Book Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Book Review
Title: Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley
First published: 1818
Pages: 170


Summary on Goodreads:
Begun when the author was only eighteen and conceived from a nightmare, Frankenstein is the deeply disturbing story of a monstrous creation which has terrified and chilled readers since its first publication in 1818. The novel has thus seared its way into the popular imagination while establishing itself as one of the pioneering works of modern science fiction.



Review:
This novel was marvelous. It surely was a page turner for me considering the fact I finished it in only two sittings. I’m glad I chose this book to read for my English literature class, because I feel as if it has changed me in a way. I felt so bad for the monster, in fact, I hated calling him ‘monster’ because I felt as if he was the kindest man in the entire novel. I hated Victor though, I’m not exaggerating my feelings towards this character. He created this life, but abandoned it. He didn’t leave it at that, but didn’t forget to call him names every time he came to mind. I was so frustrated throughout the novel. 

I don’t know if Mary Shelley wanted her readers to feel bad for Victor, but if that was the case, it didn’t really work for me. He was the true monster in my opinion. Maybe Mary Shelley tried to make the monster look bad for killing people, but even then I didn’t consider him bad.

Overall, I entirely lost myself in this novel. This was definitely a master piece. No doubt one of the best classics I read.

I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading an impressive horror novel.

Review: ★★★★★


Book Review: The Veldt by Ray Bradbury

Book Review
Title: The Veldt
Author: Ray Bradbury
Pages: 45 pages

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Summary on Goodreads:
The advanced technology of a house first pleases then increasingly terrifies its occupants.

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Review:
This short story was written in the 50's. Back then technology was evolving rapidly and the most important year in the 50's was the year of hope. This was the year 1958, a very prestigious year. The world exposition in Brussels was one among the things that took place. Technology was so important that people even thought world peace would come because of it. 

I believe the importance of technology to people made Bradbury want to write this story. This short story was astonishing. I can even say that this was one of the most interesting stories I had to read last semester for college. It has a rather strong message in my opinion. One of the things that happened in the story was that when entering a room, the room was lit. At my house, I have this system already. How long will it take before the other examples from the story will take place? I don’t think a room could be filled with real lions just by thinking about it, but the other things, things that make us lazy, will surely appear soon. 

Just like stated in the story, technology will take over the role of the parents and that’s what I’m most afraid of. 

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to read a short, but very inspirational real.

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Book Review
Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Pages: 273




Summary on Goodreads:
Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words – and tired of his safe, boring and rather lonely life at home. He leaves for boarding school filled with cautious optimism, to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.




Review:
John Green was not an unknown author for me before I started reading this book. Actually, I listened to A fault in Our Stars less than a year ago and enjoyed it. That's why a friend of mine got me this book. I expected a lot from John Green. Maybe that's the reason I gave it less stars than I usually give a book. The thing is, I didn't care much about the characters. I couldn't care about Alaska at all. It's not like "Oh, you didn't like her, that's why you didn't enjoy this book as much." No, the point is, I didn't like her, but I didn't dislike her either. I just didn't care. Not about Alaska, Miles or any other character for that matter. I guess that's the reason why the thing that happened left me emotionless. 

I wasn't satisfied with the ending either, "So, this was it?" was the first thing that came to mind. The big revelation didn't seem so big to me. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate this book, I finished it in one sitting, but that's because of the writing style. I can say that I enjoyed that at least enough to give it three stars.

Rating: ★★★☆☆


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Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins

Book Review
Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephenie Perkins
Pages: 400




Summary on Goodreads:
Anna has everything figured out - she was about to start senior year with her best friend, she had a great weekend job, and her huge work crush looked as if it might finally be going somewhere... Until her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away to Paris. On her own.



Review:

The first thing I have to say about this book is that it was hands down the best chick lit I ever read. I was so caught up in the story that I read till 3AM before even noticing the time. So alluring that I forgot to have breakfast this morning.


Paul Sweeney once said: "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." 
And this is exactly how I feel right now.



The story had everything to form a perfect love story. I loved how real Anna was. I could totally relate to her. And Étienne! Oh my god, he's just amazing! Not amazing in a way that it's impossible meet someone like that in real life, but perfectly amazing in a believable way. Not only the love story, but the friendships that were formed were also very intriguing. To be honest, I didn't expect this book to leave me with such astonishment, but I am so glad it did. I am absolutely going to read more of Stephanie Perkins.

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Book Review
Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty
Author: Libba Bray
Pages: 403



Summary on Goodreads:
A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy—jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.


 Review:

"Your mind is not a cage. It's a garden. And it requires cultivating."

This is only one of the quotes I marked on my e-reader while reading this novel. Never has the language of a book inspired me this much. 

Aside from the language, some kind of magic happened when I was reading this book. In all 24 years of my life, I've never been able to read a single sentence in a moving car. I even tried it two weeks ago and vowed never to try that again. But today! I've read for 8 hours straight in a car! We're traveling and I was bored out of my mind so started reading and nothing bad happened!! It's magic!

Okay, on to the book, what an incredibly interesting read was this novel!! I've learned so much about Victorian England. As a history student, I already knew a great deal about that era, but I still acquired new information! The way those girls acted left me in awe. To think that people really believed that women couldn't be bothered with many decisions because it would be too much for them is appalling. 

I'm so glad I've read this novel! Can't wait to get the 2nd and 3th book!

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a light mystery novel with a twist of history in it as well.


Rating: ★★★★★

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