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quasinaut's reviews
193 reviews
One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This was a fascinating read, in part because Kate Kennedy and I have some shared cultural touchstones from our sheer millennialness, but we are also very different people with very different pop culture interests who are at very different points in our lives now. Stellar wordplay and humor, interspersed with touching personal and/or embarrassing anecdotes. A delight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Mental illness
Moderate: Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Minor: Mass/school shootings
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Mixed reaction to this one! There's something about how Beth O'Leary writes characters that makes me like them even when they're unlikable. Izzy was naive and impulsive, and I was frustrated that she didn't communicate better with Lucas about their year-long miscommunication, especially once she started to get to know him. I understand why he didn't want to push it, but it didn't make sense to me how absolutely hostile and antagonistic Izzy could be. Plus, the rampant unprofessionalism from both of them really bugged me.
Pros: I loved that the main characters have other things going on in their lives. They have friends and family. They actually hang out with and talk to other people outside of work.
Pros: I loved that the main characters have other things going on in their lives. They have friends and family. They actually hang out with and talk to other people outside of work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship and Alcohol
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
I struggled with liking any the characters (particularly Camellia) and understanding anyone's motivations. Everything felt too disjointed for me - which may in part be due to listening to the audiobook - but the slow pacing in the first half and flowery descriptions just didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
"You Just Need to Lose Weight" by Aubrey Gordon
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I appreciated Aubrey Gordon as author and narrator for the audiobook.
My biggest complaint: I'm not sure who the audience is. If you already recognize the harm of antifatness (or listen to Maintenance Phase), some sections might help you reflect deeper, but overall you'll already be familiar with the content. If you don't - or you're someone new to the idea of fat activism - then I'm not sure this book is written in a way that will change your mind. The book is repetitive at times - perhaps as a way to try to convince readers who need these points to be driven home again and again for them to start sinking in - but I'm not sure that repetition alone is enough to be convincing.
My biggest complaint: I'm not sure who the audience is. If you already recognize the harm of antifatness (or listen to Maintenance Phase), some sections might help you reflect deeper, but overall you'll already be familiar with the content. If you don't - or you're someone new to the idea of fat activism - then I'm not sure this book is written in a way that will change your mind. The book is repetitive at times - perhaps as a way to try to convince readers who need these points to be driven home again and again for them to start sinking in - but I'm not sure that repetition alone is enough to be convincing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Eating disorder
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I have such mixed feelings about this book! It started off rocky for me - I didn't really relate to the main character, her choices, and how she interacted with others, but over time things began to make more sense. There were still some awkward moments and almost-plot-holes that didn't quite add up, but honestly, her moments with Joe really won me over in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I feel like this book and its approach would be much different if it were published today! The definitions of introversion/extroversion felt overly simplified, the author was too focused on a certain definition of external "success", and I would have liked to see some exploration of neurodiversity and mental illness alongside the central discussion of introversion. Like, what might it look like to be introverted and have ADHD? What about extroversion and depression?
Overall, left me unsatisfied. This book may have had more impact on me had I read it when it was published, but I didn't get much out of it now.
Overall, left me unsatisfied. This book may have had more impact on me had I read it when it was published, but I didn't get much out of it now.
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my second time reading this book and it is still such a delight. Elliot is obnoxious and lovable. He's perceptive and intelligent, while at the same time oblivious to how others' perceive him - especially as he grows and matures.
And while I adore Elliot and his (mis)adventures the most, I also deeply love how the author has built this world that's filled with magical creatures and adventure, but also militaristic hubris and sexism and xenophobia.
So good. No notes.
And while I adore Elliot and his (mis)adventures the most, I also deeply love how the author has built this world that's filled with magical creatures and adventure, but also militaristic hubris and sexism and xenophobia.
So good. No notes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh, this precious gem of a series! Seeing Charlie and Nick continually figure out how to communicate - with each other, with their friends and family, and with themselves - is so heartwarming and real. Love to see them grow closer together while also navigating making choices and doing things as individuals.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In the beginning, the world of the circus was entrancing, but as the story unfolded, I became less intrigued by a place that lacked color and energy. Don't get me wrong - I would love the chance to explore the circus, especially the tents that defy explanation, but I question how engaging it would be day after day, year after year.
I listened on audio and while I liked the narration, I think this made it trickier to keep track of the different characters and chronology. I suspect I might like it better if we jumped between characters, but each of their stories didn't jump back and forth in time.
I listened on audio and while I liked the narration, I think this made it trickier to keep track of the different characters and chronology. I suspect I might like it better if we jumped between characters, but each of their stories didn't jump back and forth in time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
The Twelve Points Of Caleb Canto by Sam Starbuck
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved following along as Caleb goes on a whirlwind Eurovision adventure - but with just enough of a grounded timeline to not feel like everything was happening too fast.
At times, it felt like Caleb was a tad too "along for the ride" but I suppose it works because the others in the Shivadh group are so dang competent at what they do, which is delightful in its own way!
Mostly here for the fun and lovable characters, and it helps that I've accepted that I won't understand how Eurovision voting works.
At times, it felt like Caleb was a tad too "along for the ride" but I suppose it works because the others in the Shivadh group are so dang competent at what they do, which is delightful in its own way!
Mostly here for the fun and lovable characters, and it helps that I've accepted that I won't understand how Eurovision voting works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Biphobia, Drug use, Transphobia, and Alcohol