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chaptersofmay's reviews
320 reviews
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful World, Where Are You was one of my most anticipated novels of 2021. While it’s a read that I enjoyed in many ways, it didn’t become the book I thought it would, and won’t be the new favourite. Still, Sally Rooney’s distinctive style and tone of voice will no doubt appeal to her flourishing fan base and solidify her place as one of the foremost millennial writers.
The novel explores the relationships, successes, failures, faith, and philosophies of four people in their late 20’s and early 30’s. Rooney does this through conversation and correspondence, rather than plot twists and fictitious events. The email exchanges between Alice and Eileen, which is a major feature in the book, serves as an examination of the current social and political climate, in which the reader is invited to watch, ponder, and question. While it does not offer solutions to global problems, it does provide an accurate portrait of how many millennials view the systems that dominate society with a refreshingly optimistic view of the future.
Rooney’s writing is exciting and charming, but there’s still an element of tranquillity in this book that I also found deeply captivating in Normal People and Conversations with Friends. She displays the contrasting innocence and bitterness of humans so well, I found it really easy to read about characters even when I couldn’t bond with them. There are some beautiful passages in which the author analyses the way humans connect and how their interactions then affect their relationships. The nuanced discussions between the personalities covers religion, class, love, politics, and many other elements of the world that plague the current generation, making Rooney’s third novel her most relevant yet.
There are two reasons why Beautiful World, Where Are You did not earn the 5 stars I thought it would. Firstly, Rooney hiding behind the character of Alice felt awkward to me. Alice is a multi-millionaire, best-selling author, with two previous successes and an adaptation in the works. While her struggle with mental health piqued my interest in the character, the bloated blocks of text dedicated to her “woe is me” complaints grew tiresome. Many of Alice’s expressions seemed more like Rooney directly responding to critics and her own expanding fame, a level of white middle-class pretentiousness I find very hard to sympathise with.
Secondly, the ending was rushed and weakened the entire novel. I don’t demand to feel fulfilled when I read Rooney’s books, because there’s rarely much of a plot to justify. But I do expect it to leave a lasting impression. In Beautiful World, Where Are You, the super-quick, neat wrapping up of this character-driven story felt corny and cliché. The enduring impact I imagined never arrived.
If you love Rooney for her writing style, speculative fiction, or are a fan of Normal People and Conversations with Friends, Beautiful World, Where Are You will not disappoint. It’s arguably her best-written book and aligns perfectly with her previous work. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced, plot-driven, love story, you won’t find it in this book.
The novel explores the relationships, successes, failures, faith, and philosophies of four people in their late 20’s and early 30’s. Rooney does this through conversation and correspondence, rather than plot twists and fictitious events. The email exchanges between Alice and Eileen, which is a major feature in the book, serves as an examination of the current social and political climate, in which the reader is invited to watch, ponder, and question. While it does not offer solutions to global problems, it does provide an accurate portrait of how many millennials view the systems that dominate society with a refreshingly optimistic view of the future.
Rooney’s writing is exciting and charming, but there’s still an element of tranquillity in this book that I also found deeply captivating in Normal People and Conversations with Friends. She displays the contrasting innocence and bitterness of humans so well, I found it really easy to read about characters even when I couldn’t bond with them. There are some beautiful passages in which the author analyses the way humans connect and how their interactions then affect their relationships. The nuanced discussions between the personalities covers religion, class, love, politics, and many other elements of the world that plague the current generation, making Rooney’s third novel her most relevant yet.
There are two reasons why Beautiful World, Where Are You did not earn the 5 stars I thought it would. Firstly, Rooney hiding behind the character of Alice felt awkward to me. Alice is a multi-millionaire, best-selling author, with two previous successes and an adaptation in the works. While her struggle with mental health piqued my interest in the character, the bloated blocks of text dedicated to her “woe is me” complaints grew tiresome. Many of Alice’s expressions seemed more like Rooney directly responding to critics and her own expanding fame, a level of white middle-class pretentiousness I find very hard to sympathise with.
Secondly, the ending was rushed and weakened the entire novel. I don’t demand to feel fulfilled when I read Rooney’s books, because there’s rarely much of a plot to justify. But I do expect it to leave a lasting impression. In Beautiful World, Where Are You, the super-quick, neat wrapping up of this character-driven story felt corny and cliché. The enduring impact I imagined never arrived.
If you love Rooney for her writing style, speculative fiction, or are a fan of Normal People and Conversations with Friends, Beautiful World, Where Are You will not disappoint. It’s arguably her best-written book and aligns perfectly with her previous work. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced, plot-driven, love story, you won’t find it in this book.
The Stand-In by Lily Chu
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
The Stand-In is a light and easy romantic-comedy audiobook featuring a Chinese-Canadian woman who is thrown into the world of celebrity as she takes the place of one of China’s most famous actresses.
The main thing that drew me to this title is its narrator, Phillipa Soo. She skilfully brings the characters, especially through the POV of Gracie, to life. I wasn’t overly fond of the British accent, but it isn’t distracting enough to completely ruin the listening experience.
Throughout its many chapters, I found this book to feel long-winded. Large chunks of time were passing but the story wasn’t moving. When I did occasionally zone out (audiobooks, it happens), no matter where I came back in, I didn’t feel as if I had missed anything. I think part of this comes down to the plot being relatively unoriginal, save for its diversity.
There’s a minor storyline regarding Gracie’s overly “friendly” boss, and I’m disappointed in how it wrapped up. It’s definitely a topic that should be well-addressed or left out. The same applies to the expected conflict towards the conclusion of the book, I’m not a fan of misunderstandings that are blow out of proportion but could easily be fixed with a conversation. But in the same way films like Monte Carlo or The Lizzie McGuire Movie are a comfort and a delight to watch despite their inaccuracies, The Stand-In is a comfort and a delight to listen to.
I’m always thrilled to find an enemies-to-lovers narrative in books, and love the way it plays out in The Stand-In. Gracie and Sam, despite failing to see eye-to-eye with Fangli’s arrangement, have a level of chemistry when they meet. Their back-and-forth made me laugh when they hated each other, earned my attention when they were forced to work together, and made me smile when they realised there might be something more.
Another highlight in this audiobook is the light in sheds on the history of Chinese immigration to Canada and the identity confusion second-generation immigrants may face as a result. This especially applies to Gracie as she has a Chinese mother and white American father. I also loved some of the expressions used in relation to mental health, particularly anxiety and depression. The author and narrator portray the different conditions a consideration and sympathy that helps the characters to remain accessible and easy to relate to.
While it took me a while to really invest in this story, and there were periods that felt too drawn out, I did enjoy The Stand-In. It’s the kind of agreeable listen that would make a cosy film, especially with Phillipa Soo in the mix!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual harassment and Panic attacks/disorders
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
Harlem Shuffle is a thrilling love letter to a loud and lively neighbourhood in the early 60’s. Through his entrancing vocabulary and atmospheric scenes, Whitehead transports his readers to summer in Harlem.
This crime thriller dives into the worlds of crooks and corruption while exploring the themes of police brutality, citizenship, poverty, and systemic racism. It also makes regular reference to the Harlem riot of 1964, and the sense of unrest in New York after that time. As a result, there’s a nice balance of suspenseful crime elements and insightful social commentary.
You get a great sense of Whitehead’s sense of irony and humour as he laces a lawless heist, Carney’s double life and a portrait of an evolving city in this fun narrative. It’s clear the author is a true storyteller, and while it took me a few chapters to really feel drawn to this book, I’m so glad continued to the end. The richly illustrated backdrop and intriguing secondary characters really contribute to make this energetic and inherently funny read.
This crime thriller dives into the worlds of crooks and corruption while exploring the themes of police brutality, citizenship, poverty, and systemic racism. It also makes regular reference to the Harlem riot of 1964, and the sense of unrest in New York after that time. As a result, there’s a nice balance of suspenseful crime elements and insightful social commentary.
You get a great sense of Whitehead’s sense of irony and humour as he laces a lawless heist, Carney’s double life and a portrait of an evolving city in this fun narrative. It’s clear the author is a true storyteller, and while it took me a few chapters to really feel drawn to this book, I’m so glad continued to the end. The richly illustrated backdrop and intriguing secondary characters really contribute to make this energetic and inherently funny read.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Writers & Lovers is a tender and uplifting book about a 30-something writer finding her path, learning to love, and sharing her voice. The story touched me a lot more than I expected it to, and the characters and their growth is a journey well worth exploring.
It took a few chapters for this story to capture me, but once it did, it became so easy to get lost in. Really, Writers & Lovers is by writer writing a book about a writer writing a book. So the insight into the mind of an author, including their strengths and insecurities, is a highlight in this literary romance. Casey is a delightfully endearing protagonist. King introduces her as a vulnerable, essentially lost character, frozen by grief and burdened by defeat. But this makes her development, both personally and romantically, one that is very easy to warm to.
The New England setting and King’s vivid descriptions through the voice of Casey provides a heartening escape. Parts of this book remind me of Normal People with its subtle intimacy and engaging flow. It contains visceral and heart-wrenching depictions of grief and anxiety attacks, but is balanced with an endearing romance narrative to make a cosy and thoughtful read.
Summer by Ali Smith
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Summer is a thoughtful novel that captures the social and political disturbances of 2020. Smith’s sharp and snappy writing style draws parallels from history to the current climate in this reflective finale to the Seasons book quartet.
The ground covered in this book is expansive, and the reading experience feels a lot like exploring a time capsule. It addresses the catastrophes, lockdowns, and climates that have plagued the world over the past year and more. But the focus doesn’t remain on disaster, it highlights the strengths in humanity and is written with the kind of hopeful tone that inspires and motivates.
This is my first Smith book, and her tone of voice is simply marvellous. There’s no rush to her writing as she insightfully breaks down the many facets of society today. While I like the characters she constructed to tell the story, the message beneath appealed to me much more.
I love that Summer can be read as a standalone, but definitely feel reading the other three books first will contribute to reading this final instalment. Still, this book is impressively clever, so I look forward to catching up with the rest of the series.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
It’s official. The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller is my first DNF book of 2021 😔
I feel like I missed something with this??? There are plenty of glowing reviews here on bookstagram and online, but this story didn’t have the same effect on me. I’m disappointed as this was a highly anticipated literary read for me. But the one star this earned is for the writing style... that’s it.
Set in the very beautiful woodlands of Cape Cod, the story follows Elle Bishops and her (dysfunctional) family 24 hours after she is unfaithful to her husband with her childhood friend, Jonas. Weaved into the present is the traumatic past of Elle and her extended family, all leading up to the book’s dramatic conclusion – although I didn’t get that far.
Firstly, Heller’s writing is beautiful, built with conviction, and paints a captivating picture of summers in Cape Cod. With regards to the atmosphere the author sets, I can see why The Paper Palace has been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing.
However, the disturbing and almost gruesome events in the book stopped me from reaching the end. Large portions are dedicated to very graphic depictions of harassment and s*xual violence that is way too unsettling for me to read. Not every book will be a comfort from cover to cover, but predators and that level of violence against children are no-go themes for me.
I got 200 pages in, which I think is a pretty safe place to decide whether or not this is something I’ll continue reading. One thing I know for sure is that this is not a summer read. It’s dark, emotionally taxing, and full of events I would have preferred not to read.
Most of the time, I take a quick glance at reviews before reading a book. This time I didn’t, which means I missed all the potential content warnings which aren't included in the book's introduction.
I feel like I missed something with this??? There are plenty of glowing reviews here on bookstagram and online, but this story didn’t have the same effect on me. I’m disappointed as this was a highly anticipated literary read for me. But the one star this earned is for the writing style... that’s it.
Set in the very beautiful woodlands of Cape Cod, the story follows Elle Bishops and her (dysfunctional) family 24 hours after she is unfaithful to her husband with her childhood friend, Jonas. Weaved into the present is the traumatic past of Elle and her extended family, all leading up to the book’s dramatic conclusion – although I didn’t get that far.
Firstly, Heller’s writing is beautiful, built with conviction, and paints a captivating picture of summers in Cape Cod. With regards to the atmosphere the author sets, I can see why The Paper Palace has been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing.
I got 200 pages in, which I think is a pretty safe place to decide whether or not this is something I’ll continue reading. One thing I know for sure is that this is not a summer read. It’s dark, emotionally taxing, and full of events I would have preferred not to read.
Most of the time, I take a quick glance at reviews before reading a book. This time I didn’t, which means I missed all the potential content warnings which aren't included in the book's introduction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion [With One-Year Teen Vogue Subscription] by Teen Vogue
5.0
Very helpful and insightful into the world of fashion. For 2018, it's a little outdated but there's still plenty of useful information into the most chaotic industry in the world.