clairedevo's reviews
42 reviews

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Book 1 was probably my favorite, filled with intrigue and vivid descriptions. Book 2 was tense and thrilling yet focused intensely on our character’s decline, twisting my love for the ambiance into hatred for the characters. Reading this, I was engrossed, but I don’t think I can read this again. Dark dark dark beautiful sad and crazy all at once. A great companion book would be “Bunny” by Mona Awad.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Animal death, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Rape

A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

reflective 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? N/A

3.5

This book is far from what I expected it to be, which was a singular journey for Kirabo to find her mother. It was more centered around other relationships and culture. The storyline was confusing for me, but it really wrapped up in the end. I learned much about different perspectives from mine, about time and land and storytelling. This book made me think and receive, it’s nice to experience something different from literature than what I’m used to.

Woolgathering by Patti Smith

emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

Her words speak to my heart, and I hope to keep them close for a long time

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

I would give this 2.5 stars. It was a short read, which I’m not used to with fiction. I thought this book was a lot of fun and I really loved the first part, specially with the focus on atmosphere and mystery. But I don’t think the prose or plot was that smart or intriguing. I kind of got bored in the second half, but I’m still glad I read it 🧛‍♀️

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

This book brought me so much joy. I am so happy to have read this ❤️

Bunny by Mona Awad

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

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

4.5

4.5 stars.

Half off because I don’t know how I feel about Ava’s murder

. But this was thrilling, terrifying, addicting. So many intricacies about female relationships that resonated with me. Specifically with the line “The hate is bubbling up in my soul and I am pinned there by the terrible fear that they will cast me out for good” (164). I loved the development and journey of Samantha’s character, especially the part where she

was integrated into the Bunny cult

. That was not something I expected, but really enjoyed. One last quote that stuck out to me was “That’s when I realized that whatever pain I have, whatever true want I have that lives under all this greasy, spineless needing to please isn’t something I want to give them” (169). I also wish the love between Ava and Samantha was more defined, but much of the details of “Bunny” are ambiguous, so it fits in well.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

3.0

I am reluctant to do anything but respectfully give this classic piece of literature a hearty 3 stars and simply say it wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong it is a great book. It was so intense and complex. I found myself hating everyone and everything until I’d come across a tragically beautiful line that made me fall in love all over again- but then I’d go back to hating it. My experience with it matched the cycle of hatred and abuse prevalent in the story, which I think is a sign of good writing. However, I didn’t enjoy the process of reading Wuthering Heights as much as I wanted to and I think you can enjoy reading a book even if it isn’t a happy book. I prefer Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights. At least I understand the lyrics better now.

The Anybodies by N.E. Bode

4.0

My favorite book as a kid❤️ I’m so glad I could get my hands on it and read it again. It’s sort of like coming home. I love it so much but gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because it’s ages 10-13 but I still enjoyed it

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

3.0

Oh boy. I never expected myself to watch the Twilight movies, read the books, or call myself a fan of the Twilight Saga. But four weeks in quarantine later and here we are. I know that this is objectively not good writing. I know this. But god damn if it’s not entertaining as hell. A literal page turner. I read this while reading Wuthering Heights and honestly I have come to the conclusion that a book does not have to be good to be enjoyable and vice versa. Alice and Charlie are the best characters, team Edward all the way, sign me up for new moon baby! 3 stars because I’m worried giving it more than that will bring about bad luck or something

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

4.0

As someone who wants to become a therapist one day, this book reaffirmed the importance of that goal. Well written and emotionally charged yet assuring at the same time. I found myself completely focused on reading and time flew by, I would say it is an easy read and totally worth it