joemkl's reviews
193 reviews

Bluff Your Way in Theatre by Fidelis Morgan

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

Nice and witty.

Wasted by Marya Hornbacher

dark sad medium-paced

3.75

I really liked this. It's well written, and although sometimes the pacing feels off, it's a fantastic insight into Hornbacher's mind.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

dark medium-paced

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

4.25

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

emotional funny reflective medium-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

5.0

Beautiful. Queenie is a masterpiece about the intersection of race, consent, mental illness, and identity. Absolutely stunning and I would recommend it to anyone.

Deerhart by Yvonne Reddick

mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

I was at the launch of Deerhart and I loved it then. I love it more with a bit more life experience under my belt.

The World's Wife: Poems by Carol Ann Duffy

reflective slow-paced

3.5

Love the concept but some are better than others.

Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg

reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

There aren't half some great lines in this omg

The Great Winglebury Duel by Charles Dickens

funny slow-paced

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

3.0

please charles stop saying "ejaculated".

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Piranesi is absolutely incredible. I can't give too much away but it's absolutely stunning and was well worth my time to read.

Elizabeth I and Her Conquests by Margaret Simpson

informative slow-paced

2.0

I read this as a kid and enjoyed it, and as an adult I absolutely hate it 🙃