housecatstewart's reviews
99 reviews

Normal People by Sally Rooney

4.0

Beautiful writing but truly a book without joy. It was a tough read for me. What a treat to make it through all the agony to be even more agonized by the ending.

I Married A Communist by Philip Roth

5.0

Nathan Zuckerman’s tenderness for the male figures permeating his life hits a place in my heart that no other narrator can.

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

4.0

This wasn’t quite a 4-star book but it’s definitely better than a 3 so I’m going 4. There was so much in here that I wanted to love, but too much of it fell flat for me. I immensely appreciate the originality of these ideas, the themes, all the thoughts and concepts that are so far removed from my own reality - I just wish the structure and pacing had been different. We needed more Cyrus, less of literally every other character (all of whom felt like they were written in the same voice). But overall, I think Cyrus as a character will stick with me and that counts for a lot.

Find Me by André Aciman

5.0

Unbelievably tender, deep reaching into the heart. Fatherhood and brotherhood, the splendor of all the feelings you think age and life steal from you. This is the first book I’ve read in some time that I just could not put down. As a sequel, if you’re looking for another book all about Elio and Oliver, this isn’t it and you won’t be happy. If you’re looking for a beautiful story about the different ways our lives can go based on our choices, our fears, our expectations, you’ll be over the moon.

As an update, I’ve now read the physical book and listened to the audiobook. Michael Stuhlbarg gets a little goofy with his narration at times but it was still good!

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

5.0

Forced to dismount and turn away from my outfit so the others wouldn’t see me cry (for the last 200 pages straight). Splendid Behavior.

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

James by Percival Everett

4.0

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

5.0

I don’t know the last time I’ve been so floored by an author’s prose. Absolutely stunning.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

adventurous funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Proulx’s mastery of vocabulary is absolutely staggering. I found myself pausing repeatedly to pick sentences apart word for word in an attempt to understand how Proulx had assembled them so beautifully. If the exceptional prose isn’t enough for you, the story is both funny and tender to its core. It’s about a man becoming a man he can respect, set amidst the enchanting atmosphere of a Newfoundland fishing town.