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justabookishreader's reviews
157 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
i. the lovers
sorta sad this story was about a girl hung up on her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend - but I liked how it set up the rest of the story. having Fumiko realize that her coffee had gone cold within like the first page or two was honestly ingenious. the ghost girl with the book being titled the same as that part of the story was pretty neat too.
ii. husband and wife
what a sad but leaning towards bittersweet story. set up enough that the idea of Kotauke's husband continuously forgetting her and having to remind him that she's his wife is actually shown in effect later on throughout the rest of the story. it is very clear that husband and wife match each other in their levels of selflessness, Kohtake willing to spend the rest of their life being there for him as a nurse once he forgets her role in his life, and Fusagi telling her in the only way he can, that once it becomes too much for her to handle that he doesn't want her to be his nurse - only as his wife.
iii. sisters
i am an older sister, this one caught me in the absolute feels. knowing at the very last possible minute that your younger sibling's dream was all to just spend time with you, to work beside you - together - but not ever get that opportunity is heartbreaking.
iv. mother and daughter
i'm gonna be so honest here - i didn't really expect this story to impact me even more than the previous one. i had already guessed that the girl who took the picture with Kei was her daughter in the future, and that Kei hadn't survived childbirth with her. i assumed that was the story that was about to be told. but it wasn't. and as someone who really wants to be a mother to a daughter - this was quite the story to end off with.
v. my thoughts
oh i get it now, i get the hype...
so - i pose a question to you: reader, follower, friend, stranger. what would you do, who would you want to see, what might you say, when would you go back (or forward) to - if you knew that nothing you did could change the present (but certainly affect the future), you couldn't leave the seat at the cafe, and you only had until your coffee went cold to do it?
now i just want to know more about the ghost girl...
sorta sad this story was about a girl hung up on her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend - but I liked how it set up the rest of the story. having Fumiko realize that her coffee had gone cold within like the first page or two was honestly ingenious. the ghost girl with the book being titled the same as that part of the story was pretty neat too.
ii. husband and wife
what a sad but leaning towards bittersweet story. set up enough that the idea of Kotauke's husband continuously forgetting her and having to remind him that she's his wife is actually shown in effect later on throughout the rest of the story. it is very clear that husband and wife match each other in their levels of selflessness, Kohtake willing to spend the rest of their life being there for him as a nurse once he forgets her role in his life, and Fusagi telling her in the only way he can, that once it becomes too much for her to handle that he doesn't want her to be his nurse - only as his wife.
iii. sisters
i am an older sister, this one caught me in the absolute feels. knowing at the very last possible minute that your younger sibling's dream was all to just spend time with you, to work beside you - together - but not ever get that opportunity is heartbreaking.
iv. mother and daughter
i'm gonna be so honest here - i didn't really expect this story to impact me even more than the previous one. i had already guessed that the girl who took the picture with Kei was her daughter in the future, and that Kei hadn't survived childbirth with her. i assumed that was the story that was about to be told. but it wasn't. and as someone who really wants to be a mother to a daughter - this was quite the story to end off with.
v. my thoughts
oh i get it now, i get the hype...
so - i pose a question to you: reader, follower, friend, stranger. what would you do, who would you want to see, what might you say, when would you go back (or forward) to - if you knew that nothing you did could change the present (but certainly affect the future), you couldn't leave the seat at the cafe, and you only had until your coffee went cold to do it?
now i just want to know more about the ghost girl...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Robots vs. Fairies by Navah Wolfe, Dominik Parisien
(as soon as I saw “being a banshee means my voice is a tool” this plummeted down to two stars. Will see if this gets better)
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Introduction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I expected that this was going to be a “normal” anthology introduction, was pleasantly surprised that it was an introduction to the actual world of the stories, weaving them all together.
Build Me a Wonderland ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is not a story I would have chosen to start off the anthology with - yes it is interesting, but it feels like it’s lacking something that I can’t quite name, it just didn’t feel original or unique enough with everything that’s out now. The writing was fine, but just not fine enough to override the lack of uniqueness.
Quality Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really thought this was going to go the way of the movie Megan, and I looked forward to it. It felt rather anticlimactic at the end.
Murmured Under the Moon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a simple human - I see libraries, magic shape-shifting sapphic books, and love spell gone wrong and I like it. I want more of this story. It’s awesome.
The Blue Fairy’s Manifesto ⭐️
I wasn’t exactly expecting any “retellings” and honestly my experience of the story is definitely colored by my dislike for Pinnocchio. I mean it was unique and creative but it just felt bland.
Bread and Milk and Salt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story was incredibly disturbing. Bordering on horror. And it was amazing. Thrilling, made my heart race. Made dread fill my chest. This is an excellent addition (and would do well as the opening story in fact) to this collection.
Ironheart ⭐️⭐️
Not really interesting - depressing though.
just another love song ⭐️
(as soon as I saw “being a banshee means my voice is a tool” this plummeted down to two stars. Will see if this gets better)
“Things had gotten a little weird that summer. Fae had gone missing, and without any obvious reason. No bodies had turned up, there were no rumors that unpleasant humans were making life difficult….” (can remove “without any obvious reason” and just go straight to the example of NO OBVIOUS REASON)
same with the “noticed things”
“she’s not totally housebound” no shit?
“it was just really hard to find it” proceeds to give an example - show not show and tell
“shit maybe I really was broken” is all that’s needed. This tells us that the same thing that happened at the beginning happened again.
Sound & Fury ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2
definitely one of the better “robots” stories so far in the collection, but also I too just want to be cozy and curled up in bed with my cat and a good book most days.
The Bookcase Expedition ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐1/2
I won’t lie when I say the ending was a little confusing in regards to the “how long have you known” was the wife referring to the faeries? the flag? the expedition? the bookcase? outside of that one instance, my goodness what fun!
Work Shadow/Shadow Work ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2
guessing right away this is going to be also one of the better ones of the collection, I hope I’m right (so far leaning towards team fairy)
second to the left and straight on ⭐️⭐⭐️1/2
At the beginning there was still the frustrating issue of the lack of showing versus telling. But the story was captivating overall
the buried giant ⭐️⭐️1/2
eh a story within a story that vaguely reminded me of the Iron Giant
three robots experience objects…. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pleasantly amusing
ostentation of peacocks ⭐️⭐️
confused but nice writing
all the time we’ve left to spend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
depressing and anxious
adriftica ⭐️⭐️
why does he mention his dick so much???
to a clove pine ⭐️
lyrical but wtf did I jsut read?
a fall counts anywhere ⭐️
really didn’t enjoy - i hate the all caps when its used like that
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
A gay love story between two Mexican American boys in 1980s El Paso. Banned in a number of conservative states (Texas, Florida, Wyoming, Tennessee), this was a "required reading" for my class LLSS 450, short for Language, Linguistics, and Sociocultural Studies - Books and Related Materials for Young Adults.
This has been perhaps our most enjoyable read of the semester, but still hard hitting like any of the books we've read. I feel that this is a rather accessible novel, making it so that many kids of many different ages would be able to read, enjoy, and understand the novel. Though, despite this book being set in the 80s, a little over 40 years ago, much is still the same. While we do have same sex marriage now, there are definitely states that are trying to challenge the Supreme Court's decision.
In certain parts of the country, the attitudes that Aristotle and Dante faced in 1980s El Paso, are very much the same, or at least similar, boys still get beat up, and some kids are subjected to religion and conversion therapy. I mean, look at how the book has been banned in at least 4 states as of right now (2023).
There is nothing graphic, just some kissing, a little underage drinking and drug use. Usually movies consisting of such things would be PG-13. In fact, the people that rate such films, seem to agree. "This may include stronger language, extended violence or sexual situations and drug-use." (Michigan State University, 2017)
So unless Florida, Texas, Wyoming, and Tennessee are going to somehow change the guidelines created by the MPAA for the PG-13 rating (no this is not a suggestion to try to do so, please don't), then there is no reason that this book should be banned at the high school level, much less the middle school level.
It seems quite apparent that the issues that the above listed states have with this book is the discussion of queer identities and race, even more frustrating that the book takes place in Texas (El Paso) and has been banned there.
With there being many more interesting side topics, and things that I connected with a bit too well at times, this book was just so well done and is perfect (in my opinion) for anyone starting middle school, and older.
This has been perhaps our most enjoyable read of the semester, but still hard hitting like any of the books we've read. I feel that this is a rather accessible novel, making it so that many kids of many different ages would be able to read, enjoy, and understand the novel. Though, despite this book being set in the 80s, a little over 40 years ago, much is still the same. While we do have same sex marriage now, there are definitely states that are trying to challenge the Supreme Court's decision.
In certain parts of the country, the attitudes that Aristotle and Dante faced in 1980s El Paso, are very much the same, or at least similar, boys still get beat up, and some kids are subjected to religion and conversion therapy. I mean, look at how the book has been banned in at least 4 states as of right now (2023).
There is nothing graphic, just some kissing, a little underage drinking and drug use. Usually movies consisting of such things would be PG-13. In fact, the people that rate such films, seem to agree. "This may include stronger language, extended violence or sexual situations and drug-use." (Michigan State University, 2017)
So unless Florida, Texas, Wyoming, and Tennessee are going to somehow change the guidelines created by the MPAA for the PG-13 rating (no this is not a suggestion to try to do so, please don't), then there is no reason that this book should be banned at the high school level, much less the middle school level.
It seems quite apparent that the issues that the above listed states have with this book is the discussion of queer identities and race, even more frustrating that the book takes place in Texas (El Paso) and has been banned there.
With there being many more interesting side topics, and things that I connected with a bit too well at times, this book was just so well done and is perfect (in my opinion) for anyone starting middle school, and older.
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ugh, the ending never fails to make me cry. Bittersweet but goddamn. If this book isn't still one of the best I've read. Honestly, I love the idea rooted in the novel that you don't have to stand up to monsters or slay a dragon or wield a sword to be brave, and doing all those things doesn't necessarily make you brave either. That just knowing the stakes are high and fighting anyway, with Meryl and the Grey Death and Addie and finding the cure - they are both incredible proof of this. I was shocked that this book was less than 300 pages, and I thought that I would feel like it needed more fleshing out. But it works perfectly within its length and details and occurrences. Meryl and Addie's bond is so well written that I can't help but imagine if something like this happened to me and my little sister, which honestly, probably doesn't help when I get to the ending. I also like that there were real stakes. Yes this is a "children's book" or "middle grade" but as usual I feel like anyone of any age can enjoy a Gail Carson Levine book. I liked that Addie technically failed. She was successful for everyone else in the kingdom, but her sister. I like the explanation of how her sister was alive anyway, and almost in a way, feels more painful than Meryl simply dying. Yet another time I wish that the Ella Enchanted adaptation had done better because maybe this book would have been adapted at some point too. I believe there is a somewhat recent either sequel or prequel, which I own and am excited to hopefully read soon!
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Even though its been years since I've read it (and I do plan on rereading it) I remember LOVING THIS. I still love it more than ACOTAR and to those who personally know me, that's saying something. I even brought up some of the archetypes I loved the most in this book in my creative writing workshop course at my university today and my professor even seemed to be quite happy I brought it up. I can't wait to have the time to reread it!
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I'd been asking my mom to let me borrow her copy of the book for a few years in high school, and she kept saying no. Turns out she hadn't even read it yet. Well she finally let me borrow it, and I was so worried that it was gonna let me down after my hyping up of it in my mind with Emma Watson connected to this book and having waited actual years for the chance to read it and actually devote my attention to it. Well, it ended up being even better than I imagined. Right when I've been aching for some darker adult high fantasy, (the only true adult fantasy I've read has been Ninth House before this and that's an urban fantasy), this book ends up being way more graphic and mature and topic heavy than I anticipated, and I'm glad I had to wait til my 20s to read it. It felt like the perfect timing for me personally.
With the darker tone, I was also surprised to find some lines I laughed at, and while it took me a minute or two to sink into the book fully, once I finished the "book I" portion of the novel, I just kept reading. Also, I wish more books had those fictional fantasy historical text quotes at the beginnings of their chapters, it made me feel like the world wasn't just an alternate earth type of setting, but real, and like I was really a part of it. I also am so glad I got to read this edition, with its GORGEOUS cover and bookmark ribbon. Yes a book cover can absolutely completely change how I enjoy a book, and this one being so pretty just made me want to have it with me at all times. I'm quite sad to have to part with it this weekend when I see my mom, but I will be ordering my own copy and the last two books with it (and yes in these fancy gorgeous editions).
With the darker tone, I was also surprised to find some lines I laughed at, and while it took me a minute or two to sink into the book fully, once I finished the "book I" portion of the novel, I just kept reading. Also, I wish more books had those fictional fantasy historical text quotes at the beginnings of their chapters, it made me feel like the world wasn't just an alternate earth type of setting, but real, and like I was really a part of it. I also am so glad I got to read this edition, with its GORGEOUS cover and bookmark ribbon. Yes a book cover can absolutely completely change how I enjoy a book, and this one being so pretty just made me want to have it with me at all times. I'm quite sad to have to part with it this weekend when I see my mom, but I will be ordering my own copy and the last two books with it (and yes in these fancy gorgeous editions).
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
5.0
Ahhhhhh wowie my family has good taste! This book featured in a pile of books gifted to my mom from her mom. The rest of the books were: The Queen of the Tearling, The Bone Season, and Wildwood. I've read The Queen of the Tearling (also gave it 5 stars, go check out my review if you'd like!), and my mom gave me her copy of The Bone Season to keep since she had it on her kindle and adored it. She even told me to read The Priory of the Orange Tree (which is fitting as I am her lesbian daughter lol) and I definitely plan to - it's on my kindle and I'm saving it for our summer road trip in July. Let's just say, I'm definitely going to be reading The Bone Season ASAP, and then borrowing Wildwood from my mom (hopefully) as well.
The timing of my reading of this book was just about perfect. I had picked up a different book, it had been a Christmas gift from my mom, and it had been rumored to have amazing Jewish and Autistic-coded representation. Well in that book they introduced that character as being an arsonist, loving numbers, etc. Well, going into this one - all I knew was "hey dragons love and turn into humans." I was overjoyed when I discovered that more likely than not (as an autistic woman recognizing particular descriptions that is), the entire race of dragons was based on autistic people. It made me feel seen and so fucking emotional. All the moments with Linn's memories and her talking about how emotions are so complex and metaphors are so abstract but they're the only way to explain her feelings, with Omra being introduced as loving difficult mathematics and hating itchy fabrics, the subtle social cues that Omra misses which are amusing as someone who uhhhh definitely relates... I need more books like these. It's so beautiful too, the prose, the description, the story in general.
While this wasn't one of those books that made me "rethink my rating system" it was one that I connected to so much that it would be a crime not to add it to the favorites shelf. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
The timing of my reading of this book was just about perfect. I had picked up a different book, it had been a Christmas gift from my mom, and it had been rumored to have amazing Jewish and Autistic-coded representation. Well in that book they introduced that character as being an arsonist, loving numbers, etc. Well, going into this one - all I knew was "hey dragons love and turn into humans." I was overjoyed when I discovered that more likely than not (as an autistic woman recognizing particular descriptions that is), the entire race of dragons was based on autistic people. It made me feel seen and so fucking emotional. All the moments with Linn's memories and her talking about how emotions are so complex and metaphors are so abstract but they're the only way to explain her feelings, with Omra being introduced as loving difficult mathematics and hating itchy fabrics, the subtle social cues that Omra misses which are amusing as someone who uhhhh definitely relates... I need more books like these. It's so beautiful too, the prose, the description, the story in general.
While this wasn't one of those books that made me "rethink my rating system" it was one that I connected to so much that it would be a crime not to add it to the favorites shelf. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
5.0
A story of self-discovery and discovering all that lies beyond home, Naomi Novik weaves a beautiful, darkly whimsical tale of ever growing proportions. With a dash of political intrigue, a cup of gothic romance, and a heaping scoop of saving the world, a hauntingly beautiful story is made, complete with the shimmering details of exquisitely elaborate descriptions and the enchanting visuals of Agnieszka learning to hone and guide her magic. Set in a world terrorized by corrupt magic, with a magic system with true limits, Novik does not hold back on threatening to break your heart over and over again, never knowing until the last page, just who will survive.