to think so because I used to dream of being where I am now. Turns out, I deserve better.
I also love Darius' friends and now that we have a sequel... why not make it into a series? I would love to learn more of Darius, his friends and what he does after school. I also would love to know what happens to him and Chip...
Manuel Soto struggles with anxiety (and ptsd) after witnessing gun violence. He deals with that by taking pictures and this way anchoring himself. He Manuel Soto struggles with anxiety (and ptsd) after witnessing gun violence. He deals with that by taking pictures and this way anchoring himself. He is also quite lonely until he is teamed up with Sebastian and Caysha for a group project and they become fast friends.
This one really touched me. I also suffer from anxiety and I also love photography. And I would like it to be known that I went to the library alone today (yay!). AND I sat down to read there, all by myself (double yay!!). Year ago I could barely leave the house by myself, proud of myself *round of applause*
It was a really sweet story about how life goes on even after something horrible. It felt like a reminder that even though sometimes it feels like the world goes on without you, you go on with it. Things get better. I kinda needed that today.
Also the art is absolutely gorgeous! And there are cows!! ...more
Darius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He's also dealing with clinical depressDarius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. He's also dealing with clinical depression, a disapproving dad, and a chronically anemic social life. On top of that, he is about to take his first trip to Iran to meet his grandparents. He is not okay! He is just like me!
Jokes aside, I really loved this book. It has been one of my most anticipated reads for quite some years already but I have a tendency to not like the books I am excited for. So glad, it wasn't the case this time.
Darius is such a relatable character and so is his situation and family. Not in the sense that I have family in Iran who I have never met but I do have grandparents who I barely see and our relationship is weird. Just like Darius always feels like he is disappointing his father, I always feel like I am disappointing my mother. Gut punch, if you know what I mean.
"That's all I ever knew how to do. Make tea." Relatable. Except I have ADHD and unfortunately four out of five times I forget that I was making tea. Then I either have a little cry and give up OR commit one of the most heinous crimes against humanity and reheat it in the microwave. And then usually forget the tea in there until I next need to use my microwave. Otherwise - I make great tea!
I want it on the record that I had to get up at 1.30am last night to make myself a snack because all the talk of food made me so hungry. I also wanted tea but due to the late hour I played it safe and didn't do it. Just like Darius, I am not okay and I am not sure my mental health would be able to handle failed cup of tea.
Was this book what I was expecting it to be? No. Am I disappointed about that? No, not really. I do think I would have loved it a bit more if I had read this a few years earlier. Yes, I am aware of the problem I am causing by being scared of reading my anticipated reads. I did still really enjoy this book and I am very excited to read the sequel! ...more
I don't know who is more surprised of that three stars, you or me.
I have absolutely adored the series so far but this one just didn't make me feel liI don't know who is more surprised of that three stars, you or me.
I have absolutely adored the series so far but this one just didn't make me feel like the other books did. Could be because I read most of it yesterday when I had 39 fever and was high on pain medication.
It's weird. I really related to the uni struggle, I didn't know what to do for the longest time. Or I did think I knew. But then I took two gap years for the sake of my mental health and realised I actually had no idea. Now I am studying to become a librarian, yayyy! Yes, I am turning my hyperfixation into career.
No, wait. I know why I did not like this one as much as the others. It's the sex. It was covered really beautifully and I can appreciate that. I just don't get it *waves ace flag confusedly*. And because this book mainly focuses on first time etc. I was kinda bored.
For the record, I don't have fever anymore but I am still lowkey high on the pain medication. If I make even less sense than usually that's why.
Beautiful poetry but it did leave me feeling rather underwhelmed. Like it wasn't finished? Like it's missing something?
The one about Romeo and JulietBeautiful poetry but it did leave me feeling rather underwhelmed. Like it wasn't finished? Like it's missing something?
The one about Romeo and Juliet though? I need to lay down.
Also, I have a confession to make. I did not know who Megan Fox was before reading this book. I think I have really succeeded in my goal to know as little as possible about American media....more
I hope Sonora Reyes’ pillow is always cool on both sides! <3
This is definitely not the most lighthearted read as the themes of sexual harassment, sexuI hope Sonora Reyes’ pillow is always cool on both sides! <3
This is definitely not the most lighthearted read as the themes of sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape etc. are being discussed throughout the whole book. And yet, I have never been happier while reading a book.
I was undiagnosed autistic nonverbal child who grew up hating themselves for that. I was always told there was something wrong with me, that I wasn’t just trying hard enough. I wish that little child could have read a book like this; with a main character like Ariana who would have made me feel little less alone.
I loved Ari. I loved all of these characters and their friendship. I was so happy when Ari started talking with them and I really related to that because I now have a similar friend group too (I know y’all reading this - hi <3) and I never had something like that before.
Luis… I hope he knows how lucky he is that he is a fictional character because otherwise I would leave no stone unturned in order to find him and ruin his life myself.
There were some things that I didn’t like that much and some things I wish were touched on a bit more but I just don’t care about any of that. If I could I would give this book million stars solely for the sake of Ariana Ruiz. I love her. I would do anything for her.
We as society deserve more nonverbal main characters (by society I mean ME, I deserve more nonverbal main characters!).
I am going to lie down on the floor now and think about this book for the next several hours....more
"She's doing her best to love you the way she knows how, and her best maybe just isn't enough." had me sobbing.
trigger warnings for this book: eating"She's doing her best to love you the way she knows how, and her best maybe just isn't enough." had me sobbing.
trigger warnings for this book: eating disorders (I talk about this in my review), fatphobia, and the death of a loved one
This book really struck me because I was Val. I am Val. And I have never been her either. I used to have a really bad relationship with my mother just like Val. Just like her, our relationship has finally started to get better after I moved away from home.
I used to struggle with eating a lot as a child too, though never like Val does. My problem was always that I was an undiagnosed neurodivergent child who did not want to eat food because the texture was weird or the color was weird or the shape was weird. And then I also forget to eat because I don't feel hunger. I was accused of doing it on purpose by several medical professionals, and that took a toll on me. I started to wonder what if I actually did do it on purpose. (For the record, no, I did not do it on purpose. I am once again neurodivergent person and yes, I do struggle with eating but not on purpose.)
So, I have always had a rather difficult relationship with food. In a weird way, it's really comforting to read books like this because it is a proof to me that, no, it wasn't like that for me. I truly did not do any of it on purpose. I don't do it on purpose. Does that make sense?
Overall, the art is really beautiful and the story moved so naturally that I was surprised when I turned the last page. This book deals with the topics of eating disorder and grief in a very gentle way. Though if you are currently dealing with disordered eating or recovering, it might be triggering.
Well... it could be me this time. Or it could not be me - whichever way it is, I did not like this book very much.
I don't read much romance but I do Well... it could be me this time. Or it could not be me - whichever way it is, I did not like this book very much.
I don't read much romance but I do like good old fake dating. And as the self-proclaimed president of the enemies to lovers club, I was intrigued by this book.
This book is sold as romance *checks notes* yes, it is. So, why do I feel like the romance was the sub-plot? To me, the main focus seemed to be on the ongoing competition of the two main characters on which one has the harder life. And like, they do have hard lives. But what about the romance? Wasn't this supposed to be a romance book? I don't know, maybe that is something that regularly happens in romance - like I said, I don't read much of it.
Anyways, I could have dealt with that. Maybe. If I even liked either of the main characters. But I didn't! Which feels rather horrible to say considering their lives but I just didn't care. The other main character's siblings were my favourite, I loved them. But I can't even say which main character's siblings they were - that's how little I cared. Sorry.
I also couldn't see the chemistry between the main characters. I don't understand why they got into the whole fake dating thing, it made absolutely no sense to me. Like if your friends think you and the person you can't stand would make an adorable couple, just say no? Maybe hot take but I think you should be able to say no to your friends and your friends should listen to you when you say no. And I do not understand how they ended up actually falling for each other. My guess is that they spent too much time together and Stockholm Syndromed each other. I think that's the only way I would fall for someone I hated.
Maybe romance is not for me because I keep trying to imagine myself in these situations and just keep going nope to every single one. That would make sense.
To end on a positive note; I ADORE the cover. Love the colours....more
So.... I don't understand what I just read. Maybe it's the heat that has melted my last two brain cells? It probably is the heat like what do you meanSo.... I don't understand what I just read. Maybe it's the heat that has melted my last two brain cells? It probably is the heat like what do you mean it's 28°c in MAY??????
The writing was beautiful at times though and quite literally had me on the floor at times (it's once again the heat). Like what do you mean; "People preserve beauty because of their obsession with immortality. They are slaves of dead art." ?????
Feeling so normal about that quote.
I'm going to go lay down on the floor some more because it's way too hot for me to think....more
This is in no way a _bad_ collection of poetry but all I can think of when reading poetry is my teacher in high school saying; "all poetry is...well.
This is in no way a _bad_ collection of poetry but all I can think of when reading poetry is my teacher in high school saying; "all poetry is good poetry as long as it makes you feel something". I felt nothing when reading this....more
Okay so.... I have been sleeping on this review for a literal week now but I still don't know what to say.
I get it, everyone grieves differently. ButOkay so.... I have been sleeping on this review for a literal week now but I still don't know what to say.
I get it, everyone grieves differently. But I just couldn't understand the thought process of these characters. And they all were low-key very toxic...
The writing was beautiful though. Like: "- then I pull myself out of this reimagining because I can't change our history. I can't begin remembering you wrong." and "I've said enough to everyone here, but there's still so much I have to tell you."
Maybe my dislike has a lot to do with the fact that I lost one of my dearest friends - quite some years ago. Our friend group did drift apart after but I could never imagine us hurting each other like this. I know the pain of the characters and couldn't still understand their actions.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death, abortion, homophobia, compulsions, OCD, loss of loved one, grief, panic attacks, drowning, sex ...more
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