lilaharris's reviews
8 reviews

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

dark funny medium-paced

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

5.0

I read this book nonstop for one day, only pausing when I decided I needed to savor my time with it. I LOVED the characters so so much. They were well thought out, funny, and beautifully messy. I loved the descriptions of the animals in the story, I found myself falling in love with them like they were my own and laughing to myself a lot. The book was definitely weird, but those are my favorite types of books because it makes the strangeness of being a human seem so normal and beautiful. 

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

I finished this really fast, it was definitely a quick read. I think the main thing that stumped me was the language used, it felt like I wasn't understanding anything because of the science fiction terms that were never defined. The whole concept was really interesting, though.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

Oh my god this book put me in a major reading slump. I had to read other books in the middle just to get through it. I can understand why it's popular. The characters are lovable and overall it's a hopeful and beautiful story. It felt really shallow to me though? I'm not sure what it was, but I just could not love it.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

Oh my god I loved this book. The way Murakami writes is so so fascinating. I fell in love with the characters and their thoughts and their lives. The beauty in the imperfection and vulnerability drew me in and made me feel seen. 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

3.75

This was my first book by Joan Didion, and I love love love her writing style. I found myself learning a lot because I haven't experienced grief to that extent in my life yet, so while at some points it wasn't relatable, it was very informative and beautiful. I would love to read a novel by her next.

Just Kids by Patti Smith

inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

This book completely changed my idea of what art is, and what it means to be an artist. Patti Smith beautifully captures her experience with art and her love for her best friend. I've never read anything like it, and I don't think I'll ever be the same. Cried pretty hard at the end.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I read The Silent Patient in under 24 hours. I can say that it definitely captures your attention the whole time, and I honestly didn't expect the plot twist. I thought the concepts were interesting and the whole plot was well thought out.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

reflective medium-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

4.75

This book was great. I read most of it in Jamaica, and the scene around me mixed with the scenes in the book overall felt like some kind of dream. I became so attached to the characters, as well as Ferrante's writing style. I'm excited to read the next book!