Take a photo of a barcode or cover
frutsbasket's reviews
179 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
3.0
This isn't a book for everyone, especially if you don't like slow paced stories or repetitive language- which I found this book to be. However, it's one of those books that I'm glad I picked up to read, I read it in small doses and found myself interested in the story and the characters. I pretty much stay away from fantasy because it's not my favorite to get into, but the magical realism was very very good I think.
The atmosphere/worldbuilding was really immersive and I enjoyed the simplistic writing. Due to this being a book translated into English, I wonder how the original story and the English version compare...
Anyway, I enjoyed it! it's one of those books that you read and then think about for days and days afterwards.
The atmosphere/worldbuilding was really immersive and I enjoyed the simplistic writing. Due to this being a book translated into English, I wonder how the original story and the English version compare...
Anyway, I enjoyed it! it's one of those books that you read and then think about for days and days afterwards.
Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables by Ivy Noelle Weir
4.0
4.5 stars :')
I used to BE OBSESSED WITH the original Green Gables series and Anne and so ofc I had to pick this up bc black girl representation. ;) I would've LOVED this as a kid btw.
I think for what it is, it's cute and feels very fitting for current times. I think it's very cute for the kids! only critique that matters is that i wish it was longerrrr
I used to BE OBSESSED WITH the original Green Gables series and Anne and so ofc I had to pick this up bc black girl representation. ;) I would've LOVED this as a kid btw.
I think for what it is, it's cute and feels very fitting for current times. I think it's very cute for the kids! only critique that matters is that i wish it was longerrrr
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
2.0
2.5 stars rounded downn
FIRST: I appreciate Ali Hazelwood for being dedicated to writing stories about women in STEM. I can very much understand why her books have such an appeal an fanbase. I want to see more of that unique perspective moving forward and I hope that this catches on more or at least becomes more mainstream. I will say that this book is written STRIDES better than Love on The Brain. I could actually understand WHY there's nonstop hype. I have some gripes with the writing but it was nowhere nearrr distasteful as I felt like Love on the Brain was.
Some books I'm able to let a lot of things go because I'm having fun but this is sadly not one of those books. First, I didn't appreciate the only real (annoying) external force being Ahn for a good majority of the book. Her personality was literally summed up as being being the sole WOC character "POC bestie trope" who is also a super champion for women of color in STEM felt really lazy (but not too lazy because there wasn't much to any other character). I get that the story isn't about her but it was a little disappointing that the reader is almost forced to cringe and be understandably annoyed by Olive's only real girl friend, a FELLOW GIRL IN STEM. I felt the same about Malcom. Olive's friends felt like high schoolers instead of grad school students. I wish that instead of sooo much playful, silly banter we got more real moments with them?? Like some of the stuff they'd say made no sense to them as science people? Like I really did not get the gripes everyone had about SPF and Ahn's insistence on using SUNSCREEN??
Olive and Adam both felt SO hollow to me. I couldn't exactly gage Olive's personality which as frustrating on top of the fact that we're given SO many lines about how Adam was sooooo BIG and about to burst out of his Henley. Adam's personality as well!! we're told about how he's a big "heartless meanie evil grump" but we aren't shown it in any way? Like to ME that did not sell Adam as being mean as much as he's a tough grader who cares about his students work? Like he's 30 years old very set in his career? and you guys expect him to draw smiley papers and smile when your research isn't up to par? IDK!!!
THE BIG VILLIAN REVEAL. I don't think that the reveal of Tom being "bad" was all that daunting like idk what it was but that was so unserious to me. I don't think Ali Hazelwood writes twists or villain particularly well. it felt so cheesy and scooby doo like. "RAWR I HATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE! AND THERE IS NOTHING U CAN DO AND I WORK AT HARVARD AND AM SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU! EVEN THO YOU ARE THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE BESTPROFESSOR AT STANFORD NOTHING WILL GET ME FIRED RAWRRRR"
UMM besides that, I mean it was okay?? I think my biggest problem is that it feels super hollow and unfinished in a way?? I think that this lost stars for me because I need depth to a character/ a world that this book just didn't give me! The "feel" of Adam is there with him loving the color black and being "grumpy(?)" but I don't feel like there is a LOT to his character besides a Pinterest board of ideas? Nothing feels solid and this is the same with Olive. Her driving factor is her mother who died from pancreatic cancer, she rides a bike because she's a poor college grad, she loves stupidly sugary drinks, and that's IT. I feel as though the reader has to do work to figure out the personalities of the main characters. For someone who has no idea who Rey and Kylo are, it falls flat imo, and the reader will have to do work to figure out what these people are like besides their thoughts? idk if that makes sense but there felt like there was 0 life breathed into these characters (maybe bc it's fanfiction and these characters are someone ELSES, but I've also read GOOD fanfiction so idk about that) anyway BYEEEE
Anyway I could see how this could be a 3 star read but this was not an enjoyable experience or a good read for me so :P
FIRST: I appreciate Ali Hazelwood for being dedicated to writing stories about women in STEM. I can very much understand why her books have such an appeal an fanbase. I want to see more of that unique perspective moving forward and I hope that this catches on more or at least becomes more mainstream. I will say that this book is written STRIDES better than Love on The Brain. I could actually understand WHY there's nonstop hype. I have some gripes with the writing but it was nowhere nearrr distasteful as I felt like Love on the Brain was.
Some books I'm able to let a lot of things go because I'm having fun but this is sadly not one of those books. First, I didn't appreciate the only real (annoying) external force being Ahn for a good majority of the book. Her personality was literally summed up as being being the sole WOC character "POC bestie trope" who is also a super champion for women of color in STEM felt really lazy (but not too lazy because there wasn't much to any other character). I get that the story isn't about her but it was a little disappointing that the reader is almost forced to cringe and be understandably annoyed by Olive's only real girl friend, a FELLOW GIRL IN STEM. I felt the same about Malcom. Olive's friends felt like high schoolers instead of grad school students. I wish that instead of sooo much playful, silly banter we got more real moments with them?? Like some of the stuff they'd say made no sense to them as science people? Like I really did not get the gripes everyone had about SPF and Ahn's insistence on using SUNSCREEN??
Olive and Adam both felt SO hollow to me. I couldn't exactly gage Olive's personality which as frustrating on top of the fact that we're given SO many lines about how Adam was sooooo BIG and about to burst out of his Henley. Adam's personality as well!! we're told about how he's a big "heartless meanie evil grump" but we aren't shown it in any way? Like to ME that did not sell Adam as being mean as much as he's a tough grader who cares about his students work? Like he's 30 years old very set in his career? and you guys expect him to draw smiley papers and smile when your research isn't up to par? IDK!!!
THE BIG VILLIAN REVEAL. I don't think that the reveal of Tom being "bad" was all that daunting like idk what it was but that was so unserious to me. I don't think Ali Hazelwood writes twists or villain particularly well. it felt so cheesy and scooby doo like. "RAWR I HATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE! AND THERE IS NOTHING U CAN DO AND I WORK AT HARVARD AND AM SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU! EVEN THO YOU ARE THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE BESTPROFESSOR AT STANFORD NOTHING WILL GET ME FIRED RAWRRRR"
UMM besides that, I mean it was okay?? I think my biggest problem is that it feels super hollow and unfinished in a way?? I think that this lost stars for me because I need depth to a character/ a world that this book just didn't give me! The "feel" of Adam is there with him loving the color black and being "grumpy(?)" but I don't feel like there is a LOT to his character besides a Pinterest board of ideas? Nothing feels solid and this is the same with Olive. Her driving factor is her mother who died from pancreatic cancer, she rides a bike because she's a poor college grad, she loves stupidly sugary drinks, and that's IT. I feel as though the reader has to do work to figure out the personalities of the main characters. For someone who has no idea who Rey and Kylo are, it falls flat imo, and the reader will have to do work to figure out what these people are like besides their thoughts? idk if that makes sense but there felt like there was 0 life breathed into these characters (maybe bc it's fanfiction and these characters are someone ELSES, but I've also read GOOD fanfiction so idk about that) anyway BYEEEE
Anyway I could see how this could be a 3 star read but this was not an enjoyable experience or a good read for me so :P
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
5.0
TW: ED, childhood abuse, kinda spoileryyy~~~
Wow wow wow what can I even say but?? Excellent ?!!?? This particular read was so honest and vulnerable and painful, which is what I believe are three components to a memoir I will ultimately LOVE. I’m so thankful for stories where someone is honest about their truth, no matter how it makes them look. Her relationship with her mother especially in her younger years is all too familiar. There are TOO many girls who’s mothers lived through them, almost always to their own daughter’s demise and deteriorating mental health which almost always compromises and rips apart their relationship. :)
Listening to Jennette read her story was a decision I’m so glad I made. I love hearing her talk, stripped down from the Nickelodeon spotlight is something so refreshing and long overdue. She’s a real person, and that’s something that childhood fame AND her mother robbed from her, well into her adult life.
Hearing about her and Miranda’s budding friendship was so sweet. Hearing about how they would talk in secret on AIM and later have sleepovers was so sweet. Her anger towards Ariana was very understandable. She was owed a LOT from Nickelodeon and never given a break but it seemed like Ariana could have the best of both worlds, even being allowed to leave. I love how Jennette never ever placed the blame directly on Ariana- very respectful and her anger was well placed on the tornado of a situation she was placed into.
A BIG FUCK YOU DAN SCHNEIDER.
Her honesty with how her mother quite literally taught her how to have an eating disorder on purpose, and up until her death was still an obsession for her? I’m very glad Jennette was able to get help, share how her journey to recovery was shaky, and that she was able to finally live authentically. Her mother was a true parasite who really did just use Jennette as a means to live out her own dreams, and having cancer and children who loved her only propelled that plan.
Overall I loved loved loved this good. The music for the audiobook was so so good. I couldn’t put this downn. A favorite read for 2022 for sureee!
Wow wow wow what can I even say but?? Excellent ?!!?? This particular read was so honest and vulnerable and painful, which is what I believe are three components to a memoir I will ultimately LOVE. I’m so thankful for stories where someone is honest about their truth, no matter how it makes them look. Her relationship with her mother especially in her younger years is all too familiar. There are TOO many girls who’s mothers lived through them, almost always to their own daughter’s demise and deteriorating mental health which almost always compromises and rips apart their relationship. :)
Listening to Jennette read her story was a decision I’m so glad I made. I love hearing her talk, stripped down from the Nickelodeon spotlight is something so refreshing and long overdue. She’s a real person, and that’s something that childhood fame AND her mother robbed from her, well into her adult life.
Hearing about her and Miranda’s budding friendship was so sweet. Hearing about how they would talk in secret on AIM and later have sleepovers was so sweet. Her anger towards Ariana was very understandable. She was owed a LOT from Nickelodeon and never given a break but it seemed like Ariana could have the best of both worlds, even being allowed to leave. I love how Jennette never ever placed the blame directly on Ariana- very respectful and her anger was well placed on the tornado of a situation she was placed into.
A BIG FUCK YOU DAN SCHNEIDER.
Her honesty with how her mother quite literally taught her how to have an eating disorder on purpose, and up until her death was still an obsession for her? I’m very glad Jennette was able to get help, share how her journey to recovery was shaky, and that she was able to finally live authentically. Her mother was a true parasite who really did just use Jennette as a means to live out her own dreams, and having cancer and children who loved her only propelled that plan.
Overall I loved loved loved this good. The music for the audiobook was so so good. I couldn’t put this downn. A favorite read for 2022 for sureee!
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris
4.0
I’m so glad I read this :’)) This read made me feel so nostalgic… the main character was easy to sink into (mainly because she was literally me as a 10 year old lol). Carefree black girlhood ftw most definitely. I love stories about kids who have to grow up and find their way and this was such a good read for me, despite the premise.. I respect this book a lot!
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
5.0
Oh wow where do I start. Jesmyn Ward is an incredible writer. Her upbringing, being the only minority in the face of institutions, constantly being the exception, was something I related to sooooo heavily.. All of the young men in her life she described felt so real, like I really knew them. Cultural aspects like pictures on shirts for funerals, repasts..I knew ALL too well. It really spoke to me and I loved loved loved the realness of the familiarity. She isn’t just breathing life to these 5 men’s stories but literally every other black man who died by unfortunate circumstances with such similar circumstances, backed into similar corners. She does justice by giving these men a story, immortalizing them for the few pages we’ll know them by. The relationship and understanding why her mother was the way she was… so good… I enjoyed the way this story was formatted with aspects of Louisiana and Southern history/ family stories, with stories of another man being loved and then lost folded in between. This was such a good read, it took a while to get through it from all the emotions that come with understanding stories like this but it’s something I’m so so thankful for reading. ♡