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linlinlin's reviews
275 reviews
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
DUTCH MENTIONED
A Book of Tongues by Gemma Files
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
I really wanted to love this; Files comes recommended by Gretchen Felker Martin which is no small praise. But I am too old to tolerate much senseless murder even in a horror novel, and this book uses background character death as scenery. Not here and there or as part of a fight; bodies litter the pages from the get go. Feels like Tarantino or an anime. In my twenties I would have frothed this. Heck, in my twenties I wrote novels like this. I look forward to trying Gemma Files' more recent works instead and might recommend you try that too, unless you are still the target age group. I reckon you could have loads of fun if you are. Frankly I think it's important to enjoy things like this while you can!
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A classic style, modern American horror/thriller novel that I almost put down in disgust at the first big twist. Keep reading though! (unless you're the kind of person who should probably avoid the horror section altogether) This is so cleverly written and had me flipping back and forth to figure things out; probably deserves to be read at least twice.
I have a loved one with DID so I was FURIOUS at the plot twist, ra ra I'm so sick of horror writers depicting mentally ill people as serial killers and villains etc when they're subject to so much violence. I'm really glad I stuck with it. My loved one didn't read it so I don't know what the DID perspective on it is, but I was really pleasantly surprised by the happy ending for Ted and the efforts to depict DID reasonably and accurately by Ward. A lot of the contents around DID was stuff I already knew but worth reading if you don't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, and Torture
Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
The content warnings are gnarly but there's a lot of context for most of the worst of it that ameliorates it
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
5.0
A pleasure to read a thriller that isn't American or yeah noir (Aussie noir). More like this. Highly recommended for anyone craving to read about anywhere else than Illinois or Melbourne or something
Roger Crenshaw: The Wolves of the West by Taylor Titmouse
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
local scholar does research
I'll Leave You with This by Kylie Ladd
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Self harm
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
3.5
Finally a Novik I actually liked! Recommend this if you struggle with her other books. I still find her work scanty on details but this was fun! I've always wanted to enjoy her books considering the tremendous significance she has as a historian and archivist.
A Dream of a Woman by Casey Plett
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
A quiet little dream of a book, Plett is such a fine writer. Reminds me of Proulx. Even if you're not interested in LGBTQIA issues, this book stands perfectly fine on its literary merits (and has significant resonance if you do care about LGBTQIA stuff). Also refreshing to read about Canada; Plett follows in the footsteps of Jiaqing Wilson-Yang really beautifully in the small town Canada trans femme memoir vein. Fuck! Get your life!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo
4.5
A really tough and interesting read. I came into this fresh out of Crying in H-mart by Michelle Zaunter, a lot of the discussions also reminded me of I'll be Right There by Shin Kyung-Sook and Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah- loneliness and aimlessness in modern Korean society, the role of women in society. A lot to learn and observe and think about. I loved that this book had footnotes, however- it makes sense considering its context.
The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
A perfect travel book (makes you want to go to Harbin in the 1930s, I'm planning my journey by train to Akademgorodok) and also a perfect non fiction book (you can flip to a random chapter and enjoy yourself, which is important quality of non fiction for me). Some really sublime descriptions. I borrowed it but will definitely buy