Let’s talk about a book that ripped my skin open

and poured salt all over the wound. I am definitely not over it. This novel is Dark Academia and I am weirdly drawn to that story theme. I love Dead Poet’s Society and Kill Your Darlings. I love films about literature and academia. But, these are not the only reasons why I love this novel. I like the relationship between the characters and the drama.

Goodreads: On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it.

Ten years ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extra. But in their fourth and final year, the balance of power begins to shift, good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and on opening night real violence invades the students’ world of make believe. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent.

This book captivated me and had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t stop reading it and I had to know what would come next. I felt all kinds of emotions. When I finished, I collapsed on the bed and made ugly, pathetic sounds. How can fictional characters affect me so much? I was obsessed! I couldn’t sleep! Days passed and I was still very affected. I love books that bother me. This would make a good movie adaptation, but hopefully with more diversity. Representation is important. ☾

Hello

It’s been a while. Hello. I’ve been spending a lot of my time reading. I have already finished four novels this year. I am three books ahead of schedule on my reading challenge this year. Something that simple makes me happy because I want to read so many books this year.

My goal for this year is higher than last year even when I couldn’t finish my 20 book reading challenge. Honestly, I blame the holidays! – and maybe other things as well. Anyway, I think I can finally win against myself this time. House of Furies was very interesting and it left me wanting more from it. I hope the author show more of it’s world in the next one. It has a bit of a uniqueness to it. The Handmaid’s Tale was a very good read. The writing style kept me reading. I really enjoyed this novel even when it lead me to darkness. After that I needed some cheering up, so I thought maybe a light read would help. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe has an irresistible title. I thought that it would be fluffy. I was wrong. It was light but it wasn’t fluffy. The story was still pretty good. I’ve been working on reading I Am Malala for months. It’s a really good book. I love how Malala tells her story. Learning about the Swat Valley and her family was really nice. I learned a lot about Pakistan too. I didn’t imagine I would be crying at the end, but I did. I cried a lot. The memoir left me with a good feeling. It inspired me to learn more and read more about stories that are similar. I have listed A Thousand Splendid Suns in my to-read list because Malala and Emma Watson have said good things about it. 

I am just so excited to read books this year and maybe earn money. I also want to learn more things. I think 2017 was the year of learning for me in a way. I want to learn in a different way this year. I hope good things happen. ☾