Team !!TOO LIT TO QUIT!!: Book Talk Reading Challenge April 2025 - Page 27

Originally posted by: Bee222

But then again, I'm still wondering if me not liking the plot is just a me and my mood problem. Maybe it was just right book, wrong time? But something inside keeps telling me that I'm rationalising too much, that no matter when I read it, I wouldn't have liked it anyway 😅

How are you liking None of this is true? I read it last year and this book was what pulled me into reading Psychological thrillers. I remember staying up till 4 am to finish it!

I do see your point about Mondler similarities!

The amount of blurbs I read in a day is the amount of books Shonali reads in a day

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

The way I see it, a good book should be able to pull me out of the mood I’m in and suck me right in. Though I will admit the mood I’m in when I’m reading does determine how much I like a book, in this case I think it’s the author and the writing (for me) since I’ve read 3 of her books at different times (& diff moods) and still haven’t been able to get into any of them.

How are you liking None of this is true? I read it last year and this book was what pulled me into reading Psychological thrillers. I remember staying up till 4 am to finish it!

I do see your point about Mondler similarities!

True, that's true. A good book is one that gets you automatically invested. I guess I was trying not to be critical bcz so many ppl like this author (and this book) sm? And I was trying to find reasons why I didn't, and if I'd have liked it under different circumstances. But you're right, ultimately this book didn't do it for me.

For NOTIT, I started it yesterday during lunch and I finished it today during lunch, and I'm pretty sure if real life hadn't interfered I'd have finished it yesterday itself. That says something The buildup was great and it definitely had its ooh and unputdownable moments, also points where I was practically racing through the book to know more. The writing was crisp, ideal for a psych thriller, and I especially loved the way Josie was written. All in all, it was a good book. But I'm also a bit disappointed bcz I was expecting some more twists and turns from the story. I feel like my mind wasn't bended enough

I have mixed feelings about the ending bcz before then I was feeling kinda anticlimactic, so the ending made it a bit better with the twisty truth. But it also brought along the feeling of disappointment that this was it, nothing more coming outta this story now, no more twists or anything.

I needed more, and I definitely expected more 😅

Originally posted by: Bee222

True, that's true. A good book is one that gets you automatically invested. I guess I was trying not to be critical bcz so many ppl like this author (and this book) sm? And I was trying to find reasons why I didn't, and if I'd have liked it under different circumstances. But you're right, ultimately this book didn't do it for me.

For NOTIT, I started it yesterday during lunch and I finished it today during lunch, and I'm pretty sure if real life hadn't interfered I'd have finished it yesterday itself. That says something The buildup was great and it definitely had its ooh and unputdownable moments, also points where I was practically racing through the book to know more. The writing was crisp, ideal for a psych thriller, and I especially loved the way Josie was written. All in all, it was a good book. But I'm also a bit disappointed bcz I was expecting some more twists and turns from the story. I feel like my mind wasn't bended enough

I have mixed feelings about the ending bcz before then I was feeling kinda anticlimactic, so the ending made it a bit better with the twisty truth. But it also brought along the feeling of disappointment that this was it, nothing more coming outta this story now, no more twists or anything.

I needed more, and I definitely expected more 😅

Yeah, I agree - after that solid build-up, the ending does leave you dissatisfied. Still, I remember this book fondly because it got me out of a terrible reading slump and took me back to my school days when I would stay up all night to finish a book!

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Ikwym about NOTIT, the ending did leave me feeling some sort of way and I keep flipping the pages to see if there's more, an epilogue or something.

Yeah, I agree - after that solid build-up, the ending does leave you dissatisfied. Still, I remember this book fondly because it got me out of a terrible reading slump and took me back to my school days when I would stay up all night to finish a book!

Yeah exactly, I was like, so that's it? It's over? Nothing else?

Oh I completely get that. Agatha Christie's Cards on the Table holds a very similar position in my heart. I know it's not the best of her works, but I read it in the middle of a terrible slump and I genuinely enjoyed it sm that it got me into reading again. It also somehow lifted my spirits in what was a very depressing time for me, and gave me a boost of confidence. I don't even know how, but it did. Some books are just magical sometimes, and you have to love them for it

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

I'm finally getting around to starting the Percy Jackson series! I just finished Ch. 4 of The Lightning Thief - Annabeth just had her first ever line and I'm having so much fun with this book. (Not that I ever really doubted that I wouldn't like it - it might've been nearly 15 years ago, but I remember really liking The Lightning Thief when I first read it. I simply did not continue the series because 10-year-old me thought boys were disgusting and was not willing to read another book from a boy's POV. )

My thoughts so far:

• The book is incredibly funny in just the most unserious way.
• Rick Riordan's characterization is so distinct from the get-go, like, Percy's snark/humour is very different from Grover's (for example).
• I'm actually kind of mad that middle grade and children's books get to have fun chapter titles and YA/NA books don't. (At least from what I've seen.)
• I'm already incredibly attached to Percy's mom, Sally. The way Rick has written Percy to love her makes me love her as though she were my own mother.
• Pleasantly surprised by my own Greek mythology knowledge.

Got about halfway through Ch. 16 before I realized I wanted to note down some thoughts before I fly through the rest of the book.

• I love Sally Jackson a little bit more every time Percy mentions her, or we get just a little bit of backstory. She's the book equivalent of a TV dad. (There are many reasons why I hated the Percy Jackson movie but as I've been reading this book, never delving deep into Sally Jackson's role in the book was an insane choice, specifically her reasoning for staying with Smelly Gabe - that could've been easily added into the movie the same way they had done it in the book.)
• I did have to look up what Pinochle is... perfect choice in card game considering the characters involved and what I think one of the main themes is.
• I love the characterization of the gods and also their powers. For example, when you think of Dionysus, you remember him as the god of wine and pleasure. But as highlighted here, he's also the god of vegetation, hence the strawberry farm (excellent choice of income, strawberries cost an arm and a leg and then some). Another would the emphasis on Athena being the goddess of both wisdom and war, and the way that's shown through her children - particularly Annabeth who thirsts for a quest and constantly thinks of battle strategies, always 20 steps ahead of everyone else.
• My personal favourite pieces of writing characterizing Zeus: "Like a kindergartener over a toy." - pg. 130 (in reference to the master bolt) // "... trapped Zeus and wouldn't let him out until he promised to be a better ruler, right?" - pg. 137. They treat/think of Zeus as a child and I could not have written him better myself. Something about a powerful leader ruling with an iron fist and throwing a temper tantrum every time he doesn't get his way feels oddly familiar. (Maybe Rick Riordan is the one with the gift of prophecy, not Apollo.)
• Percy and I absolutely share a brain cell because if your ego is gonna be bruised if you don't get a cabin, despite having no children, at least offer to house some of the unclaimed like Hermes does. Like, imagine Hermes showing you up as a decent person.
• Olympus being in the Empire State Building vs the entrance to the Underworld being in Los Angeles - choose your fighter.
• Rick Riordan's insane re-writing of history. That's it.
• I need to know if Rick had someone particular in mind as Thalia's mother... I don't have any theories and I don't know if this is a big thing, but most of this series has already been spoiled for me so maybe just one suprise would be nice to have.
• "The usual nonsense..." - oh I just know that behind all this 'respect the gods' BS, Chiron is so sick and tired of the gods (full quote on pg. 135)
• I don't like how Medusa's myth was depicted, but that's really nothing new. Her being reduced to Poseidon's girlfriend was foul to me. (I have heard that they've tried to rectify this in the show, but I'll be the judge of that.)
• Speaking of the show, I'm two episodes in, and although I do think that it is incredibly rushed (as is most tv nowadays... we should've gotten AT LEAST 12 episodes considering the current pacing), I'm having a lot of fun with it so far. I know I'm only now reading the books but the kids are perfectly characterized.

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Got about halfway through Ch. 16 before I realized I wanted to note down some thoughts before I fly through the rest of the book.

• I love Sally Jackson a little bit more every time Percy mentions her, or we get just a little bit of backstory. She's the book equivalent of a TV dad. (There are many reasons why I hated the Percy Jackson movie but as I've been reading this book, never delving deep into Sally Jackson's role in the book was an insane choice, specifically her reasoning for staying with Smelly Gabe - that could've been easily added into the movie the same way they had done it in the book.)
• I did have to look up what Pinochle is... perfect choice in card game considering the characters involved and what I think one of the main themes is.
• I love the characterization of the gods and also their powers. For example, when you think of Dionysus, you remember him as the god of wine and pleasure. But as highlighted here, he's also the god of vegetation, hence the strawberry farm (excellent choice of income, strawberries cost an arm and a leg and then some). Another would the emphasis on Athena being the goddess of both wisdom and war, and the way that's shown through her children - particularly Annabeth who thirsts for a quest and constantly thinks of battle strategies, always 20 steps ahead of everyone else.
• My personal favourite pieces of writing characterizing Zeus: "Like a kindergartener over a toy." - pg. 130 (in reference to the master bolt) // "... trapped Zeus and wouldn't let him out until he promised to be a better ruler, right?" - pg. 137. They treat/think of Zeus as a child and I could not have written him better myself. Something about a powerful leader ruling with an iron fist and throwing a temper tantrum every time he doesn't get his way feels oddly familiar. (Maybe Rick Riordan is the one with the gift of prophecy, not Apollo.)
• Percy and I absolutely share a brain cell because if your ego is gonna be bruised if you don't get a cabin, despite having no children, at least offer to house some of the unclaimed like Hermes does. Like, imagine Hermes showing you up as a decent person.
• Olympus being in the Empire State Building vs the entrance to the Underworld being in Los Angeles - choose your fighter.
• Rick Riordan's insane re-writing of history. That's it.
• I need to know if Rick had someone particular in mind as Thalia's mother... I don't have any theories and I don't know if this is a big thing, but most of this series has already been spoiled for me so maybe just one suprise would be nice to have.
• "The usual nonsense..." - oh I just know that behind all this 'respect the gods' BS, Chiron is so sick and tired of the gods (full quote on pg. 135)
• I don't like how Medusa's myth was depicted, but that's really nothing new. Her being reduced to Poseidon's girlfriend was foul to me. (I have heard that they've tried to rectify this in the show, but I'll be the judge of that.)
• Speaking of the show, I'm two episodes in, and although I do think that it is incredibly rushed (as is most tv nowadays... we should've gotten AT LEAST 12 episodes considering the current pacing), I'm having a lot of fun with it so far. I know I'm only now reading the books but the kids are perfectly characterized.

Wow! Reading your review kinda makes me want to read these books now . I watched the movies and while the first one was okay, the second felt like a let-down. As a huge Mytho nerd, I felt like I was probably expecting a bit too much from a simple children's fantasy story, but now your review makes me wonder if the books might deliver what I was looking for . Either way, putting the books on my TBR list... so thanks for that

Originally posted by: ssttuuttii

Wow! Reading your review kinda makes me want to read these books now . I watched the movies and while the first one was okay, the second felt like a let-down. As a huge Mytho nerd, I felt like I was probably expecting a bit too much from a simple children's fantasy story, but now your review makes me wonder if the books might deliver what I was looking for . Either way, putting the books on my TBR list... so thanks for that

I mean, a lot of the details are definitely either simplified or taken out due to the demographic, which is so silly to me because one of the first myths that we discussed in class was Medusa's. The Greek mythology unit starts in middle school and teachers don't leave out any details, so I don't know why parents would have an issue with it in books, but what do I know?

I'll be starting Sea of Monsters soon as well! I just finished The Lightning Thief, so there may or may not be a rant in the spreadsheet, sorry in advance.

Just finished, "Beg, Borrow or Steal" by Sarah Adams.

⭐⭐⭐1/2

While the pacing felt a bit slow in places, this enemies-to-lovers rom-com ultimately charmed me with its well-developed main characters and engaging supporting cast.

This book is 3rd in the "When in Rome" series by Sarah Adams and gives a lasting sense of warmth and wholesomeness.

Girls, I see you two haven’t logged any pages in the sheet. Please do this asap as the month is drawing to a close and I’ll need the final numbers soon.

Please also be reminded that you need to log at least 200 pages for your participation to be considered valid.