asreadbycatarina's reviews
127 reviews

Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.75

Mini-crítica: Imaginem como seria se a Carrie Bradshaw de Sex & The City (Mr. Big incluído!) fosse diagnosticada com cancro da mama — e aí encontrarão mais ou menos a história da autora/protagonista desta BD. Suuuuper engraçada, mega interessante e, de certa forma, crua, como só alguém que já passou por isto sabe contar. Recomendo... nem que seja só para arrancar uns sorrisos — ainda que tímidos — num dia mais tristonho.

We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir by Raja Shehadeh

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

dark emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

Pageboy by Elliot Page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

5.0

Mini-review: If one thing was to be said about my early teenage years, it was that I was completely obsessed with Elliot Page. After watching Juno (my favourite movie of all time!), I would scour to find every film or TV show I could find with him (and, in all honesty, Michael Cera too) on it. When I found out Elliot was queer, I loved to think of him as a person who was happy while defying stereotypes — but now, after reading this book, I have a sour taste in my mouth. All the abuse, all the pain and suffering Elliot went through is inhumane. He did not deserve people taking advantage of him like that. No one does. In the end, I am just happy that Page is still with us, thriving and comfortable in his own body. If you are considering reading this book, be ready: as important and sad as it is, it is guaranteed to take the magic out of Hollywood (and the safe haven we sometimes think it is for queer people) for you.

Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

5.0

Mini-review: If one thing was to be said about my early teenage years, it was that I was completely obsessed with Elliot Page. After watching Juno (my favourite movie of all time!), I would scour to find every film or TV show I could find with him (and, in all honesty, Michael Cera too) on it. When I found out Elliot was queer, I loved to think of him as a person who was happy while defying stereotypes — but now, after reading this book, I have a sour taste in my mouth. All the abuse, all the pain and suffering Elliot went through is inhumane. He did not deserve people taking advantage of him like that. No one does. In the end, I am just happy that Page is still with us, thriving and comfortable in his own body. If you are considering reading this book, be ready: as important and sad as it is, it is guaranteed to take the magic out of Hollywood (and the safe haven we sometimes think it is for queer people) for you.

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Mini-review: I had way too many thoughts going through my mind when I finished this book — and the truth is now, almost a month later, I still think about it on a regular basis! It is SO GOOD and definitely deserves all the hype it might have (even though I feel like it is TJR’s least talked about book — WHY?!). This is my third book by TJR this year, and I love how it cemented my love for her writing. Never in a million years would I think that I would say that a book about sports is now one of my all-time favourites. It deals, in a nuanced way, with topics such as discipline, self-respect and feminism. And throughout the book, even though I really wanted to, I could not force myself to hate Carrie Soto. Love it, love it, love it!

Sex and Lies by Leïla Slimani

challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Mini-review: In a world obsessed with women's bodily and societal autonomy, Leïla Slimani cranks a window wide open into Morocco's reality. These raw reality bites help the reader frame the several faces of the Moroccan reality through stories of brave women and men who dare to speak up and out about these issues. If you are interested in feminist perspectives outside the Western world, this one is an excellent book to start with.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Mini-review: Well, I guess TJR did it again? At certain times, I felt like I was almost getting into a reading slump with this one... Only to devour it through the description of the party of the century. While the characters and their stories seem like they just came out of the pages of a tabloid magazine, the truth is their actual personal stories pack up a punch. TJR brilliantly showed us, once again, that nothing is what it seems. Underneath all the glitz and glam, celebrities are humans, just like you and me. Carrie Soto awaits me now.

Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Mini-review: More and more, I am convinced that Dolly Alderton could perfectly be my therapist. She's the best agony aunt, especially with all her Normal People references. Loved it!

Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship, Collected wisdom from her Sunday Times Style Column by Dolly Alderton

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Mini-review: More and more, I am convinced that Dolly Alderton could perfectly be my therapist. She's the best agony aunt, especially with all her Normal People references. Loved it!