leontyna's reviews
1451 reviews

Lawinia by Ursula K. Le Guin

reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I had a great time reading this book, the author did an awesome job filling in the unknowns from the Aeneid. Time to delve into the original now to compare:)
The book itself is quite predictable but I feel it was kind of the goal, given how well-known the myths about it are.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, War

Minor: Miscarriage

Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens

reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Not much happens in this book but it was so well-written that one doesn't mind. I liked the narration device (the ghost I mean), without it this book would be boring for sure. It's also interesting to read it after Everything is tuberculosis because - as the book itself puts it - this one is about godless consumptive crossdressers, so right on theme.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood

Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit

The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

This was such a bizarre book. I think if it went in a different direction and dialed the weirdness a bit, it could have been excellent. The characters were mostly annoying once the novelty of the writing wore off for me, the central mystery got old quickly too.
I expected much more from the book but one thing I can definitely say as a Pole that the cultural references were mostly accurate, I was surprised that so much context (like Szyszko) was included.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

I don't have proper words to express how important this book is and how well written. I'm so grateful to have been able to read it.

Epitafia by Gabriel Leonard Kamiński
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.

I liked the concept but the poetry doesn't wow me and I don't know enough about the most of the historical figures to appreciate the nuance in the epitaphs.

Nie boli by Kateryna Babkina

challenging hopeful sad slow-paced

4.0

It was an excellent collection, somehow at the same time devastating but hopeful. I loved how the contrast or sometimes coexistence of season and war were described.

Cywilizacja Słowian by Kamil Janicki

informative medium-paced

4.0

As always with this author, an excellent book, I learned a lot

Siedem księżyców Maalego Almeidy by Shehan Karunatilaka

challenging dark medium-paced

4.0

It was an amazing book, I was surprised that something with such a dark theme can be so readable.
I really enjoyed the narration concept and the way book was built.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Torture

Minor: Suicide

Serious Concerns by Wendy Cope

funny reflective

3.0

I didn't like this collection as much as Orange but there were quite a few good poems in it. I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't feature drinking and Jesus so much.

Przy sobie by Aldona Kopkiewicz

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

I liked the concept for this book, it was an interesting read. I don't think I've ever read something like that.