lizflynn's reviews
774 reviews

Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I thought this was a very good debut novel. Writing a narrative that spans decades is no easy feat. This isn’t the best attempt I’ve read, but it’s solid. Sometimes I felt like things got skimmed over, and it was kind of disorienting to revisit a character years later. I felt like we got so much of Lotus and Luna in the beginning, but then they dropped off when I wanted to glimpse more of their stories. 

Overall, this story is beautiful, heartbreaking, and bleak at times- fully reflective of life. There are some gorgeous, gorgeous sentences and paragraphs throughout. I will totally read more of Juhea Kim’s work in the future. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Grief, War, Violence, and Sexual violence

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I love Rooney’s writing. 

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A sci-fi classic 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cannibalism, Sexual assault, and Gun violence

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

This was cute. Emily Henry’s books have become an escape for me, and they’re always fun to read. I think I liked People We Meet On Vacation a little more, but this is still worth the hype. Definitely read if you’re already a Henry fan or if you love romance!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

mysterious tense

4.0

This was a pretty well done thriller. The twist at the end was pretty good and the red herrings throughout were pretty convincing. Overall a really fun read. 

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.0

Love That Story by Jonathan Van Ness

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I'm So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0