eindranotkendra's reviews
61 reviews

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

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emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

I put off reading this book for so long because I was afraid of how much it would wreck me, and I'm disappointed in myself for not reading it sooner. I knew it would make me want to hug my mom the next time I see her, but this book also affirmed a concern of mine that I haven't really known how to talk about: a urgent need to learn my own family's recipes and recommitting to speaking our language so I have pieces of my parents' culture to keep with me and pass on to the next generation after they're gone. As heartbreaking as it was to read this, it also nourished something in me that I didn't know I needed, and I'm just deeply in awe of the skill Michelle Zauner possesses to create something like that. 
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

4.25

Babel by R.F. Kuang

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dark emotional reflective 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

Not to be too dramatic but I do feel like I'm fundamentally changed as a person after reading this. R.F. Kuang is just masterful in the way she weaves together such a heartbreaking story about such a heavy topic as colonialism, but still not having it feel too dense or academic or laden with hidden meaning. It's clear in its intent without being condescending. I'm just in awe at how she did it, and maybe it's even harder hitting as someone whose family is from a former British colony but my God I want to cry. Also as much as she pissed me off I'm really glad she decided to include Letty and characterize her as she did. R.F. Kuang is just incredible amazing showstopping etc. and I will never shut up about this book for as long as I live!!!
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The book was fun as all Poirot mysteries are but WHEN will I stop letting myself be talked out of my first choice suspect??? 
Human Acts by Han Kang

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

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emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

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challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the writing/translation of this book is so dreamy and gorgeous, and at its core it really is a thought-provoking meditation on predetermination that left me feeling gut-punched by the end. i just had no clue this story would revolve around inc*st when i started reading it so i did almost dnf it, but ultimately i kept reading both for the writing and for my own curiosity of where this could possibly go and i think i'm glad i did
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Plaza Suite by Neil Simon

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

4.0