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m4rtt4's reviews
327 reviews
Rebekka by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.75
So so good! It's best to go into the book knowing as little as possible, that'll help with the mysterious and thrilling feelings. In the British aristocracy everything is fine on the surface level, but if you keep peeling the onion, sooner or later it may even make you shed a tear or two. The psychological aspects of the late wife's shadow, Mrs. fucking Danvers and borderline grooming really made me feel on edge.
I KNEW THAT MANDERLEY WAS GOING TO BURN AT SOME POINT (hope mrs danvers went with the house)
i'd also like to know why it is so hard not to bang your cousin
i'd also like to know why it is so hard not to bang your cousin
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Incest, Suicide, and Cultural appropriation
Kuunpäivän kirjeet by Emmi Itäranta
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
The vibes in this book were immaculate! Even though the plot itself wasn't quite relaxing, I had to rate this book 'relaxing' among other things because of the undescribably dreamy and calming feelings all the space travel and creative world-building made me feel. Reading this felt like I was lucid dreaming with no intentions of ever waking up. I was also very interested in all the fictional biology and other futuristic science — even though I don't usually read sci-fi, the most scientific parts happened to be my favourites in this book. I would have read this for just the vibes, the plot was not my main interest nor did it live up to my expectations — compared to the incredible vibes it was just okay, and the ending fell flat.
The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
So wholesome and heart-warming <3 I wish there had been more (mini) stories with a plot, but nonetheless it was nice to see behind Alice Oseman's creative process.
(tbh I lowkey chose to read this book because of the Tara/Darcy mini comic and everything else was just a nice side dish (but you didn't hear that from me I love everyone else as well))
(tbh I lowkey chose to read this book because of the Tara/Darcy mini comic and everything else was just a nice side dish (but you didn't hear that from me I love everyone else as well))
Epäröintejä by Pirkko Saisio
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Koska tää on Saisiota, automaattisesti tälle ei voi antaa huonoakaan arvosanaa, mutta jotain jäi silti puuttumaan; jokin, tai ehkä paljonkin, pääsi menemään yli hilseen. Oli kuitenkin ihanaa kuunnella äänikirja Saision itsensä lukemana <3
Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My first time reading Junji Ito, and I am in awe, I am in love (as much as one can love things like this)... The stories are original, creative and excellently drawn with an eye for creepy details, there's literally nothing to complain (other than I wish the book had been longer lol). My favourite stories were Earthbound, Bloodsucking Darkness and The Mystery of the Haunted House / Tsujii family stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail
Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My grandma should read this.
This book really evoked emotions in me, so much so that I had to rate it 'challenging' because the main character's stubborn homophobia really irked me at times. The story is sad, yet very realistic, and it feels so surreal that this kind of (institutional) discrimination is rather mild when compared globally, as homosexuality is already legal in South Korea.
I think the narrative of a homophobic mother was a great idea, as it forces the reader to step in her shoes — not that it made me understand her, but I couldn't dismiss her feelings either as she wasn't just a one-dimensional hater. It also showed how some people deem themselves as good people: despite the mother actively helping the sick and elderly, she couldn't give her own daughter the same treatment just because she was a lesbian. I still wanted her to have more character development than just going from disgust to tolerance — she still couldn't quite accept the situation in the end, but it does go well with the sad reality, though...
This book really evoked emotions in me, so much so that I had to rate it 'challenging' because the main character's stubborn homophobia really irked me at times. The story is sad, yet very realistic, and it feels so surreal that this kind of (institutional) discrimination is rather mild when compared globally, as homosexuality is already legal in South Korea.
I think the narrative of a homophobic mother was a great idea, as it forces the reader to step in her shoes — not that it made me understand her, but I couldn't dismiss her feelings either as she wasn't just a one-dimensional hater. It also showed how some people deem themselves as good people: despite the mother actively helping the sick and elderly, she couldn't give her own daughter the same treatment just because she was a lesbian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Violence
Pikku Prinssi by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Everyone should read this.❤️
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book has been on my tbr for so long I feel ashamed I didn't pick this up earlier — better late than never, though, and there were so many layers to the story that I know I'll be rereading this some day. The court scene was my favourite, I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time I was reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Slavery, and Death of parent
Sivullinen by Albert Camus
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
One of the best unreliable narrators I've ever read! It gives you so much to think about when the writing is very objective and emotionless yet everything is still warped by Mr. Mersault's own perspective. There are so many layers that I couldn't possibly fathom everything despite this being my second time reading the book, but it was an interesting experience nonetheless. Marie was my favourite character, I wouldn't mind reading a whole book from her perspective.
extra .25 stars for one of the most iconic opening lines ever :)
extra .25 stars for one of the most iconic opening lines ever :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Colonisation
Tähänastiset runot by Pentti Saarikoski
challenging
inspiring
reflective
3.5
Saarikosken runouden kehityksen näkee hyvin siitä, miten runojen kieli ja aihepiirit muuttuvat ajan kuluessa. Mitä tapahtuu todella? oli nimensä mukainen kokoelma ja totaalinen täyskäännös, jota en hirveästi fiilannut. Lempikokoelmani olivat Maailmasta ja Katselen Stalinin pään yli ulos!! :)