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Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Thirteen Reasons Why in Books

Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Jan 31, 2020)  
Thirteen Reasons Why
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher | 2009 | Children
10
8.4 (49 Ratings)
Book Rating
I first read this novel almost 7 years ago, I think. Maybe 8. Either way, it's been a decent amount of time since I last read this book and to be honest, I've been really nervous to revisit it. I know that there is a lot of controversy about it, and even more when it comes to the show, and ever since I first read the book, I've always been very protective of this story, these characters, this novel, all of it.

I find it incredibly amusing to read reviews of the show and the book of people that hate it and don't understand Hannah and think she just blamed everyone else and never took responsibility for her actions, and I partially understand. I can see why they think that but I think what makes this book so special and this story so special is how relatable it is. I think that unless you've been in Hannah's shoes, in her mindset, in that place than you can't understand. I think what people are most afraid to admit is that when someone dies by suicide, they do it for a culmination of reasons, and a lot of them are because of people - what they said, what they did or didn't do, what they say behind another person's back, etc. You hear stories in the news all the time about kids dying by suicide because they were bullied or because a bunch of people told them too, over and over and over again. People are mean and cruel and they do things that affect other people and it resonates. Each of the 13 people on her tapes all played a part. You can say she was blaming them or whatever you so please, but each of their actions created the circumstances for her to feel like she had nowhere else to go.

Again, I love this book. I love these characters, I love this plot, I love how real it is. I love the show, I love everything about it. I'm sure there are people who disagree with me. I'm sure there are people who vehemently protest this novel and its corresponding series, but I think this is a book that I will forever love, reread, and protect.

In a lot of ways, I am Hannah Baker. I think everyone is a little bit.
  
Alice Takes Back Wonderland
Alice Takes Back Wonderland
David D. Hammons | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I request this book on netgalley and was kindly sent a PDF version. Ohhhh my days! I love this story seriously I have fallen for it. Absolutely head over heels! If you are an Alice in wonderland fan or just a Disney fan you NEED this book in your life! It is completely different from Alice in wonderland and follows a different plot line and that in itself makes it refreshing and something new. New characters pop up through out which had me squealing in delight despite the fact I am 25 and should not be squealing but I did anyway! I really did love this book, and I feel like it's one I shall be re reading time and time again.
  
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Guy Garvey recommended For the Roses by Joni Mitchell in Music (curated)

 
For the Roses by Joni Mitchell
For the Roses by Joni Mitchell
1972 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I'm a fan of the album as a concept, but I'm in an album band that never discussed doing anything else and I never sit down and listen to one side on an LP, you know? I'll listen to both sides and that was with me from the beginning. She locked herself away in a cabin with no electricity to make that record. Just her own company and you hear the heartbreak start and end on that record. Genuinely, you know. She really had her heart ripped out and stomped on, and it's so full of love and yearning and adoration and then bitterness and recrimination. And again, it's just a resonant, beautiful thing and it captures a moment in time. And you know, everything from what I consider to be Joni's only swear in a song, she says in the song: 'Woman Of Heart And Mind': ""Drive your bargains/ Push your papers/ Win your medals/ Fuck your strangers/ Don't it leave you on the empty side?"" Can you imagine having that levelled at you? Like a machine gun of character assassination, but she says in the same song, ""You know the times you impress me most/ Are the times when you don't try/ When you don't even try"". It's great – songs, quite often, especially if it's lyric-heavy music, if it relies on the narrative, as Joni's stuff does, the stuff that deals earnestly and honestly with the grey areas, is what knocks me into next week. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, but of the three she is the best."

Source
  
The Haunting of Hill House- Season 1
The Haunting of Hill House- Season 1
2018 | Horror
I have been binge watching this with my mom and we both love the show. I'd heard from a few friends that the pacing is too slow and while I can see what they're talking about, I don't agree. I find the flashbacks and the ghost easter eggs as well as the ways the storylines are being brought together to be very satisfying. I really like that while it has them, it doesn't rely on jumpscares. The acting is hit or miss, but the main cast are all very talented. I would definitely recommend watching it, especially if you prefer old school horror.
  
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn
2017 | Action/Adventure
Absolutely stunning (0 more)
This is one of the best games all around that I have played in a long time. The story is amazing and really pulls you in. I felt like I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystery of the game. The graphics were gorgeously done, and there are so many little "extras" thrown in around the world that I'm still playing it, trying to find them all. I recommend this game to all of my rpg loving friends and I would love to see a sequel or even a prequel!
  
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
1966 | Classics, Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite Watch

"Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — that’s another one I rewatched recently. When I first saw that movie it made me feel bad. I didn’t fall in love with it. I loved The Graduate when I first saw it, but [Virginia Woolf], I wasn’t excited by it, because it seemed like there was a negativity about it. But when I watched it more recently I thought it was the most beautiful, inspired, exciting movie. Mike Nichols is one of the most inventive directors that we’ve had, and that’s one of the great, you know, it’s a great movie, and a stunning first film."

Source
  
The Assassin's Legacy (Minte and Magic Adventure #2)
The Assassin's Legacy (Minte and Magic Adventure #2)
D. Lieber | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun and engaging

Filled with fun, banter and cheeky assassins what's not to like?
    The Assassin's Legacy is a good all around read. I love the different themes, monsters, family dynamics and folklore. Sasha is a charming man that just wants a peaceful life..... Don't we all? I really feel for him, trying to leave his past behind but being pulled back in and not in a good way!
   A young adult plus read that will have you entertained from start to finish. Grab a cuppa, some biscuits and settle in for a cracking read.


 @Merissa
  
A Darker Shade of Magic
A Darker Shade of Magic
V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.2 (19 Ratings)
Book Rating
Alright you awesome nerds, listen up. I loved this book. Like, so much. Victoria Schwab is a master wordsmith and I cannot contain the excitement I have for this damn book and the entire series. So let me tell you of my love for this book in detail.

The characters are amazing.

I have a deep love for Kell, not only because he is the sassy, brooding male character, but because he is a genuinely great person. He wants to protect everyone he loves, even if that can sometimes be to a fault. He begrudgingly takes in this girl from a non-magical place and then becomes attached. Something I think he has a hard time understanding himself.

Delilah Bard is a superhero. She is a scrappy little street fighter who is going to one day rule the world. She wants to be free at any cost. That means trying not to make connections, to be able to keep herself alive, and have a little fun while doing it. She can hold her own against a magical Antari and won't think twice about it. She is so confident in herself that she doesn't have time for doubt. I admire her willingness to dive head first into any sign of trouble, even if that means risking her own life to do so. She claims to be this person who does not care, who only wants self preservation, but when she loves, she loves deeply. She, like Kell, will do anything she can to protect those close to her. And for some unknown reason to herself, she lets a couple of boys from a magical London close to her heart. I want to be Delilah.

Rhys is a beautiful french fry and I love him. Thank you Victoria for making his such a compelling character in the little amount of page time he gets in this book. I love him as much as I do Kell and Delilah (okay, well almost) and I just want what's best for him. He is the precious cinnamon roll too good for this world and I will stand by that forever. I hate whenever he thinks he is not strong enough. Hon, even if you are not magical, you are amazing. You can lead people, they listen to you. You are stronger than you think.

Holland is an ass. I did not like him from the first moment he came onto the page. I hate what he does and, ugh. Nope. Nope. Nope.

The plot was super interesting. I love the idea of multiple Londons and anchor points and magic. All of those were tied up in here! Woo! Even the villain in the book (which I won't say what it is because spoilers) is so cool. I did not expect anything to happen how it did. Overall, just excellent. Simply magnificent.

I picked this book up because I had read This Savage Song last year and fell in love with Schwab's writing. I knew I would feel the same with this book. It is rare for me to so instantaneously fall in love with characters. Most of the time it takes a while for me to warm up to them in the book, but not here. Nope. There was an instantaneous connection to the world, the characters, and the writing.

All in all, I guess you could say I liked this book. A lot. If you haven't read it yet, what are you still doing here reading this review? Go out and get it. Right now! Go!