elenafrancesca's reviews
93 reviews

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

4.5

After reading Norwegian Wood I thought I'd never pick up another Murakami book, but I am glad I decided to give Kafka a try. Although, admittedly, this book still suffers the usual Murakami-isms - I found the story and the characters much more multi-dimensional and actually likeable. A surreal story for sure, but that's what I like about a lot of Japanese fiction is the surrealism they excel so greatly at. 

I'd definitely recommend Kafka by the Shore.  

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

5.0

This is a succinct, to the point and easy to follow timeline of the intertwined relationship between white evangelical militarism and right wing politics. The author connects the myth of the American Cowboy (the John Wayne) and the idealized right-wing fantasy of the perfect patriarch.  

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 2 by Mizuho Kusanagi

4.0

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

4.5

I really enjoyed this book, start to finish. The mystery was engaging and the ending was satisfying, it didn't feel like a cop out at all. It was also beautiful in a tragic way, I found myself really feeling for all the characters. If you enjoyed the Secret History, I'd say you'd like this book. And, if you thought the premise of the Secret History was interesting but found the book long and boring, this is a much faster paced version of a similar story. 

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

2.0

I was really enjoying this book right up until the last 2 parts. 

The ending being Zoe wasn't that bad but her motivations come so far out pf left field. Fosca's only crime being that he was sleeping with all his 'maidens' makes his behaviour throughout the book feel totally unrealistic. And what the hell was the point of Fred? did he write the letters the POV sections? not even the epilogue explains what the point of his character was

The Langoliers by Stephen King

4.0

I enjoyed this short - it felt like an old episode of the twilight zone or star trek. Easy to read with enjoyable characters. 

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

2.0

I would rate this as the weakest so far in the series. It reads like your quintessential 2010's YA dystopian. It felt a bit rushed at times and some of the character stuff was especially rushed and the ending was crazy rushed. The dialogue was a bit fan-ficish (not in a good way) and a lot of it read like a fanfiction of the first two books. Especially Juliette's conversations with Kenji, that really read like head-cannon. James became a prop more than in the first two books too. 

I was disappointed that Juliette can now all of the sudden touch people. That was such an important part of the story and the fact that it just kind of goes away felt like a cheap shot. One of my favourite comic characters is Rogue from X-Men. She has such an interesting story and character and they do so much with that limitation of touch. This was a cop-out on that limitation.

I have a soft spot for 2010's YA, I found the reading experience almost nostalgic but there are much better books from that era if you are looking for that nostalgia jolt. 

I did have a chuckle at Warner and his slutty little tattoos.  

It by Stephen King

4.0

You can certainly tell in sections of this book that it was written during a cocaine binge. 

However, despite some of it's quirks and it's (perhaps excessive) length, I never found this story boring, or poorly written. It feels like it could have been written as a serial. I think the adaptations really would have benefitted from being set as a television show or a several part mini-series rather than stuffing this behemoth into two movies. 

I'll need to sit with this one, but over all it was definitely enjoyable. 

I am happy to say I've this book under my belt. 
 

Middlewest: The Complete Tale by Skottie Young

adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the pacing and tone that was held throughout this series. I felt that it was a good allegory for cycle breaking and cycle repeating. That it handled the complexity of having an abuser in someone you love and how that colours all your relationships. I think it ended perfectly. 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

5.0

I am a big fan of the Movie and had to pick up the book. I was not disappointed at all. This is a beautiful, silly and charming story with one of the most creative magical creatures and things. I read this as an e-book but will be purchasing a paper copy to read to my nieces and nephews and maybe one day my own kids.