danielnski's reviews
106 reviews

Blindness by José Saramago

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

4.0

The way it is written is very disorienting, which is very apt for the topic and makes it feel a lot like the early days of the COVID lockdowns. But that does make it quite the challenge to get through. Overall, I loved how the style fit the substance of the book, but this is more of a book I am glad I can say I have read rather than one I will revisit. 

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A classic that is very silly, fun, and British. 
My Father Left Me Ireland: An American Son's Search for Home by Michael Brendan Dougherty

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

The writing is beautiful and the exploration of Irish culture, history, and language has made me really want to learn more. At a time when it feels really complicated to have a nationalistic sense of identity, seeing how he related to the history of Ireland and how that informs his worldview was a really interesting journey to take. 
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

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adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.5

I think there are uneven elements to the plotting of the book, but at the end of it, I enjoyed it so much that I didn't mind them. Aru is a fun heroine and all of the supporting characters, mythological and otherwise, feel very real and age-appropriate. I loved getting glimpses of different aspects of Hindui mythology through this book, and am excited to learn more about some of the stories and figures referenced in this book. 
The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us by Kristin Chenoweth

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Whatever I missed structure-wise visually about the book was more than made up for by hearing Kristen read it and getting to experience her joy and strength. 

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The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Lots of fascinating tidbits and references built into Ru's narrative. It is amazing to see how far he's come in his life and the doors he has been able to open for himself and others. 

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There There by Tommy Orange

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challenging dark emotional informative tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I wish I could give this book two ratings. I loved the writing, the characters, and how all of the context and history was woven into the narrative. However, I am frustrated by how much of the plot and what linked the characters was their trauma and by how the story ended. I can understand how that is a reflection of many people's experiences, though, and appreciate how the novel contextualized it. I come away feeling very frustrated by the book but also appreciating its beauty and all it must have taken to write it. I don't think I ever want to revisit it but I also desperately want to read the sequel. 

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For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0