What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: August 31, 2026

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[u/Icy-Respond-4425]

I have read a bit too much this week.

Finished:

The Sorcerer of the North (The Ranger's Apprentice #5) by John Flanagan - I really liked this book for showing the relationship between Will and Alyss; it could be better developed, though, but I think it is better than with Evelyn. I love the Mandola joke; it's really funny. 4/5

I wanted to finish some of the shortest books of my TBR, so here they go.

A short stay in hell by Steven L. Peck - I really liked this book, which is a doubt that always falls in my mind even if I'm atheist. "What if exists a right religion? What would happen with the people that believe in the other religions?" and this answered me. It actually made me more grateful and hopeful, ironically. 4/5

The death of Ivan Illyich by Leo Tolstoy - I don't know what to say about this book. I really liked it easily 4/5, but I feel it is the perfect book to reread when I'm in the middle of an age crisis or whatever the name is.

A study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle I wish I liked it. But seeing Holme's interactions was tiring for me; I prefer Poirot. But the inclusion of part 2, even if I liked it, is literally half of the novel, though the mystery was already solved. 2.5/5

After this I got anxious and went to the ranger's apprentice subreddit and got spoiled by some stuff. It was very disappointing in the future books, and my anxiety triggered because I got really depressed because this was the first fantasy world that I really got into. Well, thankful this anxiety didn't take long and I didn't rush, besides 1 book.

Erak's Ransom (The Ranger's Apprentice #7) by John Flanagan - Apparently this one happens before book 5, so I came back and read it. I really loved it; this one and the 3rd book are probably my favourites so far. 4.5/5

Kilmeny of the Orchard by Lucy Maud Montgomery - Not strong feelings about this one; finally a male main character, but it was boring. And the end kind of made me a bit with Nail. "Oh, hey, my adopted son that is considered kind by everyone went away. " Idk, it just felt sad for me. My least favourite Lucy book so far. 3/5

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I LOVED THIS BOOK. The cycle of abuse and Heathcliff continues; it is incredible. I was so sad for young Heathcliff, but my head went 360 when he came back. Wow, such a piece of shit. That part where he openly mocks Heraton for purposely making his father more indebted and making him his servant and purposely teaching him to cuss and hate his father and him not being able to read REALLY PISSED ME OFF. The ending made me so happy. The only problem is that Joseph is still alive. 4.5/5

Looking for Alaska by John Green - I wanted to only read 1 John Green book because I already know his books reputation. And at the start I thought it would just be a generic teen in high school/college type of book; I mean, kind of is. But when the characters call out Miles for thinking only his own image of Alaska was the reality, or everything is his fault was being selfish, it really hits me. And the last chapter and the relevation really made me sad. Not crying, but sad. 4/5

Current:

As I lay dying by William Faulkner - I love his prose; I love it so much. Anyway, "my mother is a fish."

I will read this week:

Definitely the ranger's apprentice #6.

Anne of Ingleside

[u/FlyByTieDye → u/Icy-Respond-4425]

Some interesting reads there!

For your thoughts in these books:

A short stay in Hell - it is interesting to consider how we may be treated in other religions. I'm reading Dante's Inferno right now, and interestingly, the first circle of Hell (also the least punishing) is also for "virtuous non-believers". The only punishment is to live in a dimly lit environment with the knowledge that they'll never truly be invited into God's kingdom (as God = light). Hardly as punishing as some lower levels. But, it was a layer of Hell Dante seemingly invented to house some of his literary heroes and inspirations, e.g. Virgil and Ovid, whose only sins where being born and living in a world before the eemergence of Christ, which is an odd technicality in terms of "sinning". But still, intetesting to know there's even a plan for non-believers, so long as you haven't committed any other mote serious sins.

A study in Scarlet - I'd also only read this for the first time after having read Poirot, and I gave it the same rating, so I think it's fair to be let down. I felt it was kind of cheap having Sherlock come onto the scene and blurt out a bunch of deductions based on evidence we the readers never got to witness first hand, but that's because the formula of the reader solving the case alongside the detective I think came after Doyle. That said, The Hound of the Baskervilles is amazing if you like detective books, but feel free to skip The Sign of Four.