internationalreads's reviews
1651 reviews

Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

I’m struggling to rate this book. On the one hand, it was a wonderful mix of science, history, and memoir. On the other hand, I found it extremely problematic that she basically glorifies David Starr Jordan for 75% of the book before finally revealing his awful eugenicist ways.

My Documents: A Novel by Kevin Nguyen

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Everything Belongs to Us by Yoojin Grace Wuertz

reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

Too Soon by Betty Shamieh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

I’m disliking this brash New York voice. Also it feels like it is written for readers who have very little knowledge of Palestine.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

mysterious tense fast-paced

3.0

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

emotional inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Lobato

inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

I'll Love You Forever: Notes from a K-Pop Fan by Giaae Kwon

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

There are some really beautiful insights in this book around culture and values but I fear they are too often mired in these repetitive essays. Sometimes entire sentences and paragraphs were repeated. This book also can’t decide who its audience is. It went back and forth between over explaining Korean culture and history for those with no prior knowledge to dropping full Korean words and phrases with no translation or explanation. I don’t mind either way, it just felt like it should be one or the other.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Death of parent