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emmareadstoomuch's reviews
2051 reviews
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
4.0
Whoa.
I did not consume this play as I was intended to. I mean, honestly, you're not supposed to read a play. Tell that to any high school English teacher ever, but still. Tennessee Williams didn't write this like "Hopefully in sixty years a girl will read this alone in her room in one sitting so she can fulfill her goal of reading a classic every month." That's not his ideal.
That being said.
THIS MADE ME FEEL SO MUCH.
A play is supposed to be acted, obviously. Reading it leads to a less emotional rendering, with less full characters, in an imagined version of what is supposed to be a concrete setting. It's a lesser experience - like reading a screenplay. (Cough cough, f*ck you JK Rowling, cough.)
And still this was incredible! Blanche and Stella and Mitch were heart-rending. There's so much tension here, and the revelations and the moments of climax and action are just unreal. I don't even know what to say beyond whoa.
Guess I should've stopped this review after the first word.
Bottom line: FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC. This reading-a-classic-a-month thing is the best thing I'm doing this year.
I did not consume this play as I was intended to. I mean, honestly, you're not supposed to read a play. Tell that to any high school English teacher ever, but still. Tennessee Williams didn't write this like "Hopefully in sixty years a girl will read this alone in her room in one sitting so she can fulfill her goal of reading a classic every month." That's not his ideal.
That being said.
THIS MADE ME FEEL SO MUCH.
A play is supposed to be acted, obviously. Reading it leads to a less emotional rendering, with less full characters, in an imagined version of what is supposed to be a concrete setting. It's a lesser experience - like reading a screenplay. (Cough cough, f*ck you JK Rowling, cough.)
And still this was incredible! Blanche and Stella and Mitch were heart-rending. There's so much tension here, and the revelations and the moments of climax and action are just unreal. I don't even know what to say beyond whoa.
Guess I should've stopped this review after the first word.
Bottom line: FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC. This reading-a-classic-a-month thing is the best thing I'm doing this year.
The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas
3.0
WHERE ARE THE SUPERHEROES?!!!?!?!?!!
WHERE ARE THEY.
(If you didn’t read that in Michael Scott’s where-are-the-turtles voice from The Office, please go back and try again.)
This was, like, shockingly un-superhero-y. When I read a book called The Supervillain and Me, I am expecting hijinks. I am expecting powers. I am expecting flight and invisibility and super-strength and lots of fight scenes in which people, like, getting punched through windows and stuff. Also, because of the villain part, I am expecting nefarious plotting and criminal mastermind-dom.
Plus some fun costumes and masks and stuff, for flair.
What I am not expecting: high school. High school theater. High school cafeterias. High school friendships and high school crushes and high school romances and high school classes and OH MY GOD SO MUCH HIGH SCHOOL.
It’d figure that the one contemporary that actually puts an appropriate amount of education into the life of a teenager is actually not even really a contemporary at all.
Pretty much this reads as super contemporary-y, even though it should be pretty fantasy-y because, you know, superheroes.
Do not expect villainy. Do not expect superherodom. Do not expect fun stuff or action or anything like that. If you expect “Disney Channel movie,” you’ll have more of a good time.
Bottom line: This was not a bad book. It was an easy read and sometimes-almost-kinda fun. BUT IT WAS NOT SUPERHERO-Y.
(thanks to macmillan/swoon reads for the ARC <3)
WHERE ARE THEY.
(If you didn’t read that in Michael Scott’s where-are-the-turtles voice from The Office, please go back and try again.)
This was, like, shockingly un-superhero-y. When I read a book called The Supervillain and Me, I am expecting hijinks. I am expecting powers. I am expecting flight and invisibility and super-strength and lots of fight scenes in which people, like, getting punched through windows and stuff. Also, because of the villain part, I am expecting nefarious plotting and criminal mastermind-dom.
Plus some fun costumes and masks and stuff, for flair.
What I am not expecting: high school. High school theater. High school cafeterias. High school friendships and high school crushes and high school romances and high school classes and OH MY GOD SO MUCH HIGH SCHOOL.
It’d figure that the one contemporary that actually puts an appropriate amount of education into the life of a teenager is actually not even really a contemporary at all.
Pretty much this reads as super contemporary-y, even though it should be pretty fantasy-y because, you know, superheroes.
Do not expect villainy. Do not expect superherodom. Do not expect fun stuff or action or anything like that. If you expect “Disney Channel movie,” you’ll have more of a good time.
Bottom line: This was not a bad book. It was an easy read and sometimes-almost-kinda fun. BUT IT WAS NOT SUPERHERO-Y.
(thanks to macmillan/swoon reads for the ARC <3)
Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
3.0
Just a mini-review:
-the art is so cute I wanna die
-weird traces of girl-hating
-generally just a little bit rushed?
-kind of a cheesy ending
-but very cute and fun and fast-paced
-i liked it, hurray
-the art is so cute I wanna die
-weird traces of girl-hating
-generally just a little bit rushed?
-kind of a cheesy ending
-but very cute and fun and fast-paced
-i liked it, hurray
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
3.0
IF VERA BROSGOL DOESN'T HAVE THE CUTESTBEST ART STYLE IN THE WORLD, I SURE DO NOT KNOW WHO DOES.
that's pretty much the standout part of this book in either direction. it's a classic indoors-kid-goes-to-camp-and-hates-it-and-everything-is-terrible-but-then-she-likes-it-because-she-makes-a-friend-just-in-time-to-leave story. which, like, not my favorite trope? presumably no one's favorite trope? just a lot of gross toilets and bugs and outdoor shenanigans.
BUT. BUTBUTBUT! the art, you guys. the arrrrrrttttttt.
i probably didn't like it as much as Anya's Ghost (the other graphic novel i've read by Brosgol) but the art seems like it's somehow improved. which seems impossible. but god it's so cute and good i looooove it.
bottom line: who doesn't love a quick graphic novel with great art!!!
that's pretty much the standout part of this book in either direction. it's a classic indoors-kid-goes-to-camp-and-hates-it-and-everything-is-terrible-but-then-she-likes-it-because-she-makes-a-friend-just-in-time-to-leave story. which, like, not my favorite trope? presumably no one's favorite trope? just a lot of gross toilets and bugs and outdoor shenanigans.
BUT. BUTBUTBUT! the art, you guys. the arrrrrrttttttt.
i probably didn't like it as much as Anya's Ghost (the other graphic novel i've read by Brosgol) but the art seems like it's somehow improved. which seems impossible. but god it's so cute and good i looooove it.
bottom line: who doesn't love a quick graphic novel with great art!!!
All Summer Long by Hope Larson
3.0
this was a quick, summery read with really cool/unique/interesting/choose-your-own-adjective art. like a lot of graphic novels, the main cool thing about this was the art, and everything else was pretty meh.
the characters didn't feel full (understandable, i guess - it's a graphic novel - but that seems like a major flaw of the genre???). the story was a lil quick. could get pretty trope-y (claaaassic story of a middle school summer where the protagonist is, gasp, growing apart from her friends!!!).
also, there was this thing i hate of fake names for social media??? "infinitiflix" or something = netflix. "filtergram" = instagram. mehhhh. no thank u.
but everything ended happily, and again: that art tho.
bottom line: sure why not. this was fine.
thanks to the publisher for the arc!
the characters didn't feel full (understandable, i guess - it's a graphic novel - but that seems like a major flaw of the genre???). the story was a lil quick. could get pretty trope-y (claaaassic story of a middle school summer where the protagonist is, gasp, growing apart from her friends!!!).
also, there was this thing i hate of fake names for social media??? "infinitiflix" or something = netflix. "filtergram" = instagram. mehhhh. no thank u.
but everything ended happily, and again: that art tho.
bottom line: sure why not. this was fine.
thanks to the publisher for the arc!
Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley
4.0
HEY. YOU. LOOK AT THIS COVER. DO YOU SEE HOW CUTE THIS COVER IS? LOOOOOOOK ATTTTTT ITTTTTT.
okay, now that we've talked about the most important thing.
as we allll know (because i cannot shut up about it), pretty much the only genre i read in the summertime is contemporary. like, don't get me wrong: i'm constantly reading contemporary. and constantly rating it really harshly. but that's a topic for another day. in the summer it's a whole new ball game: it's like the only thing i'm even CAPABLE OF READING is contemporary.
and oh my god i run out so fast. which is maybe why i've been feeling slumpy?
unfortunately this book did not break me out of that fresh fresh almost-a-reading-slump feeling we all know +love completely detest. it was pretty fun, though.
i never realize how many female protagonists in YA are literally the same character until i read one who isn't. honestlyyyyy, enough of these innocent virginal good girls with fine-to-good grades, one extracurricular activity, and a coffee shop they frequent with their perfect squads of between one and three shiny-haired female friends. WE'VE COVERED THE TOPIC.
Megan Harper, our protagonist, is basically typecast by her peers as the school slut. she's had seven (count 'em: SEVEN) boyfriends. she's not ashamed of that fact, and the book doesn't try to shame her either. which. is. rad. we love a YA girl who's not scared of her own sexuality!!
the fun thing (otherwise known in real words as the conceit) of this book is that every time Megan dates a boy, he breaks up with her for someone who ends up being the love of his liiiiiife. including one who leaves her for her best friend!
if it seems like this book is a messy dramatic mess, it's because it IS. in a mostly entertaining, sometimes boring/repetitive/get-me-out-of-here way. we're talking fake italian girlfriends, infant half sisters, infidelity to the power of a thousand, countless blowout friendship fights, and all the drama that comes with high school drama.
it's a lot. but in a usually good way.
also this book gave me a newfound appreciation for romeo & juliet??? so that's cool i guess.
bottom line: yeah sure okay! also look at that cover again. i don't think you looked hard enough the first time.
okay, now that we've talked about the most important thing.
as we allll know (because i cannot shut up about it), pretty much the only genre i read in the summertime is contemporary. like, don't get me wrong: i'm constantly reading contemporary. and constantly rating it really harshly. but that's a topic for another day. in the summer it's a whole new ball game: it's like the only thing i'm even CAPABLE OF READING is contemporary.
and oh my god i run out so fast. which is maybe why i've been feeling slumpy?
unfortunately this book did not break me out of that fresh fresh almost-a-reading-slump feeling we all know +
i never realize how many female protagonists in YA are literally the same character until i read one who isn't. honestlyyyyy, enough of these innocent virginal good girls with fine-to-good grades, one extracurricular activity, and a coffee shop they frequent with their perfect squads of between one and three shiny-haired female friends. WE'VE COVERED THE TOPIC.
Megan Harper, our protagonist, is basically typecast by her peers as the school slut. she's had seven (count 'em: SEVEN) boyfriends. she's not ashamed of that fact, and the book doesn't try to shame her either. which. is. rad. we love a YA girl who's not scared of her own sexuality!!
the fun thing (otherwise known in real words as the conceit) of this book is that every time Megan dates a boy, he breaks up with her for someone who ends up being the love of his liiiiiife. including one who leaves her for her best friend!
if it seems like this book is a messy dramatic mess, it's because it IS. in a mostly entertaining, sometimes boring/repetitive/get-me-out-of-here way. we're talking fake italian girlfriends, infant half sisters, infidelity to the power of a thousand, countless blowout friendship fights, and all the drama that comes with high school drama.
it's a lot. but in a usually good way.
also this book gave me a newfound appreciation for romeo & juliet??? so that's cool i guess.
bottom line: yeah sure okay! also look at that cover again. i don't think you looked hard enough the first time.
The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket
5.0
Once again I get the chance to say (write?) the most glorious words in the English language: This is a particularly fantastic installment in the GREATEST SERIES OF ALL TIME.
In case you're new here or somehow able to ignore me doing the internet equivalent of nonstop screaming about this series: I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH.
This one is, as mentioned, particularly next-level at putting all other excuses for literature to shame. It breaks from the typical format. Our lil gang grows up. There's an exploration of moral absolutism, a questioning of whether anyone is truly good or evil, and whether evil acts can be motivated by pure intentions. There's a condemnation of normalcy, one which points out (TO A MAIN AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN MAY I REMIND YOU) that no one is normal and everyone's got something freakish about them.
Also, there are fortune-tellers and inventions and disguises and Thai food and page repetition to mock déjà vu and, as always, some of the best world-building and narration of all time.
IT'S A GREAT BOOK AND I HAVE A MIGRAINE SO I NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT A SCREEN NOW.
Bottom line: If you haven't read these books yet and don't plan to in the immediate future, clearly you don't care about me AT ALL.
In case you're new here or somehow able to ignore me doing the internet equivalent of nonstop screaming about this series: I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH.
This one is, as mentioned, particularly next-level at putting all other excuses for literature to shame. It breaks from the typical format. Our lil gang grows up. There's an exploration of moral absolutism, a questioning of whether anyone is truly good or evil, and whether evil acts can be motivated by pure intentions. There's a condemnation of normalcy, one which points out (TO A MAIN AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN MAY I REMIND YOU) that no one is normal and everyone's got something freakish about them.
Also, there are fortune-tellers and inventions and disguises and Thai food and page repetition to mock déjà vu and, as always, some of the best world-building and narration of all time.
IT'S A GREAT BOOK AND I HAVE A MIGRAINE SO I NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT A SCREEN NOW.
Bottom line: If you haven't read these books yet and don't plan to in the immediate future, clearly you don't care about me AT ALL.
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
2.0
so the Sarah Dessen Reread Extravaganza continued and this particular installment may not have gone super well but you know what? you simply cannot win them all.
this was just veryyyyy dramatic to me and the characters were boring and floated in and out of existence and there were just So Many Quasi Profound themes and ahhh!! also it was very long.
the progression of time also could NOT HAVE BEEN MESSIER IT WAS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. hard to create a neat linear timeline, I guess, when you have to interrupt yourself every other paragraph in order to soliloquize on the Meaning Of Family and the Importance Of Optimism and blah blah blah.
too saccharine for me.
bottom line: not my favorite but the SDRE (Sarah Dessen Reread Extravaganza, obviously) will continue!!
this was just veryyyyy dramatic to me and the characters were boring and floated in and out of existence and there were just So Many Quasi Profound themes and ahhh!! also it was very long.
the progression of time also could NOT HAVE BEEN MESSIER IT WAS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. hard to create a neat linear timeline, I guess, when you have to interrupt yourself every other paragraph in order to soliloquize on the Meaning Of Family and the Importance Of Optimism and blah blah blah.
too saccharine for me.
bottom line: not my favorite but the SDRE (Sarah Dessen Reread Extravaganza, obviously) will continue!!
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
3.0
THIS IS NOT A ROAST!!!!!!
NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO HATE, DISOWN, OR OTHERWISE PUNISH ME BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A RANT REVIEW!!!!!!!
I'm giving it three stars okay???? So don't be mad. That's not even a bad rating.
That being said:
- this book was sososososo confusing, for, like, the first 15%, after which it was overwhelmingly obvious but took 300 pages to get to the revelations that had been pret-ty clear in a long term way
- STUPID UNNECESSARY ROMANCE THAT I HATE. SO MUCH. BLEH BLEH. Why do people ship this so hard???
However there were moments of very pretty writing, and ya gotta admire the badassery of these characters folks.
But this book and I just didn't click.
Bottom line: I AM SO SORRY I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO HATE ME PLEASE
------------
IF I DON'T LIKE THIS BOOK I WILL BE DISOWNED BY EVERYONE I LOVE.
also i've read the first 10% of this four times. excited to go in for attempt #5
anyway PLEASE LET ME LIKE THIS BOOK @READING GODS
------------
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO HATE, DISOWN, OR OTHERWISE PUNISH ME BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A RANT REVIEW!!!!!!!
I'm giving it three stars okay???? So don't be mad. That's not even a bad rating.
That being said:
- this book was sososososo confusing, for, like, the first 15%, after which it was overwhelmingly obvious but took 300 pages to get to the revelations that had been pret-ty clear in a long term way
- STUPID UNNECESSARY ROMANCE THAT I HATE. SO MUCH. BLEH BLEH. Why do people ship this so hard???
However there were moments of very pretty writing, and ya gotta admire the badassery of these characters folks.
But this book and I just didn't click.
Bottom line: I AM SO SORRY I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO HATE ME PLEASE
------------
IF I DON'T LIKE THIS BOOK I WILL BE DISOWNED BY EVERYONE I LOVE.
also i've read the first 10% of this four times. excited to go in for attempt #5
anyway PLEASE LET ME LIKE THIS BOOK @READING GODS
------------
Viikset by Emmanuel Carrère
4.0
basically this book chewed up my brain like a piece of gum. and then spit it out. because that's what you do with a piece of gum.
bottom line: don't swallow gum - that's gross. also this book is a mindf*ck.
bottom line: don't swallow gum - that's gross. also this book is a mindf*ck.