brooklyn1's reviews
29 reviews

1984 by George Orwell

Go to review page

dark reflective sad slow-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

4.0

It was a heavy read which I was in the mood for. I thought the book was an interesting thought experiment and Orwell really laid out the world in interesting ways. I think there are still questions unanswered that make the world seem unfeasible, which given what the author was trying to accomplish, makes it seem too preachy at times.

From a writing perspective: it has a very straightforward presentation but overly descriptive of irrelevant details. Acts I and II severely dragged but I did really enjoy Act III.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
My Enemy, My Ally by Diane Duane

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I thought it was a fun book that captured the humor of the original series quite well. The dialogue of the Enterprise crew was spot on and I like the characters that the author made, too. I enjoyed learning more about Romulan culture during the TOS era. Definitely recommend to all Trekkies. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Go to review page

informative fast-paced

2.0

Gave some new ideas that were actionable and it motivated me to make some improvements in my own life. However, some of the anecdotes seemed like a bit of a stretch.  I had the same problem with "Talking to Strangers" where it would take unrelated stories and force-fit them into the author's narrative by oversimplifying them. Also there's some poor-shaming and a lot of bad diet science. There's a video on YouTube that summarizes the method pretty well without actually having to read it. I recommend that. 
Butcher's Crossing by John Williams

Go to review page

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. The main character heads west, away from the dirty city, hoping that going on some senseless hunt in the wilderness will give meaning to his life and allow him to "find himself." I didn't rate it 5 stars because part 2 (which is the bulk of the book) seemed to drag and it was a bit difficult to get through, but I'm really glad I stuck with it until the end. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.0

I enjoyed the book. Some parts were difficult to follow; I don't know if that was intentional or not. It was an interesting novel and definitely one of the better written dystopian novels I have read. I would recommend it. 
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective slow-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

3.0

A quick read. Spending all his time trying to provide for his family alienated him from his family. I think a few of the descriptions were difficult to follow and it was boring at times, but overall I think it was well-written. 
Your Fathers, Where Are They? and the Prophets, Do They Live Forever? by Dave Eggers

Go to review page

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

5.0

Very fun book. I thought it would take me a couple days to complete but I started it this afternoon and finished it within a couple hours. I think the "dialogue only" style allows it to be read faster. Thomas is an erratic character determined to find the truth. The character interactions are so genuine, even though they're under weird circumstances. All the people are so believable with completely believable and cogent worldviews. Definitely recommend. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Laughter in the Dark by Vladimir Nabokov

Go to review page

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

3.0

It is a good book. I like unlikable characters and old-style dramas. However, I think it could have done more to stay compelling throughout. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Stranger by Albert Camus

Go to review page

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

5.0

This is my favorite book right now. It's amazingly simplistic writing style is so poetic and deliberate. The main character's repetitive way of explaining his rationale behind every little thing is surprisingly engaging. Meursault is a very passive character who lives completely in the present. My favorite part of the book is the end, when he accepts his death (oddly right after the priest comes in and says he'll probably be acquitted). He realizes he was happy, and he enjoyed the pleasures of existing, even in a chaotic and often absurd world, and what will be will be. Such is life, or c'est la vie as he would say. Anyway, if you like nihilistic/existentialist novels or a cast of 99% morally ambiguous characters, this is the book for you. 

There was no reason for him to kill him, but I think that's the point. I think the heat symbolizes the meaningless of life, since he mentions it a lot, but most prominently in the scene where he attended the funeral and the scene he murdered the Arab.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings