About

Welcome to Red Notebook Reviews, a blog title selected before a red notebook had actually been acquired. I’m whimsical in that way. And whimsical I shall stay throughout the course of these reviews. The original design in creating this blog was to get my thoughts out so that I wouldn't die from suppressing my own opinions and self-reverential cleverness. Jokes, jokes. In truth, I simply love talking about books almost as much as I love reading them.

I have a BA in English (concentration in Creative Writing) and am currently in the process of finishing up grad school with the hope of graduating with a Masters in English/Creative Writing. SO KEEP IN MIND, I’m a literature snob, though I have a soft spot for a special few cringey yet lovable reads. More than anything, though, I will be reading from the perspective of a writer. If you’re a writer, you’ll know what this entails. If you don’t, just picture the most analytical, neurotic, and caffeinated version of yourself–that’s who I am when I read and write.

Note: I should have called this blog the Neurotic Notebook Reviews. 

Most of what will be reviewed are either classics, literary fiction, or theological texts. Poetry may make an appearance, as will nonfiction, I’m sure. YA, fantasy, horror–they all have the potential of appearing on this blog but I can’t yet say. Like many other people out there, I’m an intuitive reader. I read what I feel like reading when I feel like reading it. SHAMING ONE FOR NOT FINISHING A BOOK WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS SPACE (i.e. lazy readers are welcome). 

The books will also be receiving a grade based on these five categories expertly outlined by ChatGPT: Storytelling, Writing Style, Themes and Message, Character Development, as well as Impact and Engagement. Each book will receive a rating for each category on a five point scale, with subsequent numbers culminating to an overall letter grade. 

Please, please, PLEASE, leave comments, especially if they contradict my review. There is no single way of approaching a text. Everyone has a different perspective no matter what. THIS BLOG IS PURE OPINION, so don’t bother getting riled up about anything I say. I’ll likely already be riled up enough for the both of us. That being said, I think it’s time for the disclaimer:

DISCLAIMER: I will not be reading any books written by Colleen Hoover, any books by Ottessa Moshfegh, nor any smut advertised as “romance.” My reasons are my own, and if I feel like explaining all this later in a separate post, then I will. Don't hold your breath, though. I DO judge a book by its cover and so should you. Don’t expect a consistent upload of reviews–it’s however fast I read the book. 

Now, I shall leave you with a quote by my all time favorite author as I extend a hand out to you from this imaginary dance floor in this imaginary ballroom for our imaginary waltz into reading books and writing about them, because, remember, I’m whimsical: “It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language” (Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey).