Amazing Book Haul from Book Outlet: September 2021

Welcome to my first book haul in TWO YEARS! After strictly reading ebooks, I decided I need the cozy and comfortable feeling of a paperback book. 

Using Book Outlet, I found a great stack of books to add to my end-of-year reading list. I tried to gather fiction books, but of course, a non-fiction read snuck into my book haul!

If you have read any of these please let me know in the comments! 

You are welcome to read my post or watch my video on the same topic:

Disclaimer: certain links on this page are affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made through my link.

https://youtu.be/qo29C2Y09do

September 2021 Book Haul

The Art of Racing in the Rain By Garth Stein

This book has been everywhere and honestly, I’ve avoided reading it because I know it will make me cry.

After a year of non-fiction, I’m ready for a book to hurt me again.

Later by Stephen King

This is one of King’s newer books and the perfect spooky read for October. 

Reviews say the writing and story-telling is similar to his other book “It” which makes me even more excited to check it out!

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

I’m not a big romance reader, but the synopsis hooked me. 

Basically, the main character wakes up in a different house, with a different man, living a completely different life just to return to her current reality after an hour. 

I need to know if this is just a dream that impacts her life or if this is truly the future and how she gets there. 

I can’t wait to find out!

Rabbit by Patricia Williams

This is my only non-fiction read and I couldn’t let this book slip by as I’m a huge fan of Ms.Pat and even though I know bits and pieces of her story from her podcast – I’d like to read it in her book. 

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

This book was actually recommended to me from a friend of mine on Instagram and looks like such an interesting science fiction read. 

Although it is fiction, it dives into environmental catastrophes and the impact power can have on humans. This read may actually feel too real?

I always ask for book recommendations on my Instagram so feel free to follow me!

The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

This is not going to be my first time reading this book, but I’m just as excited to read it!

I adored this book when I first read it back in 2017, however I only have an ebook copy and truth be told I did read it in a rush. 

I’ve learned to be more intentional with my reading and I want to really pay attention to the characters and the story!

And that’s my September Book Haul! I’m probably going to wait until December for my next one – so please leave any book recommendations below and sign up for my newsletter to be informed when I post these book reviews!!!

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September 2021 Book Haul

Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Book Review

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Classic / Fiction / Adventure

5/5 rating

Please note that I try to keep my reviews fairly brief and mainly discuss my opinions. I do not like to reveal plots or spoilers as I wish the reader to experience it themselves. For anyone looking for a discussion about the contents of the book feel free to contact me! I mainly discuss the writing and my thoughts on the quality of the story. In the end, I include my favorite quotes with a quick discussion on why I chose them. If there is anything I can add to make my reviews better please do not hesitate to let me know!

Disclaimer: Some links on this page may be affiliate links and if there is a purchase made through them I can earn a commission from the sale. The decision to make a purchase through these links is entirely up to the reader. 

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 Life of Pi Review

Life of Pi by Yann Martel is one of the several books on my TBR list for 2020. This read was long overdue since it is a popular classic that is recommended by many people. And now I am recommending you read it too.

Life of Pi is a story about a young man who discusses his adventure over the Pacific Ocean after a shipwreck that involves a tiger. Yes, a tiger with the name Richard Parker.

Pi (Piscine) is curious about religion and his position within it. It brings a great discussion about beliefs and social constructs surrounding religion. I am not a religious person, but the discussions about religion in this novel were fascinating to read because it really made the reader think and it revealed a lot about the main character.

Pi’s family owned a zoo, which is where the tiger comes from. The book includes a lot of information, facts, and discussions about zoos and the animals within it. I also think it is a good educator for the readers!

Pi and his family are relocating to Canada and like Noah and his ark take their zoo animals on a ship to be shipped off to other zoos as they embark on their new life in Canada. An issue occurs and the ship they are riding on goes down in the middle of the night. The rest of the story revolves around Pi’s survival on a lifeboat and raft with several zoo animals that escaped the shipwreck. A zebra, hyena, orangutan, and of course Richard Parker.

The story is graphic and a little violent, but that is expected when you are fighting for your life on a lifeboat filled with zoo animals. Pi’s story has many ups and downs and there is never a dull moment. I was glued to the book wondering what would happen next, could Pi really survive this?

The most significant part of this story comes in the last chapters. After you follow Pi’s adventure and read the horrible events that happened on the lifeboat the ending plot twist ties every doubt and question you have together. Every question is answered in the final moments of this book, and a single quote spoken by Pi himself makes this book one of the greatest of all time. 

Quotes From Life of Pi

In this section, I share my favorite quotes from the book.

Some quotes I will have a small discussion on what this quote means from my interpretation, but some quotes are so beautiful and influential I like to leave the unique feeling and interpretation to you.

Many of us lose sight of the importance of creativity and imagination.

We lose our own and appreciation for other artistic expressions.

We need to reclaim it because it is the art that makes life worthwhile.

This quote comes from Pi thinking about the zoo his family used to own.

I love how it summarized how it feels to reflect on a memory.

Something that was so large and influential now fits into a thought inside your head.

When reading this part of the book it is a very eye-opening moment.

I think many will interpret it differently, but for me, I related to this one realization because it reflected how worrying about something does not help you and oftentimes you are not even worrying about the right thing.

Oftentimes the thing you are worrying about will not even happen.

No matter where you stand when it comes to religion, beliefs, and spirituality.

When life gets hard and you find yourself feeling low, you find yourself searching for something bigger than life to give you the answers.

It could be the universe, nature, a god, anything! No matter what you look for, you are looking for something or someone in a time of need.

Many people are stuck in their ways and want to live in what is comfortable.

You do not grow there.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel is easily one of the best books I have ever read. I was skeptical as I was reading, but the very last chapter changes the entire perspective and leaves you shocked and amazed. Brilliant story-telling and eye-opening discussions. I recommend this book to everyone.

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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Book Review

Please note that I try to keep my reviews fairly brief and mainly discuss my opinions. I do not like to reveal plots or spoilers as I wish the reader to experience it themselves. For anyone looking for a discussion about the contents of the book feel free to contact me! I mainly discuss the writing and my thoughts on the quality of the story. At the end I include my favorite quotes with a quick discussion on why I chose them. If there is anything I can add to make my reviews better please do not hesitate to let me know!

Classic / Fiction / Dystopian
5/5 rating.

Disclaimer: some links on this page may be affiliate links and if there is a purchase made through them I can earn a commission from the sale. The decision to make a purchase through these links is entirely up to the reader. 

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Fahrenheit 451 Review 

This is a classic title I have heard about for years and just never made the time to read. I grabbed my secondhand copy and decided to read it while I traveled for work.

This book is not long, but requires attention to detail as there is so much happening in a small amount of pages.

As I started reading I noticed quickly that Ray Bradbury’s writing is very descriptive and poetic. Many of my favorite quotes from this book are due to his beautiful imagery when describing people and situations.

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian type novel which emphasizes censorship and bans the people from reading any and all books. They do this to maintain order and control.

The novel introduces its main character who himself is a fireman in charge of burning books and the houses they find them in. In contrast to the firefighters we know as putting out the flames, in this dystopian setting they ignite the flames.

This book highlights temptation and the curiosity of those who cannot settle for only the information they are provided.

This dystopian world Ray Bradbury created pulls you in instantly not only because of fascination, but also because you begin to question yourself and how you would behave in similar circumstances.

Is ignorance bliss or do you want to live a life of imagination and awareness? You’ll find your answer to that as you read on.

Quotes from Fahrenheit 451

This quote comes early in the novel and it hooked me instantly. The imagery in his words are beautiful and continue to astound throughout the novel. 

The comparison of eyes to amber is not one I have seen before, but it makes complete sense. Many of us has looked into someone’s eyes and felt caught in their gaze. This is a comparison that will stick with me after reading it.

This quote highlights the theme of the novel. It focuses around censorship and control and broadens to stories of those who consider and choose to rebel. 

This quote can be pulled to our reality where there is possible conspiracy within our governments. 

This is an example of a part in the book where you will begin to ask yourself what you would do and/or accept in terms of censorship and control.

 

Bradbury consistently uses imagery and words that reflect fire, only fitting for the overall story. 

This poetic quote relays a simple message in an extravagant way. 

Time waits for no one. Our time is limited and it goes on day by day taking no mercy on what it leaves behind.

Although grief is a terrible thing, I love to learn how others describe it. Grief is such a hard concept to define and explain so it fascinates me when people can make statements that make sense to the readers naturally. 

This quote discusses the death of a man and what that means for the ones he left behind. Everyone is unique and there is no replacing them when they leave us. It makes grief hard, but it also makes appreciating them so much more beautiful.

Fahrenheit 451 is described as a classic and rightfully so. Everyone should read this book in their lifetime. The writing is beautiful and the story is shockingly relatable and as a reader you will appreciate the main character.