My Bookshelf (2024 Edition)

One of my new year resolutions is to read 20 books in 2024. So here’s the list (in reverse chronological order) :D

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

What would happen if everyone knows how long they have left to live?
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆.
The Measure is told from the point of view of a group of “short-stringers”, people with just a few years left, after everyone in the world is given a string indicating how long they have left to live.

Never Lie is a psychological thriller about a couple stranded at a mysterious house during a blizzard. It contains multiple unexpected plot twists.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆.
Never Lie was recommended to me by a friend, and it was a quick and fun read. Throughout the novel, the author successfully creates a lot of tension and suspense around the plot, and leads the readers on to create their own theories based on the hints here and there. However, your guesses are most likely wrong, as the author proceeds to unveil multiple unexpected plot twists. And to be honest, I don’t know how I feel about them. On one hand, I enjoyed the shock and surprise that came with the ending; on the other hand, I felt a bit cheated on after trying to formulate my own guesses based on the clues only to find them completely wrong…

The Secret History unfolds a murder mystery and its aftermath that occurred among a group of elite and pretentious Greek majors at a liberal arts college.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆.
The book is a literary masterpiece as it meticulously depicts the extravagant, luxurious, and pretentious lifestyle of the six-student Greek circle. It does a great job in illustrating the flaws of these characters, but at the same time creating some mysterious appeals to them. I really enjoy reading most of the book and getting to know more about these characters, but the plot is, in my opinion, dragged out longer than it needs to be.

After Professor Randy Pausch of CMU got diagnosed of terminal pancreatic cancer at 47, he gave a moving last lecture that went over how he has achieved his childhood dreams, how to enable others’ dreams, and some suggestions on how to live a fulfilling life. What struck me the most was how Randy didn’t seem to have any major regrets, even though his life was shorter than most.
It led me to ponder about my own dreams - what are they, would I be able to achieve them in 30 years, and would I have any regrets?
- To do: make a list of things that I want to do in 30 years.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆. A very touching and inspiring book albeit some chapters are a bit scattered.

If you saw me crying while eating at Ackerman, it’s because I was reading this book, not because the food was that bad.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆. You'll love this book if you love romance and don't mind being sad.

This series will blow your mind. No other science fiction books that I’ve read so far comes close to this level of creativity. There are so many interesting characters and concepts in the book, and you’ll simply be left saying “oh wow” after reading.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★. Strongly recommend.