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alyssastag's reviews
232 reviews
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a really weird and creepy book. I feel like I need to read it again to fully understand who did what, though I have a good idea after my first read. The characters are odd and hard to empathize with, but that makes it interesting. The plot is challenging to follow because the narration switched in certain chapters without warning. It was cool to put all the pieces together, though.
Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I rarely love most of the stories in a collection, as I did with this one. They all felt just connected enough to fit together, but could also be read on their own and still be enjoyable. Most center on family, friendship, and the experience of a young woman who doesn’t belong. They didn’t feel repetitive, though.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
This was such a cute story. The gay, adolescent love stories are powerful, and a fun addition to the familiar Arthurian plot. I just wish that there were some more clues throughout the story about the battle. The last 75 pages felt kind of random.
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Loved it! I learned a lot from this book. It answered some questions I had about my own language use, too (such as my feelings about the word “bitch”). Some parts felt a little repetitive.
Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-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? No
4.0
I absolutely loved how this was both informative and an adventurous friendship tale. If I had a daughter I’d want her to read it. Some of the dialogue is corny, but the conflict and relationships are so realistic and compelling, I couldn’t put it down. There were definitely some tears while I was reading it too.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I didn’t like it. The plot felt so similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty (with an added time loop conflict). And there was nothing added to the time loop conflict that hasn’t been done before. The characters were painfully millennial, it was so hard to get through their dialogue. Andrew was especially odd. Why was he so mad? Also there were plot holes I couldn’t ignore— like how does she go the rest of her life not knowing if she’ll snap out of this multiverse she’s landed in? I gave it 2 stars because it was festive and somehow I cared enough to finish it.
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
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
I liked this book more after I finished it than while I was reading it. Acevedo is a poet first, so her storytelling is peppered with figurative language that makes it beautiful but also sometimes hard to stay focused on (in a good, challenging way). The novel spans many years of the Marte family’s history, but I couldn’t help wishing I could learn more about these women—especially the younger generation. Her exploration of death is honest, and showcases how it can be scary, funny, easy, difficult, but always inevitable. It made me want to call my mom.
The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Each of these stories is adorable yet sad. They focus on how death impacts both humans and cats. The first one was my favorite.
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
sad
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
3.0
I feel like this play is too short. It makes life seem fleeting, depressing, and almost meaningless. Emily’s character is heartbreaking, though we don’t really get to know her (or any of the characters) too deeply at all. George is just kid of dumb and like a puppy? The stage manager is interesting and has some meaningful words about life. Mr. Webb’s character is weirdly ominous which is actually cool. I feel like I need to see this performed to really appreciate it.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
reflective
medium-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 just a really nice book. The organization feels homey and nostalgic. The relationships between Lara and her daughters are warm and lovely. It reads like a classic. Lara’s narration feels like a treat because we get to know things about her that the rest of her family do not. I love how her story both romanticize the ordinary and reminds us that mothers are people first.