laurenrussell's reviews
60 reviews

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

emotional reflective

3.75

loved tookie and pollux’s story. the native storytelling and culture really enriched the book. the writing was great, and each character was fascinating (hetta, laurent, penstemon). reading about 2020 was weird but it was well done imo. the bookstore scenes were a+. overall, really great but it took me forever to get through it idk why

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.75

this was like 70% extremely slow and detailed descriptions and then when all the other suicides happened made me so sad. the parents grief and abandonment was horrible and i think that has initiated a depression for me. very morose and desolate especially w the backdrop of climate change and all the other shitty stuff happening. also i hate men writing about girls (otter insulation…really) but i that was the point of this book. it was a very interesting read and lots of interpretations which i enjoy, i guess i just wish the pace was different and we got some sort of glimpse into the lisbon pov, even as an afterward 

Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass by Lana Del Rey

reflective

4.5

not really a poety expert but i loved this. i did sit outside in the sun in a special place with iced tea, so that really added to the vibe. it was a peaceful read, and some of the poems definitely stood out to me. i loved the pictures with the poems and the little notes. my favorites: 

• bare feet on the linoleum
• what happened when i left you
• never to heaven
• sportcruiser
• in the hills of benedict canyon
• ringtone
• my bedroom is a sacred place now

as others have said, it’s very atmospheric. i didn’t understand many of the poems but the emotions and nostalgia seeps through. the haikus were cute but they kind of seemed like fluff. overall, i enjoyed this and would come back to read it for a grounding experience 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

not what i was expecting! i was surprised by the twist for sure. however, i had no idea where this book was going the majority of the time. not much honestly happened, and im amazed 300 pages were written haha. i wouldnt say it was boring but i def wouldnt say it is "spellbinding" blah blah blah. 

loved the exploration of whether or not we can change or if we’re stuck as is. honestly it’s kind of troubling and unsettling with the way this book ended. low key scared now haha.

weaving greek mythology into the story was very interesting as well but i liked it a lot, especially how stories had significance to the plot. the characters were also intriguing, and once i did become absorbed in the story it was a delight to read! 

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

i enjoyed chapters 10, 11, and 12 the most. her ideas exploring death were new to me and I liked reading her perspectives. i loved reading about the importance of community, how true love does not mean romantic relationship or permanence, and how there’s nothing wrong with wanting a partner. loved how love is encouraging spiritual growth and love is without domination and control. 

there’s some strong religious themes but i think anyone can understand the point she makes w her religious references. overall, i enjoyed this book and took some wisdom from it. 

My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

a quirky, unique story that i loved! the storyline was super intriguing and all the characters were unique. i enjoyed reading about each of them. i enjoyed ozeki’s writing style, especially describing landscapes and difficult emotions. 

akiko’s story was gut wrenching and i just want to give her a hug like she deserves the world :,( i wish there was more closure to her story for the ending it all focused on jane. 

this book is from 1998 and all the research is based on the 80/90s. lots has changed for the better so i wouldn’t take 95% of the “facts” presented at face value anymore. also the graphic rape scene was unnecessary imo but that’s on me for not reading trigger warnings. it is 100% not “sexy and fun” as the cover review says lol. 

overall, a hidden gem that i’m so glad i picked up! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

oh i’m OBSESSED. what a lovely and charming book. eleanor is so funny i laughed so much while reading this book, especially when she was getting waxed. iconic woman. i loved her journey and was thoroughly shocked by the plot twist because i wasn’t expecting this book to have a mystery aspect but i loved it. love raymond and glen, except the background to glen was never explained or maybe i just don’t remember.

i was quite sad polly died lol

. her growth and thoughts were very relatable and this book is just warm and fuzzy to me. i will hold it very close to me for awhile and prob come back to it when i feel down xx i also broadened my vocabulary with this book. 

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I don’t understand how ppl like Lisa Jewel bc the writing in this book felt like a high schooler wrote it. This is the only book I’ve read by her, so Im still interested in her other books to see if the writing style changes. Honestly I think I didn’t like this much bc there really isn’t any resolve or relief. You just learn the full picture and that is that.

It doesn’t detail
the family’s reaction to Poppy being the daughter, and no police action on the case or anything. I will say the note in the book left by Ellie was the most shocking and interesting part. Other than that everything was sort of predictable or at least not surprising. The guy killing himself was lame too and I would’ve liked to read about the emotional part of learning that for poppy and laurel. i also think the whole impregnating a 15 year old and keeping her hostage just isn’t my cup of tea to read. it’s a bit much but the author i think did convey grief in a great way.

idk i enjoyed reading bc i love thrillers but this one felt very surface level. 

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

By far the most vile, disgusting, and gag-inducing book of mrs. moshfegh and i think it was a bit too far for me this round but i also did like it. excellent imagery and excellent characters, i loved the setting and all these weirdos in the book. i hated every one of them ofc and

the rapes were too much for me but i did enjoy the spiral into madness the villagers experienced

. i liked how the book was separated into different seasons. Criticism of religion and human behavior was overt but I still enjoyed it. It did take me forever to read this bc i could only stomach so much at once. LOVEDDD The ending though it was a fun little end to such an insane and nauseating read. ina horrified me and i don’t have words for jude. 

Belonging: A Culture of Place by bell hooks

emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

Very interesting and insightful perspectives—I loved the quilt essays. However, the grammar and editing in this book is out of control and I truly have no idea how in the world this passed to publish. Insane amount of typos and then long hard to follow sentences but that just might be her style