APRIL 2019 ✩ 11 PAGES/DAY
CONTINUATION OF
THE SALT LINE, HOLLY GODDARD JONES (385 PAGES)
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RESPONSE:
Last month, I made the prompt decision to not finish reading this book. I lied. I ended up finishing it, and though I still had high hopes, I managed to still be disappointed. I think the factor that drove me to continue most was the plot circling around Wes (as I said prior, he’s the most interesting character). I don’t want to spoil, but stating the exact reason why I liked the book is a huge spoiler. I’ll just say that the hidden city is interesting.
The characters are decent, I guess. They’re forgettable, but decent. There’re some characters (June) that I barely understand in terms of motive and personality. The main characters see her as some evil witch, while others she’s close with say otherwise. What am I supposed to believe? She doesn’t try to justify herself. I’m still not sure if she’s a good or bad character.
The ending is, in all honesty, terrible. There’s two endings, and I hate them both, which is amazing. Truly. The first ending is so random, like the author wanted a little plot-twist which isn’t even that high on the shock factor scale. Wes says he doesn’t have anything left for him to go back, but how’s his multimillion-dollar company going to work without him? That’s a spoiler, but it’s just a thought. As Martha had said, he’s a fool. The ending isn’t satisfying in the slightest. They do get their happy ending, but there’s nothing special about it.
One of the only things I liked about the ending was a particular sentence:
“Let’s be fools.”
It took place during Martha’s conversation with Wes, and reading it left my creative juices flowing with new prompts and ideas. I like that sentence a lot. It’s short, sweet, and can be built off of.
As for the second ending, it only left me confused. It’s the kind of ending that I like to write: one where you nail the story in with the final, impactful, “wow that’s deep” sentence. Instead, the final sentence isn’t deep or impactful. It made me think, sure, but it was more of a “what does that even mean” kind of thinking instead of a deeper reflection for a meaning I could immediately understand.
Final thought, but I don’t get why the story is split into three parts. This book isn’t even in specific enough sections that you feel the need to split it up with edgy, all black pages. It’s like a random intermission in the middle of a story. The pages aren’t pretty either. I like the titles as an aesthetic, though I don’t get how they tie back, and there’s a ring surrounding the text.. Oh. It’s the salt line. Okay never-mind, that’s clever.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, AGATHA CHRISTIE (300 PAGES)
READ: 15 PAGES
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RESPONSE:
I’ve always been fond about Agatha Christie for a multitude of reasons. I got introduced to her by my former creative writing teacher. I had requested for any suggestions on mystery books, since it was my favorite genre back-in-the-day. I totally forgot to keep up the promise of reading one of her books, but I could never forget her. A few years later, I finally got to hold an Agatha Christie book in my hands. Better late than never.
I only managed to get 15 pages in, but I’m already quite intrigued. I like how all of the characters are tied together. The basic characterization, plot, and setting given provides a sort-of eerie and bad feeling. I imagine an inevitable doom ahead of their journey.
I’m really excited to finish this book! I barely know anything about it, thus my review so far is very open and broad.
REFLECTION:
I still haven’t kept up my previous goal of 20+ pages/day. I’m seriously lacking in the everything department. My main issue this month was the fact that I spent many days without a proper book. I ended up rereading a book until my Agatha Christie book came in. I’m not sure if this counts as a “goal”, but I want to be more prepared with my books, as I’m constantly haunted by the idea of not having a book to read. As well, my book inspiration is running thin. All the books I want to read aren’t available at the library, and I’m lacking ideas. I’ve been thinking of peeking at other reading ladders to find some new books.
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