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futurama's reviews
320 reviews
Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
2.0
It feels strange to ask what the point of this story was, because what is the point to any story? This book was deflated, boring and flat. Never read more one dimensional characters. I did read a review saying the twist might have been invented by the narrator (author) after his failure of a book tour in Germany, but that's probably wishful thinking.
I'm so glad it's over.
I'm so glad it's over.
The Most Precious Substance on Earth by Shashi Bhat
dark
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I didn't get the point of this book. It's a novel in stories but Nina never learns her lesson. It's like every story had something terrible happen to her, on her end or externally, and she learns nothing. Then, she continues in the next story in a worse place, with zero wants or needs. I didn't understand her relationship with Amy, or her parents. It was like she was just...there...
I picked this up randomly at the library bc I liked the cover. Overall I found it depressing and sad.
I picked this up randomly at the library bc I liked the cover. Overall I found it depressing and sad.
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
mysterious
3.5
1) Los Angeles: any story starting with "My 100 ex-boyfriends" will always grip me. This was one of the more surreal stories, it seemed like a surreal story with realistic elements. I think it worked, not sure how LA fit in, though. The $$$ dialogue was really funny.
2) Oranges: Probably my least favorite. Reminds me of MHB's "Parakeet" when the protagonist ends up crashing at another woman's house. I didn't think the structure did anything different. I did like the uncanny elements, how this realist story felt slightly off in certain ways, spooky.
3) G: I really liked this one, even though I'm still not sure if I liked it. But I really did. The competition between two As-Am women pitted together by their mothers, and them internalizing it. I like how all of Ma's stories have no backstory for the protagonists, but I think this one actually needed one. The motivation was definitely there and the foreshadowing predicted it but I'm still not sure of Bonnie's reasons for her actions.
4) Yeti Lovemaking: A silly little story. Great story for the middle of a collection, felt like a palate cleanser after the emotional intensity of 'G'.
5) Returning: Loved the story within a story structure with the protagonist's book 'Two Weeks'.
6) Office Hours: Wasn't sure where this story about a young undergrad and older male professor will lead but I really did enjoy this one. I was wondering how this story would tip the scales and the portal was a good add on. There is definitely layered elements in this involving film theory, I need to think about it more.
7) Peking Duck: Another story within a story structure I loved. Two stories within each other, actually. It's the infinite regression of stories. Probably my favorite, especially in structure. I've never read anything like it before.
8) Tomorrow: Another intense one. Still need some time to think about it.
2) Oranges: Probably my least favorite. Reminds me of MHB's "Parakeet" when the protagonist ends up crashing at another woman's house. I didn't think the structure did anything different. I did like the uncanny elements, how this realist story felt slightly off in certain ways, spooky.
3) G: I really liked this one, even though I'm still not sure if I liked it. But I really did. The competition between two As-Am women pitted together by their mothers, and them internalizing it. I like how all of Ma's stories have no backstory for the protagonists, but I think this one actually needed one. The motivation was definitely there and the foreshadowing predicted it but I'm still not sure of Bonnie's reasons for her actions.
4) Yeti Lovemaking: A silly little story. Great story for the middle of a collection, felt like a palate cleanser after the emotional intensity of 'G'.
5) Returning: Loved the story within a story structure with the protagonist's book 'Two Weeks'.
6) Office Hours: Wasn't sure where this story about a young undergrad and older male professor will lead but I really did enjoy this one. I was wondering how this story would tip the scales and the portal was a good add on. There is definitely layered elements in this involving film theory, I need to think about it more.
7) Peking Duck: Another story within a story structure I loved. Two stories within each other, actually. It's the infinite regression of stories. Probably my favorite, especially in structure. I've never read anything like it before.
8) Tomorrow: Another intense one. Still need some time to think about it.
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I like how Hamid contrasted the very real situation of the refugee crisis with the magic of portals. The contrast of the realities of love and relationships as well...magical mysterious and very very realistic
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
WOW I loved this so much. Never read anything like it and I loved every second.
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
I love Mona Awad so I decided to give this a try. The first half slogged and it seems like others disagree! I found the time jumps to be confusing and didn't get a sense of Lizzie as a character. Things started to come together after her adult visit with her mother. This was the turning point, when she starts to lose weight. This is the moment the reader truly gets to know Lizzie, her insecurities and relationship with her mother.
The second half of the book reminded me of ALL'S WELL. Lizzie keeps thinking about everyone's opinions of her and starts projecting, creating obsessive habits and becoming unhealthy and torturing herself while her greatest wish turns into a huge nightmare. The more I think about it, Lizzie and Miranda are two sides of the same coin. Awad has such a distinct voice and it was exciting to see it come together in her first book. It also reminds me that her work really depresses me, except Bunny, I loved its weirdness.
The content is triggering and incredibly difficult to read. It's very realistic and it feels like Awad got into my mind when I was younger and had severe body insecurities. It's sad thousands of women still feel the same way, and in a way, Awad gives them a voice here.
The novel in stories structure worked out great. I don't think Awad could cover Lizzie's adult life in a single novel. I'm not a fan of the structure normally (see: Fiona and Jane) but it seemed like Awad really cut out the unnecessary details by using stories. Although I do wish the beginning gave the reader more of Lizzie's mind.
This is the second time this year I've read another book by a favorite contemporary author (see: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder). I truly can't wait for what's next! Even if I do have to emotionally prepare myself.
The second half of the book reminded me of ALL'S WELL. Lizzie keeps thinking about everyone's opinions of her and starts projecting, creating obsessive habits and becoming unhealthy and torturing herself while her greatest wish turns into a huge nightmare. The more I think about it, Lizzie and Miranda are two sides of the same coin. Awad has such a distinct voice and it was exciting to see it come together in her first book. It also reminds me that her work really depresses me, except Bunny, I loved its weirdness.
The content is triggering and incredibly difficult to read. It's very realistic and it feels like Awad got into my mind when I was younger and had severe body insecurities. It's sad thousands of women still feel the same way, and in a way, Awad gives them a voice here.
The novel in stories structure worked out great. I don't think Awad could cover Lizzie's adult life in a single novel. I'm not a fan of the structure normally (see: Fiona and Jane) but it seemed like Awad really cut out the unnecessary details by using stories. Although I do wish the beginning gave the reader more of Lizzie's mind.
This is the second time this year I've read another book by a favorite contemporary author (see: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder). I truly can't wait for what's next! Even if I do have to emotionally prepare myself.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
dark
funny
sad
3.0
Sad ending. It was intense. Rachel had a good arc. I'm glad there was a small flash forward at the end. Both of Broder's novels are about supremely fucked up women and it's hard to read but she does it so well