What is your current read and what did you just finish reading? - Page 3

Originally posted by: Bee222

Yeah, I've never been much of a pure romance reader 😅 kabhi kabhi when I'm in the mood for something light, I read a romcom like this, or a historical fiction maybe, just to give my mind a quick snack to feel happy about

But I love romance as a subgenre! Like a paranormal romance, fantasy romance, dystopian romance or romance thrillers... all of these are great ❤️ I really enjoy romance as a subplot

Just not as the main plot. I usually get bored with those

Which is strange bcz I really enjoy watching romcoms. They're my favourite!!! I love them with all my life

(Yes, I'm aware that my choices make no sense 90% of the time. I know. But I'm used to it now 🤣😭)

About the friends, I wasn't talking in terms of their interference actually. More like how fleshed out they were as characters. It just felt like they were there just for the sake of being there, you know? Sort of like cardboard cutout characters, doing stuff that they've been laid out to do so the blueprint can be followed out. I didn't feel any real connection with them 😅 I get that they were supposed to be close friends, but there was no real moment in the book where I actually felt that bond, yk? So yeah, I just wish they had a bit more impact in the story. That's what I meant 😅

Do share your review if you find it. I read the book a couple months back so there might be stuff I've forgotten already 🙈 I just haven't had the chance to enjoy any sort of fiction lately 😭😭 Here's to hoping that changes soon 🥺🤞🏼

Love Theoretically is in my TBR I think. But I'll probably read a mystery next, whenever that is. Either that or fantasy. You can give recs!

(I'm also going to College Street next week, which is my city's book market. I'm looking forward to some new books!! Yay 😍🥳)

I love both romcoms and Romance books!

I find they're easy reads and I prefer my recreational reading to be light and not too stressful on my brain . I'm actually reading a fantasy/ paranormal? romance right now based on time travel but not enjoying it too much. Either I'm in a reading slump or the book is not very well-written. I think it's the latter or perhaps I'm just not getting into the author's narration style.

Here you go!

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/162792527

Originally posted by: Bee222

My last read was The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Current read (more like about to start) - A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

I'm barely getting any time to read these days 😭😭

Ooo, I plan to read (well, listen) to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder sometime this year! One, it's been on my TBR forever, and two, there's a show coming out.

Originally posted by: Leenaaa

How is it going, T? I've heard it's too graphic.

It is graphic, but only where it is required. Since the theme of the book is women losing their agency and rights due to a monotheistic totalitarian government, the book does a good work depicting downsides of it in all aspects of the lives of women. Especially the Handmaids (who are just sexual slaves for breeding purposes). The style of the prose is stream of consciousness.

The book is called dystopian, but the author was known to carry newspaper cuttings to her interviews to prove that she had based her novel on reality (but from different eras/countries/governments). I still have a long way to go before I finish the book

There is also a graphic novel for the Handmaid's Tale. I haven't had a chance to look at it. The theme of the book is quite dark and heavy so I don't know if I can go through it immediately after reading this. If I can I will because I heard the graphic novel has equally good illustrations.

Originally posted by: Bee222

Thanks for the tag Tia!

How was Cursed Child btw? 😅 I've only read snippets from that book and it didn't interest me enough. I might've picked it up properly again, but all the reviews have permanently scared me off

Bee, it's good to see you ❤️🤗

Spoilers ahead!

It's good. I like the character arcs for most characters – especially Harry, Albus and Scorpius have a good character arcs. And it's an interesting plot.

But it did not feel like other Harry Potter series. The essence of HP series is Harry and his two friends. Here the highlight is Albus and Scorpius's friendship, and so in this process the connection between the Golden trio gets undermined.

Especially, I did not like the way Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are depicted in the play, and they were my favourite characters in the book. At places, it looked like the playwrights were inspired by movie versions of Hermione and Ron (“Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?” "Of course you are overthinking, Tia, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" )

Hermione was like just another Minister of Magic, albeit an honest one. I could not see her personal connection to the adventure she was embarking on, I could not feel she would compel herself to do the same thing if she did not have this political power. But that never happened in the books we could always see the heart behind the brain for Hermione. Not here though.

Ron Weasley seems like a more like a plot device. How otherwise could he notice Albus and Scorpius with Delphi at the Hogwarts Owlery while just casually returning from Hogsmeade? Makes no sense! When Draco and Harry are standing up for Hermione, Ron doesn't feel it is his duty to stand up and support his wife because the issue is not directly related to his kids? I don't know this, Ron. 😭 They have ruined his character sketch.

Draco Malfoy gets a good arc, but he can easily be a villain too who is gaslighting others to think he does not support Voldemort anymore (because he hides the fact he has another Time Turner and doesn't reveal to the Ministry (aka Harry and Hermione) until his son is deep into danger). Oh, and he says in one scene he likes being bossed by HG and Ron has no reaction. WT@# 💀

Now coming to the major loophole in an important scene where Delphi kidnaps Albus and Scorpius. Let's keep in mind that this is post-War Hogwarts, which means logically, more magical security in the campus. It was mentioned ample number of times both in books and movies that in Hogwarts a History it is written that it is not possible for a wizard or witch to apparate into or out of or from place to place within Hogwarts under normal circumstances (except House Elves and probably Dumbledore), and that was pre-War. So, how did Delphi apparate into Hogwarts from outside to kidnap the kids? 😭

So, my review is, Cursed Child is good because of its plot and character arcs for its main characters. But it is not HP series that we know, because they have clearly ruined it.

Originally posted by: Bhavisweet03

I am not getting any time to read any book. But yeah if something nice you can give me some recommendations

Sure, would love to recommend 😊

What kind of genre do you normally find interesting?

Originally posted by: DreamOfEndless

Bee, it's good to see you ❤️🤗

Spoilers ahead!

It's good. I like the character arcs for most characters – especially Harry, Albus and Scorpius have a good character arcs. And it's an interesting plot.

But it did not feel like other Harry Potter series. The essence of HP series is Harry and his two friends. Here the highlight is Albus and Scorpius's friendship, and so in this process the connection between the Golden trio gets undermined.

Especially, I did not like the way Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are depicted in the play, and they were my favourite characters in the book. At places, it looked like the playwrights were inspired by movie versions of Hermione and Ron (“Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?” "Of course you are overthinking, Tia, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" )

Hermione was like just another Minister of Magic, albeit an honest one. I could not see her personal connection to the adventure she was embarking on, I could not feel she would compel herself to do the same thing if she did not have this political power. But that never happened in the books we could always see the heart behind the brain for Hermione. Not here though.

Ron Weasley seems like a more like a plot device. How otherwise could he notice Albus and Scorpius with Delphi at the Hogwarts Owlery while just casually returning from Hogsmeade? Makes no sense! When Draco and Harry are standing up for Hermione, Ron doesn't feel it is his duty to stand up and support his wife because the issue is not directly related to his kids? I don't know this, Ron. 😭 They have ruined his character sketch.

Draco Malfoy gets a good arc, but he can easily be a villain too who is gaslighting others to think he does not support Voldemort anymore (because he hides the fact he has another Time Turner and doesn't reveal to the Ministry (aka Harry and Hermione) until his son is deep into danger). Oh, and he says in one scene he likes being bossed by HG and Ron has no reaction. WT@# 💀

Now coming to the major loophole in an important scene where Delphi kidnaps Albus and Scorpius. Let's keep in mind that this is post-War Hogwarts, which means logically, more magical security in the campus. It was mentioned ample number of times both in books and movies that in Hogwarts a History it is written that it is not possible for a wizard or witch to apparate into or out of or from place to place within Hogwarts under normal circumstances (except House Elves and probably Dumbledore), and that was pre-War. So, how did Delphi apparate into Hogwarts from outside to kidnap the kids? 😭

So, my review is, Cursed Child is good because of its plot and character arcs for its main characters. But it is not HP series that we know, because they have clearly ruined it.

My honest opinion, I didn't like it that much. It was okay-ish for me. With the time Turner, I expected a lot from it!! Something like Prisoner of Azkaban.. it was a disappointment for me.

And yes, they ruined Ron's character here. I love Ginny tho..

I have read the HP series 4 times, but couldn't bring myself cursed child a second go.

May be because I had high expectations, I felt it wasn't worth my time. You don't get bored, but for me it's a one time read only..

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

I love both romcoms and Romance books!

I find they're easy reads and I prefer my recreational reading to be light and not too stressful on my brain . I'm actually reading a fantasy/ paranormal? romance right now based on time travel but not enjoying it too much. Either I'm in a reading slump or the book is not very well-written. I think it's the latter or perhaps I'm just not getting into the author's narration style.

Here you go!

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/162792527

For me it's always mysteries, thrillers, some sort of suspenseful shit going on 😂 My favourite genre as a child used to be horror, then shifted to fantasy, then dystopia, for a brief period it was romance and now I'm all about mysteries I still love all the previous ones though, you can give me anything as long as there's some kind of epic suspense in the main plot of the story ❤️❤️

Your read sounds exactly like my sorta thing though! what is the name? Maybe I can check it out... when I get the time 😭

Also, I just read your review and I think we had the same opinions of the book mostly the only difference is that you have high standards when it comes to romance whereas I was just looking for something light to distract me and cheer me up So I ended up more satisfied than you

The biggest pro for me was also the academia backdrop for the FL. All her struggles and frustrations, how much effort you have to put into academia only to have sloooww dragging results, hurdles and hurdles to cross but without the 💲💲 that other professions offer. Like you said in your review, academia is the worst but it's also the best and this can only be felt and described by someone who has actually been there. I genuinely loved that about the book and it's what made me interested to read more from the author.

I loved Olive as an MC. She was very relatable and so kind, with just the right amount of crazy to make me like her But yeah, now that I think back on it, I did find it a little strange just how far she was willing to go to convince her friends about stuff. I forgot her bestie's name but I wanted her to just get with that guy already. Like, your friend is actively telling you she's okay with it, then why won't you move on 😭 instead you just make it awkward for both of you 😭 But at the same time, I did understand her dilemma. I thought it was sweet, the way both the girls wanted to make sure that the other could be happy.

But later during the fake dating period, I did think her bestie was a bit pushy 😅 Like, let them be! If they're not comfortable with PDA, then that's fine. Not everyone has the same pace in relationships, maybe they're not there yet or maybe they are when they're alone but they don't wanna be public about it. I didn't like how it was the friend that basically pushed all their interactions to happen (but I did like the results of those interactions, so I guess I just dealt with it )

Tbh so many of the fake dating stuff I've read involves trying to convince the friends bcz you're too embarrassed to say the truth to them. I don't think that's a healthy friendship where you have to go to this extent to hide stuff from each other, but at the same time I understand. Some friends are just that invested in your life. And sometimes you have insecurities and it's just difficult to be fully honest with others, even if it's your friends. Specially if it's your friends (bcz their opinion matters so much to you). So yeah, I've learnt to ignore fictional pushy friends at this point, especially when it comes to the fake dating trope. It's almost expected that there's gonna be at least one pushy friend in there

What did disappoint me was how flat and two dimensional the friends felt. The author did try to make them interesting but I feel like she may have... tried too hard? Idk but I felt like they just existed to make sure the love story happens b/w the MCs. In the end the female bestie had like some (club?) meeting being planned out bcz apparently she'd managed to achieve it for the BIPOC women (?) I'm really hazy on what exactly it was but I didn't feel involved at all. It totally felt like a last moment addition to make sure that the reader knew that the friend was also doing something important and meaningful. Felt quite rushed and weird. At least I vibed better with the male bestie. Although again, felt very convenient that he'd end up with the ML's friend But they were cute so I didn't mind. Waise bhi I watch ITV, can't really complain about things being too silly or convenient 🙈

Two things that I disagree with you on — the leads' chemistry and the forced proximity. The first one might be bcz I didn't really go in looking for too much, but I did enjoy their scenes together and felt a fair bit of chemistry, though I will admit that I've read better stuff in fewer words before 😅 But it was good enough for me.

Two, forced proximity is a stupid trope and I never like it when it appears I think their sex scene was good enough, but yeah, I wish it was under different circumstances or at least written a bit better? If you're gonna give me forced proximity and expect me to like it, you better serve it with some INTENSE chemistry and growing tension!! None of that was here, so nah.

(But you didn't like the sex scene either, so this is an agree/disagree situation I think? )

Why are my answers always one line or one whole essay 😭 i do not know how to keep it moderate length, I'm sorry 😭

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Ooo, I plan to read (well, listen) to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder sometime this year! One, it's been on my TBR forever, and two, there's a show coming out.

It's been on my TBR forever too! I used to think it was a standalone but apparently it's a series? Anyway but I've heard such good things about it ❤️

I didn't know about the show though! 😅 What's the name? Where's it gonna stream?

Originally posted by: Bee222

It's been on my TBR forever too! I used to think it was a standalone but apparently it's a series? Anyway but I've heard such good things about it ❤️

I didn't know about the show though! 😅 What's the name? Where's it gonna stream?

So I checked and it's adapted for TV by the BBC, so it's not like Prime or Netflix original or something. But based on past BBC shows, if it does end up on a streaming platform, it will mostly likely be on Hulu and/or Prime. I already know the main actress from other projects, but I was looking up the actor playing the main male character and this is definitely his first project (other than his insta and IMDB, there's not a lot about him online).

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Current Read: I've talked about this on here before, but I'm finally picking up The Mindf*ck series by S.T. Abby. And since that's on ebook, I'm also reading the paperback for Final Offer by Lauren Asher.

Just Finished:

I read a lot of books simultaneously, so I just finished re-listening to Popstar by Eden Finley. (If you have any sort of access to audiobooks and would enjoy m/m romance, I highly recommend anything in the Sadenverse, which are series that are all interconnected and written by two authors - Eden Finley and Saxon James. Truly what got me into audiobooks because they have some of the most charismatic narrators ever!)

I finished these around the same time so I'm going to count it; I re-read the Ms. Marvel comics (yes, the whole series) and I also read a couple children's books just for work-related purposes. (Off the top of my head, I read "We Are Water Protectors," "Molly's Tuxedo," "My Two Border Towns," and "A Song of Frutas.")

UPDATE: I got halfway through Final Offer yesterday and got incredibly frustrated/bored with it, so I thought I'd start Mindf*ck instead... took all night, but I flew through all five books and I get the hype now! It did put me in a weird headspace though just because of the content, and I had meet up with people today, so to kind of just snap me out of it, I started listening to Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James (got all the way to chapter 24 before I came home).