ysabellabeya's reviews
31 reviews

Betting on the Muse: Poems and Stories by Charles Bukowski

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dark tense medium-paced

4.25

my first Bukowski (which I surprisingly liked). he explored themes such as: death, suicide, violence, war, boxing, horses, "crazy" women, getting old, and the sad reality of faded and forgotten stars of the limelight.

favorites: those marvelous lunches, CONFESSIONS OF A COWARD, Somebody Else, betting on the muse, THE UNACCOMMODATING UNIVERSE, hell is now, people, RANSOM, it's difficult for them, THE STAR, this dirty, valiant game, the shape of the Star, the girls we followed home, THE SUICIDE, hands, final score, the trash can, the gods, the laughing heart.
The Adventure of the German Student by Washington Irving

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

this is what zero pussy does to a mf.
Bluets by Maggie Nelson

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informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.25

this book is like my 7 am philosophy class 😃😃😃 a lot of time i need to reread every vignettes but this book exudes sad girl, big brain energy.
No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July

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funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

top faves: Birthmark, How to Tell Stories to Children
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

this ottessa girl..... I'm starting to like her
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75

too much kissing !!!

MEN WHO LOVES TO SEW CLOTHES????????????????? SAN PO NAKKAKAKUHA NANG GANYAN
Si by Bob Ong

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

binasa ko to para magtawanan, kasi ganun ang bonding!! BAT NIYO AKO PINAPALUNGKOT HA DI KO DESERVE TO PERO DESERVE NETO FIVE STARS MABUHAY ANG PANITIKANG PILIPINO
Shoko's Smile by Choi Eunyoung

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challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

had me ugly crying from first story to the last. this book made me miss my lolo & lola more, which is surprisingly, very timely for me to read this book in this time of the year. my favorite story is the secret (had me in tears 3 pages in?!?!?!), shoko's smile is a great introductory to me as a crying mess, xin xhao xin xhao and hanji and youngju taught me intimacy and connection in friendships; that it can give you the greatest heartaches too. michaela, i love the idea of motherhood and how it is presented in the story. i had a great time reading this book that I have no idea it will make my pillow soaked in tears after 272 pages 😃
Better Than Fiction by Ariesa Jane Domingo

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

GET A GUY LIKE DUKE NA SUSUPORTAHAN KA SA MGA SCHOOL WORKS MO <3333
This Is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill

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challenging reflective fast-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? Yes

2.75