jen_abrahall's reviews
53 reviews

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

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challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

i cannot overstate the importance of this book. i would consider myself as someone relatively well read on the history of racism within the uk and the cultural context that supports its presence within the modern day, never the less, this was an eye opening read a remarkably easy to follow, expertly structured and beautifully quick. i would thoroughly recommend to everyone.
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Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.0

this beautifully elegant book is the perfect antidote to the current political climate. Murata has written a spellbinding gentle narrative bolstered by a sophisticated subtle exploration of character that takes the reader on a somehow strangely relatable journey alongside the seemingly dysfunctional outsider Keiko. The protagonists ‘flaws’ form the backbone of this short novel in a refreshing way - a way that isn’t dramatic or other worldly or dystopian. in a very real delicately human way. and despite the major focus on character in this novel, it is impossible to explore Keikos position in society without exploring ideas of patriarchy, emancipation unattained and the role of women. a beautifully fast paced carefully constructed work of art.
How To Use Your Enemies by Baltasar Gracián

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informative reflective fast-paced

2.0

I have real mixed feelings about this one, in one breath it’s brilliant and in the next it is everything i hate about human nature. Unfortunately it reminded me a little too much towards the end of some of the ‘everyone can be a billionaire you just have to work harder! Poor? well lie your way into a better job!’ kind of books and I cannot express how much I dispair at that attitude. Perhaps in 1647 this is not the impression that Gracián’s work would have made but unfortunately I think it has become dated not in the sense that the mindsets and attitudes promoted in the work don’t exist today but I believe it has become dated because in my view these attitudes are not sustainable and should not be the attitudes of the future. They centralise around deception and never giving your full self to someone and being distrusting of people even those you’ve known for decades. It just stinks of a very self-centred selfish view which is arguably to blame for the ever growing inequalities between the haves and have nots particularly in high income countries. And yes there were hints of truth in aspects of the work but they were not the main takeaway unfortunately. I think this work could be mistaken for being relevant today because of the presence of universal themes such as hatred, love, aspiration and envy however, obviously given the era it was written in, i don’t believe it’s a healthy or positive approach to our ever divided fractious world. The toxic deceptive mindset that Gracián promotes doesn’t sit well with me as twenty first century reader, in a world so fuelled with hate and greed I’d argue in contrast to Baltasar Gracián that it pays to be good and kind and honest and to open your heart to others whilst still maintaining your aspirations and goals. I believe the view presented is that found in the modern day new-money establishment that is arguably responsible for our broken, divided and tragically unequal society.
4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

numbing. brilliant but numbing.
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Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay

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dark funny fast-paced

5.0

standout. one sitting, laugh out loud funny. yes it was dark and depressing in places but i think that’s the charm with Kay’s writing it’s delightful, you go from bordering on tears on one page to laughing at some ridiculous anecdote about something ridiculous up some orifice or another. 

I couldn’t recommend Kay’s writing more highly - quick, witty, real, honest, un-put-down-able and laugh out loud funny.
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The Baby Is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite

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dark mysterious 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

4.0

Despite the fact this short story is set during the pandemic it is not pandemic focused. I would argue that although reading has been an escape from the pandemic for me the circumstances of a lockdown are what makes this narrative plausible. The more dystopian, strange elements come from the characters themselves rather than any backstory to explain why the characters are stuck in a house together. Beautifully well written, leaves out unnecessary back stories and allows you to make your own assumptions and judgements about the characters from the present narrative.  Not a lighthearted read as the story is fundamentally about child neglect and a newborn at the centre of a tempestuous household but none the less one I would highly recommend.
The Weekend by JL Bowman

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

With thanks to voracious readers only for this copy.

A gentle, easy to follow narrative with enough tragedy to make the plot realistic and not feel too far fetched. The protagonist is likeable and has plenty of flaws and habits that readers will certainly relate to. If you’re in the mood for some romance and light to moderate spice then this is for you. No unbearable tension no devastating cliff hangers, a thoroughly pleasant read. My only criticism of this is the rushed ending, although I understand why it was done as a reader you’ve spent so long getting to know the characters and root for them, when the ending you’ve hoped for finally happens it felt like it was cut short, I would absolutely have loved a cut toward by a few years to see where the characters are.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepherd

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dark funny reflective medium-paced

5.0

I absolutely loved this book, despite the ‘big book fear’ i absolutely loved this one. i perhaps have an unhealthy interest in true crime but this left me satisfied that i’d understood the complexities of the cases from a pathological perspective. Admittedly a little graphic at times but i fear without this the enormity of Dr Shepard’s work and career would be lost on the reader. thoroughly interesting and enjoyable.
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Last Lesson by James Goodhand

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4.0