estellegodard's reviews
296 reviews

Au Bonheur Des Dames by Émile Zola

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.5

i enjoyed this classic in ebbs and flows. for much of it, I found the setting to be interesting & the character dynamics to be fun to read about it. I especially liked the descriptions of paris in this ever-changing era, the juxtaposition between the small boutiques and the big department store. however, there are passages of long descriptions , specifically in the last few chapters when they are having the all-white sale, that feel endless and drone on for too long. I also thought the ending was far too rushed, especially after all the time we spend with the characters. 
Sociopath by Patric Gagne

Go to review page

funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

incredible narration by the author ! this is an engaging memoir that both educates and entertains. I came out of it with a deeper and more authentic understanding of sociopaths. I liked that the author doesn’t hold back and speaks bluntly about her behavior. overall, this creates sympathy for an often stigmatized disorder & I really enjoyed it. 
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

Go to review page

informative slow-paced

2.75

this was my least favorite amanda montell book. it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t nearly as interesting as her other work. the essays didn’t feel very cohesive to the theme & I didn’t enjoy her personal anecdotes that much. that being said, she’s a great audio book narrator and I will continue to consume everything she publishes. 
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Go to review page

hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

it’s cheesy a lot of the time & very predictable. despite this, it’s an enjoyable book and really pleasant to read; the portions in marcellus’ point of view are so endearing & tova and ethan jump off the page. I found cameron to be a big man-child (though I’m sure that was the point) and it made it hard to sympathize with him. 
Girlhood by Melissa Febos

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

plenty of really impactful observations about being a woman and I especially resonated with the passages about adolescence. the essays were at times a bit long, and I didn’t find the final essay to be as impactful as some of the middle ones. nonetheless, the author is very eloquent and I enjoyed this collection. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Go to review page

inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

beautifully written novel with some really wonderful philosophical observations on life, death, happiness, etc. I also enjoyed the various storylines and narrators that coexist. however, in my opinion the plot dragged at times & I never felt compelled to keep reading after finishing a chapter. the ending also didn’t have the strongest effect on me, especially as we got into the more fantastical elements. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

Go to review page

adventurous dark informative slow-paced

3.0

once again, a very well researched and informative book by david grann. the author does a good job of including anecdotes and dialogues that bring the story to life, rather than being a simple historical book. that being said, it’s still very dense. the first third of the book deals entirely with the crew before the wreck and it is pretty tedious and confusing. there’s a lot of technicalities and names to keep track of and it’s not that interesting. getting to the ship wreck and especially the escape attempts felt like an adventure story & was much more enjoyable. I also particularly liked the bits of chapters that focused on the patagonian and indigenous tribes. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

a severely mediocre book. I was so disappointed! I really loved the idea of this but ultimately it was the characters that didn’t do it for me. I found ari to be incredibly grating and childish. I couldn’t relate to her perception of love/relationships so I was constantly annoyed with her choices. I will give it some credit for good sex scenes and fun banter. 
A Spell for Disappearing by Abby Geni

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

4.0

a really really enjoyable short story. i was glad to receive this in my BOTM box and 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

another great book by coco mellors! her ability to write believable characters is uncanny; each one of the sisters comes to life in a way that truly connects us to their story. they are incredibly flawed and not always likable, but it’s incredibly human and I enjoyed every moment. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings