The Monster in Your Mind

Hey guys!

Just the other evening, I finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, the critically acclaimed author of Gone Girl and Dark Places, both of which I’m itching to read.

Sharp Objects is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Camille Preaker, a young reporter who’s haunted by her past, so haunted that she recently was discharged from a psych hospital because of it. Camille’s boss in Chicago sends her to Wind Gap, Missouri, to report on murder of one girl and the disappearance of another. The terribly tiny town just happens to be Camille’s hometown. Camille is forced to stay with her hypochondriac mother, Adora, and her troubled tween half-sister, Amma. Camille dreads this trip, mostly because of her rocky past with her mother and the unpleasant memories Wind Gap holds. As the young reporter uncovers the gruesome details of the girls’ story, she discovers that this story may relate to her more than she thought.

I closed the cover of Sharp Objects sick to my stomach yet exhilarated at the same time.  I find it difficult to put into words how fabulous this – sickening – story was. Flynn is a phenomenal writer – her descriptions of Wind Gap an the people in it made the story come to life. Flynn’s character formation was astounding, just unreal in the way the characters were so flawed. Every character in Sharp Objects was hauntingly real; they possessed such lifelike qualities and flaws that you became so emotionally attached to them. She toyed with the idea of insanity and innate evil, and how these ideas and flaws played into this story. Almost every character in this novel is plagued with some sort of mental illness, and that brought it to life even more. Just the idea that people can be so evil and insane left you with your gut churning. I can imagine that it’s difficult for a sane author to somehow channel such insanity and horror into their characters, but somehow, Flynn did just so. Standing ovation for Sharp Objects.

Perhaps this is a disclosure – Sharp Objects is not for the faint of heart. It is an extremely graphic novel (in all contexts), which I should have expected going into one of Flynn’s novels. However, this does not take away from the story. It only adds to the realistic feel. Reality is not pretty, nor will it ever be. Flynn wouldn’t dare sugarcoat it, and that’s a fabulous call on her part.

Sharp Objects is  beautiful in every ugly, realistic way. It is purely terrifying – you will dread and anticipate what lies on the next page. I was left awestruck and horrified, but in the end, satisfied and haunted. Without a doubt in mind, this novel is by far one of the best I’ve ever read. Praise for Sharp Objects.

Yours,

Rylie

On the Brink of Self-Destruction

Hey guys! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

Okay. So I am a binge-reader. No shame.

Especially when it comes to Paperweight by Meg Haston. Ugh.

I recently finished this beautifully written novel a few days ago. The novel follows the story of a troubled seventeen year old girl, Stevie Deslisle , who is sent to a treatment center on the “dusty outskirts of New Mexico” (Haston). Stevie is stricken by what many young girls today struggle with – an eating disorder. Her father ships her out to to the center in hopes that she will recover. But, Stevie’s not looking to recover. She’s planning to die, precisely on the Anniversary of her older brother’s death. Will she go through with it? *dun dun duuunnn*

Haston is just a fabulous writer. Paperweight just overflows (in a good way) with detail so carefully written that each scene of the book just plays out in front of you. She describes Stevie’s emotions in a entrancing way that you just feel her. I adore her writing style.

The story line just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go until you finish the book. It’s just one of those books where you just have to find out what happens.  Paperweight is such as page-turner and it sends you on the feels train like no other. It leaves you gasping at some parts and tearing up at others. It makes you yell and flail your arms in anguish and even chuckle to yourself. Feels train all da way.

My only complaint (what?! A complaint?!) would have to be the ending. It just ends without closure. You close the book with a feeling of “but…I wasn’t finished yet.” But that’s my opinion. Looks like you’re just going to have to read it and see if you agree with me!

In conclusion, I really enjoyed reading this book. I fell in love with Stevie by the end and you literally felt as if you’re going with her on her journey to deciding to live or die. Haston enhanced the characters and scenery in a way that I can’t find words to describe. Four and a half stars (is that shallow? Nah) for Paperweight!

Rylie Innes

 

I’ve Never Been a Binge Reader…Until Now

Hey y’all!

So, a few days ago, I contently finished Room by Emma Donoghue. I’ve been wanting to read it for a while, hearing the news of the upcoming film adaptation of the book starring Brie Larson as Ma. I can’t watch the trailer without getting choked up!

So, how was this book? Is it really worth seeing the movie?

The answer is yes. Yes yes yes yes.

A quick synopsis of Room: The story is told by Jack, a five year old boy and his mother, whom we only know as Ma. Jack and Ma are confined to a eleven-by-eleven shed they call “Room”. Room is all Jack knows, all because he’s never stepped foot outside of it. The story takes a dramatic turn when Ma makes a proposal- and Jack doesn’t know how he feels about it.

Oh my sprinkles. This book was impossible to put down. I read it in less than three days. I’m in love with Room beyond words. Donoghue portrays life through a five year old’s eyes fabulously. I’m currently writing a novel told from the perspective of a nine year old girl, and even that’s hard! She makes it seem as though a little boy sat down at the computer and wrote it. She gives Jack such personality- it’s impossible not to fall in love with him.

Donoghue shows the unbreakable bond between Ma and Jack without even saying it. Ma never once tells Jack that she loves him- and it’s not necessary. Donoghue vividly shows the immense amount of love Ma has for Jack between the lines. Room is merely centered around the bond the pair holds, and it’s tear jerking.

In conclusion, Room is a masterpiece of it’s own, flecked with it’s own originality and character. Donoghue is a literary saint when it comes to writing a novel in a tricky perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good drama with suspense, and not to mention a book that will hit you right in the feels.

Yours,

Rylie

Horror or Bore?

Here’s my only negative review ever–

Recently, I finished The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson. This true story tells the terrifying tale of the most infamous haunting of all time: Amityville, New York in 1975. This novel follows the all too true tale about a young family who moves into a new house that’s seemingly perfect and fits all their needs. But that’s until the discover that mysterious, horrible murders had taken place there before they moved in. The family then discovers that their once perfect house is now infested by ghosts. They remain in denial that it’s just their imaginations; that’s until the supernatural phenomenons worsen.

I, frankly, was a bit disappointed by Amityville. The true story itself is incredibly fascinating, but the way Anson describes it almost takes away from the story. I dove into Amityville expecting to be scared sockless, but I ended the book with a sense of “Really? That’s it?”. A major problem with the book is one word- Fluff. Anson drowns the story in irrelevant fluff and boring content that takes away from the story. Anson constantly stuffed unneeded content between the margins that just only stretched the story longer and added no emphasis. I was also disappointed by the important parts, like the major happenings in the haunting. I’m a chicken. I hate horror movies and ghosts. But Amityville didn’t scare me. Anson could’ve exaggerated those parts a little more. This may sound cruel, but I honestly think Anson used the exclamation point to it’s death. That’s the only emphasis he ever used. Wrong kind of emphasis, if you ask me!

In conclusion, Amityville neither horrified nor haunted me, unlike the unfortunate family’s home in the story. Even the recent film adaptation starring dreamy Ryan Reynolds butchered the story line (I believe the director only threw in shirtless scene just to liven up the plot. Who said I was complaining?), which doesn’t make my saltiness for the story lessen.  I honestly believe that Anson could have defined the ever-so intriguing story more. I might say that the story didn’t scare me, but I didn’t mention that a few parts shudder their way through my mind in the middle of the night, like the horrifying fact that this wasn’t made up. Needless to say, the overall idea of the Amityville haunting still leaves me questioning whether my home was built on a ancient Indian site for torture and if my house is infested with pig-faced demons. Well, looks like I’ll be sleeping fabulously tonight!

Yours,

Rylie

Rylie’s Review for “The Road”

So, I recently finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Here’s my input;

The Road is a critically acclaimed, multi award winning novel that follows the story of an unnamed father and son wandering through what the reader can only assume is post-apocalyptic America. McCarthy stresses on multiple levels that the world is “ashen and grey” from what we can only guess was the aftermath of a nuclear war. McCarthy demonstrates the micro family’s struggle to survive in the wasteland that is now America.

I was left stunned, horrified, but mainly captivated by this novel. McCarthy is a phenomenal writer beyond words, and his descriptions of what this father and son must endure leave you gritting your teeth. McCarthy has a particular writing style, one that gives this novel an eerie essence to the story line. He lacks the typically essential quotation marks in his writing, which usually would be a writing sin. In this case, it only adds to vibe he’s giving off.

Overall, I loved this novel, as dark and as gloomy as it is. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a love for Dystopian  based novels. This one, however, holds a deep sense of reality that leaves you with lingering thoughts about it even after you finish it. Five stars, for sure!

Hi, I’m Rylie!

Hello!

I’m a lover and appreciator of good works. Being an avid writer myself, I love a good book! A good book inspires to improve my writings!

I’m kind of playing copycat and using Beth’s introductory format. Here’s a little about me!

Favorite novel?

I have a lot of those, as does any book lover! I’d have to say, one of my all time favorites is The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. It’s just phenomenal! I also adore By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters, Define “Normal” by Julie Anne Peters and Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.

Book quote?

I’m going to stick to the classics;

“When he shall die, take him and cut him out into little stars. And he he shall make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.”

–Romeo & Juliet, William Shakespeare

Broke your heart?

The one that takes home the cake would definitely be Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. My soul is still recovering from that ending!

Bookish best friend?

Tough one. I’d have to say Jazz from Define “Normal”.

Bookish boyfriend?

Oooh. Santana Gerard from By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead. He’s so delightfully quirky.

Favorite series?

The Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs, who needs to get his act together and write a third book!

Favorite classic?

Definitely To Kill a Mockingbird. By far!

What can you expect from me on this blog?

Book reviews from a book lover! I can also give perspectives on the reading world as a young author and how books can really make a difference!