gossamer_lens's reviews
1383 reviews

Maame by Jessica George

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emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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

4.75

This book handled many interesting and important themes. I related a lot to how the main character thought as a Gen Z person. The instant googling and anxious inner thoughts felt very relatable. At the same time it was fun to get some insight into a Ghanian British POV. 

As an audiobook this was an absolute breath of fresh air and I would highly recommend! 
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Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Just so very good. There was strong David Copperfield vibes and influences and the overall plot, characters, and narrative style were compelling and interesting. I honestly only picked this book up to compare to David Copperfield and then ended up falling for the story in so many ways. 
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The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark

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

3.5

A fun quick read. I thought the characters and world were interesting. The story was to one note for me to really sink my teeth into. It felt a bit lacking in fleshing out the characters or providing a plot I felt was worthwhile. I typically want short works to give a reason for both existing and for being shorter... And this gave just feeling underdone for what it could have been. 

I did like the vibes so I will definitely want to read something longer by this author. 
Shadows of London by Time Princess

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3.75

Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad

5.0

How does one rate a book like this? I don't know. But I feel like in many ways I found myself and my lived reality understood and discussed. There were essays that made me cringe and need to sit with it for a bit. There were parts I found myself judging and felt the need to self examine my feelings.

I think this book will sit with me for a while and I deeply appreciate it and all the authors' boldness in telling and discussing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in learning about rape culture and the reality of how it affects people. 
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

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

4.25

I struggle to rate people's memoirs... I didn't realize that is what this was until I got about 75% of the way through. I think this work is important and eye opening in many ways. I felt for the protagonist/author. There are many messy things that made me look up it it was a memoir about 75% of the way through as they didn't make narrative sense. I think being queer is a hard thing and while there was much I might have appreciated not knowing... It was a compellingly raw and honest telling of a person's lived experience. And I can respect and appreciate that. 
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

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

5.0

I live for reading more MurderBot! 🫶🏻🥰
Uzumaki by Junji Ito

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challenging dark sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

I just... All the creepy and so so good. I will be thinking about this book for quite awhile. 
The Little Frog's Guide to Self-Care by Maybell Eequay

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted

4.0

Cute and charming with lovely art and little sayings that feel basic but can be lovely to hear/read and remind oneself about. 
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

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adventurous dark funny informative reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Just wow. Wow. 

This books themes, narrative, prose, characters and everything.... They all work together in such perfect harmony to discuss so many important themes. And it's funny and quotable all at the same time. I cannot believe what a punch this book could pack in every chapter. 

I would recommend it to literally anyone and everyone. So good. I will be reading anything I can lay my hands on that Vonnegut wrote.