It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
Would our unwritten books become restless from being ignored?
What form would they take if they came to life?
Would meeting this character please us … or should we just start running now?
Wait, no, that’s not right. We ask these three W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
★★☆☆☆ || Goodreads
I read this because so many people said it was great, and I’m clearly the odd duck out here. To be fair, I think the ultimate rating for this is going to depend on your answer to the following question: which is more important for you, the journey or the ending? If it’s the journey, this would’ve been three to four stars for me. Ruth Ware can obviously create an atmosphere, okay? There was all sorts of creepiness and spooky legends, etc. But me? I’m an ending girl. I want grand conclusions and an ending that makes the journey worth culminating into. This book wrapped up in the last three pages, and I was so mad with the way it ended that I had no words for it. I made a sound somewhere between an icy-hand-on-the-back gasp and a strangled cat yowl. It wasn’t pretty. My other big qualm was that it took over 100 pages (of a 300-page book) for anything real substantial to happen, and by then, I sort of realized that I hate all the characters. They were horrible people (and I love horrible people, but no, not that sort).
A Lush and Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
Since this is two short stories, and they’re very different, I’m going to split this up between the two, because I had very different experiences with them.
The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky (★★☆☆☆)
This was a really long, meandering slog to me that ultimately didn’t pay off. Actually, I don’t even know what was going on in the end of this one. It just suddenly … stopped. I need someone to explain this to me. I didn’t particularly care about any of the characters in this, didn’t care about their plight, and there was only one section that really caught my attention and had me wanting to read more. The rest was just too slow for me, to the point where it totally undid the spots where Jacobs did a really good establishing a creepy atmosphere. It seems like most of the other reviewers absolutely loved this, so maybe I’m just missing something?
My Heart Struck Sorrow (★★★★★)
This, folks, THIS WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT. This is the story I picked up this book hoping to encounter. It was told in two timelines: one in the present and one through a journal. It was so freaking creepy and well built with a deliciously dark atmosphere and a mystery that had me hooked from the start. The writing style was similar enough to the first story where I could tell it was obviously the same author (he has a very distinct style), but this didn’t suffer as much from the slowness, and the moments where there was a break from the heavy creep stuff to give the reader a bit of a breather didn’t suddenly destroy the atmosphere. TL;DR: READ THIS, GENTLEFOLK.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
★★★★☆ || Goodreads
When I started this I was like … whaaaat is even going on here. It took a couple pages for me to get used to his writing style (it’s been a long time, okay?) and a couple more for me to come to grips with what was actually going on. But I finally got it! This was a super quick read, but it was really cute and enjoyable. I knew what was happening to poor Pipkin from the start, but watching the journey through Halloween’s past was really fun, and I thought the ending was just too sweet.
The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Status: 32%
In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.
Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing—a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.
But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil’s Bible. The text of the Devil’s Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell … and Earth.
I was hoping to have this done by now, but … that clearly didn’t work out. Still trying to get this whole “work/life” balance thing down, but work is obviously winning this one.
I was totally enamored with this idea the minute I read the description, and I was so eager to pick this book up, and it really hasn’t disappointed so far. The world between Hell, Heaven, and the libraries (yes, multiple, and MILD EARLY SPOILER: Valhalla is one of them, and yes, we get to see it!).
The characters so far have been colorful, all very unique and different, and I just love them all for different reasons. They all have secrets they’re keeping close to their chest, and I want to know everything.
In short: I’m loving this so far. It’s pretty much what I’d hoped it would be. I’m sad that I haven’t had more time to read it, because I need MORE.
Wow, I am SO BEHIND on everything. OTL
So, my list hasn’t changed … like, at all? I mean, I guess I added one, but wow, I expected I’d be so much further than I am and it makes me sad, since I’m behind on ARCs now. By, like, a month. In my defense, I didn’t exactly foresee taking a second job.
ANYWAY, magic, a destroyed world, dystopian-esque future … yes, please. I’ve been excited to pick up Marrow Charm (even though I’m late, yes, I KNOW). Also, that cover? Gorgeous. And it has an alchemy quote there, so that makes me wonder if there’s going to be some alchemy going on (which yes, please, I’m all for that).
So I started reading A Lush and Seething Hell and got to page 32 and put it aside. I do want to pick it up again but boy that first story is sort of a yawner. But the fact that you loved the second one makes me happy and I’ll definitely be reading it!
Oh phew. I’m actually really glad that I’m not the only person who struggled with the first story. xD The reviews on Goodreads about the first one are SO POSITIVE that I thought I was clearly broken lol. The second one definitely drew me in much more. In fact, I actually had my Kindle die while reading it, and I had a panicked moment because I didn’t have a charger and I wasn’t home, so I had to go charge it in my car because I had to know what happened. xD
Enjoy your reading! Sad to see that turn of the key was not that good!
I’m listening to sea witch rising and will pick up Wicked fox later tonight!
(www.evelynreads.com)
oooh, I can’t wait to see what you think of Wicked Fox! I’ve been wanting to read that one. 😀 Hope you enjoy it.
But me? I’m an ending girl. I want grand conclusions and an ending that makes the journey worth culminating into
IIII TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY GET YOU.
sometimes i can hate a story but if i get a great ending it can somewhat redeem itself in my eyes.
ruth ware has always been hit or miss for me. idk sometimes i am blown away and other times it’s very meh. i’ve been seeing so many mixed things about this book so i’m wary about reading it. maybe someday.
i will most definitely be reading my heart struck sorrow because that title is everything and your review sounds PERFECT.
I’M SO GLAD I’M NOT ALONE. *clings to you*
I’m the same. If I felt lukewarm about a book, but an ending totally blows my mind or changes the way I interpret the rest of the book, I’m more likely to rate it higher. But that’s a double-edged sword, because then vice versa is also true, and a book can be a fine read until the ending, but if the ending is a letdown … welp, there goes that rating.
I hope you love it. <3 It's psychological horror (and a bit ... crass at times, I guess), but yes, the title is gorgeous and perfectly sums up the overall takeaway and it just was great. The ending *is* open-ended, and I'll caution about that. I mean, it's implied enough where I understood what was happening and it felt like a perfectly good wrap-up to me, but if you don't like those sorts of endings where you have to draw your own conclusions, that's going to be a bit of a letdown, I think.
So glad to A Lush and Seething Hell had such a strong finish for you. I’m definitely going to pick it up at some point. Perhaps Halloween next year, if not sooner (there’s just so many books). I hope you have a great week!
http://musewithmeblog.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesday-october-30-2019/
I hear you on there being too many books. xD I definitely think you’d like at least the second one, but hey, you might have better luck than I did with the first one, too. Depends how long you’re willing to wait for a story and how much of a payoff you expect at the end, I guess. I’m impatient and greedy. xD
I just discovered The Library of the Unwritten the other day and I’m INCREDIBLY intrigued! What an interesting concept! So glad to see it’s delivering so far!!
I took it on my morning walk with me (on the treadmill … I don’t walk outside while reading, because … yikes) and am now halfway done and can confidently say that it’s only been picking up since I wrote this post. xD I am really digging all these books this year where librarians get to be heroes, but also, this one is … nuanced. She’s both a hero and a villain, but really just human, which is nice. Plus, you know, high stakes, Heaven and Hell, demons and the like. Lots of fun stuff.
Well color me hyped!! I can’t wait to dive in!
So happy to see you’re excited about The Library of the Unwritten. I haven’t read it yet but the synopsis promises so many good things. Always nice to hear that the books itself also delivers. I look forward to reading your opinion of it when you’re done 😀
Definitely loving it so far! I’m halfway done and very disappointed that I have to go adult this afternoon rather than finish it. xD The synopsis pretty much sums it up, and the book just expands on that amazingness so far.
I’m glad you liked The Halloween Tree! I also found it confusing at first, but once I just went with it the story was so beautifully written that it was a perfect Halloween-month read.
I’m so sad that The Sea Dreams It Is The Sky didn’t work. I know nothing about it, but that title is amazing and I would have hoped the story lived up to its title.
It definitely was! Also, super quick, so I took it to a doctor’s appointment with me and was done by the time I left. xD
The title really is super amazing! The thing that annoys me the most with that, though, is that I have no idea where it came from! That line comes up a couple times in the story, but I never understood it or what it meant? Unless I missed something.
Huh, that’s weird that such a cool title has no background to it. I wonder where it came from.
I don’t know. The story said it was a saying in this imaginary country, but when I googled it, I just got links about the book. *shrug* It’s a mystery.
I’m behind on everything too. I have been reading blog tour books and shoving everything else to the backburner. My list this week was the same as last weeks but with a blog tour book shoved to the front of the list…sigh. I need to get organized.
When you figure out this whole “organization” thing, will you teach me, too? xD I was totally on top of things, and then this month sort of just … imploded lol.
I will…lol. I was organized until my SO got a new job and said we were moving to Texas. That’s when everything went sideways…lol.
So really, it’s all SO’s fault. xD
Haha, yup. Or it could be that I don’t do well with sudden change…lmao.
Hi! I had a very busy week in the office but I managed to finish A Monster Calls. Oh my heart!
Is it in pieces? Oh, gosh. But it was so worth it, right? It’s not quite what I was expecting going in, but I loved it. xD
Truly worth it!
Ooooh, The Library of the Unwritten sounds so interesting (and has such a gorgeous and intriguing cover)! I am all for books about books and libraries and librarians. I can’t wait to hear your overall thoughts on it!
And oooh, you got a second job? Congrats! What are you doing for it? (sorry if you’ve already answered this or talked about it before–it’s been a couple months since I’ve been able to read others’ posts)
Also, I totally feel ya on being behind on ARCs.
Ahhhh, I’ve so missed commenting on your posts and talking with ya! I hope you’re doing well–happy reading!
(Also, here’s my WWW Wednesday post if ya wanna check it out: http://www.areyoumybook.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/www-wednesday-october-30th-2019/)
As soon as I finish returning comments, I am actually going to sit down and finish it, because I had to put it aside RIGHT WHEN ALL THE BIG ENDING ACTION WAS HAPPENING to do some adult stuff. I’m so salty about it. Adult stuff can wait until the fate of Heaven and Hell are decided, okay?!
Ha, no worries! I always love talking about it (and yeah, I hear you. I feel like I miss a lot now, since I have less time to blog hop and comment and just ugh). I’m working at the local library now! Which is super exciting, but also eats a lot of my time. And I’m literally the ONLY person in the library that reads MG and YA work, so after a month there, I’m pretty much in charge of those sections, and I’m just … welp, I’m a bit lost. I’m about ready to start throwing books at kids and hoping they’ll read them lol.
Screw commenting–go finish the book, girl! 😉 And people just need to get it into their heads and realize that life is not allowed to move forward when you’re in the middle of a good book
Okay, good! And ahhh, blog hopping–it makes me so sad that there are so many posts I’ll never be able to go back and read.
And that sounds really fun! Wait, is your first job also being a librarian somewhere? That’s a bummer that no other librarian appreciates YA & MG, but at least you’re working with books you enjoy?!? Bahaha, yes, throw books at kids. Maybe that’ll knock some sense into them and they’ll realize that they should read books more 😂
There should be a “sorry, I’m almost done with this book, come back in an hour” pause button for life. And everyone should understand that this trumps other things. But I diiiid manage to finish it, and it was so worth it.
No, my first job is doing transcription, so it’s independent contractor flex hours. Which is the only reason I was able to take a job at the library. xD I am, though! I set up a display for the upcoming Goodreads Choice Awards, and I’m sure I’m the only person in this building who’s excited about them, but oh well. I’ll be excited enough for everyone. It’s okay.
(lol, here I am, replying almost 2 weeks later)
Yesss, there should be a button! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the book
And aaah, gotcha ya. Maybe I had heard ya previously mention being a librarian and got confused? Who knows? And omg, I love it! Haha, I’M excited for you and your library! Wish my library did a display for it…
Ooh I love the cover for The Library of the Unwritten!
Me, too! It was such a good book!
I want to read Library of the Unwritten so bad! The premise just sounds too good to pass up!
It was soooo good. Exactly what I was hoping for and then some. I can’t wait for more books (since it’s apparently a series?). :3