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547 reviews
The Republic by Plato
So the Ancient Greeks just went around arguing? For fun?
(Or in the case of Socrates: stating all his arguments as fact and having silly little sheep reply in agreement to every single thing he says)
(Or in the case of Socrates: stating all his arguments as fact and having silly little sheep reply in agreement to every single thing he says)
Your Heart, My Sky: Love in a Time of Hunger by Margarita Engle
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers by Wayne Rée, Benjamin Chee
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
What a great read! I read this book as part of a readalong and it was such an interesting and engaging experience. The idea of weaving Southeast Asian folklore into a story about the working world is both unique and exciting. The use of dual mediums - novel-like chapters juxtaposed with comic strips - only adds to the story's ambience. The way the creators mix Malaysian, Indonesian, Filipino, Thai, Chinese and other Asian mythical creatures into world of beautiful coexistence is nothing short of BRILLIANT. This little book, a graphic novel of sorts, manages to combine a sharp critique of capitalism, a comprehensive study of how different work suits different people, and a unifying celebration of the diversity of Asian myth into one entertaining and thought-provoking tale.
How I Accidentally Became a Global Stock Photo: And Other Strange and Wonderful Stories by Shubnum Khan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil so much that I went in search for more books by this author. I came across this book at the library and I am so so SO HAPPY I did! Shubnum's collection of stories are powerful, emotional, raw, inspirational, and so funny they had me literally LAUGHING OUT LOUD 🤣. Not only did I find so much of it relatable, but I found it to be a truly motivating read. Shubnum Khan's vibrantly bright and passion-filled anecdotes gave me the hope that I too can live a full and exciting life despite my chronic anxiety, OCD and introverted nature (we are so alike in so many ways!!!). As a fellow single brown Muslim South African woman, I felt Shubnum's confessions and insights down to my very core. In these stories you will find pain and unfortunate events, but you will also learning all the poignant life lessons discovered along her way. This is a very special book and I can't recommend it enough.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
what to expect:
- NA high fantasy
- war and politics
- racial diversity done well
- detailed religious system, geopolitics and languages
- flying warships, dragons, epic battles and all that good stuff!!!
- slowwwburn knife-to-throat enemies-to-lovers with a political marriage of convenience and one bed trope for added spice 😌
*takes a deep breath*
So, I feel very normally about this book. I am in no way overly obsessed with the intricacy of the world building, the powerful commentary on war and politics, the excellent tension between the main characters, the skillfully fleshed-out side characters, the seamless weaving of fantasy and reality, the passionate emotions that leap off the page or the other 989238274921782+ reasons why this book is one of the best fantasies I have ever read.
Yup. Totally normal and not obsessed at all. 😊
Set across the backdrop of a war-town world, this is a book about pain, love and the many kinds of conflict. And of course, lots of magic!!!
I love the concept of flying ships being the main system of transport. I never thought racial diversity could be done so RIGHT until I read this book. The characters are all delightful and even the most hateful of characters expose the complicated nature of war and trauma. There is such fun witty dialogue! I mean, it's probably unrealistic for soldiers to be making sarcastic and snippy remarks during battle, but I am ALL HERE FOR IT ðŸ¤
The alternate POVs really helps this book achieve its greatness. While the Night Empire is portrayed as the 'Big Bad Guy', following the narratives of dual leading characters had my heart aching for both sides and it shows the true complexities of a war built on propaganda, manipulation and no actual villain. The characters' conflicting, tormented emotions feel so real. Reading both Talasyn and Alaric's POVs - especially when it came to the duties of their positions vs their personal feelings/beliefs - felt like have a knife twist and turn in my chest. AND THE TENSION!!! The alternate POVs really amplified the repressed romantic and sexual tension between them (and like the messed-up soul I am, this gave me life). Both their stories are so painful, and this book may just be one of the most raw and poignant enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever read. The aching and pining and obvious attraction mixed with lies and secrets and impending betrayal is somehow exhilarating. Is this a drug? Because it feels like a drug.
While the building attraction between the main characters is a core feature, it does not overshadow the rest of the rich storyline. With a real slowburn (which is PERFECT for this context), the focus is less on the romance and more on the characters and story developments. Thea Guanzon wields the English language like a weapon. It takes great skill to make someone feel such BIG feelings and think such BIG thoughts by using nothing but the same 26 letters rearranged in different ways. This book is a work of art. And I am soooooo normal about it!
- NA high fantasy
- war and politics
- racial diversity done well
- detailed religious system, geopolitics and languages
- flying warships, dragons, epic battles and all that good stuff!!!
- slowwwburn knife-to-throat enemies-to-lovers with a political marriage of convenience and one bed trope for added spice 😌
*takes a deep breath*
So, I feel very normally about this book. I am in no way overly obsessed with the intricacy of the world building, the powerful commentary on war and politics, the excellent tension between the main characters, the skillfully fleshed-out side characters, the seamless weaving of fantasy and reality, the passionate emotions that leap off the page or the other 989238274921782+ reasons why this book is one of the best fantasies I have ever read.
Yup. Totally normal and not obsessed at all. 😊
Set across the backdrop of a war-town world, this is a book about pain, love and the many kinds of conflict. And of course, lots of magic!!!
I love the concept of flying ships being the main system of transport. I never thought racial diversity could be done so RIGHT until I read this book. The characters are all delightful and even the most hateful of characters expose the complicated nature of war and trauma. There is such fun witty dialogue! I mean, it's probably unrealistic for soldiers to be making sarcastic and snippy remarks during battle, but I am ALL HERE FOR IT ðŸ¤
The alternate POVs really helps this book achieve its greatness. While the Night Empire is portrayed as the 'Big Bad Guy', following the narratives of dual leading characters had my heart aching for both sides and it shows the true complexities of a war built on propaganda, manipulation and no actual villain. The characters' conflicting, tormented emotions feel so real. Reading both Talasyn and Alaric's POVs - especially when it came to the duties of their positions vs their personal feelings/beliefs - felt like have a knife twist and turn in my chest. AND THE TENSION!!! The alternate POVs really amplified the repressed romantic and sexual tension between them (and like the messed-up soul I am, this gave me life). Both their stories are so painful, and this book may just be one of the most raw and poignant enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever read. The aching and pining and obvious attraction mixed with lies and secrets and impending betrayal is somehow exhilarating. Is this a drug? Because it feels like a drug.
While the building attraction between the main characters is a core feature, it does not overshadow the rest of the rich storyline. With a real slowburn (which is PERFECT for this context), the focus is less on the romance and more on the characters and story developments. Thea Guanzon wields the English language like a weapon. It takes great skill to make someone feel such BIG feelings and think such BIG thoughts by using nothing but the same 26 letters rearranged in different ways. This book is a work of art. And I am soooooo normal about it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Yours, Yasmin by Safa Khader
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Grammar errors, tense errors, wattpad-like writing (and not the good kind), misused words, ridiculous scenarios, unnatural dialogue AND SO MUCH MORE! I can't do this...