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alyssastag's reviews
232 reviews
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Quick, entertaining, and informative. Now I think everything is a cult!
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This was so hard to read. The main character is pathetic and has no redeeming qualities. The plot is lacking. I guess it’s meant to be horrifying and edgy but I didn’t enjoy anything about this.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was fine. Maybe if I read it in 2013 I would’ve been more into it but it felt predictable and a bit slow. The characters are interesting but sometimes their motivations and confusing.
Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
So good! This book was about everything and nothing. It had me crying in the hair salon. I’m still confused about what fish are but I think that’s the point.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This is a fun, classic fantasy story with strong female characters. The protagonist’s mysterious past keeps things interesting, as does the possibility of a love triangle brewing.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
This is such a perfect book. The characters are complex and realistically portrayed to the point where I feel like I know them. The conflicts are challenging, and Ng writes about them in such a persuasive and engaging way that the lines between right and wrong feel blurred at times. I enjoyed this story so much that I finished it while walking down the street.
Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I feel like I’m gonna need to read this again to fully understand it. The concept is cool and it’s organized in a super interesting way. It moves a bit slow, and some of the character relationships are kind of confusing.
The Reason I Jump: one boy's voice from the silence of autism by Naoki Higashida
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This book provides some interesting insight into the minds of people with autism. Some of the questions were a bit repetitive, and I found myself with even more questions after I finished it.
Afterglow: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors by Grist
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
3.0
I really liked a few of these stories. The rest were just okay. It was cool to read a more positive perspective on how an end to climate change could impact our planet. Despite the hopefulness, though, most of these stories are really sad.
Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O'Meara
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Learned so much from this book!! Really appreciate the diverse array of women presented in it.