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lauren_miller's reviews
754 reviews
The Fox & Little Tanuki, Vol. 1 by Mi Tagawa
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Such an interesting first installment. The premise is strong, I'm enjoying the characterizations already, and I'm so curious as to how this story will progress. Helping 8 million gods is a huge endeavor! Also, Manpachi is adorableee 🥺
The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is definitely one of my favorite translated works I've read in a while! There's something about Japanese literature in particular that is so hit and miss for me, so I'm glad this one worked.
I found Hitomi easy to relate to, the setting intriguing [I suddenly have the urge to go antiquing lol], and the languid plot a treat; the use of vignettes provided an elastic, timeless reading experience that I enjoyed. Also, the discussions of attraction and love were really engaging to me. The ending was much happier than I anticipated, and a bit surprising—just as Hitomi experienced, Takeo really did seem like a completely different person, which I'm not sure I loved—but rather than feeling cliché, it felt settled, like it was the natural progression of things.
This is a super accessible read for anyone interested in Japanese lit and I definitely recommend!
4.25 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆
I found Hitomi easy to relate to, the setting intriguing [I suddenly have the urge to go antiquing lol], and the languid plot a treat; the use of vignettes provided an elastic, timeless reading experience that I enjoyed. Also, the discussions of attraction and love were really engaging to me. The ending was much happier than I anticipated, and a bit surprising—just as Hitomi experienced, Takeo really did seem like a completely different person, which I'm not sure I loved—but rather than feeling cliché, it felt settled, like it was the natural progression of things.
This is a super accessible read for anyone interested in Japanese lit and I definitely recommend!
4.25 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆
Bedtime in the Southwest by Mona Hodgson
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
gifting to a 5-year-old. hopefully she likes it!
Wait: A Love Letter to Those in Despair by Cuong Lu
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
DNF @ pg. 53
I chose to DNF NOT because this book is of poor writing, quality, or anything else. In fact, it's an incredibly wonderful book—one that I would absolutely recommend for someone grieving or struggling with suicidal ideation, or to someone looking to give a loving and healing gift. It's a kind and short book that I, thankfully, don't really have need of at the moment. Perhaps I will revisit later in life if times of distress arise, but for now, I am blissfully well emotionally.
I chose to DNF NOT because this book is of poor writing, quality, or anything else. In fact, it's an incredibly wonderful book—one that I would absolutely recommend for someone grieving or struggling with suicidal ideation, or to someone looking to give a loving and healing gift. It's a kind and short book that I, thankfully, don't really have need of at the moment. Perhaps I will revisit later in life if times of distress arise, but for now, I am blissfully well emotionally.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
As many others have likely done too, I picked this up b/c I loved the Studio Ghibli movie and wanted to experience the original. To say it is different would be an understatement, but not necessarily in a bad way; I did enjoy it quite a bit. Jenny Sterlin was the perfect narrator, so like Jean Simmons who voiced Grandma Sophie for the movie in English, and the story had the same simple and dreamlike qualities as the movie. There were parts that I didn't necessarily love about the book (i.e., the end of the witch of the waste), overall it was a fun and classic read, very in the vein of Anne of Green Gables. Good comp and reading rec for those with younger kids!
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Going into it I really thought this book would be light and lovely, similar in sense to something like Love & Gelato. What I got was so. much. more. It's honestly a miracle I'm not sobbing my eyes out right now. There are all too many platitudes to poorly express how much I needed this book and all that it's done for me the past few days; let's just say it's done plenty.
a poetic 5 out of 5 stars, ★★★★★
a poetic 5 out of 5 stars, ★★★★★
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexism and Abortion
Shipped by Angie Hockman
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Ok, The Hating Game meets The Unhoneymooners was the PERFECT sell for this book! It combined the irrational enemies to friends to lovers with that unique vacation setting, threw in a bit of boss misogyny and family drama for good measure, and finished with a girl boss bang!
4.25 "You go girl!" stars out of 5, ★★★★☆
4.25 "You go girl!" stars out of 5, ★★★★☆
Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
DNF @ 28%
I tried. I really tried to like this book, but I swear to god, everyone besides Cade was so annoying that in the end I just couldn't handle it.
Cade, god, I related to her wayyy too much. Within a couple chapters I was both annoyed and commiserating her over the author's constant spiel of "Cade must have been switched at birth, but it's ok that she's an accountant, it's who she is" from all the side characters—god forbid a woman want a kick-ass job AND an actual shot at retirement. If it were me, I would've seen the shop's finances and run for the fucking hills; no amount of guilt tripping would get me to upend my life in a whole other city to take over a failing—no, dying—business just so that the "universe" can be heard and my crazy aunt's "will" done. The fact that Cade decided to stay means she is already a better person than I. She literally did NOT owe her family or Selena a thing, yet she stuck around to help...
And speaking of the devil...
Selena could have been one of my favorite characters—healing and self-actualizing following abuse from a partner, hypersexual, uber sex positive and inclusive, obsessed with sex toys, all these things I jive with... But seriously, she had zero grip on reality. I get not wanting to lose Ruth's touch and also wanting to cherish and uplift her memory, but Selena didn't even consider what Cade had to say; all her ideas (seriously girl, the shop is failing and your first thought is, 'Yes! Burlesque and vulva painting are the answer!'????) were great to some degree, but only feasible if the shop was operating from an already steady financial foundation. You can't perform the Vagina Monologues without first renting the theatre space, you feel me? Cade was damn right to suggest taking all that shit home, streamlining the Satisfaction Guaranteed inventory and branding, outfitting the online shop, etc., literally PR/Marketing 101, and Cade was even nice enough to suggest taking all that shit HOME instead of pitching it all and then gutting the place lol.
The whole thing just irritated the hell out of me. I tried to continue the audiobook on three separate occasions before I acquiesced to my frustration. I'm so disappointed...
2 out of 5 stars, ★★☆☆☆
I tried. I really tried to like this book, but I swear to god, everyone besides Cade was so annoying that in the end I just couldn't handle it.
Cade, god, I related to her wayyy too much. Within a couple chapters I was both annoyed and commiserating her over the author's constant spiel of "Cade must have been switched at birth, but it's ok that she's an accountant, it's who she is" from all the side characters—god forbid a woman want a kick-ass job AND an actual shot at retirement. If it were me, I would've seen the shop's finances and run for the fucking hills; no amount of guilt tripping would get me to upend my life in a whole other city to take over a failing—no, dying—business just so that the "universe" can be heard and my crazy aunt's "will" done. The fact that Cade decided to stay means she is already a better person than I. She literally did NOT owe her family or Selena a thing, yet she stuck around to help...
And speaking of the devil...
Selena could have been one of my favorite characters—healing and self-actualizing following abuse from a partner, hypersexual, uber sex positive and inclusive, obsessed with sex toys, all these things I jive with... But seriously, she had zero grip on reality. I get not wanting to lose Ruth's touch and also wanting to cherish and uplift her memory, but Selena didn't even consider what Cade had to say; all her ideas (seriously girl, the shop is failing and your first thought is, 'Yes! Burlesque and vulva painting are the answer!'????) were great to some degree, but only feasible if the shop was operating from an already steady financial foundation. You can't perform the Vagina Monologues without first renting the theatre space, you feel me? Cade was damn right to suggest taking all that shit home, streamlining the Satisfaction Guaranteed inventory and branding, outfitting the online shop, etc., literally PR/Marketing 101, and Cade was even nice enough to suggest taking all that shit HOME instead of pitching it all and then gutting the place lol.
The whole thing just irritated the hell out of me. I tried to continue the audiobook on three separate occasions before I acquiesced to my frustration. I'm so disappointed...
2 out of 5 stars, ★★☆☆☆
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse
The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
By Your Side by Kasie West
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book reminded me that I'm getting old... To Kasie West's credit, her characters DO read like they're in high school; unfortunately for me, as a 27-year-old, that meant I found them a bit annoying. Ok, I found Autumn annoying at points. Dax I actually really liked as a character; he was a bit aloof, but not nearly as emotionally unavailable as some authors like to paint characters in the same or a similar situation. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and I really appreciated West's portrayal of anxiety, but I don't know if it's memorable.
Solid 3.75 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆
Solid 3.75 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆