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alomie's reviews
259 reviews
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really strange book, it only took me a few hours total to read, although to be honest I got into a bit of a reading slump and left this one for a while.
It was weird though, a woman who isn't interested in the normal path of life, boyfriend, marriage, kids, works part time in a convenience store and almost becomes at one with the store.
She allows a jobless man to live with her, which gives her a momentary glimpse into how happy other people are for her when it seems she is going to conform, but she realises, eventually, that she is not happy.
Odd. I liked it.
It was weird though, a woman who isn't interested in the normal path of life, boyfriend, marriage, kids, works part time in a convenience store and almost becomes at one with the store.
She allows a jobless man to live with her, which gives her a momentary glimpse into how happy other people are for her when it seems she is going to conform, but she realises, eventually, that she is not happy.
Odd. I liked it.
The White Devil: Femmes fatales, political intrigue and murder in the shadowy streets of Rome by Domenic Stansberry
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was very quick to read, with very short chapters, I flew through this.
I wasn't overwhelmed by this book, I think perhaps this was because I didn't really like the main character.
Her semi-incest relationship with her brother was weird, and not very easy to read, it was kind of uncomfortable and I think this was partly why I didn't love the book.
The idea that she would be so passive about the deaths of her 3 husbands, and that she continued her relationship with her brother made me feel queasy.
She was also really passive about her life and who she married it was all orchestrated by her brother, and she just goes along with it.
For a random book I picked up at a charity shop, I am going to be donating this back, perhaps someone else will "get" it.
I wasn't overwhelmed by this book, I think perhaps this was because I didn't really like the main character.
Her semi-incest relationship with her brother was weird, and not very easy to read, it was kind of uncomfortable and I think this was partly why I didn't love the book.
The idea that she would be so passive about the deaths of her 3 husbands, and that she continued her relationship with her brother made me feel queasy.
She was also really passive about her life and who she married it was all orchestrated by her brother, and she just goes along with it.
For a random book I picked up at a charity shop, I am going to be donating this back, perhaps someone else will "get" it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is a really rough read, it took me a long time to read and I needed to take lots of breaks as it was relentlessly emotional, a kick to the gut, as bad as things are they just get worse.
I can't really recommend this book to anyone and I think this is a super dangerous book to be all over booktube/booktok. Before you read this please do check the trigger warnings as the descriptions are graphic, slow and detailed.
I found this harrowing to read, and deeply upsetting.
I can't really recommend this book to anyone and I think this is a super dangerous book to be all over booktube/booktok. Before you read this please do check the trigger warnings as the descriptions are graphic, slow and detailed.
I found this harrowing to read, and deeply upsetting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book was fine, it was pretty mediocre and I found myself quite bored by it in parts.
I found the main character to be frustrating at times and a little whiny when she made decisions she hadn't fully thought through in the name of "adventure".
Ending was sweet though, so fine, can't say I loved it but overall it was good enough.
I found the main character to be frustrating at times and a little whiny when she made decisions she hadn't fully thought through in the name of "adventure".
Ending was sweet though, so fine, can't say I loved it but overall it was good enough.
The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this enough but I found that the ending was quite disappointing.
I liked the multiple pov's and the way the stories all linked together, it was a really atmospheric book, and everyone was so sad.
The author really described the loneliness of being a lighthouse keeper and also the longing of the wives whilst the keepers were away on the Maiden.
I liked the multiple pov's and the way the stories all linked together, it was a really atmospheric book, and everyone was so sad.
The author really described the loneliness of being a lighthouse keeper and also the longing of the wives whilst the keepers were away on the Maiden.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
challenging
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a surprising win for me, I'm not a huge horror reader but I found this to be fast paced and I found myself reaching for it constantly to find out the ending.
There are bits in this that genuinely made me squirm, it was rough to read and the constant intense threat of Francis Dolarhyde attacking again really makes you want the book to end.
The final twist in the book did feel a little rushed in my opinion, and I would have in a rare moment preferred this book to be a little longer to give the final standoff just a bit more space and time to develop.
There are bits in this that genuinely made me squirm, it was rough to read and the constant intense threat of Francis Dolarhyde attacking again really makes you want the book to end.
The final twist in the book did feel a little rushed in my opinion, and I would have in a rare moment preferred this book to be a little longer to give the final standoff just a bit more space and time to develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
2.0
I'm just inherently not interested in this topic, I read this for bookclub and I've avoided it prior to this as it's just not a particularly interesting subject to me.
It was amusing in parts but in others i just found myself skipping over, it didn't really add much to my overall understanding of NHS life, but i also have a few friends who work within the underfunded institution so I am fairly aware of the pitfalls and horrific working conditions.
I also felt the tone was a bit off in parts, and he came off a bit smug in others.
Just not for me.
It was amusing in parts but in others i just found myself skipping over, it didn't really add much to my overall understanding of NHS life, but i also have a few friends who work within the underfunded institution so I am fairly aware of the pitfalls and horrific working conditions.
I also felt the tone was a bit off in parts, and he came off a bit smug in others.
Just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have been saving her books a little and this has been on my shelf for about a year. I should have read it sooner.
I really loved this book, and thought it was interesting how everyone is linked, it's another clever multiple point of view with mentions of major plot points in her other books.
I like how all of these book link together in the same world but focus on completely different characters!
As always the world building was on point, and I couldn't help but race through to know what was going on in these characters lives.
I really loved this book, and thought it was interesting how everyone is linked, it's another clever multiple point of view with mentions of major plot points in her other books.
I like how all of these book link together in the same world but focus on completely different characters!
As always the world building was on point, and I couldn't help but race through to know what was going on in these characters lives.
Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
This is set in my hometown. It wasn't written by someone who has been there, or lived there.
It was annoying me, so I'm going to give it away to someone who hasn't been to Brighton. 😂
It was annoying me, so I'm going to give it away to someone who hasn't been to Brighton. 😂
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So, I don't want to spoil this book but it comes in two parts and it wasn't the book I thought it was going to be.
I found the characters to be fun to follow and the book was fast paced enough that you didn't really have a chance to get annoyed with them for being shallow. They felt like real people to me.
But the absolute bombshell in the middle part of the book, is a game changer. Nearly gave up on it, bit, part 2. Loved this.
I found the characters to be fun to follow and the book was fast paced enough that you didn't really have a chance to get annoyed with them for being shallow. They felt like real people to me.
But the absolute bombshell in the middle part of the book, is a game changer. Nearly gave up on it, bit, part 2. Loved this.