burnedstory's reviews
181 reviews

A Cup of Sake Beneath the Cherry Trees by Yoshida Kenkō

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reflective medium-paced

3.25

It feels like an old man's ramblings, which they are I suppose. These anecdotes or advices make you feel like you are little and your grandparents are telling you stories of things they lived.
The Country Without a Post Office by Agha Shahid Ali

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dark emotional reflective sad tense

4.0

I think I've never felt transported to the setting of the poems like I've with this collection. The writing transferred me to the scene, it felt like I was watching over. Beautiful is the only word I can use to describe this collection of poems. The sadness, hope, hopelessness, everything is worked into these few pages. 
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A

4.0

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.5

Though very stereotypical (Cannot expect a lot as the author is white writing about black women) when it comes to the black women in the book, Stockett does try her best or let's say to the best of her abilities. The story is probably more emotional and less political, I wish it was more thought out, more researched. Stockett doesn't let the reader linger on something too long, which is suc6a shame but does help her in a way because then one doesn't realise how poorly thought out the book is.
The Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Boring
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

I think the twist carried the majority of the weight of the book other than that seems pretty average to me.
Ambrosia for Afters by Kalpana Swaminathan

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slow-paced

1.25

I genuinely don't understand what the hell this book was trying to put forth.
The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

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slow-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

2.5

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

I loved it. Shroff has acquired the feat of telling such a heavy story, portraying such heavy issues in such a humours but impactful way. A real page turner. Often when talked about India casteism is not talked about, it's like an unspoken devil in the nation but the way it was written in the story, I applaud it (Here I understand my privelige of being an upper caste person and not knowing even the tip of discrimination). The humour in the story in my opinion is commendable, shows the strength and courage of these women. Shroff says, she wanted to honour the Bandit Queen, Phoolan Mallah and I think she acheived that in a wonderful way. One of the major takeaways for me from the book was the power of female friendship, how these women stood behind each other warmed my heart. As we talk about feminism in the modern world, somewhere we forget about women like Geeta, Saloni, Farah and co. So I am very grateful to get to read their story. One where they are not put on pedestals, one where they are human and make wrong decisions and face the consequences of it. It's beautiful to read.
If "I support women's rights and women's wrongs" could be a book this very well might be it.
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