emilyceratops's reviews
200 reviews

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

I loved this book. Some parts of it were so particularly touching in a specific way that spoke to the enormity of emotion, of tradition, of community. 

The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks

reflective medium-paced

3.0

Interesting, not as groundbreaking or impactful for me as his other works. 

The Subplot: What China Is Reading and Why It Matters by Megan Walsh

adventurous challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I really got a lot out of this book, much more than I expected. It explained my Chinese parents' attitudes towards literature, something that has always mystified me as I was growing up in Australia. The book also unexpectedly gave me space to reflect on my queer identity as it intersects with my Chinese background. Loved it!

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.0

This was fine. I was sort of losing the finer points of the plot at the end. But enjoyed a lot of it!

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

tense fast-paced

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

3.0

This was fine. I don't think it lived up to the hype. I found the main character pretty insufferable. My heart breaks for how completely lonely she is though. 

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Fantastic content! I found this book through tiktok and read it with the intention of hosting better parties. As I read it I found it applicable in many different aspects of my life, both at work and through various projects I'm involved in. Community is a strong value for me, and tied in with that is the physical gathering of people. This book forced me to think and reflect on how I've related to those gatherings and how I can create more meaning. 

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

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? No

2.0

I thought this was boring, but I can see how other people might relate quite strongly to it. I didn't love the pacing; thought it jumped around irregularly. 

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative relaxing tense medium-paced

4.0

Never read anything about being queer and Muslim before. I really enjoyed this. At the start I thought the Quran stories were a bit boring but by the end I was really enjoying them and how Lamya interpreted them. 

Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

Really enjoyed the book, was definitely in the target demographic for it! Cried a few times. Found the story very relatable, I always enjoy stories about the little details of female friendships because it makes me feel so seen. 

And Shall Machines Surrender by Benjanun Sriduangkaew

adventurous medium-paced

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

1.0

Didn't really like this. Was confused about the plot towards the end. I liked it a lot at the start and gradually disliked it more and more.