ellen_nicholson's reviews
14 reviews

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

Terminal Boredom by Izumi Suzuki

challenging dark medium-paced

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

2.75

I feel like I didn't quite get some of the stories (mainly smoke gets in your eyes) which is probably an issue with me rather than the book. Otherwise I thought the concepts for each story were dystopian and funky, my favourite being 'night picnic' which I thought was lots of fun while still thought provoking.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

An informative and at times satirical commentary on India through an epistolary style message from Balram (an entrepreneur), to the Premier of China. The White Tiger critiques the socio-political climate of India, exploring themes of corruption, duty and the caste/class system through the story of Balram, a poor man who takes a position as a driver/servant for a landlords son. While I feel that we never really connect with Balram as a character, his story works to blur the lines between what is moral or immoral, which left me questioning my initial judgements as he explained his journey. I read this book for school and found the use of symbols really added depth to the book, ie the lizard, chandeliers and the black fort. Even though it was for English, I think it is worth a read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Racism, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Animal death and Alcohol

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Racism, and Death of parent

Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

2.75

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

dark emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child death and Death

Minor: Death of parent

A relateable and socially inept main character, trying to go about life while dealing with serious trauma. The book is separated into the parts: "Good days", "Bad days" and "Better days". While majority of the book happens within good days, the bad days section may be quite confronting for some people. Overall a quick, easy read which I would recommend.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.0

Midori was the best character this book. it had an interesting discussion abt death, sex and mental illness, but it spoke really uncomfortably about women and had some disturbing scenes. if I ever have to read about

a grown woman being fingered by a 13 yo girl

I am never reading again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Rape and Suicide

Minor: Violence

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5