arieslofi's reviews
102 reviews

Brat by Gabriel Smith

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medium-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

1.5

this book thinks itself higher than its reader, which is a crime i cannot and will never forgive any type of media for. it's insanely irritating how the book revers itself, considers itself to be oh, so extremely clever, the writer proudly telling anyone on goodreads that "the last sentences are an open invitation to re-read the book, and you'll get the answers". that is not the case. i'm sorry but anyone with two working brain cells will understand that this book is about grief: the skin peels and the house falls apart and the script and vhs change and nothing feels real because that's how gabriel, our protagonist, is grieving. and the book explicitly tells you this, too!
the writing is horrid with simple and snappy sentences that, despite making it very fast to read, become exhausting quickly. there's annoying banter that repeats itself every few pages that makes no sense. calling your brother "retarded" and "gay" constantly under the pretense that it's okay because "grief makes you regress" doesn't make good banter. it was so insanely tiring to read, and not in the way the author intended.
do not recommend! don't read this, you will not be left satisfied in any way. 
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How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

really loved this book. probably because i'm getting back into a childhood interest, but it reminded me a lot of when i was little and i would spend my summers at my grandparents' house.
my grandma's passing still affects me since we were very close, and that part alone really resonated with me.
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Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

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

3.25

i thought i was gonna enjoy this more than i actually did, mainly because the ending wasn't what i was expecting or would have enjoyed. i wish it had delved further into tsukiko and sensei's romantic relationship besides just two lonely people forming a bond as i feel like it would have expanded the loneliness aspect of the book a lot more.
the writing was really interesting and gave the book a dreamy feel that i really enjoyed. the characters were also another high point, and i quite liked how human they all felt. i think i would have enjoyed this much more as a movie. 
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Indelicacy by Amina Cain

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reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

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dark reflective sad 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

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Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

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

3.25

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

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

2.75

Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories by Sakaku Hishikawa

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dark funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
mommy aki cause id (BEEEEEEEEEEEP) him
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

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

3.0

a perfectly fine book. the ending made me drop its rating, it's far too clean and the consequences to marcos' actions were nonexistent. i wish it had ended with him committing murder-suicide or something, to really drive home the fact this is a disturbing book. which, by all means, did not disturb me as much as i wish it had. it's got intense descriptions and all, but it could have gone a step further and it didn't. the characters are all fine, not intensely explored, which i kind of expected, but the plot itself feels defanged. this should have been a lot longer. i did enjoy the writing style, it's extremely easy to read through and, though i wish it was a little more descriptive and in-depth, it was probably my favorite part.