mcks_picks's reviews
133 reviews

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

3.5

Okay so I was actually fairly surprised by this book when I started reading it. I thought it was going to be more literary, but this book was a straight-up romance. I liked it, though! The characters were loveable and the story was cute. I liked the idea that the characters’ entire lives revolve around avoiding loving each other. It seems like it wouldn’t be cute, but it was actually very sweet. Henry also made this aspect of the story extremely realistic, which I liked! Slow burn romance is much more appealing to me than a quick-burn one, and Henry was able to provide this. 
Another aspect of the book I liked was its entire message about love. The message--that it’s who you are with the other person when you’re in a relationship--was original, sweet, and good. I’ve never heard that before, probably because I don’t read romance, and I thought it was a nice message about love and relationships. Henry wrote a romance that provided real-life advice readers can apply to their own relationships without it feeling gimmicky or silly. I felt it was important that this romance was realistic as it gave readers insight into how a relationship can develop and ultimately exist. 
My dislike of this novel included Poppy, and I’m so sorry, but I just found her to be a bit annoying and dramatic. Her whole “quirky-girl” character was an instant turn off for me and the longer the novel went on, the more I disliked her. She can’t take anything seriously and I don’t think she had more than one meaningful conversation with Alex throughout the book. She’s constantly joking and playing around, even when it comes to the significance of her relationship with Alex. I didn’t connect with her in any way that made me like her. 
Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-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

3.0

I liked this book, mostly. I liked the overall idea, as I do with most books I pick up. I liked the fact that readers would be following this woman throughout her life through the influential conversations she was having. For the most part, the conversations were funny, interesting, and insightful. They dealt with difficult topics that most individuals would avoid talking about, or would later regret talking about. But, Popkey wrote about these topics in a straightforward, blunt, and honest way that wasn’t awkward for her readers or for her characters. 
Another part of this novel I liked was the run-around characters. I felt I got to know the side characters better than I got to know the main woman that was having the conversations. At first, when I realized this, I disliked it, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked that fact. I think it relates well to actual life, because who are we, what do we do, without other people? The “other/side” people of our lives sort of make up our lives, so I thought it was clever of Popkey to do this. 
Though I liked this book for the most part, I felt some of it was a little try-hard. Some parts of the conversations felt like they were trying to be original and philosophical, which was a little annoying. I am a fan of saying what you want to say without trying too hard, but it was fairly obvious that Popkey does not do this. 
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.5

I read this book because I love uncarley on YouTube. She called “Ghosts” a “millennial rom-com” and it totally was, in all the good ways and none of the annoying ways one might expect. My favorite part about this story was the overall premise. It seems fresh to me. Alderton was able to take a relatively shallow idea and turn it into a story that was mature and meaningful, while still being funny and young. I really liked the message the novel held, especially as that message developed more deeply and fairly rapidly toward the end. It wasn’t rushed, though! It was perfectly paced. 
I also loved all the characters in this book. Nina was smart and her parents were a nice complement to her. Her mom was annoying but had a nice turnaround and her dad was sweet and highly loveable. Her friends are funny and kind, and her love interest, Max, is an excellent villain. The characters are well-developed and well-written. 
The only thing I disliked about this book--though there wasn’t much--was the feeling that Nina sometimes fell a little flat. But only sometimes and very rarely! I just mostly felt that way because of Nina’s dialogue; her interior monologue was thoughtful, clever, and sweet. When she spoke, I sometimes felt as if it wasn’t quite expressive enough. Again, I only felt this way occasionally. Most of the time, it was great. Other than that, I thought Alderton did a wonderful job writing this story. 
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

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dark emotional funny reflective 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 really liked this book! This was my second try with it and I’m not sure why I quit it the first time. It’s a good, odd, funny, and touching story. My favorite part about Moshfegh’s novel was her unnamed protagonist. This main character was gritty, gross, selfish, funny, and relatable. I like that she was unnamed because it allowed the reader to dissolve into her character. She embodied all the worst parts of human behavior and I think that is something everyone can relate to, even if they don’t want to. 
Another aspect of this story that I liked was the overall concept. The main character is very obviously going through a difficult time in her life and thinking that sleeping it away will make everything better is simply ridiculous, and the fact that it actually works is even more so, but that’s what felt so *good* about the whole thing. The entire time you’re reading you’re wondering what will happen at the end and when the main character’s plan works, you’re shocked, a little appalled, but also extremely happy and satisfied. It’s a weird mix and it’s great.
There wasn’t much I disliked about this book. I think Moshfegh did an incredible job crafting this story--I imagine it wasn’t easy forming this story to be as satisfying and strange as it was. The one thing I did not like about the story was how it made me feel at points, which is a weird thing to mention because books are supposed to invoke reactions in its readers, even if they are unpleasant. Sometimes, the book made me feel queasy or disgusted, but I think that was Moshfegh’s point, so I was okay with it. 
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

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dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

I could not put this book down! It is an absolutely incredible work. I think Rachel is a character that most young girls can relate to. I’ve found myself thinking about food, calories, and my body in the same way that Rachel does in Broder’s work. She is neurotic, obsessive, and highly damaged, but also highly loveable. I wanted Rachel to win in her life, and the way that Broder progresses the story and develops Rachel’s character makes the reader feel as if she does, though it may not appear that way on the surface. I found myself drawn to Rachel, perhaps because I’ve thought in similar patterns or perhaps because Broder wrote an electric, alluring character. 
Another aspect of this book that I think made it so amazing was its dialogue. The dialogue is so, so realistic without being boring. It is fresh, readable, and forms fully in the reader’s mind. Dialogue can, in some sense, make or break a story, and Broder’s dialogue definitely made the story great! I felt that it added a whole other dynamic to the characters.
I only have one issue with Broder’s work and that is the quick recovery of Rachel’s eating disorder. Rachel does go to a therapist for multiple reasons, but I felt as if Rachel’s disordered thinking and eating was not a main focus of her work with her therapist. It seems as if her eating disorder is quickly resolved when she meets and develops a relationship with Miriam. It just didn’t seem the most realistic to me, but I liked the book nonetheless. 
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Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

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challenging emotional informative sad slow-paced

3.5

I found this collection of essays to be difficult for me. I have two likes about this collection and two dislikes about this collection. 
My first like regarding this collection is the essay entitled “Always Be Optimizing.” This essay is about how women should always be improving themselves and their bodies. I feel that though this is a topic that may seem mundane, or talked about too much, Tolentino wrote about it in a new way with a new perspective about exercise and women’s understanding of themselves and the “forces” around them, for lack of a better term. This essay was endlessly fascinating; I would read a whole book about this topic if Tolentino wrote it. This was, by far, the best essay in the collection. 
My second like regarding this collection is the variety of topics presented. Though it is easy to see how all of these essays connect to one another, I thought that the topics were varied enough that it didn’t feel repetitive or boring. Tolentino chose relevant, modern topics that spark thought and discussion. I think Tolentino wrote about ideas that make themselves known in our culture without repeating what has already been said about those topics. She is smart, quick, and knows how to craft an argument. 
However, I do have two dislikes about this collection. My first dislike was the aura of self-importance Tolentino seemed to have throughout the essays. In fact, one essay was solely about her--I didn’t see why it needed to be included in the collection at all. It was funny to me that she seemed to have this air of self-importance because the book is entitled “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion.” To me, at least, Tolentino thought herself more important that she actually is, which is not to say she doesn’t have important things to say or isn’t intelligent. 
My second dislike was the accessibility of language, which was practically non-existent. This collection of essays was smart, well-thought out, but a little bit tricky to read. Tolentino uses big words and complex, long sentences. I have no problem with this, but I think that if Tolentino wants people to read, understand, and apply her ideas to their lives, she could have used easier language that is more accessible to the average person. 
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

3.0

This novel was taut. It is told quickly and efficiently without losing character dynamics or depth. However, I only thought the story itself was okay. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The idea itself seems tired, and while the narrative was told in a way that seemed new, I felt that the overall feeling was trite. Yet, Woodson’s characters are quite remarkable. They are well-developed and have emotional depth that jumps off the page and allows readers to really feel like they understand the character’s world and life. Overall, I liked it well-enough, but it wasn’t as stunning as I expected it to be.
Outline by Rachel Cusk

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lighthearted relaxing fast-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? No

4.0

Like all the books I’ve been reading lately, nothing really happens in “Outline.” Mostly, there are philosophical conversations about life and love. I actually enjoyed the conversations this woman has with the various people she meets in Athens; Cusk created a character that has the ability to listen and to provide responses that are thought-provoking and relevant. Though not all of Cusk’s characters were particularly enjoyable, I felt all of them were necessary to the story, or perhaps more accurately, the ambience. However, I did like Cusk’s main character, though I felt she was a bit lackluster. Perhaps because she listened so frequently to the conversations and didn’t contribute as much as I thought she should have, I felt lost in who her character was or was supposed to be. Sometimes I felt as if the story was happening to her, rather than she being an active participant, but maybe that was the point. Overall, I liked this novel. 
You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here by Frances Macken

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dark funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really, really loved this book. It is very much Sally Rooney style, but it is distinct enough to stand on its own. It doesn’t feel as if Macken is trying to copy Rooney; Rooney and Macken are just similar. For the same reasons I love Rooney, I love Macken. Her characters aren’t exactly lovable, but you don’t hate them either. They’re interesting, unique, and funnily dark. Like Rooney, nothing really, truly happens in Macken’s story, but her characters are developed deeply enough to keep the reader interested. It isn’t a bland story, but driven by the characters and their problems. As a reader, you root for the characters, but understand their shortcomings, too. Macken masterfully creates these strange characters. 
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

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dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was pretty good and I felt it went deep into itself, despite being so short.