Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
A lovely read, although the writing got a bit too flowery at times (which says a lot coming from me!). I thought it was an interesting (not necessarily positive) choice to exclude Tom's perspective towards the end, and also thought it focused too much on food descriptions at times... but all in all, an enjoyable read with metaphors/throwbacks nicely weaved throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Grief
emotional
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
This was sweet and sad but not my favourite. Maybe the characters were too young and just in a part of their lives that no longer resonates with me. Maybe time moved too quickly and it felt like things just got jumbled. I think it may be a combination of both. I liked Tom and Ming, and now their relationship ebbed and flowed, and I liked the side characters, it just felt like the book just wasn't quite there. I think Dinan opted to zoom out on their lives and over a longer period of time, which worked in some ways but not in others, and that might be where the problem was for me. It was an interesting book with some sweet and heartbreaking moments, but not one I can see myself revisiting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Transphobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Racism, Transphobia, Pandemic/Epidemic
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some sweet moments, and I can see why people like this book. The characters all have moments of charm in that “uni student who thinks they are quirky” sort of way. The dialogue felt like it was coming from an afterschool special, with the characters using therapy words or helping each other reach a profound revelation in every conversation. Without the tense changes, the characters’ POVs would be difficult to tell apart, and the analogies were often more distracting than fitting. Examples include “our tongues shook hands” and “my heart grows thicker”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Transphobia, Vomit, Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
One of the best books I've ever read. It was so achingly honest and sad. A must-read, by all accounts! Thank you to the lady in Waterstones who recommended it to me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
A beautifully written book. I connected and felt so much for both characters and the extra characters. The imagery painted by the writer was brilliant, I was there with the characters and felt every emotion with them. Even though they’re fictional characters I closed the book hoping they both do well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia
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
Phenomenal. Following the lives of two frustrating yet loveable characters in their late teens/early twenties, this book had me laughing and crying within the same chapter. The writing is concise yet detailed, creating a powerful short novel with raw and believable characters. Any fans of Normal People by Sally Rooney will thoroughly enjoy this book, but the LGBTQ+ focus really sets this book apart. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Car accident
Minor: Transphobia, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
I wish I hadn't read Bellies so fast but I couldn't put it down. Everything about it is just phenomenal. Easily one of my favourite books that I have read in a long time.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Transphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Medical content
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
I saw someone else describe this as a meditation on vulnerability and intimacy, and I feel that so hard. I'm a little bit at a loss for words, but I felt so close to these characters, and by the last few chapters I did what I almost never do – I cried. I think my biggest issue with this book where the time jumps, for a while I found them very jarring, I couldn't quite tell how much time had passed, but eventually I got into the rythmn of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, Grief
Moderate: Car accident
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
If you enjoyed Normal People by Sally Rooney and Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine (read: i wish i hated you, bye, & we can’t be friends), this is your book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Grief, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic