Anomalia's Phases

4.5/5 rating Genre: Fantasy Fiction Trigger Warnings: Forced marriage, decapitation, murder, suicide references,  fat shaming "'As it so happens, Mr. Jest, I've sometimes come to believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast" (Meyer 59). I love this adaptation of the Red Queen. She already has a strong female presence, but with Meyer's take, she stands out more.  It is quite hard to not compare this to the novel by Lewis Carroll. Despite the struggle, I will do my best to refrain from that. Cath only wishes to own the best bakery in Hearts and find true love. With the elegant description of these pastries, readers can't help but have their mouths water and a longing to try them. It was an excellent incorporation of the famous Wonderland tarts that the Red Queen was fond of. I also loved how Meyer's wrote a relationship between a young skinny man and a plus-sized woman.  Apart from the fatphobic relationship Cath has with her parents...

4.5/5 rating Genre: Novella, Adult Literary Fiction Trigger Warnings: Grooming, Incest, Rape, Suicide, Suicide Ideation, Depression, Death, Addiction, Abuse, Classism "People talk of 'social outcasts.' The words apparently denote the miserable losers of the world the vicious ones, but I feel as though I have been a 'social outcast' from the moment I was born. If ever I meet someone society has designated as an outcast, I invariably feel affection for him and emotion which carries me away in melting tenderness" (Dazai 67).  Have you ever read a book where you felt the author was writing your thoughts? A moment when you sit and ask how the author could understand you so well?  Have you ever felt your heart sink for the author? Wished to grab them, and pull them into a hug. Reminding them they are not alone, but wondering if those words would even effect them.  No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai is a novella of a young boy named Oba Yozo. This young man ...

4.5/5 rating Genre: Psychological Fiction, Satire Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Humor Trigger Warnings: Attempted Suicide, Blood, Death of spouse, Grief, Domestic abuse, suicide ideation, substance abuse, hostage situation, gun violence, depression, dementia " Nothing must happen to you          No, what am I saying  Everything must happen to you  And it must be wonderful " (Backman 313). From the character development to all the twist and turns this book took, I loved every moment of it.  While this is my first time reading any of his works, Backman knows exactly what he is doing when writing suspense, mystery, and something so heart warming-words could not even comprehend to explain it.   One technique he uses that I fell in love with was commentary. When reading, the narrator comments on things that the characters are doing, unlike other books, and things that the reader should know for the story. These things are normally s...

3.5/5 rating Genre: Greek mythology, historical fiction, novel, fantasy  Trigger Warnings: Mentions of rape, murder, subtle gore As one reads books required by the school, it's not expected to like the book. So, it was to my surprise that I enjoyed reading Circe by Madeline Miller.  This review will be a little different than some of my other reviews. Below is an essay that I wrote for Circe. Spoilers ahead.  Shipping Mythological Characters in Circe (2018) By: Milana Smith Whether it be Greek, Roman, or Norse, mythology is something that is incorporated within every culture. It is something that fascinates people, so seeing it become adapted is a draw to many. In Circe by Madeline Miller, Greek mythology became adapted with the incorporation of her own personal and mythological ships, to create a beautiful story. This is the story of the Goddess of Witchcraft, also known as the Witch of Aiaia named Circe. The character Miller created is engrossed in development and refe...

5/5 rating  Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Literature Trigger Warnings: Descriptions of decomposing bodies, profanity, strong descriptions of acts of violence, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of depression.  "After you died I could not hold a funeral, And so my life became a funeral" (Kang 101). As small as this book is, the content within it proves that it is not a light read. This book is a story I would recommend to anyone interested in history.  The heart wrenching true story of Dong-ho is told through the perspective of many individuals. Through these six stories, readers begin to truly understand the pain and desires of those that lived through the Gwangju Uprising. As readers see through the eyes of Dong-ho's best friend, an editor, a prisoner, a factory worker, and even Dong-ho's mother, their hearts are taken through a vortex of emotions. With the inclusion of the sixth point of view, the writer, it allows to see how Han Kang wrote t...

 Stay Tuned for Updates.  A long time ago, people found women who could read and write anomalies. In today's world, anomalies come in other forms. As I walked around another country for the first time, I was called this by the locals.  Come here fellow anomalies to find comfort in books. My reviews here are my opinions, but I do hope you all enjoy it. Come and phase through life with me as we read and promote authors and their books.