Hello guys! I'm back for another post and this time I've written about two books I really enjoyed this winter.

Small Note: { Minor content warnings for the first book // Lots more content warnings for the second one } I want to be mindful of the more conscientious readers here and make sure to give you a heads up about that sort of thing even though I can be quite insensitive to it. 

You can always shoot me an email {worldthroughherheart@gmail.com} if you want more thorough ratings/spoiler free details.



The Shell Collector

Lovely, ethereal, deeply human, fragile yet strong...Anthony Doerr's ability is defined by his agility of description. How he wraps simple human experience into layer upon layer of complexity. 

Honestly Doerr could write about a potato growing and I'd probably happily read it. SO I"M A LITTLE BIT BIASED. But seriously he writes unlike any modern day author I've encountered. This is one of my top favorite short story collections. Poetry in prose. 

My favorites in this collection are:  The Caretaker, So Many Chances and The Hunter's Wife. 
 


Aesthetic 

snail shells // elk // snow // pain // understanding // a melon patch // division // an exotic jungle // fragility // beautifully flawed people // running // nature // pie // a circus // northern beach // fly fishing // wild animals 







Radio Silence


This book really got me on many levels, non romantic guy girl friendships, online nerdy stuff (SOMEONE MAKES PODCASTS AND ITS LIKE NIGHT VALE BUT KINDA BETTER??) , British accents (ENGLAND SET NOVELS? YES), struggling with school and the pressure of society etc.

According to Alice she wrote this while at uni and her hate of it fueled a lot in this book. I love how it represents that you DON"T HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE SOCIAL NORM to live a happy and successful life (e.g. going to college vs not going doesn't mean you're dumb and will be unsuccessful in life) As I'm also an artist, currently on a non conventional school path, reading about this in a story was such encouraging representation.

Now I know it wasn't a perfect story or book and while I know there are details that would make some uncomfortable I liked it and related to it so much.



  podcasts // marvel themed clothes // nerdy references // the best guy girl friendship // LGBTQ // smart kids and not so smart kids // lots of angst // diverse characters //  fan art // online world tension // dealing with fame // the sweetest supportive mother // toxic family environments 








// What are some great books you've been reading lately? Give me a little rundown of what they're about! I'm always down to lengthen my TBR with your suggestions :)

“When pleased, I beat like a drum. When sad, I break like glass. Once stolen, I can never be taken back. What am I?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless 

 “To be all right implies an impossible phase. We hope for mostly right on the best of our days.”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless

  “His eyes were the colour of gold, of sunflowers and butterscotch and lemons hanging heavy on their boughs - Jest”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless
 
“This was why she enjoyed baking. A good dessert could make her feel like she'd created joy at the tips of her fingers. Suddenly, the people around the table were no longer strangers. They were friends and confidantes, and she was sharing with them her magic.”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless




 raven / riddles / intrigue / balls /

weird creatures / hatter / festivals

secrets / giggling king / pile of cards

controlling mother / royalty/ dreams

expectations / march hare / well

look glass / chess / magic

maze / chesire cat / pumpkin patch

tea parties / stories / creepy fates





 - the realism of a court environment yes it was deeply annoying sometimes seeing how they act and how Catherine had to act back but it's realistic and I can relate to it.

- FOOD, oh my spades and hearts this book is a wonderland for all the foodies. Food is described in such painstaking detail that I literally got hungry when I didn't have food around. So much for not looking like a walrus. :P


- Marchioness Pinkerton drove me insane, I absolutely hated her. She is the example of what no mother should be. But stylistically speaking she was a necessary and well done character. This sort of links to societal norms and even though a lot of people are complaining about how this book is sexist and mysoginist and complain that Cath didn't stand up to her mother, I say "honey those times existed and people had to live through them however best they could and yes we humans like to please and our families matter to us." End rant.

- The hints and spatters of madness throughout conversations, this book was flavorful and it definitely gave off a strong Alice in Wonderland vibe. As someone who hated the book (it was a complicated love mostly hate situation) (Alice in Wonderland), I do recommend you read Heartless...it infuses a lot of humanity and sense into the confusing madness so to speak. It puts the puzzle pieces together.



- the romance. the mission. his intense care. it shattered me. it made my heart stop a few times. enough said.

- the king was the most ridiculous hilarious annoying character ever. Well done Marissa, also to all of you who call his love for Cath unrealistic, I've known a multiple people who are about as un-understandble in their undying affections as the King of Hearts.



- I'm gonna try not to put any spoilers in here but you mayyy want to skip over this one. >> the insanity of the well girls, drawings & rhymes inserted a dark splash that I really liked, Meyers balances her story telling elements so well it's almost insane. Also the "off with it's head" explanation, the way she just built that up was AMAZING. I actually think I don't hate Alice in Wonderland anymore just because of this book.

- The characters, the entire content of this book was splashed with the brightest most complex shades. The animals, the cards, the humans...whatever all the creatures were they were all incredible. Also I do have so much more respect for the Mad Hatter and I now understand the pig child and the crazy peppery cook.

- JEST AND THE ROMANCE IS BASICALLY THE MAIN REASON WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH, get ready for a heartbreaking aesthetic at the end of this post.