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hsyddy's reviews
4 reviews
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
i personally think this book is better than the midnight library.
this has made me feel things more than the midnight library did. i know the book talks about depression + anxiety (in which matt haig has described them accurately + beautifully, without romanticising the struggles of having them), ironically the book itself didn't feel depressing to read. His words (& existence) are living proof that there's light at the end of the tunnel, that it really is worthy to stay alive + truly live.
this has made me feel things more than the midnight library did. i know the book talks about depression + anxiety (in which matt haig has described them accurately + beautifully, without romanticising the struggles of having them), ironically the book itself didn't feel depressing to read. His words (& existence) are living proof that there's light at the end of the tunnel, that it really is worthy to stay alive + truly live.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide attempt
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I knew this was gonna be a fantastic read when "smash the patriarchy, sweetheart" was typed out across the dedication page. Even the title itself I find incredibly captivating in empowering feminism because
1) challenges the common patriarchic notion to think "what's wrong with her to the extent that she would be married 7 times?"
2) shows the power she holds as the 7 men were defined as Evelyn Hugo's husband rather than the usual Mrs. *insert husband's name*
The story is written in two different timelines, and the transition between the two narratives was smoothly done.
1) challenges the common patriarchic notion to think "what's wrong with her to the extent that she would be married 7 times?"
2) shows the power she holds as the 7 men were defined as Evelyn Hugo's husband rather than the usual Mrs. *insert husband's name*
The story is written in two different timelines, and the transition between the two narratives was smoothly done.
Oh, I know the whole world prefers a woman who doesn’t know her power, but I’m sick of all that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicide
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
I remember having this as one of my favourites when I was younger. (I didn't remember the ending until I was a few pages away from the end though) The Graveyard Book is dark but also ironically, delightful.
Definitely the kind of book I would pass down to the next generation when they're younger.
My favourite quote;
Definitely the kind of book I would pass down to the next generation when they're younger.
My favourite quote;
Face your life,
It's pain, it's pleasure,
Leave no path untaken.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's against everything I expect in a book of fiction - barely any plot development, minimal world-building (everything was set in Japan so technically speaking, the place setting does exist) but for some reason, I was hooked from start to finish. I read the book knowing it was depressing (even the translator warned in his note that this was not a cheerful book), but the entire story was somewhat poetic and completely monotonous.
But then again, it is a journal. Hence, the book was written how journals are; it revolves more around the character's inner world (i.e., his thoughts and feelings) rather than the world around him.
As for the manner of writing, not sure how the book is in Japanese, but its translation describes exaggeratedly and wordily. Not that I mind, but some paragraphs (that actually was describing one thing and consist of only one sentence) was a tad bit too long that I had to reread it to fully grasp what the character was thinking.
The first several chapters made me think that No Longer Human was referring to how human beings hide their true nature in being selfish and greedy behind a deceptive front. As I read further towards the end, I realised No Longer Human was actually referring to him being labelled as "no longer human" as he attempted suicide and struggled to go through life. It's even more tragic since this was set in Japan - a country that still stigmatises and shuns mental health struggles.
The book does have its charm. There were plenty of questions and statements that were reflective.
The game of 'comic or tragic?' and finding out the antonym of things were undoubtedly my favourite part.
To this moment, I'm still thinking about what the antonym of crime is.
For a book that was first published at a time when mental health was a topic considered taboo, it must've taken a lot of courage to be producing this.
Yozo is still young, and so kind to be putting immense effort into invariably lighting up the ambience and people around him.
I hope he recovers.
I know we'd get along so well.
But then again, it is a journal. Hence, the book was written how journals are; it revolves more around the character's inner world (i.e., his thoughts and feelings) rather than the world around him.
As for the manner of writing, not sure how the book is in Japanese, but its translation describes exaggeratedly and wordily. Not that I mind, but some paragraphs (that actually was describing one thing and consist of only one sentence) was a tad bit too long that I had to reread it to fully grasp what the character was thinking.
The first several chapters made me think that No Longer Human was referring to how human beings hide their true nature in being selfish and greedy behind a deceptive front. As I read further towards the end, I realised No Longer Human was actually referring to him being labelled as "no longer human" as he attempted suicide and struggled to go through life. It's even more tragic since this was set in Japan - a country that still stigmatises and shuns mental health struggles.
The book does have its charm. There were plenty of questions and statements that were reflective.
The game of 'comic or tragic?' and finding out the antonym of things were undoubtedly my favourite part.
To this moment, I'm still thinking about what the antonym of crime is.
For a book that was first published at a time when mental health was a topic considered taboo, it must've taken a lot of courage to be producing this.
Yozo is still young, and so kind to be putting immense effort into invariably lighting up the ambience and people around him.
I hope he recovers.
I know we'd get along so well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Drug abuse
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Misogyny
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