anna1isa's reviews
76 reviews

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

5.0

I AM BECKY CHAMBERS-PILLED. I FINISHED AND IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT THE REST OF THE SERIES.

This is my favorite book of the year so far, and has easily entered my 'favorite books' category. The coziest of sci-fi books, with a hugely loveable cast of characters. I was consistently experiencing joy while reading this to the extent that I craved it more than all other forms of entertainment. I also would not shut up about it (and still won't).

Not only does it succeed as a heartfelt, emotionally ripe found-family book with memorable characters, it's expertly crafted. Impressively: the 3rd person narration that changes tone depending on which character we are currently following. I've seen other reviews praise the world-building, and it's entirely warranted. The universe makes sense, plays off topical themes in the real world, and is interesting enough to entice curiosity. The reading experience became a headfirst tumble into the world and lives of these people, and I could not get enough. All I want to do is know more about these characters and the contextual universe in which they exist.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

4.0

This scratched my thriller itch mmm just right. Suspenseful, well-paced, and characters that you will probably have strong feelings about. Complicated women whose lives become intertwined in an unpredictable series of triumphs, shortcomings, and human folly. I love when women write broken, damaged women (see: sharp objects) and although these characters are objectively more morally gray and probably less likable, they have a similar endearing quality. At multiple instances I thought I knew where this book was going, only to be entirely wrong and kicking myself. If you are a seasoned detective, you would likely not be so easily fooled. Would recommend to fans of crime thrillers but moreso to fans of Bravo or The Real Housewives.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

5.0

Listen: upon reread, this book hit so different than it did a few years ago. Much could have caused this, but as time goes on [or... I simply see more of it?] I am only more aware of its fleeting nature and am intrigued by Vonnegut's optimistic & nihilistic take. Although I cannot say that I agree free will is an illusion because I am sane, I was still engaged & entertained by the ideas & the humor. This made me not only excited to read more classics but wanting to read more Vonnegut too. So ridiculous I have no choice but to love it. Required reading.

The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster

4.0

This was a quaint slice of life / character study and I loved it. There is some plot to propel the story, but the main subject is certainly the characters. It's written so humanly, with tenderness and absurdity. When it comes to the female characters, it IS very obvious that it was written by a man... something to keep in mind if that bothers you. Either way, some people just get it. And reading this, Paul Auster is one of those people. It is rare to feel so seen by a book and so fond of the characters.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

4.75

Had me on the edge of my seat until the last page. Not once did I know where this book was going or what was going to happen next. Blake Crouch was shaking me vigorously by the shoulders, playing with my heart, throwing me against the wall, punching me in the face, and I loved every minute of it. The actual basis of 'reality' in this book was also exciting to ponder and discuss. I finished this book imbued with gratitude for the mundane and contentment with my station in life.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

5.0

What hasn't already been said? I thought at one point I might be immune, but the entire last quarter of this book had me reading through tears. At points, hyperventilating and melodramatic wailing. This should be added to the high school curriculum (at the risk of traumatizing students.

a la modern romeo & juliet?

) There was so much richness in the side characters and the politics and culture of the period that added to the beauty of the story and made this a memorable read. And now, I have no choice but to evangelize, so that everyone must experience the same pain that I have. 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

4.0

More intrigue & mystery than expected, which helped to create suspense to pull me along. Small lull in the plot pacing around the middle, but I was enjoying the setting and characters so much I didn't mind. Also the romance was

kind of not at all and then all at once... but I'm still buying it idc.

Fantastic, magical, endearing, and pure escapism.

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

4.75

I was originally recommended this book because I had expressed a fondness for the archetypal "male brooding protagonist " and John Grady Cole delivers. He lives by his own code of ethics and is anti-establishment, extremely resilient, a natural leader, and entirely built-different. Beautiful, poetic descriptions of the landscape combined with cowboy shenanigans and some real heart-wrenching scenes. Every Cormac McCarthy book feels like a knife to the heart and this is no exception. 

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account Of The Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

4.5

So suspenseful and anxiety-inducing it made my stomach twist at multiple points. Deeply personal and harrowing, but so engrossing to read. If you're a climber/outdoorsy/adventurous you should read and let me know what you think. I'm left with the oppressive weight of the human desire to conquer, and the desire to push both physical and mental limits to find the boundaries of human exploration.

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

4.25

My favorite story was Sundays, but there are a lot of bangers in here. They were consistently great and it was an enjoyable variety of indigenous stories and perspectives. And there aren't any stories longer than 20-25 pages so they're quite snappy.