archercasper's reviews
92 reviews

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The main purpose of this book was to be a critique of the male gaze and the obsession that accompanies it, but I question how impactful it truly was considering it was written by a man.

Certain lines and passages definitely didn't need to be included, no matter what point the author was trying to make about the narrators - they were vulgar, distasteful, and unnecessary. 

Overall, I felt that this book was so incredibly dense with analogies, metaphors, and unneeded side tangents (I didn't think I'd ever get to the end of the Trip Fontaine section) that it just missed the mark. 

I like the message that the author was trying to convey, but the execution could've been better. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.

I strongly disliked the narrator (his obsession with Alicia was WEIRD). The writing wasn't engaging and some of the comments about mental illness rubbed me the wrong way. 

Edit: I decided to look up the plot twist and ending and I'm very glad I chose not to push my way through this. The premise just seems kind of...dumb. I'm not a fan of unreliable narrators. 

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This story was emotional, though the author seemed, at points, so indescribably infatuated that I was genuinely uncomfortable/confused. It felt overly dramatic, yet somehow still kind of boring. Though, who am I to judge another man's story and emotions? Putting those things aside, the book was poignant and well-written, with numerous impactful lines. I enjoyed it. 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

dark emotional inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

"Can history disappear if it's written in blood?"

This is one of the best historical fictions I've ever read. It took me a few pages to get used to the writing style, but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were incredibly lovable and the story was heartbreaking. (There were a few loose ends that were never tied up, but despite this the story still felt complete by the end - though my curiosity still lingers!)

So many WWII books focus solely on the atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people, and it was enlightening to read something that focused on the tragedies experienced by other people affected by the war. It is important that all these experiences are shared, and I was shocked and disappointed that I'd never learned or been taught about the wreck of the Wilhelm Gustloff. 

I appreciate how much research went into the writing of this book and I can't wait to read more of the author's work.

"'Just when you think this war has taken everything you loved, you meet someone and realize that somehow you still have more to give."' 

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Confusing, enthralling, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking; I've never read a book like this and doubt I ever will again. The story is unique and fascinating, especially in the way that it is told. I read this in one sitting and it is a new favorite that I will always recommend to people. 

I desperately want to know the answers to all of the main character's questions, but there is a certain contentment that I feel in not knowing. The readers, just like her, are simply not meant to know, as this is not the point of the story. It is more a message about purpose, curiosity, and the meaning of being human, with loose critiques of femininity, culture, and religion. 

The ending was satisfying and I'm glad the author stopped where they did. This is the type of book that I will be thinking about for a long, long time. 

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sad, touching, and clearly written by a teenager, but still a thoroughly enjoyable, quick read with easy-to-love characters. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I didn't dislike this book, but I wouldn't say I really enjoyed it either. I think the overall message was great, but the translation diluted the power of the words; it made the writing feel very elementary and boring. I believe the original is likely much more emotional and enjoyable. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I absolutely loved this book. I did not read the synopsis before diving in, and I am so glad I didn't because it added a new layer to the mystery. The writing style was excellent and it made it so easy to continuously read without putting the book down. I especially loved Olive's chapters, as they felt so real and authentic; the way they were written made me feel the emotions that she was feeling.
I was so ready to give this book 5 stars, until I read the ending. I enjoyed the concept, though at a certain point it became predictable, and overall it felt very rushed. The last passage fell very flat for me - I didn't even register that it was the end of the book. I think there was potential for a lot more to be done there and I'm sad that those possibilities weren't explored.

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was beautiful and superbly written. The organizational structure of character perspectives and chronology was not necessarily unique, but it was done very well and fit the story wonderfully. Kukafka's goal when writing this was to put the narrative into the hands of the women affected by serial killers, as compared to the stories that glorify white, male murderers; I think she accomplished this and so much more. Her evaluations of humanity, motherhood, fear, love, and so much more were integral to the completeness of the story. I am very glad to have read this work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Murder

Black Klansman: A Memoir by Ron Stallworth
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.

A powerful and impactful book (and very well-written), I just had to take a super long pause in the middle and it was hard to get back into it. Definitely want to finish it at some point though.