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bargainbinkazbrekker's reviews
850 reviews
She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
3.75
i’m sitting at a 3.75-3.5 right now. i was engaged while reading it and i’m a sucker for a spooky house that feels like it’s own character in the story but i was so disoriented and confused during a lot of the high tension moments because of the writing. It was so hard to tell what was actually going on and Jades motivations kept switching from chapter to chapter. I did like Florence and Jades dynamic and romance, it was super cute and felt believable— except for their fights which felt forced and unnecessary.
Maybe these were all elements that were used purposefully by the author to make the plot more spooky and mysterious but i was just left confused.
entertaining for sure, if a bit shaky on the execution.
Maybe these were all elements that were used purposefully by the author to make the plot more spooky and mysterious but i was just left confused.
entertaining for sure, if a bit shaky on the execution.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
4.25
growing up i constantly would hear references to the IRA, the Troubles, and Northern Ireland vs just Ireland but i never really learned the history and context around them. Sure, i knew some of the basics and what is generally taught: IRA = terrorists, the Troubles = Bloody Sunday, Northern Ireland and Ireland = the same but not, but no one ever took the time to really explain the complexity around the history. I never really thought to do so myself until recently and picking up this book on the recommendation of my brother was such a comprehensive and accessible way for me to engage with this history in a way that didn’t automatically make out the IRA to be this villainous hateful group that only wanted violence and chaos. Learning about the different people involved directly and indirectly was fascinating and allowed for different perspectives on such a complex time in history. I’m incredibly glad i picked this up, it was engrossing and educational for me.
I’m going to need a couple days to fully process all of the information given to me.
I’m going to need a couple days to fully process all of the information given to me.
The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage by Jeff Lemire
3.25
ever since i saw this guy in a blue coat and no face on the animated justice league show, i’ve been fascinated with The Question. And years later, i’ve finally become brave enough to dive into his comics. i enjoyed myself but that doesn’t mean i didn’t have my qualms. first off, Q is very white savior-y through out the many stories (stories that range from lynching to police brutality) which made me feel a bit icky— this red head white guy running around saving helpless Black people. also, the guy claims to be like anti-evil or what ever, like he goes on rants about how much he hates racism, pedophilia, corruption, etc but like he calls this lady a whore and tells her her two options are the street or jail? like dude, what the hell.
also the main villain was a big lackluster if im being honest.
but i loved the art (i’m a sucker for your classic comic book style and shit), and the storylines where engaging. i was entertained and i will continue looking into The Question Comic career because he’s a fave.
Native Son by Richard Wright
4.75
holy shit man, holy shit.
this was such an emotional and mental rollercoaster, i went from absolutely hating how this was progressing, Bigger was a horrible person, to ending the novel sitting on my floor completely flabbergasted.
unlikable main characters are incredibly difficult to pull off successfully, and Wright crafts an almost unlovable main character. You hate Bigger and then you realize that’s the whole point. Wright is showing us what happens when a society doesn’t allow for it youth to grow up with equality and equity. He shows what happens when a child grows up to hate, he shows the harvest of racial injustice, discrimination, and violence.
this is a book i lowkey hated reading but i also want to write an in depth essay on.
this was such an emotional and mental rollercoaster, i went from absolutely hating how this was progressing, Bigger was a horrible person, to ending the novel sitting on my floor completely flabbergasted.
unlikable main characters are incredibly difficult to pull off successfully, and Wright crafts an almost unlovable main character. You hate Bigger and then you realize that’s the whole point. Wright is showing us what happens when a society doesn’t allow for it youth to grow up with equality and equity. He shows what happens when a child grows up to hate, he shows the harvest of racial injustice, discrimination, and violence.
this is a book i lowkey hated reading but i also want to write an in depth essay on.