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alomie's reviews
259 reviews
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I chose this for my in person bookclub and it was an easy enough read, very fast paced and action packed.
I would describe this as Civil War America zombies, a part of history I don't really know much about, which I think may have added to my enjoyment if I knew more about it.
The main character Jane is fairly likeable, although very headstrong she wants to protect those close to her, but she is also rather frustrating as she is a teenager.
Parts of this book could definitely have been cut out and I feel it was about a 100 pages too long, a fun romp but it definitely overstayed its welcome.
For a YA book I think it tackles the ideas of race well enough, and brings the idea of the native schools that existed around that time and ripped young people from their cultures to instill "European" Christian culture and put them to work in hard back breaking labour, a thin cover for what was essentially slavery.
An interesting take on an alternative history, overall enjoyable, and I will eventually read the follow up Deathless Divide, as I would like to know what happens to Jane, Kate and Jackson.
I would describe this as Civil War America zombies, a part of history I don't really know much about, which I think may have added to my enjoyment if I knew more about it.
The main character Jane is fairly likeable, although very headstrong she wants to protect those close to her, but she is also rather frustrating as she is a teenager.
Parts of this book could definitely have been cut out and I feel it was about a 100 pages too long, a fun romp but it definitely overstayed its welcome.
For a YA book I think it tackles the ideas of race well enough, and brings the idea of the native schools that existed around that time and ripped young people from their cultures to instill "European" Christian culture and put them to work in hard back breaking labour, a thin cover for what was essentially slavery.
An interesting take on an alternative history, overall enjoyable, and I will eventually read the follow up Deathless Divide, as I would like to know what happens to Jane, Kate and Jackson.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was something else, I spent the whole time feeling nostalgia for the naughties and hating all the characters in the book. However, I enjoyed my time with it, it's weird and unsettling and also like watching a car crash, like you objectively know you shouldn't be watching it but you cannot drag your eyes away.
I don't really know who I would even recommend this book to, but it's also a book I want to talk with someone about, it's strange, I also have a hangover from it.
Considering it's a short book about a woman putting herself into a medicated hibernation it was exhausting.
The main character is horrible, and no one in this book comes off great, but in spite of that, I could not stop reading.
I don't really know who I would even recommend this book to, but it's also a book I want to talk with someone about, it's strange, I also have a hangover from it.
Considering it's a short book about a woman putting herself into a medicated hibernation it was exhausting.
The main character is horrible, and no one in this book comes off great, but in spite of that, I could not stop reading.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
I found this book both inspiring and frustrating.
The idea that she had the gumption to walk the PCT with zero experience and basically zero money is amazing, she really did just get up one day and do it, and that she makes it (more by luck than judgement) is honestly amazing, and I cannot take it away from her.
But I also found her life choices baffling, grief does funny things to us all but perhaps because I did not lose a parent young I do not relate, but her mother dying really set her on a destructive path and her choices here are honestly out of this world and she's bloody lucky she got out of that before she was sucked into a world of addiction and homelessness.
Her utter naivety with regard to the walk and what it entailed, just stupid shit like not testing her full pack until day one of her walk seemed extremely avoidable, and the fact she doesn't think to get rid of any weight until a man tells her... It was a little frustrating.
All in all I enjoyed this, but it was utterly baffling that she made it.
The idea that she had the gumption to walk the PCT with zero experience and basically zero money is amazing, she really did just get up one day and do it, and that she makes it (more by luck than judgement) is honestly amazing, and I cannot take it away from her.
But I also found her life choices baffling, grief does funny things to us all but perhaps because I did not lose a parent young I do not relate, but her mother dying really set her on a destructive path and her choices here are honestly out of this world and she's bloody lucky she got out of that before she was sucked into a world of addiction and homelessness.
Her utter naivety with regard to the walk and what it entailed, just stupid shit like not testing her full pack until day one of her walk seemed extremely avoidable, and the fact she doesn't think to get rid of any weight until a man tells her... It was a little frustrating.
All in all I enjoyed this, but it was utterly baffling that she made it.
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is easily one of the best books I've read this year, absolutely heartbreaking and very poignant regarding the state of the planet and the very real challenges we will face if nothing changes in regards to climate change.
In parts I was frustrated by the main character, but I think only because she is so untethered and able to leave on whim, it's a feeling I don't understand, but her itchy feet make her who she is and part of why this book broke my heart multiple times.
Something special in these 250 pages, really quiet and understated descriptions of the lack of birds, that after reading when standing in a friends garden I was shocked at how loud the birds were.
I was totally sucked in by this book, and read it in just a few days, and one I will be buying for my forever shelves. No doubt I will send this to a few friends too.
In parts I was frustrated by the main character, but I think only because she is so untethered and able to leave on whim, it's a feeling I don't understand, but her itchy feet make her who she is and part of why this book broke my heart multiple times.
Something special in these 250 pages, really quiet and understated descriptions of the lack of birds, that after reading when standing in a friends garden I was shocked at how loud the birds were.
I was totally sucked in by this book, and read it in just a few days, and one I will be buying for my forever shelves. No doubt I will send this to a few friends too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
dark
mysterious
- 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 was such a good read, I absolutely devoured this book in a day, and I don't often do that.
A Vampire in modern London, who has escaped from her mum who has issues regarding being a vampire herself, by putting her in an elderly care home, as she was going mad after losing her teeth.
This really is a book about a dysfunctional family who are trying to live a somewhat normal life in spite of the fact they are vampires and keeping this a secret from everyone, and a big relationship with food, and sustenance.
This book made me hungry, her utter longing to want to be human and able to experience food, and the descriptions of coffee and also of noodles, made my mouth water.
I found that she felt like a real person trying to deal with the "demon" inside her, and being utterly unable to do so, but also that she at the beginning is naive and on her own in the world for the first time but she actually quickly learns the value of being strong and different.
I also loved that this book did not overstay its welcome but also packed a massive punch.
A Vampire in modern London, who has escaped from her mum who has issues regarding being a vampire herself, by putting her in an elderly care home, as she was going mad after losing her teeth.
This really is a book about a dysfunctional family who are trying to live a somewhat normal life in spite of the fact they are vampires and keeping this a secret from everyone, and a big relationship with food, and sustenance.
This book made me hungry, her utter longing to want to be human and able to experience food, and the descriptions of coffee and also of noodles, made my mouth water.
I found that she felt like a real person trying to deal with the "demon" inside her, and being utterly unable to do so, but also that she at the beginning is naive and on her own in the world for the first time but she actually quickly learns the value of being strong and different.
I also loved that this book did not overstay its welcome but also packed a massive punch.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book is the worst. I have read it again, as a punishment to myself and because my in person bookclub hasld picked this as a book.
I understand that this book is not aimed at me and I am not the target market but I do belive there are better books out there for young teenage boys.
First of all, if your not a fan of being mansplained every page you can find at least one mansplain, and it gets really old really quick.
Second of All, the women in this serve as a plot point to get the main character "distracted" and is a classic case of Manic Pixie Dream Girl the love interest, who has a "deformity" (read birthmark) and he decided he can "love her anyway". The fact that Art3mis knows anything, in fact she knows everything (sort of & when it's convenient of course) and everyone is just amazed that she does. 😂
Third, if you don't want to play the game of "that thing is in/from the 80s" so help me god, do not read this book. I get it, halliday was on the spectrum, his special interest was the 80s but christ on a bike. I wouldn't mind but Rush, classic arcade games, Matthew Roderick films and Monty Python are hardly underground.
It felt like reading Edgelord the book, not for me, a very rare 1 star. No thanks. Hated it.
I understand that this book is not aimed at me and I am not the target market but I do belive there are better books out there for young teenage boys.
First of all, if your not a fan of being mansplained every page you can find at least one mansplain, and it gets really old really quick.
Second of All, the women in this serve as a plot point to get the main character "distracted" and is a classic case of Manic Pixie Dream Girl the love interest, who has a "deformity" (read birthmark) and he decided he can "love her anyway". The fact that Art3mis knows anything, in fact she knows everything (sort of & when it's convenient of course) and everyone is just amazed that she does. 😂
Third, if you don't want to play the game of "that thing is in/from the 80s" so help me god, do not read this book. I get it, halliday was on the spectrum, his special interest was the 80s but christ on a bike. I wouldn't mind but Rush, classic arcade games, Matthew Roderick films and Monty Python are hardly underground.
It felt like reading Edgelord the book, not for me, a very rare 1 star. No thanks. Hated it.
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So, I really loved the parts about Marian Graves from her perspective, but the Parts about Hadley really ruined this book for me and I would have rather not had the spoiler at the end and the epilogue I felt gave a neat ending but I think I would have liked not to know to be left with the option of deciding for myself.
I really felt for Marian stuck in a time that was not ready for her. She was a trail blazer and although flawed she did all she could despite her circumstances to make her dreams a reality.
Hadley on the other hand felt thin maybe vapid, and unable to make a good decision to save herself. She redeemed herself in the latter half of the book but by then I found I could not get behind her.
Overall I liked this book and its worth a read but I really can't forgive half the story.
I really felt for Marian stuck in a time that was not ready for her. She was a trail blazer and although flawed she did all she could despite her circumstances to make her dreams a reality.
Hadley on the other hand felt thin maybe vapid, and unable to make a good decision to save herself. She redeemed herself in the latter half of the book but by then I found I could not get behind her.
Overall I liked this book and its worth a read but I really can't forgive half the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and War
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
I was listening to this as an audio book but it didn't really go in, I was busy doing other things and I think I need to read a physical copy of this.
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A story of a woman's life as told through her memories in the last 10 minutes and 38 seconds as her brain shuts down.
I found this story very moving and hard to read in parts a tragic story and her abrupt death. There is hope mixed in there with the 5 friends and their stories but also some great sadness.
A comment on Sex work in Istanbul, the struggles of the trans community and the harsh realities of a repressed nation and its obvious disdain for women.
I found this story very moving and hard to read in parts a tragic story and her abrupt death. There is hope mixed in there with the 5 friends and their stories but also some great sadness.
A comment on Sex work in Istanbul, the struggles of the trans community and the harsh realities of a repressed nation and its obvious disdain for women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
The Cat and the City by Nick Bradley
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
You know when you pick up a book and you just know you are going to love it, the first story in this collection was very special and a sign of what was to come.
This book is extremely dark in places but in others it shows the lightness of human nature.
As always I enjoyed how all these stories lightly weaved together and how the cat was involved in all their lives and this was the thread.
This book is extremely dark in places but in others it shows the lightness of human nature.
As always I enjoyed how all these stories lightly weaved together and how the cat was involved in all their lives and this was the thread.