Monthly Reading Report (2023/05)

Number of reads

The total number of books read in May 2023 was 27, 12 of which were text books. I tried reading many types of books and was very satisfied.

Novels: 7

Prose: 1 book

Spiritual inspiration and others: 4 books

Comics: 13

Picture books: 2

Topic reading

There are two themes in May, one is campus and romance novels, so I read "Rain from Heaven", "I Want to Hear Your Voice" and "The Fake Marriage Generation".

The three novels all have one feature, that is, they all involve psychological issues. "The Pseudo Marriage Generation" was even co-written by a psychologist. However, perhaps because of this, the later chapters are more preachy. This also appears in "I Want to Hear". "Your Voice".

In this way, "Rain from Heaven" is the smoothest reading process and the longest.

The backgrounds of "Rain from Heaven" and "I Want to Hear Your Voice" are both campuses, and the love in youth novels seems to be relatively simple. However, the protagonist of "The Pseudo Marriage Generation" is about 40 years old, and marriage brings different consequences. Regarding the troubles of youth, it is more worldly and realistic.

Another topic is soul writing, so I read "Automatic Writing Method to Unlock the Multiverse" and "Life After Death". The former teaches you how to write automatically, write down what Gao Ling said to you, and understand the key points of life, while the latter It was the author who heard the voice of his dead brother and recorded his words in another world. Both books are also good to read, and I recommend reading them both. They may change your outlook on life.

novel

"The Chain of Butterfly Killing"

Author: Akira Amada

Likeability: ★★★★★

Short review: The winning work of the second Tianxing Novel Award. I like stories about chain effects, so I bought this book when I saw the title.

The novel begins with a murder case. The police caught the murderer at the beginning, but the motive was unclear. Then the novel reorganizes the cause and effect through the narrative perspectives of six people. The uniqueness of this book is that it adds a large number of social issues and explores society from many aspects. Phenomenons, such as student suicide, Internet acid culture, the dispute between the old and new generations, etc., but don’t be deterred by social issues. The novel is still very entertaining, and the point is, the ending is very explosive.

In fact, until the last chapter, my impression of this book was average, but the ending was completely explosive. As Chen Haoji said in the commentary, this novel should be classified as "an authentic mystery novel that combines social elements." It is not a "socialist novel with original tricks". Readers who originally thought they had all the clues found out at the end that they had thought things too simply.

All in all, I highly recommend this novel.

"Give the Detective a Sweet Death"

Author: Abbot Guihui

Like level: ★★★★☆

Short review: The first two books in this series are also very exciting. The third book "A Sweet Death for the Detective" brings together the protagonists of the previous two books, so readers are naturally looking forward to it.

The special settings this time are not as amazing as the previous two. The rules of the game have been explained at the beginning, but the reasoning components and the flipping and flipping of the ending are indeed well written. Even though it is no longer amazing, it is still a satisfying read. experience.

The story tells the story of the latest VR game software "Inference Factory" which launched a new version and invited 8 amateur detectives to participate. Some played the role of murderers and some played the role of detectives. But then they not only had to track down murders in virtual space, but also in reality. Zhong also needs to find the murderer, and must crack all the murder methods to survive...

Although they are all secret room murders, the methods are beyond imagination. Even if all the elements are placed in front of readers, no one will probably deduce the answer. A lazy reader like me can just follow the ending.

I admire the author for being able to create such a complicated plot. Readers who like mystery novels should not miss it. Although it has nothing to do with the first two books, I will still recommend you to read "The Hourglass of the Time Traveler" and "The Visitor from the Island" because they are more interesting. Wonderful.

"Rain from Heaven" (divided into two parts: Part 1 and Part 2)

Author: Chen Yu

Like level: ★★★★☆

Short review: This is the first time I read Chen Yu's novel. The first and second volumes together exceed 200,000 words, but I can read it in four days. You can imagine how strong the desire to read is.

This is a campus novel. The protagonists are all high school students, but they are not too naive. On the contrary, they may be a bit too mature for students of this age (one of the protagonists fell in love in the first grade of junior high school. He must have been only 12 or 3 years old at that time. , is it too early to mature? Well, I know this is the case in this generation, but I just feel that it is too early to fall in love).

Okay, back to the story, the heroine has always been in love with her childhood sweetheart, but he fell in love with her best friend. The heroine who was betrayed by her best friend changed from the happy girl she used to be to a gloomy one. At this time, her childhood sweetheart and her best friend fell in love with each other. She gradually became familiar with...

Before I opened the book, I saw people saying that this book was very sad. I cried when I saw it. I unexpectedly wanted to challenge it. When I read the middle part, I was a little worried that it would be a terminally ill sadistic plot. Fortunately, it was not at all, and I didn’t shed any tears. But the story It's fluent, and the psychological description is also very good. Although sometimes I don't understand the heroine's actions, and I can't understand how it could be such a misunderstanding.

However, it is fun to watch, the overall story is smooth and makes people want to follow it again and again.

In addition to the main novel, this set also comes with two extra chapters, so readers who still want to read it should be satisfied.

"The Counterfeit Marriage Generation"

Author: Yang Jialing, Chen Yixuan

Likeability: ★★★★

Short review: The marriage story of four women.

Four middle school friends have reached middle age and each has relationship problems. Three are married and one insists on being a single aristocrat to enjoy freedom. Three are married. One meets his first love again and falls in love uncontrollably. One has three children. She is exhausted every day, but her efforts are not recognized by her family, which makes her temper more and more irritable; a marriage is run and run but it was wrong from the beginning.

The four women each faced their own lives and troubles, and finally discovered how to find their true happiness.

I was attracted by the plot from the beginning, but the ending felt a bit too preachy. Perhaps because one of the authors is a psychological counselor, he must solve everyone's problems from a psychological level.

The characteristic of this novel is that the story is integrated with psychology, so it is very realistic in terms of psychological counseling. However, the ending is too hasty, and all the characters suddenly realize their enlightenment, which is a bit too natural. However, pointing out that the influence of the original family on children will be passed down from generation to generation can indeed solve many knots.

The novel is overall good-looking and may make you examine your own marriage relationship. In fact, no matter what choice you make, the most important thing is to be honest with yourself.

"I want to hear your voice"

Author: Misa

Like level: ★★★☆

Short review: This book is both a campus novel and also talks about psychological trauma.

The story begins with the heroine getting broken up, and then she deals with two boys, one who is gentle to herself, and the other who is indifferent to herself. I don’t need to say much about the subsequent story, you can probably guess it. Of course, apart from love, In addition, this novel also wants to talk about a person's heart disease and how to overcome it.

The author also talked about psychological trauma in his previous book "Dearest Us".

"I Want to Hear Your Voice" does not have the twist of "Dearest Us". The story is relatively plain, and the second part is too preachy, which reduces the interest of the novel.

Relatively speaking, in fact, the "Rain from Heaven" and "The Pretender" I watched this month both have psychological things they want to express, but the rhythm of the novels is well grasped, so readers will not be so dramatized.

"The Thief Boss"

Author: Hei Jieming

Like level: ★★★☆

Short review: This is my first time reading a novel by Hei Jieming recommended by many people, starting with the first Diary of a Little Fatty Macho Man.

In fact, I don’t know if it should be classified as a romance novel, because there are so many action scenes. Oh, it is a real action scene, and the hero and heroine also go to Russia to investigate the theft of a famous painting, but the focus is still on the love-hate relationship between the hero and heroine.

We have been entangled for nine years since we met in high school. I don't really understand why we haven't been open and honest for many years, but this can create dramatic tension.

I originally wanted to watch Yan Xiao, but unexpectedly there were large-scale investigation and action scenes (and a plane crash). As expected, Yan Xiao now can't just focus on love.

prose

"Supermarket without Mother"

Author: Michelle Sanna

Like level: ★★★☆

Short review: This is a book about a daughter losing her mother.

The author is of mixed American and Korean descent. The book begins by stating that his mother died of cancer at the age of 56, and then recalls his mother's memories and accompanied her through the journey of cancer, and then how to deal with the pain after her mother's death.

The descriptions in the book are delicate, but because of this, the book can be very heavy to read.

There are a lot of descriptions of food in the book because it is an important part of the author's memory of his mother. (Okay, I have to admit that I skipped the parts about food because I really have no interest in describing food)

Spiritual inspiration and others

"Life After Death"

Author: Anne. kagan

Likeability: ★★★★★

Short comment: If there was a deceased person who directly told you what the world would be like after death, wouldn't you want to see it?

Life After Death is one such book.

The author's brother communicated with her after his death and told her everything he encountered after death. You don't have to believe it and think the author is just making up the story, but the content in this book is in the same direction as many spiritual books I have read, so I Choose to believe.

Because I believe it, I am no longer afraid of death, and I have also let go of many attachments in life.

The suffering of life is an experience, the purpose is to make you become the universe.

Instead of listening to my brief introduction to this book, why not just read it? If you are interested in the afterlife, this book will definitely not disappoint you.

The most recommended book this month.

"Writing Revolution: 40 Practice Questions for Easily Advanced Essays, Novels, Copywriting, and Social Posts"

Author: Lee Locke

Like level: ★★★★☆

Short review: It is a very practical book for teaching writing, and it also has exercises. You can go online and submit the exercises to the author for comment. If you are interested in learning writing, you may find it useful.

The book is divided into four chapters. Each chapter teaches very practical writing methods, from finding inspiration to rational articles to emotional articles. It also provides guidance on novels, essays and even copywriting. Each section is not long and is concise and comprehensive. With plenty of examples, anyone can easily understand the methods.

It is suitable for people who are new to writing. You should find it useful if you learn the basic skills.

"Automatic Writing Method to Unlock the Multiverse"

Author: Michael Sandler

Likeability: ★★★★

Short review: I must admit that I misunderstood this book.

When I saw the title of the book, I thought it was a book about teaching writing. Wow, it’s so powerful. It can write automatically. How great. Then I don’t have to worry about running out of inspiration.

Then after I started reading, I discovered that although it was automatic writing, it was not writing an article, but a kind of spiritual writing. Through meditation, you enter the spiritual level, ask high spirits/guides for advice, and then write down what they have provided you. guidance.

This is a journey of self-exploration. Through automatic writing, you can clarify your life, the obstacles and challenges you face, and learn how to face the future.

Because I originally like books that discuss spirituality, I didn’t find this book confusing, but I was quite interested in it.

The book teaches in great detail how to enter automatic writing. I haven't tried it yet. I always feel that I am too self-conscious and it is difficult to ignore the ego and only hear the voice of the spirit. However, even if automatic writing is not implemented, there are actually many inspiring ideas in the second part of this book. If you like spirituality, it is still worth reading.

(Oh, it seems I can’t be lazy and let automatic writing do the writing work for me.)

"Are you ready to retire at 45?" 》

Author: Tian Linbin

Like level: ★★★☆

Short review: Another book whose title is misleading.

I originally thought the author was teaching readers how to arrange retirement at 45, but it turned out that the author retired at 45 himself.

However, the content is actually about retirement life. Since I have already read "Three Uncles' Happy Retirement Techniques" (one of the authors), I didn't find anything new in reading this book. It was just a refresher.

This book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, without too complicated theories. In addition to briefly introducing the amount of money required for retirement, it actually spends more time talking about life after retirement.

In addition to having enough money for retirement, how can you live a wonderful retirement life? The author makes several points: reading, traveling, trying and creating.

As for me, I am destined not to retire at the age of 45. I will continue to work hard to save money. When I have enough secure money, it will probably be a good time to retire.

comics

"Eating Soul" 1-12

Author: Segawa Yuki

Likeability: ★★★

Short comment: The story tells that the male protagonist has been able to see ghosts since he was a child, but he has always pretended not to see them. One day he meets another girl who also sees ghosts, but not only can she see them, but she can also control giant spiritual beasts to destroy evil spirits. It turns out that She has been carrying the family mission since she was a child to inherit the spiritual beasts and eliminate evil spirits. The male protagonist joins the secret agency "Countermeasure Room", but unexpectedly dangerous things keep happening.

I feel like this comic has too much emphasis, and the emotions of the protagonist are not well developed, so I have never been able to get invested in it. I don’t seem to care who lives or dies, and too many fights make me feel confused.

In fact, I wanted to give up the book halfway through, but after all, this is a completed comic, so I stuck to it until the end.

"The Yalizi who ran away from home"

Author: C4

Likeability: ★★★

Short review: The daily life of a big white duck (Yalizi) and a bunch of little yellow ducks.

Single-frame or three-frame comics have no coherence. They just feel cute when you look at them. They are relaxed, lazy, and healing.

picture book

"Of course you can be in a bad mood"

Author: Tonya. Jorgen

Likeability: ★★★★

Short review: A very gentle picture book with bright and eye-catching colors.

There is no story, that is, a boy puts all his unhappy emotions in a suitcase, and carries this suitcase with him every day, which is heavy and sad, until one day another boy opens the suitcase, and the unhappy emotions stir up a big storm, and the boy Finally liberated, his mood immediately improved and he brought his happiness to others.

Sometimes children may not know how to release their emotions and keep everything on their mind. How can we open their hearts? This book does not teach how to do it, but it lets children know that everyone can be in a bad mood, but they must know how to adjust and release their emotions in a timely manner and not be depressed.

"The Little Fairy and the Little Witch"

Author: Text/Tang Tuer Tu/Qiu Qianrong

Likeability: ★★★

Short comment: The story tells that the little fairy envied the little witch's broom and questioned why she had to carry wings. In the end, she realized that there was no need to envy others. In fact, everyone was equally good.

The story is a bit too simple and is probably suitable for children aged 3-6 years old.

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