kaceyymair's reviews
318 reviews

The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto

3.0

I enjoyed this but I felt like some things just sort of happened and I had to go along with it just bc it was a short story. I would’ve preferred it if it was longer bc some of the parts like the “romances” - eugh i don’t even know what to call them - were underdeveloped and I didn’t get them. I also didn’t fully understand her relationship with her parents and I just wanted more from it. Still a good, bittersweet and well written read.

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

4.0

I really enjoyed these. Some of these stories were super creative and full of fun, but some of them seemed a bit too experimental/I wasn’t sure on why certain choices were made. Although I’m still not sure why half the characters in bojack horseman were animals but I love the show anyway.

Anyway, this was a strong collection and I enjoyed it a lot. It was quick, witty, and creative and I’d deffo read more of Bob-Waksberg’s short stories in the future. My favourites were:

• A most blessed and auspicious occasion
• The serial monogamist’s guide to important New York City landmarks
• We men of science
• Lies we told each other (a partial list)
• These are facts
• Lunch with the person who dumped you
• Rules for taboo
• You want to know what plays are really like?
• The average of all possible things 

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin

I really enjoyed this. His writing style was pretty similar to his writing in “shopgirl”, but seeing this in the context of his life, stand up career, and education made his writing style make more sense? Like it was understandable how he’d reached this point of dry, simple and matter of fact language, and how he used it to express the heavy and funny parts of his life and his “bits”. I appreciated understanding more about his life and career, and in a world of influencer comedians in social media, it was super interesting seeing how he developed his career within the “everyone knows everyone” environment of the 60s and 70s when his career was finally developing into what he wanted it to be.

(Also I watched some bits from “the jerk” and it’s pretty funny tbh)

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.

This was good but I would rather just read it - the narrator sounded a bit too much like AI for me to reach for it - but I’ll get a paper or kindle copy and read it eventually 

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

4.0

Heartbreaking but so witty. I loved the way she wrote dialogue and told stories, i felt like I was watching one of her movies in the best way. My only issue was just that I felt the pacing was a little off in the end - where it wouldn’t have been if it was a screenplay.

The Trial by Franz Kafka

3.0

Some interesting takes and conclusions on the law (deffo would’ve helped with my diss), and I enjoyed the fantastical and nightmarish qualities, I just wish that there was more depth on all the characters (including K.)

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

This was a lot … and I think that (unfortunately) a lot of child-stars have the same experience as jennette mccurdy - it was nice to see her slow but steady progress into becoming more healthy, and how well she was able to reflect on her life and see the complexities and difficulties within her relationships. I also rlly enjoyed her writing style and would read more from her in the future tbh - I liked how the more her life progressed the more extensive her vocabulary became, and her internal monologue became louder and more confident

The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara

4.5

A complex and beautifully written book about understanding sexuality and gender, cultural assimilation and colonialism, the complexities of language, and the multifaceted nature of relationships (and the difficulty in having mixed feelings when in an abusive relationship - familial or romantic). This was so well written and I found it really easy to get into, and it did remind me a lot of 100 years of solitude in the cast of characters, the setting and the tapestry of interweaving storylines and perspectives. My only issue was that the last 10-15 pages felt too rushed and off pace with the rest of the book, and had it ended earlier/ been paced differently, I would’ve given it 5 stars.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

4.5

I would’ve eaten this up as a kid 

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

3.25

The pacing in this book kept throwing me off - buttttt the story was rlly compelling and it was well written