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farbooksventure's reviews
362 reviews
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is a wild ride. I can't believe Tumblr give me a good book rec, for once.
The River of Teeth (aside from Watcher's Puppet History) is a testament that human history is (and always been) a wild road to navigate. Especially if you attempt to actively dig deeper into them. I still can't believe that this book is an alternate history. Who would've thought that hippo farming is something people have considered doing in early 20'the century America?
Overall, River of Teeth is a fun romp to read. Although admittedly, it can be way too violent for my taste sometimes (read the TWs, Folks). The over-the-top nature of the story reminds me of the various great fanfictions that I have been reading these past few years. The author writes freely and you can tell that they genuinely having fun with this story & characters.
I'm not rating the book higher because the ending isn't quite satisfactory for me. I also not particularly rooting for these characters even though I'm having a great time reading about them. These problems can be chalked up to the fact that this is a two-part novella, I think.
I would recommend River if Teeth to readers who are interested in a fictional story of mid 19'th century to early 20'th century America will all its wild & violent glory.
The River of Teeth (aside from Watcher's Puppet History) is a testament that human history is (and always been) a wild road to navigate. Especially if you attempt to actively dig deeper into them. I still can't believe that this book is an alternate history. Who would've thought that hippo farming is something people have considered doing in early 20'the century America?
Overall, River of Teeth is a fun romp to read. Although admittedly, it can be way too violent for my taste sometimes (read the TWs, Folks). The over-the-top nature of the story reminds me of the various great fanfictions that I have been reading these past few years. The author writes freely and you can tell that they genuinely having fun with this story & characters.
I'm not rating the book higher because the ending isn't quite satisfactory for me. I also not particularly rooting for these characters even though I'm having a great time reading about them. These problems can be chalked up to the fact that this is a two-part novella, I think.
I would recommend River if Teeth to readers who are interested in a fictional story of mid 19'th century to early 20'th century America will all its wild & violent glory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child death
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
There's a lot to unpack in these essays. I don't think I have the energy or the brainpower to do that at this point in life.
Overall, I think Trick Mirror is a thought-provoking read. Sadly not the easiest nor the most accessible one at that.
This is possibly a "me" problem, but I find some essays way too lengthy to be comfortable to read. Maybe this is how essays are usually written & I'm simply not used to it.
This might also contribute to the fact that I often find myself confused in the middle of them. I would read a paragraph in these essays and just go "Wait, why are we talking about this again?". To say that I often find myself lost is an understatement.
Even though I find an essay titled Pure Heroines compelling, I don't have the most pleasant reading experience with this book. I get through it in two months because I procrastinate reading it way too many times.
If you're interested in reading about the various ways human deluded themselves in the modern era (cue self-delusion in the subtitle of this book), you might find this essays collection interesting.
Trick Mirror is definitely not something you pick up for a pleasant/escapism reading purpose.
Overall, I think Trick Mirror is a thought-provoking read. Sadly not the easiest nor the most accessible one at that.
This is possibly a "me" problem, but I find some essays way too lengthy to be comfortable to read. Maybe this is how essays are usually written & I'm simply not used to it.
This might also contribute to the fact that I often find myself confused in the middle of them. I would read a paragraph in these essays and just go "Wait, why are we talking about this again?". To say that I often find myself lost is an understatement.
Even though I find an essay titled Pure Heroines compelling, I don't have the most pleasant reading experience with this book. I get through it in two months because I procrastinate reading it way too many times.
If you're interested in reading about the various ways human deluded themselves in the modern era (cue self-delusion in the subtitle of this book), you might find this essays collection interesting.
Trick Mirror is definitely not something you pick up for a pleasant/escapism reading purpose.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
Sihir Perempuan by Intan Paramaditha
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Harus aku akui, 3 cerpen pembuka dalam buku ini tidak meninggalkan kesan dalam bagiku. Cerpen menarik & berkesan baru bermunculan di bagian tengah hingga akhir buku Sihir Perempuan.
Melalui 11 cerpen dalam buku yang kurang dari 200 halaman ini, Intan Paramaditha menyampaikan kisah tentang perjuangan yang dilalui oleh perempuan. Mengemas kisah-kisah ini dalam bentuk retelling cerita rakyat atau legenda yang familiar membuat cerita horror dalam Sihir Perempuan lebih berkesan & gamblang dengan segala kengeriannya. Baik kengerian yang begitu nyata, maupun kengerian yang ada dalam fantasi belaka.
Gaya bercerita & topik/tema yang diusung dalam Sihir Perempuan sendiri mengingatkanku pada kumcer horor karya penulis perempuan lain yang aku baca tahun lalu, Things We Lost in the Fire. Both of them share the same vibe, definitely.
Secara keseluruhan, Sihir Perempuan adalah bacaan horor berkesan & cocok untuk pembaca yang mencari bacaan cepat.
Melalui 11 cerpen dalam buku yang kurang dari 200 halaman ini, Intan Paramaditha menyampaikan kisah tentang perjuangan yang dilalui oleh perempuan. Mengemas kisah-kisah ini dalam bentuk retelling cerita rakyat atau legenda yang familiar membuat cerita horror dalam Sihir Perempuan lebih berkesan & gamblang dengan segala kengeriannya. Baik kengerian yang begitu nyata, maupun kengerian yang ada dalam fantasi belaka.
Gaya bercerita & topik/tema yang diusung dalam Sihir Perempuan sendiri mengingatkanku pada kumcer horor karya penulis perempuan lain yang aku baca tahun lalu, Things We Lost in the Fire. Both of them share the same vibe, definitely.
Secara keseluruhan, Sihir Perempuan adalah bacaan horor berkesan & cocok untuk pembaca yang mencari bacaan cepat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Murder
Tragedi Tiga Babak by Agatha Christie
Dituturkan dari sudut pandang orang ketiga, di paruh awal buku pembaca akan mengikuti dua detektif amatir yang berusaha menyelidiki kematian mencurigakan di pesta makan malam yang mereka hadiri. Kesan dramatis dalam buku begitu diperkuat oleh kenyataan bahwa pensiunan aktor teater memainkan peran seorang detektif amatir ini. Poirot baru akan terlibat sepenuhnya di paruh akhir buku setelah sebelumnya hilang-timbul di paruh awal.
Meskipun menyukai gaya penuturan & perkembangan cerita dalam bukunya, aku tidak bisa memberi Tragedi Tiga Babak rating lebih tinggi karena beberapa hal berikut:
Kritik spesifik untuk edisi buku ini sendiri: Kenapa buku yang sudah terbit berulangkali dalam berbagai edisi di Indonesia ini masih memiliki salah ketik dalam cetakannya? Setidaknya aku sudah menandai tiga kata yang kehilangan huruf atau bahkan kelebihan huruf dalam buku. Salah ketik, aku amati, memang merupakan tren dalam beberapa buku Agatha Christie terbitan tahun 2014. Aku harap ketika dicetak ulang lima tahun lagi, berbagai kesalahan kecil ini sudah diperbaharui.
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Secara umum, cerita misteri yang melibatkan Hercule Poirot memang sudah memiliki standar dramatis tersendiri. Sebagai karakter pun, Poirot tidak malu dengan aspek pertunjukan yang selalu mengikuti perjalanannya dalam memecahkan berbagai kasus kejahatan. Dalam buku Tragedi Tiga Babak, aspek dramatis ini mencapai puncak baru. Terima kasih pada narator utama cerita yang merupakan pensiunan aktor teater.
Dituturkan dari sudut pandang orang ketiga, di paruh awal buku pembaca akan mengikuti dua detektif amatir yang berusaha menyelidiki kematian mencurigakan di pesta makan malam yang mereka hadiri. Kesan dramatis dalam buku begitu diperkuat oleh kenyataan bahwa pensiunan aktor teater memainkan peran seorang detektif amatir ini. Poirot baru akan terlibat sepenuhnya di paruh akhir buku setelah sebelumnya hilang-timbul di paruh awal.
Meskipun menyukai gaya penuturan & perkembangan cerita dalam bukunya, aku tidak bisa memberi Tragedi Tiga Babak rating lebih tinggi karena beberapa hal berikut:
- Seksisme & misogini kasual yang bertebaran di sepanjang buku sangat membuatku tidak nyaman (yes, it's a product of that time. It still needs to be said though).
- Aku juga tidak menyukai sentimen anti-yahudi (antisemitic) yang muncul dalam cerita ketika seorang karakter disebut-sebut sedang stres setelah dikejar hutang oleh "seorang laki-laki Yahudi" di halaman 192-193 (This is a harmful stereotype that shouldn't be perpetuated).
Kritik spesifik untuk edisi buku ini sendiri: Kenapa buku yang sudah terbit berulangkali dalam berbagai edisi di Indonesia ini masih memiliki salah ketik dalam cetakannya? Setidaknya aku sudah menandai tiga kata yang kehilangan huruf atau bahkan kelebihan huruf dalam buku. Salah ketik, aku amati, memang merupakan tren dalam beberapa buku Agatha Christie terbitan tahun 2014. Aku harap ketika dicetak ulang lima tahun lagi, berbagai kesalahan kecil ini sudah diperbaharui.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Antisemitism
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
informative
fast-paced
4.0
This book is an accessible & informative non-fiction reads. Especially for folks that interest in educating themselves on the topic of productive discussion about race (especially race in the context of the USA). The book structure also makes it easy to navigate. So many topics and terms are explained with examples/references. Insightful tips are also listed to encourage readers to do an actual action in real-life situations.
So You Want to Talk about Race is also a great book as an introductory read for non-USA readers who are interested in reading about how race is an integral part of the USA as a nation & why it's important to talk about it.
So You Want to Talk about Race is also a great book as an introductory read for non-USA readers who are interested in reading about how race is an integral part of the USA as a nation & why it's important to talk about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Melintas Batas (Exit West) by Mohsin Hamid
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Aku sangat kesulitan ketika mencoba untuk terhubung dengan cerita dalam buku ini. Bisa jadi ada beberapa aspek yang lost in translation. Bisa jadi juga aku memang belum punya cukup pengetahuan/pengalaman hidup untuk mengapresiasi ceritanya.
Kenyataan ini membuat Exit West hampir mengantarkanku ke ranah reading slump. Tidak ingin memberi rating rendah pada buku ini, aku pun memutuskan untuk DNF saja.
Kenyataan ini membuat Exit West hampir mengantarkanku ke ranah reading slump. Tidak ingin memberi rating rendah pada buku ini, aku pun memutuskan untuk DNF saja.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I really enjoy reading about Yadriel's journey in navigating his strictly- gendered community as a trans young man. It's great to see how the said community starts to improve for the better in the end & give Yadriel the respect that he deserves. I'm also proud of Yadriel for not giving up & always trying his best despite feeling that he will mess up something. Young readers need to read this, in my opinion.
That being said, I feel pretty indifferent about the book as a whole. The mystery intrigued me at first, but it becomes clear pretty fast. I don't mind if the villain character in the story isn't so simplistic. It comes to the point of cartoonish almost. I also don't buy the romance storyline, sadly. I wish I can love this book more.
But, the reality is that I'm not having a fun time reading it. Even though I buddy read it with a friend, I still procrastinate reading for a few days. As an adult reader, this book simply leaves so many things to be desired.
In the end, I think Cemetery Boys is a perfect book for younger readers looking for a YA fantasy/supernatural novel set in a familiar world we live in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia
If You See Me, Don't Say Hi by Neel Patel
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If You See Me, Don't Say Hi is a collection of short stories centered around various Indian American characters & the life they lead. These characters are flawed & faced so many types of struggles in their life. In these stories, Neel Patel aims to humanize a group of people that have been hurt by a long-held stereotype for way too long.
This is the 1'st book rec by The StoryGraph's algorithm that I ever read. They totally nail it! It's precisely the type of short story that I'm really drawn to these days.
I love the realistic portrayal that the author attempt to make. Sure, it can be quite sad at times. But that just the reality of life. I always enjoy reading melancholic/bittersweet portrayal of life in books. The audiobook production is good too. Neel Patel definitely has a way with words.
That's being said, the book becomes quite repetitive towards the end. These short stories deal with the theme of relationships (mainly romantics one). I'm so over it by the end. Most of them aren't memorable enough on their own. They basically blend into one giant mess of narrative in my head. I can't remember much about these stories.
The only exception of this would be two related short stories that closed this book. Another favorite of mine explores a non-romantic relationship between brothers. This is the short story that becomes the title of this collection. It explores the high & low of two brothers' complicated relationships over the years & it makes an interesting read. Other stories? Don't remember much about them.
Finding these favorite short stories also doesn't erase the fact that I'm procrastinating on this audiobook for days because I'm so bored by it. It's not a good sign.
If You See Me, Don't Say Hi definitely has so much potential. Sadly, most stories in it are a huge miss for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship
Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The emotional rollercoaster that I experience while reading this book.
Things that I love:
- I appreciate the in-depth exploration of mental health issues in the story. This particular book talks about depression. Darius's story really showcases how one life side by side with mental illness. It also shows how people around them dealing with this fact.
- The exploration of male platonic friendship! I would love to see this more often on fiction in general.
- The short chapters! No wonder this book can be read fast.
- I also adore how the story explores various family dynamics.
Things that I wish to see more:
- Sohrab background story! Even though Sohrab is so vital in Darius's character development, I feel like I don't really know him? It almost feels like he's there but not really? I'm aware that this is a Darius story, but it would be lovely to read an in-depth look at Sohrab's character too.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a book for readers who are looking for a story that is centered around male friendship, mental health exploration, and dealing with one identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent
Mrs. McGinty Sudah Mati by Agatha Christie
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Layaknya buku Agatha Christie lain, Mrs. McGinty is Dead adalah buku engaging yang bisa dibaca dalam satu kali duduk. Meskipun blurb buku memberi kesan bahwa kisah di dalamnya akan cukup menegangkan, menurutku cerita yang satu ini terbilang low-key & tidak terlalu intens.
Dilihat dari gaya penulisan pun, ada banyak momen penuh humor di sepanjang buku. Kalau dibandingkan dengan Death on the Nile yang suasana ceritanya begitu melankoli & tragis, Mrs. McGinty is Dead terbilang "ringan" & lebih sering mengundang senyum dan rasa geli.
Aku akan merekomendasikan buku ini untuk pembaca yang mencari cerita detektif yang tidak terlalu intens & bisa dibaca cepat.
Dilihat dari gaya penulisan pun, ada banyak momen penuh humor di sepanjang buku. Kalau dibandingkan dengan Death on the Nile yang suasana ceritanya begitu melankoli & tragis, Mrs. McGinty is Dead terbilang "ringan" & lebih sering mengundang senyum dan rasa geli.
Aku akan merekomendasikan buku ini untuk pembaca yang mencari cerita detektif yang tidak terlalu intens & bisa dibaca cepat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder