embot77's reviews
150 reviews

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

For diving into the uncanny, this book explores the unnerving industry of organ farms in a fictional, and somewhat dystopian, setting. I appreciate the exploration of ethical concerns, as well as the application of humanity and its expression in the fine arts. How do we separate, let alone qualify, what is human and what isn't? Should we treat non-humans as objects or with humanity? Do we apply humanity to what isn't or do we observe it (or both)? These are questions the book asks of readers in this conversation of the necessary.

Little Data by Mark Yakich, Christopher Schaberg

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

This collection of prose poetry, or what could be considered genre blending between flash-fiction and prose poetry, has value in its overcompensating depth. In utilizing data (without sources sometimes) and experiences as one of two parents with several children, the reader is meant to reflect and commiserate with their own reality. However, some selections require more analysis than others for readers to thoroughly engage with the material. This is especially true for the pieces that move away from their titled or initial topic.

As for entertainment, the book serves its purpose, but from an informational stance, the statistics will become inaccurate, and some unconfirmable, within a few years time. But their relevancy will withstand time in their own right.

This book acts as a good springboard for writers who need inspiration or ideas for their next piece. I recommend having the writers determine and record what is working and what isn't as an exercise for a class.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

challenging dark reflective sad

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

4.5

This book depicts the adaptability of familial roles catalyzed by the detriment of the breadwinner of a household. How the willingness to care for a loved one goes from an love or need to a burden, making the loved one feel as such. A heartbreaking, yet accurate, tale. 

New American Best Friend by Olivia Gatwood

challenging emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

4.0

As a young woman, I read this chapbook out of comfort. The womanly experiences mentioned in this book are shared. There is anger and shame the drives reader through each poem and drops them off in a familiar place. One they can't escape. One where they are not alone. But for those who share these experiences, they are in good company.

Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T. Anderson

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Written for middle-grade readers in the early stages of infering ideas from text, the story was a lovely and engaging tale. The first few chapters did a little too much hand holding in terms of defining feelings between characters. Additionally, the art didn't necessarily line up with the text, especially on pages 206–207. However, the simplistic delivery of details makes up for these discrepancies and helps the reader remain focused on the story. 
I would recommend this book for readers interested in fantasy. The fantastical elements are not overly complicated and don't require a vast knowledge of lore to follow along. I would even say this book is good for educators of 3rd graders through 5th graders. There are several ideas worth discussing such as the vague racism/specism the Owl-Headed people have against the Human-Headed people, as well as Vud's dilemma with living life after losing another.

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

3.5

As a young adult who didn't get into reading until college, this book was a fun and relaxing read to me, especially after work. I found that the protagonists voice and portrayal of the story was light hearted and easy to follow and enjoy. I appreciated the little jabs at humans and the close friendships shared within the story. I felt as though I was their friend, too.

Interim by Matthew Roberson

challenging funny informative slow-paced

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

3.75

While reading this book, I was as frustrated as a toddler given a circle for a square hole (and surprised as the toddler who saw the circle go in). "Internim" pulls back the curtain on academic administration as main character, Professor Rob Roy, reluctantly fills the role of internim associate dean for the College of Arts and Humanities at STATE College. What's behind this curtain is empty commitments and ladder-climbing politics.

Some unique features of this book includes the short chapters, which satisfy and heighten that sense of accomplishment, and the side-story columns. The side-story columns consisted of Rob's family (Amy—his wife, Warren—his son, and Emily—his daughter). At first, these columns come across as off-putting. In fact, I bounced between starting the main text and the side text first because I was intended to read first, or if it mattered what I read first. By page 105, I managed to look forward to, and even appreciate, the mini stories that were occurring during Rob's main story.

In terms of syntactic composition, the excessive use of commas, while distinguishing the voice of the narrator, disrupted the pacing of the story and occasionally discouraged me from reading on. I'd also went back to the start of the sentence (more than once) to understand what was being said.

The dry humor was a solid hit to my funny bone to where I'd smile here and there from the occasional funny name and characterization of one of the administrative officers. Also, the first line in the scene with several undergraduates was believable enough for me to recall my recent time as an undergraduate.

Throughout the book, I felt empathetic toward Rob and his plight to achieve what should be straightforward results on a task only for him to be sent on a goose chase hindered by the indifference of the people he talks to. As someone who works in customer service, I, like Rob, wished for a simple answer.

The purpose of this book seemed to use dry humor in an information-dense environment to amplify the convoluted and redundant nature of administrative work within the college setting.

This is not a book I would reread but rather pass along to students, educators, and administrators. I hope readers gain a more empathetic understanding of administration, and for those who can do something to change it for the better, I hope this story gives them the motivation to do something about it.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

As a young adult starting the book after watching the movie, I forgot the target audience was children. I was reading the text, wondering why all the descriptions were so simple, without thinking that maybe this was made for some elementary school kid. Aside from my expectations, the story did well depicting the other world and the creation of the beldam's helpers.

I didn't expect the rats to have blood in them though considering that everyone else seems to be made of some sort of wet clay. There also seems to be a theme in some of Gaiman's stories where something supernatural happens to the kids and parents, but one or both don't remember it ever happening.

I'm not sure if I would read it again, but I'm glad I had the chance to read it in the first place.

You Are Here: Connecting Flights by Ellen Oh

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

While written for middle-grade students, this is an important read for all ages when figuring out racism. Each story set up a unique character with a southeast or eastern Asian background in a situation where they figured out how they felt and how they confronted racist comments and actions. Given the large variety of approaches and responses, this book could offer readers insight on how they may want to approach racism on their own turf.

As an individual who is both white and commonly mistaken for Asian, I felt both sides of the spectrum, especially in Chapter 7 (Natalie and Beth's story). In fact, after reading this story, I apologized to a friend of mine for being inconsiderate and racist during a verbal attack from some white guys in a car last month. It's nice to be reminded that no matter how blurry a line is, the line still exists, and it's okay to talk about how you feel about what's going on around you.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

3.5

The varied jumps back and forth in the timeline and juxtaposition of two or more stories in each chapter offer a complex and challenging narrative for readers. For most of the book, I was under the impression that this was a memoir given the first-person vulnerability. While, as a reader, I would probably not reread the book for fun, I would go through the passages again as a poet, interested in reflecting on the introspective passages and rhetorical questions.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse