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drumtowndg's reviews
34 reviews
River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Deeply moving, heart-breaking and a poignant novel. I usually don't read the book blurbs before picking it up and I wish I had read it before. Coming to terms with the book once done with it with how it's advertised isn't quite matching, I fear. I might have missed out on the critical view it offered, particularly with respect to mentions of race.
Regardless, this book worth a 5 star review. It's very very personal, brimming with meaningful character relationships and the consequences perfectly, of fallout or growth. The expat culture is neatly taken apart, so much that at some point, you seem to be living under the characters' skins.
The plot is perfect. The idea to phase out Lu Fang's story from the past to Alva's present, and Alva's story set-up being reflective of Lu Fang's despite the disconnect between them is a sharp irony that propels the book. It is fairly slow, meaningfully slow, which allows you to connect with the characters and their psyche's expertly.
Regardless, this book worth a 5 star review. It's very very personal, brimming with meaningful character relationships and the consequences perfectly, of fallout or growth. The expat culture is neatly taken apart, so much that at some point, you seem to be living under the characters' skins.
The plot is perfect. The idea to phase out Lu Fang's story from the past to Alva's present, and Alva's story set-up being reflective of Lu Fang's despite the disconnect between them is a sharp irony that propels the book. It is fairly slow, meaningfully slow, which allows you to connect with the characters and their psyche's expertly.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a sweet, harrowingly lovely book. It really made me a child, yet think as an adult about the ways in which children perceive the world. Mrs. Müller was such a delight, all the adults were too in their own sad and yet persevering ways. The book flows smoothly, it's a small and easy read at a very enjoyable pace. Definitely recommend.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
4.25
See, immediately after I finished reading this book, I thought I'd rate it 4 or 4.5 stars. Then I slept and woke up the next day, to discover the book is better as a 5 star read.
The pacing is what decided my original rating, because the starting went smoothly, albeit slightly slowly. The shift in Chapter 8 was a little hard to follow and felt much like an info dump than a transition. The same happens in the middle chapters too whenCharlie is in the conference where we're getting information about the participants and their legacies .
The climax punched me in the gut soooo badly, I hated it, but I loved it. It was kinda coming in a way, by way of suspicion. The ending was the best. 150% recommend. Do yourself a favour and read this spectacular book where things, no matter how dearth, will somehow work out---in the most funniest but sensible way possible. Take me seriously when I say 'funny'; it is genuinely this book's strength. Very, very, incredibly funny.
The pacing is what decided my original rating, because the starting went smoothly, albeit slightly slowly. The shift in Chapter 8 was a little hard to follow and felt much like an info dump than a transition. The same happens in the middle chapters too when
The climax punched me in the gut soooo badly, I hated it, but I loved it. It was kinda coming in a way, by way of suspicion. The ending was the best. 150% recommend. Do yourself a favour and read this spectacular book where things, no matter how dearth, will somehow work out---in the most funniest but sensible way possible. Take me seriously when I say 'funny'; it is genuinely this book's strength. Very, very, incredibly funny.
Of All the New Yorks in All the Worlds by Indrapramit Das
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I went through the other reviews and I agree lol, nothing much happens in this book. The start is compelling and actionable, but as the book progresses, you see less action and more reflection. I don't mind such a combo, but it was slightly jarring to read all that without tracking the action.
The writing though, is such a treat, such a delight! i love how Indrapamit ji captured the naivety, slow and learnful living of people in their twenties. It was refreshing, and the lush descriptions indulge all your senses in the story. It's really, really, very nice, very dream like. The cover of the book helps a lot.
I'm just realising, my view of New York is always that of ads and Times Square and others, mostly visuals, yk. I've heard some stuff about the living in New York and its exceptional food, but the sensory experience? What lacks in pictures is somehow overflowing in this book. This book gives you that truly. I'm so amazed, it's the perfect length.
I'd say I'd love if the story line, to whatever extent it exists, was a little more clearer. But then I also don't wish for that because it's the story's snappy-ness and the kind of imagery in paints in such length is enough to hold a small stretch of time (quite literally!!), is what makes this so, so endearing to me.
Thank you for writing this book, Das ji!
The writing though, is such a treat, such a delight! i love how Indrapamit ji captured the naivety, slow and learnful living of people in their twenties. It was refreshing, and the lush descriptions indulge all your senses in the story. It's really, really, very nice, very dream like. The cover of the book helps a lot.
I'm just realising, my view of New York is always that of ads and Times Square and others, mostly visuals, yk. I've heard some stuff about the living in New York and its exceptional food, but the sensory experience? What lacks in pictures is somehow overflowing in this book. This book gives you that truly. I'm so amazed, it's the perfect length.
I'd say I'd love if the story line, to whatever extent it exists, was a little more clearer. But then I also don't wish for that because it's the story's snappy-ness and the kind of imagery in paints in such length is enough to hold a small stretch of time (quite literally!!), is what makes this so, so endearing to me.
Thank you for writing this book, Das ji!
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
will get tback to this at a later time://
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
fast-paced
4.0
technically I DNFed this book and kept considering not continue reading it multiple times during the progress, but i kept going and honestly? I'm not complaining. it was bizarrely beautiful and very compassionate at its core, although in very weird and stupefying ways. I don't think i have processed this book enough, just glimpsed it over, and I want to continue reading the remaining two stories throughout the year and not read a short story collection all at one go as if it's a book to complete. besides that, great book. bizzarre and ???????**&^$ yea. rly good. 83.3% recommend.
I Miss You, I Hate This by Sara Saedi
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
This book was such a treat to read omg!! I started reading this on Jan 1st, 2023 and having eyed it for a while, I'd jumped in without reading the blurb, as I usually do. And slowly by the end of the first chapter, I was already hooked. The writing is simple and effluent, just the combination I adore very much 🤌🏽 It flows very nicely, and I'm glad the chapter was so welcoming. Let's also talk about the cover for a moment... 👀. This time, I approached the book with a change, taking my time to visit the book cover after I finished reading the first chapter; and the cover gave me an inkling of the environment the book was set in. The elaborate and spacious balcony Parisa lived in and the beat-up, beloved balcony Gabriela lived in.
After the first few chapters, I was weary abt the turn the book was taking tho; the book is set against the backdrop of the pandemic, and I didn't want to read that, tbh. I kept reading though, almost picking at my wounds and waiting for the shell to fall off, but the book was kind in its progression and it gave me a peek into the life of the characters, their lives and struggles amidst the privilege and disparities they lived in.
One thing I must mention: even tho it was the pandemic and the book also routinely kept Gabriela and Parisa at the forefront with chat messages, not once did I feel as if I'm reading an online conversation. The love and care they have for each other flowed so deeply through their conversations that it was only towards the end of the book did I actually realise that oh yes oh shit these guys were quarantined until now right??? It was very lovely yet painful reading about Parisa's struggles with her anxiety, love and life and friendship, along with Gabriela's side of the story, trying to keep up with basic survival, one that I heavily empathised with. It showed the class disparity for what it was, while together giving an opulent cultural portrayal through their conversations and lives.
The book gets a four, and a bit more, cause the way the third act conflict played out, while very heart-warming, got resolved in a very 'I've-been-telling-you-this-since-the-beginning' way, and I would have loved to see their friendship endure the hit of that conflict, in spite of the circumstance that served as a blocker to it, eventually allowing the characters to overcome it. I guess friendships usually do heal by themselves in some way, given the time, but it would have been nice to see a bit more of the effort that went into manually disentangling that mess.
But otherwise, solid book! Loved it so, so much. Thank you for writing, Sara!! <3
After the first few chapters, I was weary abt the turn the book was taking tho; the book is set against the backdrop of the pandemic, and I didn't want to read that, tbh. I kept reading though, almost picking at my wounds and waiting for the shell to fall off, but the book was kind in its progression and it gave me a peek into the life of the characters, their lives and struggles amidst the privilege and disparities they lived in.
One thing I must mention: even tho it was the pandemic and the book also routinely kept Gabriela and Parisa at the forefront with chat messages, not once did I feel as if I'm reading an online conversation. The love and care they have for each other flowed so deeply through their conversations that it was only towards the end of the book did I actually realise that oh yes oh shit these guys were quarantined until now right??? It was very lovely yet painful reading about Parisa's struggles with her anxiety, love and life and friendship, along with Gabriela's side of the story, trying to keep up with basic survival, one that I heavily empathised with. It showed the class disparity for what it was, while together giving an opulent cultural portrayal through their conversations and lives.
The book gets a four, and a bit more, cause the way the third act conflict played out, while very heart-warming, got resolved in a very 'I've-been-telling-you-this-since-the-beginning' way, and I would have loved to see their friendship endure the hit of that conflict, in spite of the circumstance that served as a blocker to it, eventually allowing the characters to overcome it. I guess friendships usually do heal by themselves in some way, given the time, but it would have been nice to see a bit more of the effort that went into manually disentangling that mess.
But otherwise, solid book! Loved it so, so much. Thank you for writing, Sara!! <3