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alisarae's reviews
1578 reviews
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed reading this with my book club because some people brought up good points. Such as: why wasn't this a play (2 characters and 1 setting, it is perfect for a play)? and MC is so annoying that it is a pleasure to see him suffer.
My initial thoughts, even within the first couple pages, is that this is the "origin story" of the MC from Notes from Underground. The guy is friendless, inexperienced, withdrawn, naive but doesn't know it, and rather intense for societal standards, so I can easily imagine his first heartbreak fueling his transformation into the incel antihero in Notes from Underground.
My initial thoughts, even within the first couple pages, is that this is the "origin story" of the MC from Notes from Underground. The guy is friendless, inexperienced, withdrawn, naive but doesn't know it, and rather intense for societal standards, so I can easily imagine his first heartbreak fueling his transformation into the incel antihero in Notes from Underground.
The Spellmaster of Tutting-on-Cress by Sarah Wallace
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Aaaahhh that was sooo cute!!! I was melting inside the entire time. I love this series and this book was the best one yet.
80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster by Training Slower by Matt Fitzgerald
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I've heard about this method before and so I was curious to learn more. The concept is simple: run 80% of your mileage at a low intensity Z2 pace, and 20% at Z3+ pace. The book stretches this out for a while, explaining the history of running programs, the science experiments behind the 80/20 method, how it works across different sports, etc. It gets a bit repetitive bc the author keeps hammering home how this method is the greatest thing ever. Though I am convinced, it was a bit overkill.
The important takeaway for me was that most hobby runners don't run their easy runs slow enough, and they don't run enough easy runs. I get why: if you are running 5 days a week, 4 of the 5 runs are going to be a slow jog pace. Meanwhile, commonly repeated knowledge of a running schedule is that you need a tempo run, intervals, a long run, a recovery run, and cross training, with the implication that all of that needs to happen in the same week. Then when you are trying to hit certain goal paces and comparing yourself on strava, things can get hairy, quick.
The other good thing to know if you are trying this method is that fast runners have a larger range of what slow running is for them, so it can be frustrating for amateur runner to try to stay in the target heart rate zone since the window of what is available for them is much narrower. So have patience and delete strava from your phone ;)
The important takeaway for me was that most hobby runners don't run their easy runs slow enough, and they don't run enough easy runs. I get why: if you are running 5 days a week, 4 of the 5 runs are going to be a slow jog pace. Meanwhile, commonly repeated knowledge of a running schedule is that you need a tempo run, intervals, a long run, a recovery run, and cross training, with the implication that all of that needs to happen in the same week. Then when you are trying to hit certain goal paces and comparing yourself on strava, things can get hairy, quick.
The other good thing to know if you are trying this method is that fast runners have a larger range of what slow running is for them, so it can be frustrating for amateur runner to try to stay in the target heart rate zone since the window of what is available for them is much narrower. So have patience and delete strava from your phone ;)
Dear Bartleby by Sarah Wallace
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
This was my least favorite book in the series but I did still enjoy the cozy fantasy vibes and the trans rep is quite sweet. I started off hating the audiobook narrator, like how did they find the most annoying sounding person ever to read this lol. but it turns out there was a purpose to that and as the character evolves, the narrator's voice changes. Really thoughtful to do it that way, I have never noticed that in an audiobook before. Honestly this series deserves so much more attention from readers, and I hope this author's audience grows.
The Education of Pip by Sarah Wallace
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
This was another great installment in the series. It made me happy to hear about how Pip was getting along with his new friends. The author handled Pip's emotional and learning needs with such a gentle touch, really sweet.
Btw the audiobook for this is not bad! The voices were different than I had imagined but it was fine.
Btw the audiobook for this is not bad! The voices were different than I had imagined but it was fine.
坂道のアポロン 5, Volume 5 by 小玉ユキ
5.0
Aaahh I liked the plot in this one! I just want everyone to be happy having fun together. The characters are more honest and not so cryptic about their feelings.
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
5.0
Before reading this book, I agreed with nonviolent resistance in theory, but I honestly couldn't say that I was convinced of its effectiveness. I didn't understand what it could accomplish beyond generating sympathy in the dominant group.
After reading this book, I understood. I could see it with such clarity and now I am committed to it.
I am also proud of my faith. At the outset of the book, Thurman explains that he is not going to address the theological aspects of Jesus' teachings, but rather focus only on the political lens to see how those teachings can help our earthly struggles in the here and now. I often think it is unhelpful and defeatest, unchristian even (in the sense that karma, reincarnation, and caste are not Christian concepts), to be like "Continue to suffer patiently in this life, and in the next life you will be rewarded for your quiet submission to the status quo." So I felt invigorated when Thurman throws that drivel out the window and repeatedly asks "How can Jesus help someone whose back is against the wall, now?"
I am excited when I think about how these principles can be applied to our struggles for equality and justice in regards to not just race, but also gender, climate change and environmental destruction, and capitalism.
After reading this book, I understood. I could see it with such clarity and now I am committed to it.
I am also proud of my faith. At the outset of the book, Thurman explains that he is not going to address the theological aspects of Jesus' teachings, but rather focus only on the political lens to see how those teachings can help our earthly struggles in the here and now. I often think it is unhelpful and defeatest, unchristian even (in the sense that karma, reincarnation, and caste are not Christian concepts), to be like "Continue to suffer patiently in this life, and in the next life you will be rewarded for your quiet submission to the status quo." So I felt invigorated when Thurman throws that drivel out the window and repeatedly asks "How can Jesus help someone whose back is against the wall, now?"
I am excited when I think about how these principles can be applied to our struggles for equality and justice in regards to not just race, but also gender, climate change and environmental destruction, and capitalism.
Sakamichi No Apollon: 7 by Yuki Kodama, 小玉ユキ
The best volumes are the ones where everyone is getting along. uwu