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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the stories a lot!! But whoever narrated the first story (was it Janelle?) is not experienced at this. All of the sentences, and all of the phrases, had the same cadence, and ended on the same pitch. It made the story hard to follow, since there was no vocal cues when a character got excited or scared...
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
The stories and world created throughout the stories were amazing on their own but the details make it so much more so. The diversity in the characters and ideas was refreshing.
This book inspired action in me and helped me conjure my own ideas about what a utopia inside dystopian times can be.
This book inspired action in me and helped me conjure my own ideas about what a utopia inside dystopian times can be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Death of parent, Classism, Deportation
Minor: Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
"The Memory Librarian" is a series of interconnected short stories revolving around a concept or a world/future. Like short story collections of other sorts, this is likely to be a mixed bag for many people. It certainly was with me. However, it also faces an additional challenge. When you place each within the same framework not having any sort of orientation to one another was rather rattling. i would never want to stifle the contributors' creativity. I just wish I had a better sense of this world as a unit. Either chronologically to one another or where it diverges from our reality. Something to let us know if these are continual politics and policies that are occurring or if there is evolution.
That aside, I do find the concept of this world intriguing. I loved all the ways the concept of time in its relation to memory were explored. There was a vein of hope and triumph that ran throughout that makes our current dark times a little more palatable. For one story I loved how it showcased that even if one group seems to have aligned intentions there will always be those that diverge and may be more like a group you see in opposition than another. Others I loved the formation of community or family. I enjoyed the multiple age ranges explored and the contrast of rural vs. urban life.
My favorite came near the end. To see children experiencing this world, to see what the past has instilled in them and the ways older histories can lead to brighter futures was soothing. The concept of having to dream before you can create may not be unique but it is a very pleasant reminder.
That aside, I do find the concept of this world intriguing. I loved all the ways the concept of time in its relation to memory were explored. There was a vein of hope and triumph that ran throughout that makes our current dark times a little more palatable. For one story I loved how it showcased that even if one group seems to have aligned intentions there will always be those that diverge and may be more like a group you see in opposition than another. Others I loved the formation of community or family. I enjoyed the multiple age ranges explored and the contrast of rural vs. urban life.
My favorite came near the end. To see children experiencing this world, to see what the past has instilled in them and the ways older histories can lead to brighter futures was soothing. The concept of having to dream before you can create may not be unique but it is a very pleasant reminder.
I love Janelle Monáe and really wanted to like this book. Was disappointed. Maybe my expectations were wrong. I thought it would be more sci fi oriented.