chaoticbibliophile's reviews
633 reviews

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I am devastated by how brilliant this book is. You think there's no ending that can measure up to the expectations set up throughout the quartet, yet here we are. I'll admit that I was rather fed up with the first half (I can't stand Nino, even if I understand his presence in the narrative), but even that I think makes sense in the quartet's sense of narrative time. The second half I just could not put down, and having just finished it, I am in a daze. 

The Whole Picture by Alice Procter

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

A little repetitive and dry at times, but overall fascinating and very well read by the author. 

London Overground: A Day's Walk Around the Ginger Line by Iain Sinclair
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

This promised to do everything I love in city writing and should’ve been a new favorite—which then makes the empty and meaningless pomposity of the writing all the more obvious. Next.

Conclave by Robert Harris

3.0

The writing is serviceable enough, although the degree to which someone would find this book compelling rests solely on whether they’d find the stakes of electing a new Pope high enough. 

Personally, I am fascinated by religious politics so I was in for the ride, but even then I found this somewhat lackluster. A solid 3 star read, which I can see making a riveting film (that I have yet to watch).

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense 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

As good, interesting, engaging, and readable as everyone says. I'm kicking myself for not having read it sooner, yet I am convinced I read it at exactly the right time. 

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.

I usually wouldn't have marked this DNF, but this is a pretty big book and I just wanted to point out that this is almost novelised, which might be some people's jam, but I definitely don't love in my non-fiction. 

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

I always said that I wished John Green would release a book of essays because that's where his true writing talent was, and then he did but I never read it (whoops). I honestly am not sure why. I love the conceit of rating random things out of five, and taking those as a starting point for broader reflections. 

Either way, I'm glad I finally got to it as this is excellent. Green has a distinct voice and his insights provide much food for thought. There's also plenty of humor, which I appreciate, and sincerity that is not overly-sentimental (which you might expect from Green's fiction). Highly recommend. 

Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

One of the most exciting books I have ever read. A masterclass in how to tackle complex scientific topics and historical research for a general audience. Incredibly moving and inspiring. 

The People Who Report More Stress by Alejandro Varela

challenging funny informative reflective medium-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

Brilliant stories full of politics and humor. 

Barcelona by Mary Costello

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

Brilliant collection; every short story is a gem.