fri3d_kai's reviews
110 reviews

A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story by Qais Akbar Omar

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

I don't have words to explain how incredible this book is. It's so beautifully written, with such vivid and impactful imagery. Amidst things that nobody should have to experience, Qais Akbar Omar finds it in his heart to see beauty everywhere and tells the stories of all the wonderful kindness of the different people all over Afghanistan who he and his family encountered.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, War

The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Given that the story itself is only around 25 pages, the atmosphere created and social commentary is very impressive.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Could not put this book down!

What Is History, Now? by Helen Carr, Suzannah Lipscomb

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Egg: A Dozen Ovatures by Lizzie Stark

informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I'm 100% biased but I love eggs so this book was made for me. I liked the personal anecdotes and the author's level of investment!

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Am I Normal? by Sarah Chaney

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

A 10/10 point to make and I enjoyed the casual, conversational writing style because it made it much easier to engage with!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0