the signalman

♥ this short story was highly enjoyable. I suppose it couldn't be longer, so the plot ends up being quite predictable. I listened to it in audio format, and it was at times quite a haunting experience: the train and rain sounds, the eery music, the careful narration. It was the best Dickens I have read, and I came to find out that it was written many years after the Christmas Carol - from which I enjoy the plot, but find the writing could be more succint. 4/5

apartamento em crise

♡ I didn't expect the utter shit that this was. I had never read a romcom in my native language, and I understand know that it hits different than when I do it in english. there is a distance to the cringe that I simply wasn't afforded here. It was an attempt to pull a Emily Henry/Casey McQuiston in portuguese that fell extremely flat. the writing was awful: sometimes overly simple, sometimes trying to hard to sound poetic that it was out of the place. the main character was insufferable, a pick-me boy that was rude to every of his friends and that, for some reason, every boy was in love with. his friends who actually seemed interesting (especially andre) had 0 development. we were often told instead of shown that tiago was struggling with adapting to the new city and his degree, the problems with his parents (caricatures of a tiger parent) and the issues with his roommates (I guess they were messy?). the characters were not given room to breathe: instead of feeling like they existed in their story, they seemed only to exist inside that apartment. I didn't feel like we would catch glimpses of their daily life - they didn't seem to have any. moreover, the pretending-to-kiss-you-for-money plot was horrible and cringy; so were the smut scenes. I could have forgiven some of these issues if I felt like it had a good message. It didn't. I didn't learn anything new about the world or myself; didn't feel comforted or challanged in any way like literature is supposed to make you feel. a honestly good premise that ended up in nothingness. 1/5

game changer

♥ I thought I would dislike this book more than I did. Up to 60%, it was all smut and no plot, with a quick-developing love story that didnt' feel realistic and middle school level writing. After the conflict was introduced, I started actually enjoying it: the loneliness of being queer, the struggles of coming out, and the fear of what change it might bring to your life, is no stranger to me; neither is the sinking feeling of seeing your friends move on in their careers while you struggle to find something for yourself.These real problems added a depth to the characters that I was not expecting and that I didn't really get from the only one episode of the tv series. the resolution might have been slightly irrealistic, but I am tired of doomed gay books. let us be happy. 4/5

a streetcar named desire

♥ I can see why this book is such a classic. The discussions on reality vs illusion, class differences, lust, abuse and mental health are all extremely pertinent and interesting. Williams had a special sensibility for women's feelings. However, I am afraid I am simply not a big fan of stories that include - in fear of simplifying it too much - toxic relationships, (hetero)sexuality and messy characters. I don't think I have had these experiences in my personal life, so it is a bit complicated for me to relate to the characters. I enjoyed the audiobook, even though the r*** scene was extremely uncomfortable, it was well done; the actors were great and the sound effects added to the whole experience. 3/5

pretty guardian sailor moon, vol. 1

♥ this is my 3rd or 4th time reading the beginning of the dark kingdom arc, and it is probably still my favorite. I love how we get to know each character every chapter, how much of their daily lives (and daily life in tokyo!) we get to see and the mystery surrounding their role as senshis. I am absolutely in love with every interaction between usagi and mamoru - from the bus, to the ball (my fav chapter ever), to the tokyo tower incident. every image of them together, especially as sailor moon and tuxedo mask, is so iconic. the illustrations are so ethereal, and I loved listening to the sailor moon crystal soundtrack while reading it. this volume is also incredibly funny. usagi is a comedian, and this shines even brighter reading it in my first language. I love her character overall; how she sees the positive in every of the girls, how she brings them all together in the friend group. no wonder she's our (bi) princess!11 4/5

the mysterious affair at styles

♡ I have probably read enough agatha christie books to last me for a lifetime. unfortunately, I don't think they surprise me anymore. the resolution of this book was exactly like death on the nile or lord edgware dies (the obvious suspect is cleared of blame at the beginning for them to actually be the culprit). I enjoyed the english countryhouse setting, and the development of the plot; sadly, the conclusion was rushed and, again, predictable. I just couldn't guess how the culprit did it. it was probably a good thing I consumed this book in audio format, especially the peter dinklage version available on audible. I like how they developed hastings' character and his relationship to styles, the refusal to have his childhood memories crushed while he was dealing with wartime ptsd. dinklage's poirot is at times quite agressive, and I am not sure I like how he treats his friend sometimes. cynthia was the most interesting character, but she disappeared for a third of the story. I actively disliked how mary and john got back together after his cheating - I am not falling for that propaganda!! still, I am happy (?) I read it. I think I won't read any christie books for a while. 3/5