fjerda's reviews
33 reviews

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really adored this book. The imagery was vivid and palpable. The child characters thought authentically like children which is lost in a lot of books. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli

adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.0

As the complete layman, I really loved this book. The writer is so reverent and engaging, that although I am still none the wiser to physics, I understand it has an inherent beauty we are a part of.

The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

This collection is beautifully, musically written and so vivid that the poems have lives of their own. Hughes bared his heart in his poems and its difficult at times to read simply because of the raw, charged emotion. An incredible collection for lovers and hermits alike.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

I read this book as a nostalgia kick from when I was 7 years old and sat in the dentist waiting room. This comic was unexpectedly touching. I would absolutely recommend this book to any and all snotty nosed urchins.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

I feel punch drunk after reading this book. The Secret History is rotten on the inside and I am in absolute awe of it. Tartt is truly, inexpressibly talented.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is the first book I have read by Murakami, and I found it tantalising. I often felt a little lost in the philosophy of it but, it was an electric breath of fresh air with some of the brightest descriptions I’ve ever read.  

Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

2.5

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

Although not my favourite Neil Gaiman, this books demonstrates with cheeky flair what he does so well. This book is a gut wrenching as it is silly and being along for that ride is always a pleasure. 

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.25

This book is one where you truly root for the characters, and still has Gaiman's charming and humorous writing my style. Not my favourite of his collection but certainly a worthwhile read.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is just as tenderly written as the rest of Gaimans collection, showing his amazing aptitude for illustrating the horrors of real and imaginary worlds through the eyes of a child. The authenticity of the story despite the chaos of magic is amazing.