bella613's reviews
379 reviews

Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A Memoir by Shoji Morimoto

inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

I LOVE the concept and also love the way the author describes it. 
This is very good. It makes me happy. 

The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is very well done, and fairly deep for a YA fantasy book. 
I think the naive ignorance and bigotry unlearning of the main character is written convincingly, in a way that makes you care deeply for her. The political stuff is simplified and predictable, but still motivating. 
Obviously I Diana.
The ending was terribly abrupt and I would have been angry about that if I couldn't immediately just start book #2. But I did so it's fine. 

I think I'm going to listen to book 2 then book 1.5 and work in the prequel later. 
BTW saw this on my friend's Instagram story so shout out to him for the rec. 

I Stole the First Ranker's Soul, Season 1 by Liquor AshTree, Lee Jung, EUDAM

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression (Abridged) by Andrew Solomon

informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

There are parts that might be a bit outdated, but overall, this is a great "atlas of depression"
I might listen to the unabridged version at some point. I'm curious what else is in it as the listening time is over 3x this abridged version.

Oscar Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This is hilarious. I have tried reading plays before and never enjoyed it, but I think this is one I could easily read in print and love. 
I listened to the casted audio which was very well done and easy to follow. 
I didn't know anything about Wilde so I learned a bit at the end in a post-interview type chapter. 
This is great not just because it's silly and enjoyable, but also because it's a meaningful allegory that has stood the test of many audiences and many years. 

"It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth!"

Sigh, Gone: A Misfit's Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is an amazing memoir!
I checked out The Importance of Being Earnest while listening. 

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

Andy Weir does an amazing job of mixing academic problem solving and emotional storytelling. 
The story is very well paced and satisfying, and the characters are some of my favorite ever. 
This is such a good book. I would highly recommend it.

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

This was ok but not my favorite. It was recommended to me by someone I really care about so I wanted to like it more than I did. If I'm being honest, I don't think the story was actually that compelling (for me). However, the writing was fantastic and the world building is very well done. The narration is good in the audiobook too.

It took me a while to get into the atmosphere of the book. The characters are believable but very self-focused and I didn't find them pulling me in. 
The queer representation is good.
I'm not sure exactly what it is but to me the relationships in this book felt very off. It was settling and situationships at best, and a little lusty but didn't feel like love at any point. Yet that lacking love does seem to become a focal point toward the end. I think most of this book was developed in a way that I didn't connect with, but I think that's different for each reader.