Latest Posts by emerald-notes - Page 6
The idea was better in my head. But I’m not a professional.
“The Female of the Species” book review
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Contemporary
Summary: Alex Craft kills. Not just ordinary people. But people who hurt other people. People who don't know the difference between an object and a (female) human. Alex Craft feels numb and out of the society. But when she finds friends, her known world starts to change.
My Opinion: Firstly, the name of the book intrigued me. When I searched it up, the synopsis too, interested me. Then I found out that the plot of the book takes place in Ohio. That was the final straw for me. I decided to read it immediately.
The writing style of the novel is beautiful. It is written in short chapters from the perspectives of three people: Alex, Jack and Peekay.
As much as I like Alex and Peekay (or Claire, which is her real name), I don’t really care about Jack at all. I know it’s supposed to be realistic. I know a lot of guys out there are like Jack. But it doesn’t excuse the fact that Jack is a bit of an asshole in some ways. Though he feels guilty, he doesn’t bother changing himself for good. The thing I mostly hate about him is comparing Alex with other girls, and telling how really special she is, whereas the other girls are all the same and stuff like that. He is also a total douchebag to his best friend, Branley. Nonetheless it was brave for the writer to put such realistic characters into the book.
Quote: "I live in a world where not being molested as a child is considered luck."
The End of the F***ing World (Season 1)- Review
We want to be in control of our lives. That's why we love shows like "The End of the Fucking World", where teenagers can finally leave their toxic households and go on the run.
Honestly, at first I found the plot stupid. The first episode, too, seemed pretty boring. The only reason I continued to watch was "Alex Lawther". I love him. Like, REALLY, love him. And the more it advanced, the more I liked it.
The best thing about the series is probably the cinematography and the music. They'll make you vibe and chill with it. You'll get some funny feelings too.
"The girl who felt too much and the boy who felt nothing."...The romance was cute. It builded slowly by the time. I appreciate that. It is almost like a modern day Romeo-Juliet. And honestly it couldn't have been better.
Sometimes it's hard to see through other people's eyes. Sometimes we misunderstand our parents. Sometimes we are misunderstood by them. Misunderstanding is a great flaw of life. It's like when life can't find any drama, it makes one.
Overall, the whole series was neat. But I wish they didn't make the second season. Because, though shocking, the ending was one of the best. I'm still gonna watch the second season though. Again, because I love Alex. <3
And also, I think, Alyssa looks super cute...
TV Series I’ve Watched in January-February 2022
Squid Game (2021)
- A thrilling story of hundreds of debtors forced to play a killing game - Realistic conditions of lives - Questions the entire morality of human race - Horrific, gruesome and violent - Very thought-provoking
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
- An immortal goblin looking for his bride to end his cursed life - The concept of soulmates and re-birth - Great original sound tracks - (I ship the second lead couple more) - Highly dramatic, but the story kinda repeats
Maid (2021)
- A mother works hard for a better life for herself and her daughter - Breaking from an abusive relationship - Most realistic characters and plot - Heartwarming and heartbreaking
Bad and Crazy (2021)
- A corrupt cop builds a split personality with a sense of justice - Deals with corruption, drug abuse and mental health issues - The definition of bromance - Action packed and thrilling
Prison Playbook (2017)
- Captivating satirical stories of inmates behind bar - One of the best characterizations ever - Deals with various relationships like romance, sibling, friendship - Laugh out loud and ugly crying at once - An optimistic view on life
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
- A chess prodigy goes through the struggle of addiction - A dark academic aesthetic vibe throughout the series - Love the character development - Will make you want to play chess
The Definition of Bromance <3
Absolutely ship them <3
Do you ever feel like you’re about to cry? There is no specific reason. You just simply stare at the ceiling and the tears roll down your eyes.
How Do You Recover After “Squid Game”?
Because I can’t... Ever since I’ve watched the series I kept thinking about it literally ALL THE FRICKING TIME... I have an upcoming exam and here I am... I’ve tried watching other things to get my mind off this series but nah... Not working... The only way out is to write it out now.
Where can I start, the characters... GOD!!! The characters were so realistic and relatable. Their heartbreaking backstories just broke me. I knew I would love the series since episode 2.
Sae-byeok and her brother; what they were going through was so tough. I also have a little sister and her being apart from the whole family is unimaginable.
Sang-Woo’s situation was the most relatable. He felt worthless and was burdened with his mother’s hope. He was stressed to the point of being suicidal. It was just too much. And I’m not ashamed to say that his character was the most realistic one and I love him.
And Ali, he was so innocent and grateful. His was probably the softest heart in the whole series. I wish I could just gave him a hug. He was just so lovely. HE DESERVED BETTER!!!
I need to talk to someone about ALL THIS THINGS or I’ll go crazy...
Beauty of Things I’ve Never Seen Before
Today was the first day ever I was in the school bus alone. Not alone really, there were other students whom I don’t know. My best friend wasn’t there, so technically, I was alone.
I tried reading the book I took with me but in vain. As the bus started, I began looking at the familiar roads and buildings we were passing.
“Nothing to look at”, I thought.
But then I was thinking about what Gardner (from ‘The Space Between Us’) would feel about seeing all the things I was able to see. He would have definitely found it beautiful. He would be grateful to be able to look at all the different things and think how different they were from all the same things in Mars.
I decided to romanticize the bus ride to school. And I really found beautiful things.
At first, I noticed, among all the common buildings, some were remarkably unique. A really tall building made out of concrete and glass was probably the most eye-catching. Also, there were some plants at the foot of it with huge leaves (about 1-2 meters).
I noticed that a very common restaurant with nothing special, hung some fruits in the front. And they look beautiful in the middle of the chaotic surroundings.
I’ve seen a big mosque of white and pink colours with golden glasses in the windows. I’ve seen it before. But never realized how beautiful it was. It was no less in beauty than “The Sheikh Zayed Mosque” of Abu Dhabi.
Even the trucks parked in a line looked beautiful. The bright yellow colour was something outstanding in the gloom of the dawn. Not to mention that all of them have different floral pattern all over their body. Beautiful!
The last thing I saw on the bus, was probably the most beautiful thing. The sun! I’m sure it doesn’t shine like that on Mars. It was big and orange in colour. I can’t remember when was the last time I’ve seen the sun at dawn.
As I’ve got out of the bus, the school campus welcomed me with beautiful flowers, flowers of every possible colours, I’ve ignored before. Now I’ve truly seen them. I kept walking along the three different shades of marigolds as my doom awaited me at the end of the road.
“Last Night in Soho” (2021) - Review
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Summary: Eloise is obsessed with fashion. When she goes to London to study her dream subject, she starts to have visions from the 1960′s of a young girl named Sandy. Eloise’s dazzling visions soon turns out to be a nightmare.
My Opinion: I needed some time to process this film. It was that fantastic. The cinematography, the music, the plot, the acting... Everything was outstanding. Recently, I’m getting really interested in the psychological thriller genre. And this movie was just another hit for me. The plot twist was also (what can I say) TWISTING... And I loved the ending. I love Sandy’s characterization throughout the film. I don’t want to spoil anything. So, all I’m going to say is that the ending was one of the best endings in the film history. Everybody should check this film out. Especially who are into fashion and all.
Quote: “If I could live any place and any time, I’d live here, in London in the 60′s. It must have felt like the center of the universe.”
My 2021 Top 5 Books
What an actor!!!
Review of “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
Genre: Children’s Classic
Rating: 5/5
Summary: A pig named Wilbur is sold to a nearby farm by his former owner, Fern, an 8 years old girl, whose father can’t afford to have a pig in the house anymore. Wilbur feels lonely and is always in search of a friend. Finally, he meets a very sweet and gentle spider named Charlotte, who accepts his friendship.
My Opinion: The friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte is one of the best friendships in literature. They both are very caring towards each other. The character of Fern is very similar to that of my little sister’s. She too, like Fern, loves all sorts of animals (even insects). Her obsession towards this, worries my mother too (just like Fern’s mother). The whole book was very heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I have never cried, reading a book, like the way I did towards the end of this one. This book has made a special place in my heart and it has become my favourite book of all time.
Favourite Character: I love Charlotte. She has an air of warmth around her. The way she talks is very pleasant. The lullaby she sings to put Wilbur to sleep, constantly worrying about his health and reassuring him at times of insecurities, proves how loyal she is as a friend. I am scared to death of spiders. Charlotte is definitely my one and only favourite spider.
Quote: “After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”
My Ideal...<3
Some of the very best red carpet looks of Zendaya that I totally adore 🥰
One Last Dance- Part 2
Requested by @queenofautumn
I’m sorry this took me some time to write. I was very busy with my school lately.
Read part 1 here
We escaped to the nearest wood, hand in hand. I remembered how we used to dance in the dark wood casting all our fears aside. I felt the same kind of fearlessness took over me.
We sat down. I looked him in the eyes and asked, “how are we alive after all this years?”
“Can’t you tell?” he came closer and rested his hand in mine.
It felt like the force of our loves had diminished the inevitability of death and death couldn’t part us. I knew it. I felt sure about it.
“We’re reborn” he began in a whisper, slowly rising the voice by each syllable, “just to be together.”
“And this time,” said I, “no one can stop us.”
Thanks for the 1k+ followers everyone.
This is the first time I've edited a photo like this. Hope y'all like it. ❤
Review of “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes
Genre: Contemporary/Romance
Rating: 3/5
Summary: A very simple working class woman, Louisa Clark loses her best job in a café when the owner suddenly shuts it down. Louisa finds no other alternative but to work as a caretaker of a paralyzed man named Will Traynor.
Personal Opinion: This book is written in a very simple language; but bears a deep meaning. It was heartwarming as well as heartbreaking. Moyes presented a very critical issue the right way.
Romantic books are not my favourites; but this one has a very unique story. So, I gave it a go and wasn't disappointed.
Quote: "You can only actually help someone who wants to be helped."
A Review of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Genre: Romance
Rate: 5/5
Summary: When Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr. Darcy, she couldn’t stand him for his pride. Neither did Mr. Darcy found her interesting enough to ask her for a dance. But many occasions brought them together again and again. At last, Mr. Darcy couldn’t help but fall in love with Elizabeth.
My Opinion: I don’t know where to begin. This novel is a classic and a masterpiece. I loved the use of satire in a most charming way possible. The first thing I noticed reading this book was that people were extremely nosy. They seemed to notice other people’s even the trifling matters of day to day life. I couldn’t help noticing how the mothers were all so anxious about their daughter’s marriage at the time. I loved Austen’s writing style very much. It was really funny and I laughed out loud at so many places (I’m even smiling to myself now thinking about some funny parts). Though it was a little draggy at the beginning, but I enjoyed almost every part of it. This book was worth all my time.
Favourite Characters: I can’t decide whom I like best among Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Jane is such a sweetheart. Her values and point of views almost match mine. She is also a very responsible daughter and sister. I feel like, there is a warmth present in her which gives one comfort. Elizabeth is carefree and independent. She has a way of charming everyone and being friendly. She is very confident too. She handles her situation in a very tactful way. I specifically like the sisterly relationship between Jane and Elizabeth. My sister and I share a same kind of relationship. We too, like them, have each others confidence and shares every little thing. Now, what can I tell about Mr. Darcy! I loved him at the end as much as I hated him in the beginning. The best thing about him was that though he is proud, he learns.
Quote: “Do anything rather than marry without affection.”
A Review on ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker
Genre: Gothic/Adventure
Rating: 3/4
Summary: An English solicitor named Jonathan Harker visits the Castle Dracula of Transylvania, Romania, where he meets the famous Count Dracula. By the day, he becomes aware of himself being held captive in the labyrinth like castle. In the meantime, Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray grows anxious of his return while noticing some great changes in her best friend, Lucy Westenra.
My Opinion: I was very excited about this book and waited till October to get the Halloween vibes. Unfortunately my exam date was set for October and I had to sneak some time to read it. Anyway, I was able to finish reading the book and liked it. The gothic environment was evident and at times it creeped me out. The environments of the castle and the graveyard were really creepy. The fact that the whole book was written in the format of letters, diaries and journals, kept me guessing. I did not particularly like any character. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to anyone. They seem too plain. A minor character of a mental patient named Renfield was the only one I found interesting. Another problem I struggled with was that the novel was too descriptive. It took a lot of my attention and will power to go through the whole book. But overall, the story was thrilling.
Quote: “How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.”
“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller Review
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3/5
Summary: “The Crucible” is a play of 1953 by Arthur Miller. The story is based on the infamous ‘Salem witch trials’ which took place in the 1692-1693. A group of young women, lead by Abigail Williams, accuse the village people of witchcrafts which results in a hysteria among them.
My opinion: The writing style of this play was very neat and I enjoyed reading every minute of it. It was short but the scenes were very intense. It showed how the ‘Salem witch trials’ was unfair and how ironically they hanged the people who wouldn’t admit being a witch rather than the ones who already did.
But there is a specific problem in this play which I would like to discuss. The protagonist John Proctor was shown as a brave hero whereas the antagonist was Abigail Williams, a very young girl who was sexually exploited by her former master (John Proctor). Isn’t it misogynistic how the writer had made the real victim look like a villain and the abuser a hero? I know Abigail was twisted and what she did was not right. But it was John who made her go that way.
Another problematic thing about this was that John was expecting his wife, Elizabeth, to forgive him because he had confessed to her. But when she couldn’t, it made him angry. At the end too, Elizabeth took all the blame on her saying she was too ‘cold’ as to why John made the mistake in the first place. That was really misleading. No one should be felt that way when their partner is the one cheating.
Quote: “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it.”
"Harry, what did you do?"
"What you made me do!"
When you hear about someone you know, doing a bad thing, don't you feel kinda sad or maybe even guilty about it?
Because you think, "What was my part, among all others, in their life which lead them to this path?"
7 Deadly Sins
What is Pride? I am the bride. She’s just a simple maid. It’s my day, Me she must obey. Why would she withstand?
What is Greed? I need bread, Oh there, I have it now! Wish for jam too. Just that won’t do. To have some pizza, how?
What is Lust? A kind of thirst. Oh, how gorgeous he looked! When I winked, Didn’t he blink? That’s how another got booked.
What is Envy? I’m so heavy. How come she’s all skinny? That’s not fair. I must dare, To put her in ignominy.
What is Gluttony? I love this Beanie. But I have three just like it. That doesn’t matter, I’ll buy it better And ignore the homeless on the street.
What is Wrath? Don’t come on my path, Or you will know what pain feels. Did you talk back? Now I’ll thwack. That’s how I know to deal.
What is Sloth? There’s work for both, But I’ll pretend to be sick. So you’ll do it While I just sit And my candies I’ll lick.
One Last Dance
"Can I have a dance?"
A man with a pitch black mask covering the upper half of his face asked me. His face was very pale and his lips were thin.
Looking in his twinkling dark eyes, I felt like I've seen them before.
"But I can't dance." I said.
I wouldn’t have come to the ball if it weren’t themed as a Victorian London one. There is something I find really interesting about the Victorian era.
"Oh Darling!" the man said with a charming smile, "Let me take the lead."
This time I knew for sure I’ve heard that same voice saying the exact same word, “Darling!”
Unconsciously I gave my hands to his. We moved to the dance floor. He put his hand behind my back and pulled me closer.
I was oblivious to my surrounding. The only thing I was looking at was his pitch black eyes. The lights reflected in them as we move along the music. Hours after hours past. But we did not stop. I could not remember when was the last time I felt that much happy. We laughed, we danced and kept staring at each other’s eyes.
A sudden flashback cross my mind. I was dancing with my beloved surrounded by the dark woods. Our laughs were the only sound we could hear.
I pulled away and gasped, “You’re him.”
He came closer to me and whispered, “And you’re her, my mellilla.”
Read Part 2 Here
Absent-Minded Man by Jerome K. Jerome
This is a humorous story about a man named McQuae who is inattentive to anything around him. He can’t remember invitation details, appointments and even the women he were engaged to. However, when he finally gets to marry a jolly woman named Leena, his friend, the writer thinks that it won’t last long as he will forget about her too. After a considerable time, the writer unexpectedly meets his old friend McQuae, drenched in water on a rainy day. McQuae as always informs that he has moved to the new place with Leena and has forgotten all about it. The writer very calmly takes his friend to a solicitor and finally restores him to his wife.
The story is hilarious. Some of the conversations made me laugh out loud. The first part of the story was narrated in second person, which is the rarest in English literature. This is the only story I’ve read which has this style of writing. So, I enjoyed learning something new.
I didn’t like the fact that the character of Leena was mostly in the shadow of her husband, McQuae, the protagonist of the story. Although she was explained as a cheerful woman, we don’t see her express any such action.
If I could change anything from the story I would have added more detailed information regarding Leena. So that the readers can have a clear idea of how she was able to live with a man like McQuae for so long.
Other than the aforementioned point, I found the story genuinely amusing. It shows that how absent mindedness can put someone in absurd situations. I, myself, often get distracted in many occasions. Now, I have started to focus more on my surroundings. This story has taught me a fine lesson.
I’ve actually wrote this for an assignment where I was supposed to write about a short story I liked. But unfortunately, the teacher is making us write a review on the story SHE tells us. I was so excited about this assignment in the beginning. Now, I’m devastated.
‘Wuthering Heights’ By Emily Brontë Book Review
Genre: Gothic/Romance
Rating: 3/5
Summary: The story of Catherine Earnshaw and her foster brother, Heathcliff falling in love. But when Catherine is married to another man Heathcliff seek revenge on those he thinks are responsible.
My Opinion: I was confused throughout the whole book. Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn’t. The characters were hard to sympathize with. The decisions they made were crazy. Overall the whole book seemed like a mess.
Still, there were some memorable events which I can't deny that I really liked. The ending was satisfying too.
Favourite Character: Edgar Linton seemed like the only sane person in the entire book. He was a sensible person and I felt his judgements were right.
Quote: “You said I killed you--haunt me then.”
Marauders era reimagined (part 2)
part 1
Marauders era reimagined
part 2