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liamliayaum's reviews
288 reviews
Big in Sweden by Sally Franson
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I truly don't know what to think. The characters are stereotypes of both Americans and Swedes. There are big and flowery words that seem unnecessary. There is repetitive language, for example, the TV show host is always described as affable. Always. There are numerous hot button topics discussed so take care with the content warnings.
The main character, Paulie, has some Karen energy. She is also obsessed with Pippi Longstocking and uses Pippi as her moral compass, as a mid-30s adult.
I don't know if I like or hate it more. At the very least, I can relate to Swedish ancestors coming over to the states as my great grandfather emmigrated and I am in contact with some of my Swedish family. And the fact that I've visited Sweden and a handful of the places mentioned in the book.
To borrow a word from Swedish, this book is a smorgasbord. And, in a way, can't be translated.
The main character, Paulie, has some Karen energy. She is also obsessed with Pippi Longstocking and uses Pippi as her moral compass, as a mid-30s adult.
I don't know if I like or hate it more. At the very least, I can relate to Swedish ancestors coming over to the states as my great grandfather emmigrated and I am in contact with some of my Swedish family. And the fact that I've visited Sweden and a handful of the places mentioned in the book.
To borrow a word from Swedish, this book is a smorgasbord. And, in a way, can't be translated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Racism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content and War
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliott
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
No, skin tones are not exotic. They're just skin tones!
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Similar to the first book, tell versus show. Two comments that gave me the ick in the first thirty pages. I gave the first one a generous 3 stars and I don't even remember it. Not a series for me.
For context, this is one of the ick things:
For context, this is one of the ick things:
“Jasmine pursed her noticeably enhanced ruby lips and gave Zoey a quick once-over, her expression showing great disdain for Zoey's natural striking beauty enhanced by her exotic olive skin tone.”
No, skin tones are not exotic. They're just skin tones!
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Ace and Aro Journeys: A Guide to Embracing Your Asexual or Aromantic Identity by The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project
emotional
informative
medium-paced
3.0
A good primer for anyone who is questioning and/or looking for more information on ace and aro spectrum identities. The glossary and appendix are well stocked with terminology and lots of resources.
If you've done a lot of research and/or been in ace/aro communities awhile, this probably won't be anything new to you. However, this book is littered with direct quotes of peoples' experiences and that helps give more to folks who are already decently versed in the ace/aro spec space.
If you've done a lot of research and/or been in ace/aro communities awhile, this probably won't be anything new to you. However, this book is littered with direct quotes of peoples' experiences and that helps give more to folks who are already decently versed in the ace/aro spec space.
Content Warnings
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gore, Violence, and Blood