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alomie's reviews
259 reviews
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book had some really beautiful moments, and I especially liked the chapter about the flea that travels across oceans and brings the plauge with it.
Otherwise the book was okay, I was bored and ready for it to be over by the end of the book, nothing particularly wrong with it but I could have just done with less of it, by the end I was rushing through.
Otherwise the book was okay, I was bored and ready for it to be over by the end of the book, nothing particularly wrong with it but I could have just done with less of it, by the end I was rushing through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.0
I really liked this one, I can't say it was a perfect book but it was very good.
If you like deep introspection and really getting to know the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a book then this is probably for you. I enjoyed the way the book feels like real people awkwardly going through the motions of their lives, nothing perfect and not much in the way of gloss.
It's just how it is, how complicated platonic relationships can be and also non-platonic relationships. Also the way the dynamics of friendships and relationships change over time, by way of distance, time apart and who else is around to observe and participate.
I also felt that Sally has written a book with mental health that accurately describes what I have experienced with my own and my friends mental health. It felt real,and it felt as though it came from a place of lived experience.
My only criticism and take this with a pinch of salt, I did find the main characters a little bit annoying by the end of the book, not enough that it stopped me from reading but enough that I can't get behind the a book 100% and I'm honestly not sure what is was, perhaps it was my own frustration of them not seeing the whole picture, and being very self deprecating which was hard for me to stomach.
If you like deep introspection and really getting to know the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a book then this is probably for you. I enjoyed the way the book feels like real people awkwardly going through the motions of their lives, nothing perfect and not much in the way of gloss.
It's just how it is, how complicated platonic relationships can be and also non-platonic relationships. Also the way the dynamics of friendships and relationships change over time, by way of distance, time apart and who else is around to observe and participate.
I also felt that Sally has written a book with mental health that accurately describes what I have experienced with my own and my friends mental health. It felt real,and it felt as though it came from a place of lived experience.
My only criticism and take this with a pinch of salt, I did find the main characters a little bit annoying by the end of the book, not enough that it stopped me from reading but enough that I can't get behind the a book 100% and I'm honestly not sure what is was, perhaps it was my own frustration of them not seeing the whole picture, and being very self deprecating which was hard for me to stomach.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As will all short story collections I found this extremely hit and miss and as these are retelling of mythical tales from around the world I found some were more my speed than others.
I particularly enjoyed the stories of Psyche, Thisbe, Orin, Nefertiti and Naleli. These were in my opinion the strongest stories that I was involved in and felt myself rooting for the characters a lot of these had more modern settings and just felt more relevant.
As a short story collection I feel in some of the other cases brevity did the stories an injustice, I also found some of the stories to poetic, not enough substance or I guess I just didn't vibe with the characters.
Overall I thought this was pretty decent and worth picking up, perhaps I would go back to some of the stories but I wish I had read the authors note about where the stories came from or perhaps a page at the end of each story talking about the origins would have helped me understand the retelling a bit more.
I particularly enjoyed the stories of Psyche, Thisbe, Orin, Nefertiti and Naleli. These were in my opinion the strongest stories that I was involved in and felt myself rooting for the characters a lot of these had more modern settings and just felt more relevant.
As a short story collection I feel in some of the other cases brevity did the stories an injustice, I also found some of the stories to poetic, not enough substance or I guess I just didn't vibe with the characters.
Overall I thought this was pretty decent and worth picking up, perhaps I would go back to some of the stories but I wish I had read the authors note about where the stories came from or perhaps a page at the end of each story talking about the origins would have helped me understand the retelling a bit more.
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Honestly found this one completely tedious, I found the characters self centred and not that interesting, the same old tropes in this sort of chick lit, one character with a eating disorder, a character who marries a man quickly and then learns he's not who she thought he was, a woman with a shopping addiction.
Don't get me wrong I'm sure that these are all relevant to someone but I feel women are a bit more than this.
The men arent much better liars or jealous of the woman making more money than them. It just felt tired to me, and not really adding anything to the conversation.
Don't get me wrong I'm sure that these are all relevant to someone but I feel women are a bit more than this.
The men arent much better liars or jealous of the woman making more money than them. It just felt tired to me, and not really adding anything to the conversation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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 book, I read this for bookclub as our sci-fi pick and I thought it was a good time.
I don't think it was that deep and as a YA I did find parts of it a bit irrelevant to me, there was lots of overcoming bullying with more violence which I felt uncomfortable with.
It was a fast paced book and I flew through it, I felt that it dragged a little in the middle, and became a little repetitive by the end but overall a fun war games book.
I don't think it was that deep and as a YA I did find parts of it a bit irrelevant to me, there was lots of overcoming bullying with more violence which I felt uncomfortable with.
It was a fast paced book and I flew through it, I felt that it dragged a little in the middle, and became a little repetitive by the end but overall a fun war games book.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a long winding family saga over decades following multiple points of view.
I enjoyed this book immensely, it was well written and hard in parts, deeply melancholy following the struggle of all the characters, the deaths, the abuse, the war, losing your home, not being accepted as a citezen in the country you were born in and so much more.
I liked that the story was threaded together so beautifully and how one decision can have so many knock on after effects. Bringing whole generations shame or sadness for their ancestors past mistakes.
Something really special about this book.
I enjoyed this book immensely, it was well written and hard in parts, deeply melancholy following the struggle of all the characters, the deaths, the abuse, the war, losing your home, not being accepted as a citezen in the country you were born in and so much more.
I liked that the story was threaded together so beautifully and how one decision can have so many knock on after effects. Bringing whole generations shame or sadness for their ancestors past mistakes.
Something really special about this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I didn't think that a book about a snarky science teacher who ends up in space, trying to save humans from bacteria could be so emotional.
I could not put this book down and found it to be one of my favourite books of the year so far. I listened to the audio book, which is fully cast and I think that this really helped especially with the parts in space, I don't want to spoil it but the friendship built in this was one of my favourites and honestly had me in tears.
I could not put this book down and found it to be one of my favourite books of the year so far. I listened to the audio book, which is fully cast and I think that this really helped especially with the parts in space, I don't want to spoil it but the friendship built in this was one of my favourites and honestly had me in tears.
Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby
funny
fast-paced
4.5
This is a very funny book, about the authors life, observational comedy of a 40 something woman.
I laughed out loud several times, and enjoyed my time with this fast paced whitty book.
I laughed out loud several times, and enjoyed my time with this fast paced whitty book.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed my time with this book, it did not take me long to read however it packed a punch and I really like Susanna Clarke's writing style.
This book was not what I expected but I quite enjoy diary entry books, so that was a pleasant surprise.
I did think that it was quite a slow read for the three quarters of the book and it felt like it all quickly wrapped up at the end and I personally would have liked more from Piranesi in the fallout at the end, and a deeper look at how it all affected him and his life, however I do like that there was room to kind of decide on your own if he went back or not.
It was a little obvious I thought, but it did not stop me enjoying this wholeheartedly, I really devoured it and I can see myself recommending this to quite a few people.
This book was not what I expected but I quite enjoy diary entry books, so that was a pleasant surprise.
I did think that it was quite a slow read for the three quarters of the book and it felt like it all quickly wrapped up at the end and I personally would have liked more from Piranesi in the fallout at the end, and a deeper look at how it all affected him and his life, however I do like that there was room to kind of decide on your own if he went back or not.
It was a little obvious I thought, but it did not stop me enjoying this wholeheartedly, I really devoured it and I can see myself recommending this to quite a few people.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
I did not enjoy this book, 42% and found it pretty tedious, I'm sure it's good but I just did not care for it.
I think the writing style was partly the problem, but just not for me.
I think the writing style was partly the problem, but just not for me.