brigeorgie's reviews
302 reviews

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Wholesome cosy read. 

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I wish this book existed last year when I was truly going through the worst year of my life to date. Really Good, Actually, is really good. A satisfying mix of sadness and humour. I laughed a lot. Dog-eared many pages and realised many of my experiences are not in fact, my own. Heisey writes about the absolute chaos of a painful break up and how ludicrous some of the things we do when we’re grieving are. This is hugely relatable book, for any millennial (sorry for that buzzword), who has experienced a dreadful breakup and really goes through it. It’s a story of hopelessness and hope simultaneously. 

Square One by Nell Frizzell

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Square One is a 4 star for me, purely because it took me at least 100 pages to get into the story and find the main character loveable. 

Throughout the book, I couldn’t help feeling like Nell Frizzell had witnessed some of my own experiences and had secret access to my thoughts. 

I’ve been exactly where Hanna, the main character get is, just this last year. In fact, I’m still in it now. Trying to find my own space in the world despite everything going wrong. Feeling left behind, single, failed relationships with shit men, and unsure of where to live. 

I dog-ear marked several pages, especially when Hanna is describing her experiences with her ex. 

I have giggled and cried at this book, and felt something like hope and love while reading. 

Hearts and Bones: Love Songs for Late Youth by Niamh Mulvey

adventurous challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

It’s been a long time since I have read a collection of short stories. Heart & Bones has reminded me of the beauty of short stories and the craft of writing. 

Heart & Bones centres around relationships, but not only in the context of romantic love. It covers family love, friendship and bodily love. A diverse range of voices in the stories. I sometimes fear short story collections to read quite similarly. When each story has a unique tone of voice that fits their narrative, you know the writer has succeeded the craft of short story writing. 

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood

Notes on Heartbreak by Annie Lord

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I saw myself in so many of Annie Lord’s experiences going through heartbreak, and have dog eared so many pages (reader: I never ever do that). Notes on Heartbreak is sad, relatable, hilarious, cringe worthy at times, and even inspiring. 

It’s a real, honest and raw depiction of how a breakup manifests. Some might read it as melodramatic, but I know I’ll come back to this book again and again, whether to remind myself of the hurt or to make myself laugh at how silly you can behave post breakup. 

Wild Pets by Amber Medland

dark funny sad slow-paced

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

3.0

A Room Called Earth by Madeleine Ryan

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

Seasonal Associate by Heike Geißler

dark funny sad fast-paced

4.0

Enjoyed the simple insights into working for Amazon. The author details the monotony of it all, and her thoughts while addressing the reader as “you” which I found particularly interesting to read. It’s also translated beautifully. 

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m not sure a book has touched me so vividly and violently as this one has in many years. Sally Rooney’s writing has truly developed, and this novel will stay with me for a while. It is thought-provoking, insightful and powerful. It covers everything from feminism and sexuality, to climate change and friendship - it is beautiful.