cato_mertens's reviews
65 reviews

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.75

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

3.0

She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.75

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing medium-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

4.0

Het beste wat we hebben by Griet Op de Beeck

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.0

Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I thought this was a very interesting read. The short stories are peculiar and they make you think about consumerism, killing animals as well as our practices and ceremonies. Sayaka Murata is a wonderful author with a brilliant mind. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit and Cannibalism

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

Do you know the feeling when you finish a book and you just sit and stare in front of you, trying to process what happened? Yeah - that was the exact feeling I had when I'd read this book's last page. I think I liked this book? I just don't know what it should have taught me? 

It was interesting to be able to follow the logic of someone who thinks differently than I do. I think Murata is a very skillful writer, being able to write about very serious topics in a kind of lighthearted and humoristic way. I've recently also bought 'Life Ceremony', so I look forward to reading more of her books. 

Overall I think the best books stay in the back of your mind, while you mull over the meaning of the story. That's good literature and that's what Sayaka Murata did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel

emotional funny lighthearted 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? N/A

3.5