Almost Transparent Blue — Interesting idea, but nah

Almost Transparent Blue by Ryū Murakami
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Sadly, I DNF'd it. On the surface, it’s a raw, unsettling look at youth, alienation, and self-destruction, but for me, it was more uncomfortable than compelling. The constant detachment and bleakness might have been the point, but it also made it hard for me to stay invested.

I can see how the book is making a statement about how emptiness and disconnection can either consume or define you, but I didn’t feel like I needed to sit through the entire novel to understand that. For me, the constant shock value and dark tone ended up overshadowing any deeper meaning, making the experience feel more tiring than thought‑provoking.

In the end, it wasn’t the book for me, too unsettling to enjoy, yet too monotonous to push through.

No Exit — Trapped in thought (literally)

No Exit by Taylor Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was one of those thrillers that had me flipping pages fast. The setup is simple but intense: a snowstorm, a group of strangers, and a situation that quickly turns dangerous. From there, it becomes a game of tension, trust, and survival.

I liked how the book captured that claustrophobic, edge-of-your-seat atmosphere. The pacing is quick and very cinematic, almost as if you are watching a movie unfold, with each chapter ending in a way that makes you want to keep going.

While it’s a solid and entertaining read, it didn’t really stick with me. I feel like I’ll forget most of the details soon, but I could easily see this story working really well on screen. For me, it’s more of a thrilling ride than a memorable story.

Verity — Not perfect, but a page‑turner

Verity by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate to admit it, but despite all the mixed (and often negative) feedback about Colleen Hoover, I still gave this book a try and honestly, I kinda liked it. Verity is intense, twisted, and full of psychological tension. It follows Lowen, a struggling writer who stumbles upon a manuscript that changes everything she thought she knew about the famous author Verity Crawford and her family. From there, the story spirals into obsession, secrets, and blurred truths.

Also, surprised me how much of a page-turner it was. As a visual person, I also appreciated the cover — it feels like it really connects to the plot and vibe of the story. Sure, the book leans into drama and shock value, but that’s also what makes it so entertaining. It’s not “literary” in the traditional sense, but it knows exactly what kind of story it wants to be: dark, fast-paced, and unsettling.

Sharp Objects — Not what I expected

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I went into this with really high expectations because the author wrote Gone Girl (which I loved, and the movie was great too). Sadly, Sharp Objects isn't... It had a slow build-up that made me think it was going somewhere, but in the end it just disappointed me. The pacing dragged, the “twists” were predictable, and I honestly just wanted to get it over with or not finish at all.

What really pushed me away was how irresponsibly this was written. There’s a point where the narrator basically says if very young girls put themselves in risky situations (yes, these undeveloped frontal lobe kids), it’s ‘their fault’. Add to that the disturbing depiction of 13-year-olds drinking, using drug$, and getting r@p3d by six men.. That’s not edgy, it’s gross.. And don’t even get me started on the main character, a 30-year-old, from being reserved to banging a teenager boy, and doing drug$ with her 13-year-old sister?? What a character development. Are you okay, Gillian? Realistically, ages, actions, morals, none of it lines up. I could rant forever, but I’m not wasting another second on this disaster; I’ve suffered enough already.

I originally rated this 2 stars, but the more I thought about it the more frustrated I got, so I dropped it to 1. Maybe it’s because I expected the same level of brilliance as Gone Girl, but this felt flat, disturbing for the wrong reasons, and not worth the time I put into it. Honestly, I wish I had just DNF’d.