hardkaapi's reviews
67 reviews

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.

I couldn't relate to a single thing, the references, the characters, the banter, it's not for me

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

adventurous funny 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? No

4.75

I really thought there was nothing new left in YA for me but boy was I wrong. To be clear, it's nothing to do with the genre, I stopped because I found the stories getting recycled and the characters were all the same. This one, however, resonated with me on another level because like our protagonist, Frances, I too used to be (still am) a "relentless study machine". I was able to relate with her story so much that I finally felt heard. Her journey after she meets Aled ends up becoming an excitingly wholesome rollercoaster because I read it all in one day. The writing style is surprisingly accurate in the way the teens speak and there's no cliché forced romance, there are only beautifully realistic characters. I will read anything for strong character work, and this book knocks it out of the park, I recommend this to everyone who needs a little help finding themselves<3

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
"Some people can't see softness without wanting to hurt it" 

This story starts when Vivek Oji is found dead at his parents' doorstep, covered in blood and wrapped in akwete cloth. As everyone close to Vivek grieves, his true character starts to unfurl within their memories. Labelled as the weird, troubled child by his parents and almost everyone else, Vivek ends up becoming the most lovable and misunderstood character as he finds himself. A book that speaks volumes on family, society, gender variance, gender fluidity, loss, friendship, support, and, love, this one was a sad but unfortunately realistic one. The pain that comes through these fictional characters must pale in comparison to the fear and abuse real people must be facing (please look up the content warnings before reading). The characters are intentionally grey which adds to its realism, as one slowly understands all perspectives. Lastly, I have to talk about how beautifully these topics have been handled, for once by an author whose voice is important to the discussion. Akwaeke Emezi is an author to remember, their writing shall stay with me forever. Also, if you haven't read Pet by them, then go read asap before the sequel comes out in 2022! Reading about stories society has consistently tried to quash is extremely necessary, so start now!❤️

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

This is a collection of real letters exchanged between Helene Hanff of New York and Frank Doel, bookseller of Marks and Co. at 84 Charing Cross Road, London, published by Helene herself in 1971. Starting from 1949, this correspondence continues for 20 years and blossoms into a beautiful friendship. Knowing that these are real people makes the reading experience so meaningful, to the point where you might openly laugh at some jokes. An absolute treat to read, perfect for all booklovers!

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

informative lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

Such a fun age is a book that is hard to classify into a single category. The story revolves around Alix Chamberlain, a popular feminist blogger and her babysitter, Emira Tucker. One night, Emira, who is African-American, gets into an argument with a supermarket guard as she is suspected of kidnapping the child she is with. The book is able to cover themes of race, performative wokeness, and especially privilege without foregoing its light-hearted narration. 
As their lives continue to intersect, chaos ensues, most of which is on the dramatic side but it hooks you in. The characters are well formed, making the reader an active part in the story. The reading experience is exactly like watching a romcom but with an actual point. It was a welcome change from the heavy, sad books I usually read. The writing is good, but not great, solely because I personally do not like the use of words like "Soooooo" and "Ummmm" to reinforce the youthfulness in characters. Overall though, a wonderful quick and witty read to keep you engaged! 

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

A book I had such high hopes from, this one unfortunately didn't hit the mark. The author narrates the story of the Chilean War beautifully but it is the characters that disappoint. I was unable to connect with any of them as those parts are pretty dry. There is emotion, but it gets lost in the multiple timelines of all the characters. I also found that some characters who become very prominent by the second half were never explored. Instead, the second half describes the political climate so much that it takes over the story and ends up becoming a discourse. 
However, the homage paid to Pablo Neruda's works is wonderful. Each chapter of the book begins with a line from one of his poems that directly relates to its theme. The title itself is how Neruda described Chile, as "a long petal of the sea and wine and snow". I cannot find appreciation for anything other than the poetry, which obviously isn't by Allende. The writing seemed inconsistent and passive but that might just be the translation. All in all, it doesn't deliver the emotional punch I expected it to.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

Never has a plot made me more excited because CATS!! The book follows Satoru Miyawaki and his cat, Nana, on a journey of a lifetime. Nana accompanies Satoru as he rekindles past friendships and connects with his own emotions. Reading from the cat's perspective is adorable to say the least, his narration is equal parts sarcastic and whimsical. The people Satoru encounters are all flawed in their own way which is what makes their inner conflicts relatable and realistic.
As each sub plot gets closure, the duo comes across other pets, including dogs (so yes, even dog people will like this book but maybe not as much). This book does not have a rigid plot but if you need a story to remind you of family, friendship, and gratitude, then this is it. It is packed with life lessons and stories of emotional growth which might make you cry-laugh. The translation is wonderfully done and I have 0 complaints.

The Rhythm of Riddles: Three Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries by Arunava Sinha, Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, Dibakar Banerjee

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

This was an unexpected read in the sense that I saw it and immediately started it. Byomkesh Bakshi is an important part of Indian crime thrillers and deservedly so because every story is fuelled by his pure wit and logic. The introduction by Dibakar Banerjee is spot on in analysing why we still read Byomkesh and what makes him such a special, memorable protagonist. The book has three short stories- The Rhythm of Riddles, Byomkesh and Barada, and The Death of Amrito. All 3 are gripping and will keep you guessing until the end. I strongly recommend exploring Byomkesh Bakshi further by reading more translations or even watching the Basu Chatterjee series for a fun time❤️

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I picked this up to get myself out of a frustrating slump and it did to an extent. The story is about an island governed by an authoritative Memory Police that has the power to make any item disappear from the island's collective memory. These disappearances continue but the Memory Police is on the hunt for the people who still remember. For those wondering about the logic of this, basically, the item still exists but once disappeared, even the mention of it invokes no memory. Our unnamed narrator is a writer who must protect her friend who remembers everything. Unfortunately, the plot is the only cool thing about this book. The story goes in weird places and almost repeats itself a couple of times. There isn't a proper explanation for anything and maybe this is because it's a translation, but I wasn't a fan of the writing style either. Having loved Ogawa's Housekeeper and Professor, this one disappointed me:( Just read Animal Farm instead. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

emotional informative reflective sad 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? No

4.25

This story is about Achilles, the son of the goddess Thetis, prophesied to be the greatest warrior of his generation. Though it is a reimagining, it is still unpredictable mainly because our narrator is Patroclus, Achilles' companion and lover. The simple switch in PoV changes the entire story and focuses on the human elements of love and honour, rather than the actual war. As Achilles joins Greece in the war against Troy to retrieve Helen, the pacing becomes incredible.
I read the entire second half in one shot because it is just that good. It is a raw and emotional version of a story known by all. The book manages to show you an entirely different perspective, one that is conveniently never talked about. The timeless love between Achilles and Patroclus is so full, it will break you. If you, like me, love Greek mythology, then this one is for you, it's worth the hype for sure. 

I loved the way the moral dilemma unfolds in the end because it makes you feel as helpless as Achilles does. There is so much to love in this book, from the fact that Achilles by the end really did believe he was born for battle to the author's decision to exclude the actual heel as a plot point. Patroclus is a strong narrator and pulls you in consistently without being overshadowed by Achilles. Briseis' arc broke my heart and I will always tear up at her words "He deserved ten of you"