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machadamia's reviews
314 reviews
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
4.25
This book is such a roller coaster ride and you should preferably binge it.
I came across this book from a book club and when reading the synopsis, a few things caught my eye that made me want to read it. I liked that it covers perspective from a few people across time. From the ancient all the way into the future and that really intrigued me. It reminded me of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr which was a book I rather enjoyed and hence, I dived in.
At first, it really felt like reading 3 separate stories until it starts to come together in small, intriguing ways. I think the author is great in planting these small things throughout the book that makes you think "oh hmm wait a second". And then later on you realise why they were there. That, and the multiple short chapters really kept me engaged and I read this one in like 2 days.
I much enjoyed majority of it and binging the book means I didn't have time to think about why this guy is here or doing this and that. Which is to say, most of the so called plot holes didn't really get to me because I didn't think that they were such. Only after discussion with various members of the book club who took a longer time to read and digest this book did I see that such plot holes were quite apparent. I think the author isn't trying to write a story where every single thing is justified and indeed if one were to write that, there would be so much unnecessary detailing of things. I like the book as it is.
I do find that at the end,the twist was rather forced in a certain way. I did not see it coming for sure, and it did make me "go oh my god". But after the initial shock, I found that bit to be the most sort of inconsistent in terms of plot. Like I could think of a million questions as to why I feel like it doesn't really make sense. But then again, I guess that's why mind f*cking books are so good because they make you think why how what.
As a book written during the pandemic, I think it reflects so much of what the author is feeling at that point in time. The feeling of isolation and knowing that people are dying and yet you are alive and well. The sort of guilt and cabin fever one feels. It covered so many aspects of the human condition and really got me reflecting about how our lives are and what we should be doing with the time we have. I particularly like the part about thesimulation and how it doesn't matter if it really means we are in one. It basically tells the reader that it doesn't even matter, not the investigation or why we are in this simulation. Really takes sci fi and spins it because so much of sci fi is sort of investigating all these phenomenon and then it leading to a bigger and bigger plot but I liked that it really doesn't matter and hey we should just enjoy life.
Overall, a very fast and easy read. Very worth taking your time to read.
I came across this book from a book club and when reading the synopsis, a few things caught my eye that made me want to read it. I liked that it covers perspective from a few people across time. From the ancient all the way into the future and that really intrigued me. It reminded me of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr which was a book I rather enjoyed and hence, I dived in.
At first, it really felt like reading 3 separate stories until it starts to come together in small, intriguing ways. I think the author is great in planting these small things throughout the book that makes you think "oh hmm wait a second". And then later on you realise why they were there. That, and the multiple short chapters really kept me engaged and I read this one in like 2 days.
I much enjoyed majority of it and binging the book means I didn't have time to think about why this guy is here or doing this and that. Which is to say, most of the so called plot holes didn't really get to me because I didn't think that they were such. Only after discussion with various members of the book club who took a longer time to read and digest this book did I see that such plot holes were quite apparent. I think the author isn't trying to write a story where every single thing is justified and indeed if one were to write that, there would be so much unnecessary detailing of things. I like the book as it is.
I do find that at the end,
As a book written during the pandemic, I think it reflects so much of what the author is feeling at that point in time. The feeling of isolation and knowing that people are dying and yet you are alive and well. The sort of guilt and cabin fever one feels. It covered so many aspects of the human condition and really got me reflecting about how our lives are and what we should be doing with the time we have. I particularly like the part about the
Overall, a very fast and easy read. Very worth taking your time to read.
Violent Borders: Refugees and the Right to Move by Reece Jones
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This is a truly thoughtful book about what the world is like at the moment, where borders are hard and violence is carried out everyday.
I picked this book up thinking that it would be about the various borders around the world and what makes them violent. Sort of a revelation to the public or an expose on what it is really like for people who are not privileged enough to own a good passport or even be born in a country whose citizens are widely accepted in many countries. While it definitely started out this way, it later delved into the history of how certain borders came about - very mind blowing by the way and really gave me an insight into how damaging colonialism was for everyone aside from the colonisers.
The book also went through aspects I knew about but never really considered it to be problematic. Such as borders in the sea, and how people migrate because of climate change and how the UN is essentially useless because of how it started and who is heading it. The environmental problems and how having borders plays a huge part in countries not banding together to solve it.
The book is so pack full of information and is really reminiscent of Naomi Klein's work for me. As someone who cares deeply about the environmental state of the planet and social problems, this was an eye opener. With that said, I cannot say that I enjoyed reading it. Not just because the topic and writing is serious, but also because the writing is sometimes a little dry and packs way too much information such as statistics at times. I do think that they are important but putting some of them in footnotes instead would greatly help the reading experience of a layman. Of course, the author may not be targeting an everyday person.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about migration, environmental problems and who benefits and why from countries having such well defined borders and who protects only their own (spoiler alert, it is really why the world is so unequal).
I picked this book up thinking that it would be about the various borders around the world and what makes them violent. Sort of a revelation to the public or an expose on what it is really like for people who are not privileged enough to own a good passport or even be born in a country whose citizens are widely accepted in many countries. While it definitely started out this way, it later delved into the history of how certain borders came about - very mind blowing by the way and really gave me an insight into how damaging colonialism was for everyone aside from the colonisers.
The book also went through aspects I knew about but never really considered it to be problematic. Such as borders in the sea, and how people migrate because of climate change and how the UN is essentially useless because of how it started and who is heading it. The environmental problems and how having borders plays a huge part in countries not banding together to solve it.
The book is so pack full of information and is really reminiscent of Naomi Klein's work for me. As someone who cares deeply about the environmental state of the planet and social problems, this was an eye opener. With that said, I cannot say that I enjoyed reading it. Not just because the topic and writing is serious, but also because the writing is sometimes a little dry and packs way too much information such as statistics at times. I do think that they are important but putting some of them in footnotes instead would greatly help the reading experience of a layman. Of course, the author may not be targeting an everyday person.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about migration, environmental problems and who benefits and why from countries having such well defined borders and who protects only their own (spoiler alert, it is really why the world is so unequal).
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Perhaps it’s my expectation of what a novel should be but I didn’t particularly think this one should be described as a novel. In no way did I find the structure and flow similar to a novel. Or maybe it’s an inventive new way of seeing novels and how it’s written. Think of it more as a long meandering stream of consciousness which is really leading to nowhere and asking the reader to think about a lot of things with no answer. I genuinely was lost at some moments though I understand that as a poet, he was probably playing with words and metaphors. Nonetheless, I wish it a bit more accessible in those moments - and this is coming from someone who likes reading poetry and do close reading sometimes! Perhaps I just wasn’t prepared for how much mental energy I needed to spend to decipher each bit in this one.
In moments where it made sense, I saw where this was going and felt the pain of circumstances Vuong wanted to describe. At the end of it though, I am left wondering what the points of it all is. Perhaps because I am not American and I cannot truly comprehend every aspect of it because I simply do not have that kind of lived experience. In a way, I was also affected by the way the media has described this book - a revelation of sorts.
Regardless, I enjoyed the prose and found certain parts very well written. I liked the weaving in of historical elements and the feeling of seeing the world from the eyes of the author. Which I think is what the author wanted the reader to experience so I would say, he managed to do it.
In moments where it made sense, I saw where this was going and felt the pain of circumstances Vuong wanted to describe. At the end of it though, I am left wondering what the points of it all is. Perhaps because I am not American and I cannot truly comprehend every aspect of it because I simply do not have that kind of lived experience. In a way, I was also affected by the way the media has described this book - a revelation of sorts.
Regardless, I enjoyed the prose and found certain parts very well written. I liked the weaving in of historical elements and the feeling of seeing the world from the eyes of the author. Which I think is what the author wanted the reader to experience so I would say, he managed to do it.
Himawari House by Harmony Becker
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
At the heart of it, it is about a Japanese girl's journey back to Japan to figure out her roots. Along the way she meets a cast of characters who are more than meets the eye. Each of them has a reason to be in Japan. Whether it is running away from the past, or being unsure of their own future. A small romance blossoms (very cute!) and true friendships form. It is a very heartwarming tale told in beautiful art and witty dialogue.
Think of a slice of life drama showing three strangers from different nations getting to know each other and connecting on a deeper level as they live together in a share house. And that is this book I think the biggest merit this book has is the ability to accurately portray people from different backgrounds through the way it is written and drawn. I really loved how it was done when they couldn't really understand certain words, when they tried to communicate across languages and across cultures. As a Singaporean myself, I didn't expect a Singaporean to be one of the main characters here! At first when I saw that, I was kind of worried that the author would butcher it but everything felt so accurate.
Think of a slice of life drama showing three strangers from different nations getting to know each other and connecting on a deeper level as they live together in a share house. And that is this book I think the biggest merit this book has is the ability to accurately portray people from different backgrounds through the way it is written and drawn. I really loved how it was done when they couldn't really understand certain words, when they tried to communicate across languages and across cultures. As a Singaporean myself, I didn't expect a Singaporean to be one of the main characters here! At first when I saw that, I was kind of worried that the author would butcher it but everything felt so accurate.
At the end, I saw that she had consulted with experts from each country to ensure proper portrayal and I am so glad she did because this work is amazing.
I do just have one complaint - because of the length of the book and the number of characters, I felt like some of the characters backstories and resolutions were a little too rushed. I wish she focused more on one and did 3 volumes, each on one of them. So actually my complaint is that it is too little, I wish there was more!
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Many, many woman in this world have probably been sexually harassed/assaulted before. I, myself, have been through this in my life. Each time, I wondered what it would be like to have brought it forward to the authority and why could I not and why is this world like that why are certain men like that. Chanel did something so brave when she decided to pursue the case even though she said she wasn't aware what saying yes would mean. What came after was such a traumatic experience that this first hand recounting really made me so disgusted at the current systems in place to punish people who have violated something is so lacking. I understand that these things are put in place to prevent abuse and to ensure that people are not wrongly punished but it often feels not enough when the perp goes scot free and the victim is left to deal with it for the rest of their lives.
Chanel talks about how she felt like she lost her name when being called Jane Doe and how she struggled with telling her close friends and family about this especially when it was all everyone could talk about at the time. It was such a well known case internationally. Through this, I felt her isolation and loneliness. I felt her anger and frustrations in the system and the way things are run in court. And her blinding anger at the final verdict. Each time, I was pulled into the story by her very personal prose. At times, I felt like this could be me and I was afraid for myself. At other times, I felt angry at the past me who had warped views based on upbringing.
This book was tough to read but also hard to put down. It is heavy and difficult but absolutely worthwhile to anyone who cares about humans.
Chanel talks about how she felt like she lost her name when being called Jane Doe and how she struggled with telling her close friends and family about this especially when it was all everyone could talk about at the time. It was such a well known case internationally. Through this, I felt her isolation and loneliness. I felt her anger and frustrations in the system and the way things are run in court. And her blinding anger at the final verdict. Each time, I was pulled into the story by her very personal prose. At times, I felt like this could be me and I was afraid for myself. At other times, I felt angry at the past me who had warped views based on upbringing.
This book was tough to read but also hard to put down. It is heavy and difficult but absolutely worthwhile to anyone who cares about humans.
Me, Mikko, and Annikki: A Community Love Story in a Finnish City by Tiitu Takalo
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5
I loved this graphic novel so much. I was a little confused as to where it could be going at first especially with the back and forth between the past and the current but as it went on, it became much clearer. I really liked the structure, and how it was two narratives slowly converging, bringing us through the current day’s romance story and then the past developments of this town and finally how they connect into a purchase of a block. The story was beautifully crafted, as well as the art.
The story surrounded a block in Finland and I am enamoured by the preservation efforts made by the community. The perseverance, especially when campaigning for the block to be left alone and not torn down was admirable. I loved the part where the residents renovated their own places themselves and how they also helped each other out. The parts where they were angry and frustrated was so realistic and I'm glad the author didn't try to paint that entire part as all fine and dandy because it is tough work that isn't always very fun. I quite liked how the ending was more of a look towards the future, like a look forward to more things from this place rather than an ending per se.
Overall, very worth picking up this book. Feel all the feelings, learn all the history and see how a community can get together and make something.
The story surrounded a block in Finland and I am enamoured by the preservation efforts made by the community. The perseverance, especially when campaigning for the block to be left alone and not torn down was admirable. I loved the part where the residents renovated their own places themselves and how they also helped each other out. The parts where they were angry and frustrated was so realistic and I'm glad the author didn't try to paint that entire part as all fine and dandy because it is tough work that isn't always very fun. I quite liked how the ending was more of a look towards the future, like a look forward to more things from this place rather than an ending per se.
Overall, very worth picking up this book. Feel all the feelings, learn all the history and see how a community can get together and make something.
French Milk by Lucy Knisley
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
It was an overall, rather enjoyable book to read. I felt like I was sort of living through her eyes, going through Paris with her mum and dad and friends. The illustrations were cute and the journal aspect made me feel rather involved. I thought if how Paris could be like in 2007 and wondered how I’ll feel on a trip like that.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As a fan of her debut novel, The Love Hypothesis, and also someone who was disappointed by all other releases by Hazelwood, I actually enjoyed this one.
The premise of academic rivals falling in love is cute but throw in some fake dating side shenanigans and I am rather sold. I am a simple gal.
Things I rather liked -
About 1/3 in, I thought that she finally found her stride the story flowed well into the next beat and the next and the next. Until we reached the moment where they startedsleeping together and it was just non stop those scenes, I wondered if they need to work and how they were keeping their jobs. Maybe because this book didn’t have the dates written like TLH had so it felt like it was just every other day. The main conflicts were predictable if you’ve read her previous books but I appreciated that this time there were many more layers to the hurdles the couple have to jump through. From the interview which I thought was going to be sabotaged by her mentor but in fact it was the system problem (btw I love that we learned more about the issues in STEM for women) and then her mentor being linked to Jack’s past. I really appreciated that this time there was a lot more academia stuff which was what I was interested in when reading her STEM books. I also liked that there was a lot more proper dating this time as compared to TLH before they officially got together, together.
I’m glad the male main character here got a more fleshed out backstory as well. And I love that Elsie is actually very badass and smart like she isn’t stumbling around crying for help, she is actively so good at doing what she does.
Things I disliked -
At the start, I got irritated at her writing style. It kind of felt like she was having trouble even starting the book and googled a bunch of words she wanted to put in - a bunch of smart sounding words that is. I mean I have no doubt Hazelwood is smart, she is a phd holder! But the sentences felt a bit forced. At times I am just skipping over those additional descriptors because like yeah I got it they feel this way don’t need to be a bit more unhinged and give me 3 more short sentences exclaiming it but I’m realising this is her style which was fine previously but a little annoying now.
I hated all the random pop culture stuff she just had to throw in there for no reason but okay she is a nerd I get it. I just didn’t like that it didn’t really serve the story and this usually happens during the annoying 3 additional unnecessary sentences describing those things.
Okay I just want to say that the main plot driver is rather implausible - like how canthis guy just see all the lies she is telling?!! There must be some lies that gets past him.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read! Probably one of her better releases.
The premise of academic rivals falling in love is cute but throw in some fake dating side shenanigans and I am rather sold. I am a simple gal.
Things I rather liked -
About 1/3 in, I thought that she finally found her stride the story flowed well into the next beat and the next and the next. Until we reached the moment where they started
I’m glad the male main character here got a more fleshed out backstory as well. And I love that Elsie is actually very badass and smart like she isn’t stumbling around crying for help, she is actively so good at doing what she does.
Things I disliked -
At the start, I got irritated at her writing style. It kind of felt like she was having trouble even starting the book and googled a bunch of words she wanted to put in - a bunch of smart sounding words that is. I mean I have no doubt Hazelwood is smart, she is a phd holder! But the sentences felt a bit forced. At times I am just skipping over those additional descriptors because like yeah I got it they feel this way don’t need to be a bit more unhinged and give me 3 more short sentences exclaiming it but I’m realising this is her style which was fine previously but a little annoying now.
I hated all the random pop culture stuff she just had to throw in there for no reason but okay she is a nerd I get it. I just didn’t like that it didn’t really serve the story and this usually happens during the annoying 3 additional unnecessary sentences describing those things.
Okay I just want to say that the main plot driver is rather implausible - like how can
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read! Probably one of her better releases.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I listened to the audiobook - finished the first 2 and when I got to this book, I'm not sure if it was because I was so annoyed by the middle grade writing (I know, I know, this is a middle grade book and I knew what I was getting myself into) that I really couldn't love the story. It was just okay for me but this one felt a lot more meh than the first 2.
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0