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kierscrivener's reviews
872 reviews
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"How the demonization of an entire race can take root in the most vulnerable"
Telling the story of Pecola and the characters around her, how the impact of racism causes broken families and shame.
It is an important and traumatizing story that confronts beauty standards, sexual trauma/violence, abuse and racism head on. Interspersed with outtakes of mid century children's books that further show the alienation between what White America viewed America as and the reality that Black and other marginalized group lived. How ignorance and supremacy wreck people, families and individuals.
Telling the story of Pecola and the characters around her, how the impact of racism causes broken families and shame.
It is an important and traumatizing story that confronts beauty standards, sexual trauma/violence, abuse and racism head on. Interspersed with outtakes of mid century children's books that further show the alienation between what White America viewed America as and the reality that Black and other marginalized group lived. How ignorance and supremacy wreck people, families and individuals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Slavery, and Abortion
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I really liked this story, it takes a little bit to follow the treads and years but as we continue it makes a beautiful love story that tells the story of twentieth century Chile.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, and Confinement
And Then There Were None and Selected Plays by Agatha Christie
adventurous
dark
mysterious
4.25
“One of us in this very room is in fact the murderer.”
This book was outstanding. Though I was correct in my guess of who the murderer, it was still an incredible story. One great mystery. Beautifully written. The cleverest of villains.
"There was something magical about an island. Even the word supposed fantasy."
I don't know how to review this book without spoiling the story.
This book was outstanding. Though I was correct in my guess of who the murderer, it was still an incredible story. One great mystery. Beautifully written. The cleverest of villains.
"There was something magical about an island. Even the word supposed fantasy."
I don't know how to review this book without spoiling the story.
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I am glad I read And Then There Was None and Murder On The Orient Express as my inaugural ones as both were phenomenal and the most well regarded of Christie's works. I thought this was clever, well plotted, and enjoyable but I guessed the murderer and how it was done pretty early. I like Poirot as a character, and seeing all the moving parts but I don't know how much continued desire I have to read through her works – I have read six now.
Not because she is a bad author but mystery is not a genre I am drawn to naturally and I have read her most cleverly done already. And I think I would have more pleasure rereading the ones I love. That saying, out of her her bests I still plan to read Roger Ackroyd and I have on my shelf Elephants Can Remember and Dead Man's Folly, both are murders in retrospect which will change the formula up. I have no plans to avoid her books, just less seeking them out.
Not because she is a bad author but mystery is not a genre I am drawn to naturally and I have read her most cleverly done already. And I think I would have more pleasure rereading the ones I love. That saying, out of her her bests I still plan to read Roger Ackroyd and I have on my shelf Elephants Can Remember and Dead Man's Folly, both are murders in retrospect which will change the formula up. I have no plans to avoid her books, just less seeking them out.
The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
I really liked Runaway, less interested in slow paced stories adapted from family journals, interesting but painfully slow (for a person who likes slow) and lacking the depth that makes her other stories compelling
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
I didn't realize it began with miscarriage and then put me in a bad headspace to vicariously experience sexual violence and misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read it twice in twenty-nine hours. I really loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Infidelity, and Infertility
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Infertility, Alcoholism, Self harm, and Mental illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
It isn't a miscarriage but is very graphic and I think would trigger those who have had one
Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
2.0
*I originally gave this book 3 Stars but realized that was unfair next to other books I gave 3 Stars so I guess 2.5.
I was sad because this was really hyped but I didn't enjoy it overly much until the end this might have been influenced by reading it through audio book.
I liked what she did and I loved the concepts but the story did not deliver until way to late to be an excellent novel but will probably still read Cruel Beauty because I have heard it is better anyways.
I would recommend just not highly.
Spoilers
I found the reveal about Erich really cool but I was annoyed that she was constantly embarrassed even though she was suppose to be anything but innocent and it seemed as if it was suppose to be really dark but wasn't. Also loved that everyone knew more than they said and Rachelle thought she had all the secrets but had practically the least it is a twist on dumb secondaries. I also liked that the love interest was disabled and multi faceted.
I was sad because this was really hyped but I didn't enjoy it overly much until the end this might have been influenced by reading it through audio book.
I liked what she did and I loved the concepts but the story did not deliver until way to late to be an excellent novel but will probably still read Cruel Beauty because I have heard it is better anyways.
I would recommend just not highly.
Spoilers
I found the reveal about Erich really cool but I was annoyed that she was constantly embarrassed even though she was suppose to be anything but innocent and it seemed as if it was suppose to be really dark but wasn't. Also loved that everyone knew more than they said and Rachelle thought she had all the secrets but had practically the least it is a twist on dumb secondaries. I also liked that the love interest was disabled and multi faceted.