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archercasper's reviews
92 reviews
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
This is one of the most well-written books I have ever read. The story, the characters, all of it was amazing. The dialogue was especially well done - I've never read a book with better dialogue.
I was upset about the plot twist at first; I thought it was kind of...random, for lack of a better word. But, as I kept reading and was given more context, I actually came to really enjoy it. The author tied up all of the questions that arose from me.
The only thing that kept this book from 5 stars, in my opinion, was the ending (both Cyrus' ending and the actual last chapter). I didn't think it fit the tone of the rest of the book at all, and I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied. I was expecting a concrete end and am disappointed that's not what we got.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
"Love was a room that appeared when you stepped into it."
This is one of the most well-written books I have ever read. The story, the characters, all of it was amazing. The dialogue was especially well done - I've never read a book with better dialogue.
I was upset about the plot twist at first; I thought it was kind of...random, for lack of a better word. But, as I kept reading and was given more context, I actually came to really enjoy it. The author tied up all of the questions that arose from me.
The only thing that kept this book from 5 stars, in my opinion, was the ending (both Cyrus' ending and the actual last chapter). I didn't think it fit the tone of the rest of the book at all, and I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied. I was expecting a concrete end and am disappointed that's not what we got.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
For such a short book, it took a while to get into it (for me, about halfway through). There were some pleasant insights throughout. I believe it would've been more meaningful if I had researched more context on the time period and the laundries.
slow-paced
3.0
"So many things had a way of looking finer, when they were not so close."
For such a short book, it took a while to get into it (for me, about halfway through). There were some pleasant insights throughout. I believe it would've been more meaningful if I had researched more context on the time period and the laundries.
Foster by Claire Keegan
hopeful
fast-paced
3.0
For the most part I enjoyed this story, but it seemed underdeveloped. I also thought the ending was too abrupt.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
I don't refer to many books as 'heartbreaking', but oh man this one packed a punch. The writing was very simple and compelling. This reminded me a lot of the kind of book one would read in middle school/high school, like The Outsiders. I'll definitely be recommending this to people.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
"I had his back.
And he had mine.
That's what greater love is."
I don't refer to many books as 'heartbreaking', but oh man this one packed a punch. The writing was very simple and compelling. This reminded me a lot of the kind of book one would read in middle school/high school, like The Outsiders. I'll definitely be recommending this to people.
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This story is such a clever experiment, and well done. Perfect introduction to Toni Morrison.
Tin Man by Sarah Winman
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
"And I'd remember my love for a man that almost made everything possible."
I don't have words for what this book made me feel. I do wish it had been a tad longer.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Fell out of reading for a bit. Looked up the full plot and seems like overall it would've been pretty good.
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
I liked the unreliable narrator and insufferable characters at first but it just got to be too much. I didn't really care about the story. The writing wasn't bad though and I can see why other people like the book.
A New Environmental Ethics: The Next Millennium for Life on Earth by Holmes Rolston III
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Groundbreaking, but incredibly dense. Definitely not an easy text if you've never read ethical literature before. Still, many excellent points were made and brought up. This will make you think about your place in the world.