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lenorayoder's reviews
86 reviews
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I first read this book in high school and remember loving it. I decided to grab it from the library again because I was in the mood for something pensive and kind of sad and wanted to see if it held up as an adult. Boy, does it. This book is fantastic. Though the impact is different from when I was Charlie's age, this book is still so influential and offers so much with both its content and style. Weirdly, reading this book makes me feel inspired to write and like when I do so it will be better for having read this. Not that you could tell from the quality of this review!
I think this is one of those books you should definitely read at least once as a teen. As an adult I was definitely reacting differently to some moments -for the love of god, why would you give a kid who's obviously having mental/emotional difficulties LSD! Even as a high school senior, you should know that's a no no - but Chbosky and Charlie still draw me in. This book really elicits emotional reactions, and is best enjoyed on a quiet evening by yourself so you can really take your time to read between the lines and feel.
It's kind of ridiculous how many content warnings I just applied to this book, but I also think that's one of the reasons this is an important read for teens. That this book is written in the form of letters helps lower the intensity of these subjects/make them easier for the reader to handle, but things still get pretty emotional.
I think this is one of those books you should definitely read at least once as a teen. As an adult I was definitely reacting differently to some moments -
It's kind of ridiculous how many content warnings I just applied to this book, but I also think that's one of the reasons this is an important read for teens. That this book is written in the form of letters helps lower the intensity of these subjects/make them easier for the reader to handle, but things still get pretty emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, Rape, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death, and Homophobia
Minor: Abortion, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Car accident, Incest, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, and Gun violence
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
mysterious
3.0
I liked this mystery, but I think one needs more knowledge of 1920’s England than I do to really appreciate this book. There are a lot of political elements that I just didn’t get and was unwilling to research. There are also a lot of characters and locations, and several characters have multiple pseudonyms. As someone with trouble remembering names I had a tough time even though I was writing them down in a notebook to keep track. That said, if you don’t have trouble with names and are familiar with English politics, you’re likely to have a good time. The plot meanders a little too much, and the xenophobic comments are irritating. I think the book is at its best when Tommy and Tuppence are together as they play off each other really well - unfortunately they spend much of the book apart.
Twelve Percent Dread by Emily McGovern
funny
reflective
4.0
I love McGovern’s art style. A fun yet depressing graphic novel that really captures a certain kind of emerging adult in the 2010s/20s.
I wish we got to see more of Katie and Skylar, I found that to be one of the more interesting dynamics. I found their storyline to be one of the few loose ends in this book.
I wish we got to see more of Katie and Skylar, I found that to be one of the more interesting dynamics. I found their storyline to be one of the few loose ends in this book.
Bloodlust and Bonnets by Emily McGovern
funny
3.0
This was fun and I’d recommend it, but there are a few pacing issues that keep it from being great. Gets better towards the end, I enjoyed the last act a lot.
In the Flo: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life by Alisa Vitti
informative
slow-paced
1.5
There was some good information in this book, but I had to wade through pages and pages of repetition, advertising, and poorly executed testimonials. This book could have easily had 100 pages worth of content removed - this would have been a much nicer read and still would have given me all the same information. There are a couple of poorly done infographics, some of them because they clearly don't translate to black-and-white well. The author painstakingly explains some some concepts and whizzes through others, often in a way that doesn't make sense for the average reader's knowledge level.
The way this is written/presented is such a shame, because I think there's some interesting and valuable information here and I don't know how many people will wade through all the chaff to get to it (and they shouldn't have to!).
The way this is written/presented is such a shame, because I think there's some interesting and valuable information here and I don't know how many people will wade through all the chaff to get to it (and they shouldn't have to!).
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
mysterious
- Strong character development? No
4.0
This is Christie’s first novel and it’s so good! Every character is interesting, and Poirot is so fun and unique. I love how much she pokes fun at the narrator - I laughed out loud several times and was reminded of Austen’s subtle humor. Christie definitely had a Hastings in her life, as do we all.
I have to mention - there are several instances in the dialogue of period-typical racism. Because it’s always in dialogue it’s never clear if the author endorses it, although the (unreliable) narrator doesn’t give it a second thought. It’s possibly a commentary on rich and/or rural British attitudes of the time, but I can’t tell. Mostly antisemitic sentiments, as well as a mention of blackface.
I’m excited to read more of Christie’s works. She’s definitely one of those authors who deserves the hype!
I have to mention - there are several instances in the dialogue of period-typical racism. Because it’s always in dialogue it’s never clear if the author endorses it, although the (unreliable) narrator doesn’t give it a second thought. It’s possibly a commentary on rich and/or rural British attitudes of the time, but I can’t tell. Mostly antisemitic sentiments, as well as a mention of blackface.
I’m excited to read more of Christie’s works. She’s definitely one of those authors who deserves the hype!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
When the Crow's Away by Auralee Wallace
mysterious
4.0
brynn has way more patience for annoying and entitled people than i ever would. bummed i have to wait so long to find out what happens with nick! it looks like we’re in store for an interesting romance…
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A nice addition to the time loop genre.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Sexual harassment
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
slow-paced
3.0
Not what I hoped it would be. A lot of this book just feels vague and nonsensical instead of mysterious, and the pace is quite slow.
I like the soft world building and the way Sophie’s magic works. Howl’s melodrama is fun. There are a lot of great nuggets in this book but so much time is spent on minute details and misdirection that when things are revealed they either feel plot-holey or like a lot of what I just read was a waste because it wasn’t even true/real. Even at the end a lot of things don’t make sense or feel out of place and some fun characters aren’t enough to make up for that.
I like the soft world building and the way Sophie’s magic works. Howl’s melodrama is fun. There are a lot of great nuggets in this book but so much time is spent on minute details and misdirection that when things are revealed they either feel plot-holey or like a lot of what I just read was a waste because it wasn’t even true/real. Even at the end a lot of things don’t make sense or feel out of place and some fun characters aren’t enough to make up for that.