estellegodard's reviews
296 reviews

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

5.0

the type of book that will stay in my mind for months to come. there were so many beautiful and poetic  passages, and the book successfully entwines these passages with more approachable writing, allowing for the novel to be a real page turner. while the story is tragic and heartbreaking, there are moments of hope that rise to the surface, representing all the beautiful sides of this family’s story. the love that is present in this book is so strong and I often had tears in my eyes, not at the tragic moments, but at some of the quieter moments between betty and her father or mother. the final few chapters were written with so much tenderness and I think it was a great way to wrap it all up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Racism, Rape, Death of parent

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante

slow-paced

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

3.0

this book has been my least favorite of the series so far. I found it boring during the vast majority due to its endless discussions of scholarly and political topics. I also found lila to reach her peak of unlikability in this book which made it tedious to read her sections. in this entire series I struggle to relate to her and feel empathy for her, but in this book it was practically impossible despite her hardships. I did enjoy the last 100 pages when elena finally writes her book and gets with nino - i found this all very exciting and I enjoyed the chaotic energy and her self-sabotage made it entertaining to read. 

I Didn't Know I Needed This: The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself by Eli Rallo

funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

I found this book to be a pleasure to consume. there are genuinely good pieces of advice and it’s a very empowering book. while a lot of the advice isn’t news to most, it’s always nice to be reminded and it feels like a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend or sister. being in my early 20s this is a very applicable and relatable book. 

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

hopeful sad fast-paced

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

3.75

I enjoyed this time period and setting very much. I had never read a book that dealt with this subject matter and found it very interesting. I was unhappy with some of the choices made, namely killing off evangeline and the romance between dunn and hazel. I also thought mathinna’s passages were a little bit underdeveloped, especially since we don’t get any real closure for her. I did think she was an important character to add though, and it added texture to the austrlian colonial experience. overall, it was a pleasant and easy historical-fiction book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Sexual assault

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante

medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed the drama of this book but it really made the protagonists unlikeable. once again, there is not a lot of action but the book is still a page turner as we wish to find out more about what happens to the cast of characters. 

Les Demoiselles by Anne-Gaëlle Huon

hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

incredibly fast paced and bingeable. while it takes many predictable turns and leans into the melodramatic, it nonetheless makes a speedy and enjoyable read. I especially loved the setting and the topic, since it was unfamiliar to me before now. 

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

i enjoyed the process of reading this book and grew fond of many of the characters. I enjoy that we slip into different characters’ lives throughout and I like the narrative style where she’s reflecting on her childhood. the author does a great job of depicting truthful female friendships and capturing the complexities of desire and jealously. I also liked how vivid the setting was in my mind; i could perfectly imagine naples on the cusp of modern change. I look forward to following the rest of the story in the next book. 

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

compared to the authors last book, this did not hit the mark. I found it quite slow and while the writing is still beautiful, there is less poetry in it. I didn’t connect with the story as much as I had last time either. I thought the chapter in the fathers perspective was the most compelling of the whole novel. 

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

I devoured this. I was so enamored with the characters and their individual lives. I loved the way the author put distinct personalities into each character and there were several moments that were extremely beautiful and resonated deeply with me, while others made me laugh out loud. as a new yorker I also loved the specific descriptions of the city and how vivid certain areas were in my mind. I especially loved the chapter about zoe and her “sugar daddy” experience; it was wholesome to see her complete a satisfying arc. I also thought the end of the book was very lovely and well executed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson

informative

3.0

a very easy to read non fiction book. I think this is perhaps a little outdated at this point, or at least not as groundbreaking as it might have been when it was published; things move fast in the world of psychology. nonetheless, it was an interesting read and I enjoyed the various case-studies and interviews.