Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown Author: Holly Black Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Format: Hard Cover Pages: 419 Reason Read: Just Because Rating:
My Thoughts
I’ll admit it. I was drawn to THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN because of its cover. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but what I got was a unique story that was fun and suspenseful. I liked it a lot.
I loved the concept of the Coldtowns. I thought it was really unique and it seemed like a good way to quarantine the infectious vampirism disease. But, I often wondered if Coldtowns could really keep vampires in. I don’t think they could, but I didn’t let that bother me too much because it made for a good setting to the story.
Tana seemed a little aloof to me. I couldn’t quite pin down her motives or personality. I really liked Gavriel. I loved how contradictory he was. He didn’t want to be a monster, but at the same time, he knew he was so he used it to his advantage.
I really liked that there was a little bit of romance, but I wanted more. I know the romance wasn’t the main point of the story, but I think I would’ve liked it more if it was.
https://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.png00Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.pngJenni Elyse2014-10-14 00:00:002026-10-22 19:50:06The Coldest Girl In Coldtown
Title: The Haunting of Hill House Author: Shirley Jackson Genre: Classic, Horror Format: Kindle Pages: 288 Reason Read: Buddy Read Rating:
My Thoughts
I’m so utterly disappointed with THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE that I could cry. It didn’t really seem like anything happened, other than Eleanor possibly going crazy or possibly being haunted by ghosts. I guess part of the allure of the story is not knowing if Eleanor is mentally unstable or influenced by paranormal phenomena. I went into the story expecting scary because of how I felt when I watched the 1999 movie. But, on only one occasion did I get creeped out.
I also thought the writing was weird. When the reader was in Eleanor’s head, it felt really disjointed because she thought about weird things. The whole first part of the book really had no importance to the story other than to get to know Eleanor. I also didn’t feel like the writing was very descriptive. It was also very plot-driven, and I prefer character-driven stories better.
Speaking of the characters, I hated them. The story mostly focused on Eleanor as she was the one most influenced by the house. In learning about her character, all I found was a self-centered, self-pitying, two-faced girl seeking attention. I actually thought all the characters were two-faced. I still don’t know who Luke and Theodora really are. The only person I felt I got to know even a little bit was Dr. Montague. He’s the only one who didn’t seem to put on airs. I despised Mrs. Montague. The only characters I really liked were Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. They at least were frank and honest.
I think the premise of the story was intriguing and could have made for a very scary story if only it had been executed better.
https://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.png00Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.pngJenni Elyse2014-10-05 00:00:002026-10-24 01:30:17The Haunting Of Hill House
Title: The Unhappening of Genesis Lee Author: Shallee McArthur Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult Format: Hard Cover Pages: 352 Reason Read: ARC Review Rating:
My Thoughts
I loved the premise of THE UNHAPPENING OF GENESIS LEE. It was very intriguing and interesting. I liked reading about the science of how this world functioned. Some of the tech sounded really cool and made me want it.
I went into the book thinking it was going to be science fiction with a hint of romance, but there ended up being some dystopian characteristics to the story too because of the volatile relationship between the Mementi and the Populace. It created an interesting viewpoint on discrimination, caste systems, and how hate passes from one generation to the next without just cause.
I really liked the characters. Gena and Kalan were interesting. I loved that their backgrounds were completely different because it gave the story more depth. I kind of wish the book had been written in third person, though, so I could’ve gotten more characters’ perspectives. The antagonist was well written too. I didn’t figure out who they were before they were revealed. The story kept me guessing all the way to the end.
I was really frustrated with the fact that Gena kept losing her memory of Kalan. It made the story slow in those parts and I almost had to force myself to keep reading. I understand why it was important to the story and why it happened, but I still hated it. When she lost her memory, Gena’d feel unsure of what was happening and she’d question everything around her. And, because the story’s from her POV, the reader’s meant to feel that way too. Instead, because I already knew what was going on, I just felt like my progress in the hunt for the Link Thief was stunted. I did feel sorry for her, but my frustration won out over my sympathy.
https://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.png00Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mobile_logo.pngJenni Elyse2014-09-30 00:00:002026-10-24 01:36:52The Unhappening of Genesis Lee
Title: Maus Author: Art Spiegelman Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction Format: Paperback Pages: 295 Reason Read: Book Club Rating:
My Thoughts
MAUS is the first graphic novel I’ve ever read. I wanted to like it more than I did. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I actually learned a few things about what happened in the concentration camps. I thought I had heard / learned most of what happened, but there were some things I didn’t know.
Spiegelman drew the characters in animal form. The Jews were depicted as mice, non-Jewish Poles were pigs, Americans were dogs, and the Nazis were cats. I’m a cat lover and I hate that cats are always vilified in cartoons and movies. (For once, I’d like to read a book or see a cartoon / movie where rats are the bad guys and cats are the good guys.)
I tried to pay attention to the pictures, but I wanted to read the words. I got caught up in them. I know I looked at the pictures, but I didn’t get lost in them. I didn’t spend time looking at the details. They weren’t what interested me. Looking at the pictures and then reading the words felt very disjointed. If I could read the words, then go back and look at the pictures, it might have worked better for me.
It felt like a lot of filler / description was missing. When I read, I love getting to know the characters by getting inside their heads. I wanted to know why Vladek felt the way he did. I wanted to know how we was feeling at any given moment. I didn’t just want to rely on the outside manifestation of his feelings (via the picture) because pictures can only tell you so much. I needed more depth to the story.
I liked the second volume better than the first because it made me feel more. The depth that I felt I was missing in the first volume wasn’t as big of a deal in second. I saw / read enough of how horrible Auschwitz was that I didn’t need more insight from the characters’ minds.
It’s amazing to me how Vladek and Anya survived Auschwitz. It was really only because of luck and cunning on Vladek’s part. It’s not like the strong survived and the weak didn’t. It’s more that Vladek was in the right place at the right time, met the right people, and could negotiate / barter like the best of them.
I’m really glad I took the time to read both volumes. They’re both very powerful biographies. They made me appreciate what the Jews went through during the Holocaust.
I really enjoyed learning more about the Night Walkers. I would love to know more about their society and politics. Hopefully, we’ll get more insight in the final book. I also really loved getting to know the secondary characters better.
I’m excited to read the final book when it comes. I have a few theories and I’m curious if I’m right.
The Coldest Girl In Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 419
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I’ll admit it. I was drawn to THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN because of its cover. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but what I got was a unique story that was fun and suspenseful. I liked it a lot.
I loved the concept of the Coldtowns. I thought it was really unique and it seemed like a good way to quarantine the infectious vampirism disease. But, I often wondered if Coldtowns could really keep vampires in. I don’t think they could, but I didn’t let that bother me too much because it made for a good setting to the story.
Tana seemed a little aloof to me. I couldn’t quite pin down her motives or personality. I really liked Gavriel. I loved how contradictory he was. He didn’t want to be a monster, but at the same time, he knew he was so he used it to his advantage.
I really liked that there was a little bit of romance, but I wanted more. I know the romance wasn’t the main point of the story, but I think I would’ve liked it more if it was.
The Haunting Of Hill House
Author: Shirley Jackson
Genre: Classic, Horror
Format: Kindle
Pages: 288
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:
My Thoughts
I’m so utterly disappointed with THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE that I could cry. It didn’t really seem like anything happened, other than Eleanor possibly going crazy or possibly being haunted by ghosts. I guess part of the allure of the story is not knowing if Eleanor is mentally unstable or influenced by paranormal phenomena. I went into the story expecting scary because of how I felt when I watched the 1999 movie. But, on only one occasion did I get creeped out.
I also thought the writing was weird. When the reader was in Eleanor’s head, it felt really disjointed because she thought about weird things. The whole first part of the book really had no importance to the story other than to get to know Eleanor. I also didn’t feel like the writing was very descriptive. It was also very plot-driven, and I prefer character-driven stories better.
Speaking of the characters, I hated them. The story mostly focused on Eleanor as she was the one most influenced by the house. In learning about her character, all I found was a self-centered, self-pitying, two-faced girl seeking attention. I actually thought all the characters were two-faced. I still don’t know who Luke and Theodora really are. The only person I felt I got to know even a little bit was Dr. Montague. He’s the only one who didn’t seem to put on airs. I despised Mrs. Montague. The only characters I really liked were Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. They at least were frank and honest.
I think the premise of the story was intriguing and could have made for a very scary story if only it had been executed better.
The Unhappening of Genesis Lee
Author: Shallee McArthur
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 352
Reason Read: ARC Review
Rating:
My Thoughts
I loved the premise of THE UNHAPPENING OF GENESIS LEE. It was very intriguing and interesting. I liked reading about the science of how this world functioned. Some of the tech sounded really cool and made me want it.
I went into the book thinking it was going to be science fiction with a hint of romance, but there ended up being some dystopian characteristics to the story too because of the volatile relationship between the Mementi and the Populace. It created an interesting viewpoint on discrimination, caste systems, and how hate passes from one generation to the next without just cause.
I really liked the characters. Gena and Kalan were interesting. I loved that their backgrounds were completely different because it gave the story more depth. I kind of wish the book had been written in third person, though, so I could’ve gotten more characters’ perspectives. The antagonist was well written too. I didn’t figure out who they were before they were revealed. The story kept me guessing all the way to the end.
I was really frustrated with the fact that Gena kept losing her memory of Kalan. It made the story slow in those parts and I almost had to force myself to keep reading. I understand why it was important to the story and why it happened, but I still hated it. When she lost her memory, Gena’d feel unsure of what was happening and she’d question everything around her. And, because the story’s from her POV, the reader’s meant to feel that way too. Instead, because I already knew what was going on, I just felt like my progress in the hunt for the Link Thief was stunted. I did feel sorry for her, but my frustration won out over my sympathy.
Maus
Title: Maus
Author: Art Spiegelman
Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction
Format: Paperback
Pages: 295
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:
My Thoughts
MAUS is the first graphic novel I’ve ever read. I wanted to like it more than I did. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I actually learned a few things about what happened in the concentration camps. I thought I had heard / learned most of what happened, but there were some things I didn’t know.
Spiegelman drew the characters in animal form. The Jews were depicted as mice, non-Jewish Poles were pigs, Americans were dogs, and the Nazis were cats. I’m a cat lover and I hate that cats are always vilified in cartoons and movies. (For once, I’d like to read a book or see a cartoon / movie where rats are the bad guys and cats are the good guys.)
I tried to pay attention to the pictures, but I wanted to read the words. I got caught up in them. I know I looked at the pictures, but I didn’t get lost in them. I didn’t spend time looking at the details. They weren’t what interested me. Looking at the pictures and then reading the words felt very disjointed. If I could read the words, then go back and look at the pictures, it might have worked better for me.
It felt like a lot of filler / description was missing. When I read, I love getting to know the characters by getting inside their heads. I wanted to know why Vladek felt the way he did. I wanted to know how we was feeling at any given moment. I didn’t just want to rely on the outside manifestation of his feelings (via the picture) because pictures can only tell you so much. I needed more depth to the story.
I liked the second volume better than the first because it made me feel more. The depth that I felt I was missing in the first volume wasn’t as big of a deal in second. I saw / read enough of how horrible Auschwitz was that I didn’t need more insight from the characters’ minds.
It’s amazing to me how Vladek and Anya survived Auschwitz. It was really only because of luck and cunning on Vladek’s part. It’s not like the strong survived and the weak didn’t. It’s more that Vladek was in the right place at the right time, met the right people, and could negotiate / barter like the best of them.
I’m really glad I took the time to read both volumes. They’re both very powerful biographies. They made me appreciate what the Jews went through during the Holocaust.
Paranoia
Author: J.R. Johansson
Series: Night Walkers #2
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 336
Reason Read: Utah Book Month
Rating:
Also in this series: Mania
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed learning more about the Night Walkers. I would love to know more about their society and politics. Hopefully, we’ll get more insight in the final book. I also really loved getting to know the secondary characters better.
I’m excited to read the final book when it comes. I have a few theories and I’m curious if I’m right.