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alexiasophii's reviews
440 reviews
Breviário Mediterrânico by Predrag Matvejevitch
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Esta é uma interessante peça reflexiva sobre o Mediterrâneo. O livro é composto por fragmentos de pensamentos soltos, que são agrupados e organizados de forma linear, mas dá para perceber que são fragmentos. Aliás, uma das citações no posfácio descreve bem o livro:
"O "Breviário" propriamente dito, cujos fragmentos sucessivos se encadeiam como um uma fluidez musical, enuncia os temas: é o catálogo dos tópicos de todos os discursos possíveis sobre o mediterrâneo: portos, ilhas, ventos, correntes, costas, faróis, terrenos, línguas, utensílios, migrações, batalhas navais, etc."
O livro está dividido em três secções principais: Breviário (uma espécie de diário de bordo de reflexões ao longo da viagem do autor), Cartas (nomeadamente cartas náuticas e mapas) e Glossário (essencialmente, tudo o que não se encaixou ou não foi desenvolvido nas secções anteriores).
O livro é bastante interessante, mas, admito, um pouco enfadonho em certas alturas, principalmente na secção das Cartas, quando o autor começa a enumerar autores e artistas. Para entender a 100% o que o autor fala, é preciso ter quase o mesmo conhecimento que ele, principalmente relacionado com náutica, mapas e outros assuntos semelhantes. A minha parte favorita, e na qual fiz mais anotações, foi a parte do Breviário e, depois, a parte do Glossário.
No geral, é um bom livro para quem tem interesse do Mediterrâneo, mas admito que esperava mais, daí a minha avaliação de 3,75.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
- 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
4.0
I read this as part of the Game of Tomes Book Club organized by CarolynMarieReads and emmiereads over on Youtube.
This was my second Austen novel and I enjoyed it a lot! I found it to be very funny and the main character is so innocent at first, to the point I had to actually stop and reflect if she was naive or if I was understanding the text wrongly, but, no she was naive indeed! However, she is still a very loveable character and so are Elanor and Henry. I really enjoyed the moments these three were together, although I kind of hated Isabella, she was a b-word. Same with the General, what a rude man.
Overall the book was very enjoyable and I can't wait to pick up another of Austen's novels!
This was my second Austen novel and I enjoyed it a lot! I found it to be very funny and the main character is so innocent at first, to the point I had to actually stop and reflect if she was naive or if I was understanding the text wrongly, but, no she was naive indeed! However, she is still a very loveable character and so are Elanor and Henry. I really enjoyed the moments these three were together, although I kind of hated Isabella, she was a b-word. Same with the General, what a rude man.
Overall the book was very enjoyable and I can't wait to pick up another of Austen's novels!
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Well... I've loved the movie for years and I was in the mood to read an autumn, witchy book but this... this isn't it. I will admit the only reason I got through it was because I read it on audiobook, otherwise, I doubt I would've finished it. The book is much darker, the characters are unlikable and, while the plot is somewhat similar, it seems... darker somehow. The way I can describe this book is like a dark looming cloud. It really disappointed me, I was expecting something different.
I guess this is the exception where the movie is better than the book.
I guess this is the exception where the movie is better than the book.
The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was cute! Not as cute as the first book (but a lot more smuttier!) and it only started picking up around the middle of the book. Overall, a nice, lighthearted read!
Os Meus Dias na Livraria Morisaki by Satoshi Yagisawa
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
Hmm. Not sure do to was because I read the Portuguese translation but I did not like it as much as I thought I would. I loved the environment and the ambience but the characters and the plot... Not so much. It was a nice read but it's not a book I would say I would re-read to be honest.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
THIS BOOK IS SO CUTEE!! I love these characters and this story!!
My only complaint, which might be because of my edition, and I will check when my physical copy arrives (read it on Kindle), is that there are a LOT of time jumps with no warning whatsoever. I would love a bit of a time note, like even just one line "Two weeks later" or something, because, especially at the beginning, it gives you a bit of a whiplash. But besides that, THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! And I can't wait to see the movie adaptation in a week!!!!!
My only complaint, which might be because of my edition, and I will check when my physical copy arrives (read it on Kindle), is that there are a LOT of time jumps with no warning whatsoever. I would love a bit of a time note, like even just one line "Two weeks later" or something, because, especially at the beginning, it gives you a bit of a whiplash. But besides that, THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! And I can't wait to see the movie adaptation in a week!!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Antes que o café arrefeça by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a very emotional and beautiful book. It almost made me cry in a café shop at 8 in the morning, I have to admit. The characters are very well created and the story makes sense. The way the "time travel" works... is very plausible. No matter what you do, you can't change the past but can come to terms with several situations and change your outlook on things. It is inspiring and sad, at the same time. I enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.
Remain Nameless by HeyJude19
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Once More, With Feeling by wetpretzel
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting by Evanna Lynch
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
"We’re afraid that if we show these ugly, unpalatable parts of ourselves, it will be too much for others; that nobody will love and accept us, and we’ll be left alone with only the worst parts of ourselves for company."
"And I decide, now, in this moment, that I want it; I want this body. I want to inhabit her, enjoy her, care for her, and defend her in this world. And I no longer want to be yet another voice telling her she’s disgusting or embarrassing or inadequate or too much. I want to be one of those arresting voices of love and compassion, to offer her a space where she can go to restore, to feel safe, to grow."
WOW.
This book is profound, gut-wrenching, and transformative. Evanna's warning at the beginning of the book is true, the book focused about 80 or 90% of it on the eating disorder aspects. It is very graphic what Evanna went through. A good part of the book, and that I enjoyed, is that Evanna does not mention weights or calories or any of those things. As she says, eating disorders feed on the "achievements" and on measuring against other people. Learning how much other people weigh, especially at the lowest point of their battle, is not empathic, it is competitive. And it is not helpful to anyone. I particularly enjoyed how Evanna explains her journey and shows that healing is not linear, but a series of battles and fights, up and downs, wins and losses.
This book is definitely not good for people who struggle with eating disorders, especially anorexia or bulimia. Be careful of Evanna's first Author's Note, she is being very sincere and direct in her warnings.
Overall, I loved this book. I truly did. And I think it sparked something transformative in me and I will come back to it several times in the future.
"And I decide, now, in this moment, that I want it; I want this body. I want to inhabit her, enjoy her, care for her, and defend her in this world. And I no longer want to be yet another voice telling her she’s disgusting or embarrassing or inadequate or too much. I want to be one of those arresting voices of love and compassion, to offer her a space where she can go to restore, to feel safe, to grow."
WOW.
This book is profound, gut-wrenching, and transformative. Evanna's warning at the beginning of the book is true, the book focused about 80 or 90% of it on the eating disorder aspects. It is very graphic what Evanna went through. A good part of the book, and that I enjoyed, is that Evanna does not mention weights or calories or any of those things. As she says, eating disorders feed on the "achievements" and on measuring against other people. Learning how much other people weigh, especially at the lowest point of their battle, is not empathic, it is competitive. And it is not helpful to anyone. I particularly enjoyed how Evanna explains her journey and shows that healing is not linear, but a series of battles and fights, up and downs, wins and losses.
This book is definitely not good for people who struggle with eating disorders, especially anorexia or bulimia. Be careful of Evanna's first Author's Note, she is being very sincere and direct in her warnings.
Overall, I loved this book. I truly did. And I think it sparked something transformative in me and I will come back to it several times in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Vomit, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Gaslighting, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders