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kajasversion's reviews
170 reviews
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Everytime you think something is about to happen, it doesnt.” This pretty much sums up the whole book, it was just really underwhelming. It never really picks up, and nothing big happens with no big revelation. I get thats the point, that nothing changes and that the world is still the same and horrible. But goddamn did it drag on for not achieving anything.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think the story focuses on Ove’s suicide attempts way too much considering the way book ends. Throughout the whole story we see no character growth and then he just dies without really changing his outlook on life. The story as a whole was a fun read but i don’t think i’d pick it up again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really liked fact the story is set in the same universe as Heartstopper and i loved that i saw a different perspective to their life, and from a different person in the story. However, i think the book ended way too abruptly. It came to no real conclusion therefore the whole experience felt kind of pointless. The character development was also nonexistent, I didn’t see them change in any way whatsoever. The main character was quite honestly a bit annoying with the incessant outbursts in people’s faces about how selfish they are.
The writting itself is also very YA which i shouldn’t be surprised by since that’s the genre, but i must say it’s not my favourite. As much as the rest of YA books i’ve read bothered me, this one was fairly nice to read regarding the tone and style.
The writting itself is also very YA which i shouldn’t be surprised by since that’s the genre, but i must say it’s not my favourite. As much as the rest of YA books i’ve read bothered me, this one was fairly nice to read regarding the tone and style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t think i’ve ever cried this hard over a book in my life. Nothing could’ve ever prepared me for this holy shit. I can’t even give a review, it’s just amazing. So many things this book made me feel and it was definitely an experience (worth it? can’t tell yet).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its definitely a really interesting book and a fun read overall, but at the end of the day it is written for kids younger than i am and the writing style is appropriate for the age demographic. I really resonated with Junior when he was going through his grief and i do feel like the themes of the book were approached in an easily comprehensive way. However i think the story is very unrealistic, especially when referring to the racism since i don’t think they are willing to just look past it so easily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, and Racism
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I loved the writing and the story itself, but not enough to give it 5 stars. It was an interesting experience and i felt like the insight into the character was good but could be fleshed out a bit more in certain parts. I don’t think i’d read it again since the first 1/3 of the book is just her talking about calories, but it was great nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think the writing is magnificent and i truly did enjoy reading it. Some scenes were a bit too much for me personally, but not in a sense that they were bad, just that they were really gruesome and a bit hard to read. I think it’s an interesting portrayal of love that isn’t good for any party involved. I wasn´t rooting for any of the characters, but i did feel deep pain for how the mc was feeling because i think that her emotions and her view of the relationship and herself were so beautifully transferred onto paper.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Vomit
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is the epitome of ´no plot just vibes´ and i loved it so much. The writing is so meticulous and it felt like i was there, living through everything with Isa. And i read it during the summer which just adds another layer, cuz i think i picked it up at just the right time.
She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
i hate ya i don’t know why i even bother i feel like i lost braincells reading this and the mcs barely met