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alisarae's reviews
1413 reviews
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
aahhhhh I loved this book so much! Becky Chambers is such a genius. The characters are all so endearing and unique, I just want to be their friend and go on soace adventures with them.
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The off-the-beaten-path Sayaka Murata that we have come to love! I honestly adore all her characters. They are so quirky and embrace their outsiderness. And the very very teensy tiniest bit of horror flavor was a nice touch too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Death
Sabriya: Damascus Bitter Sweet by Ulfat Idilbi
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sabriya is the story of a girl in 1920s Damascus. A major nationalist movement is underway, and Syria's youth are bubbling with patriotic ferver to overthrow the imperialist French rule. Sabriya eagerly consumes underground literature that her brother and his friend pass along to her; she longs to join them in the rebel cause -- if only she could be accepted as a woman. As one blow after another hits the Syrian movement for independence, Sabriya's family life suffers mirrored tragedies.
Before reading this novel I had no idea about this chapter in Syria's history. There is a good overview of this turbulent time here: https://countrystudies.us/syria/. But what really struck me was Idilbi's sharp analysis of how cultural misogyny held back the movement for independence and how it directed Sabriya's life down a certain path. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book, and I loved the rich drama. I'd definitely recommend it, but I have to warn you to not be scared off by the clunky English translation.
Before reading this novel I had no idea about this chapter in Syria's history. There is a good overview of this turbulent time here: https://countrystudies.us/syria/. But what really struck me was Idilbi's sharp analysis of how cultural misogyny held back the movement for independence and how it directed Sabriya's life down a certain path. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book, and I loved the rich drama. I'd definitely recommend it, but I have to warn you to not be scared off by the clunky English translation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, War, Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Abortion
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Aaahhh this was so cute and cool!! I loved the story, characters, and tiny details. Perfect for spooky season.
Chlorine by Jade Song
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was drawn to this book because of I grew up swimming competitively. Jade Song so intimately captures the sensation of being a teenage swimmer that it is clear they also lived this experience.
The book is written mostly in first person, with the mc Ren Yu narrating her transformation from a human girl to a transcendent mermaid. It is a tense, dark, isolating journey, with her best friend/paramour Cathy being the sole source of light. Cathy and Ren's relationship is complex, interesting, and unhealthy on both sides tbh. There is also the uncomfortable and intrusive presence of their coach Jim, whose million little actions add up to a picture of a predator. Ren's relationship with her parents and Chinese identity is also complicated and layered and refreshingly well-written with many scenes showing Ren not embarressed by her otherness but trying to fit herself into a world that isn't ready to accept her. At the very least, the world doesn't care enough to try to understand. And when Ren reveals herself as a mermaid, only Cathy is willing to accept her for who she is.
The book is written mostly in first person, with the mc Ren Yu narrating her transformation from a human girl to a transcendent mermaid. It is a tense, dark, isolating journey, with her best friend/paramour Cathy being the sole source of light. Cathy and Ren's relationship is complex, interesting, and unhealthy on both sides tbh. There is also the uncomfortable and intrusive presence of their coach Jim, whose million little actions add up to a picture of a predator. Ren's relationship with her parents and Chinese identity is also complicated and layered and refreshingly well-written with many scenes showing Ren not embarressed by her otherness but trying to fit herself into a world that isn't ready to accept her. At the very least, the world doesn't care enough to try to understand. And when Ren reveals herself as a mermaid, only Cathy is willing to accept her for who she is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Eating disorder and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell
3.0
Rob Bell has a writing style similar to Donald Miller—conversational, lilting, and weaving personal stories with broader spiritual themes. Rob Bell is primarily a pastor. Donald Miller is primarily an author. I think this difference is key.
While this book did open up my eyes to new concepts and perspectives of sexuality, I wish that Bell had said these things in a film. He writes like he is talking to you, and I think the medium should be appropriate to the subject matter.
That said (written?) Bell explained Jewish traditions and Hebrew words in a down-to-earth way that brought depth and value to God's physical illustrations and words. I liked that.
While this book did open up my eyes to new concepts and perspectives of sexuality, I wish that Bell had said these things in a film. He writes like he is talking to you, and I think the medium should be appropriate to the subject matter.
That said (written?) Bell explained Jewish traditions and Hebrew words in a down-to-earth way that brought depth and value to God's physical illustrations and words. I liked that.