livlaw's reviews
601 reviews

All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

reflective slow-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

4.0

I love how mieko kawakami writes. This book is a slow burn in the best way. I love ‘sad girl’ books, and this totally hit the spot. Somehow, kawakami is so good at bringing so much meaning to small moments. I’ll read anything she ever writes. 

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Wow, this book was uncomfortable, visceral, and very truthful. Parts of it felt almost satirical, but it is VERY hard to tell if that was the intention… and I love that! Some people really hated this book, which I totally understand. For me though, an excellent read. 

The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

4.0

BRB moving to a small danish town! Jk, but this book has inspired me to get all my blankets and candles out and start living the danish life. It was such an easy book to fall into, and I loved how Helen Russell structured it, via month and things learned. 

Nowhere for Very Long: The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life by Brianna Madia

adventurous slow-paced

1.75

Ugh this book was not as good as I hoped. I felt so disconnected from the message I think was ‘supposed’ to be portrayed, vs the actual writing and author. It’s so hard to rate a memoir low, but this book just screamed privilege almost to a point of discomfort. 

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.75

Oh my god I tore through this book. Jennette McCurdy has been through it all and she’s a really really excellent writer. This book was so sad but also so funny. Kind of wish I’d listened to the audiobook (and to be honest, I probably will)

Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. 

It was sad, lonely, and a little creepy. I read this in two sittings and it was hard to stop reading. I love how Emi Yagi writes and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her other works. 

Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America by Jane Billinghurst, Peter Wohlleben

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

3.0

This was such a peaceful read! The perfect book to sit outside and read. 

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

I know what the book was trying to do but for me, it didn’t deliver. I couldn’t get myself to connect with or really feel for any of the characters. 

This Is Your Brain on Birth Control: The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences by Sarah Hill

informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

Totally forgot I was reading this until I saw it on my kindle and decided to finish it!

Honestly - a depressing but informative read. Could have been shorter. 

Londoners: The Days and Nights of London Now—As Told by Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It, Left It, and Long for It by Craig Taylor

adventurous emotional funny informative slow-paced

4.0

Loved this book!

There were some super interesting perspectives from such a diverse group of londoners. 

The New York version felt a lot more polished - but does that represent the cities themselves as well? Maybe.