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maggies's reviews
584 reviews
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
challenging
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
2.0
*Read as part of my challenge to (attempt to) read all 100 of NYT's best books of the 21st century*
This book was readable, but it didn't feel as though much happened. It was mostly a reflection on a harsh life, with visceral analogies that sometimes grossed me out. The narration kept me listening.
This book was readable, but it didn't feel as though much happened. It was mostly a reflection on a harsh life, with visceral analogies that sometimes grossed me out. The narration kept me listening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Secrets and Masks by Emerald_Slytherin
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is not a fun book. It took me significantly longer than usual to finish it because I never looked forward to reading it. And yet I think it may be among the best books I'll read this year. I was consistently angry while reading, but as Tina explained to her patient at the conference, sometimes anger is justified. Misogyny and bigotry cost us so much, and my heart broke over and over for Tina, Ruth, Rebecca, Pamela, and all the sorority sisters. Such a well written and important story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
I'm not a second-chance-romance fan, nor particularly interested in food or wine, but I am a Casey McQuiston fan, and I am particularly drawn to juicy characters, and this book was all that. From the beginning, I was so intrigued by Kit and Theo and what it would be like to love the same person your whole life. For history to repeat itself and play tricks on us. They broke my heart and stitched it back up again and I'll be thinking about them for a while, I'm sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
challenging
funny
fast-paced
3.0
*Read as part of my challenge to (attempt to) read all 100 of NYT's best books of the 21st century*
I can understand why this book was included in the list—it's unflinching and touching and informative. Sometimes I had a hard time following the story, but I enjoyed it overall, especially learning about a time and place and people I'm not particularly familiar with.
I can understand why this book was included in the list—it's unflinching and touching and informative. Sometimes I had a hard time following the story, but I enjoyed it overall, especially learning about a time and place and people I'm not particularly familiar with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and War
The Siren by Katherine St. John
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
I didn’t find this as thrilling as I expected, but it had its moments. Overall it was a bit too exaggerated and dramatic and character motivations/actions sometimes didn’t make sense to me. On the other hand, the mystery and connections between the characters were interesting to tease out through the course of the book. #MeToo rep but it was pretty graphic at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Vomit
The Future by Naomi Alderman
What happens when those closest to the richest people in the world conspire to bring about a better future? I wouldn’t expect anything less than a five-star book from Naomi Alderman. Like The Power, this story is impactful and all-encompassing. I was especially drawn to the idea of short-circuiting the apocalypse—forcing the world to endure a few short years of hardship and sacrifice in order to prevent centuries of evolution. The characters are smart and strong, and I’d like to see what they could do with our world. Feels ripe for a screen adaptation.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Murder, and Abandonment
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Definitely my favorite EH book to date. The setup struck that perfect chord of realism and fantasy, and the development of Miles and Daphne’s relationship was slow and steady. It didn’t feel rushed, no scenes felt out of place, and crucially it also didn’t feel like we were missing any scenes or additional context. The cast of characters around them were also fantastic, from all the library patrons to Ashleigh, Daphne’s mom, and even her dad and Starfire. Waring Bay might be the most diverse small town in the entire state of Michigan, and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
A Queen This Fierce and Deadly by Stacia Stark
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The first book in this series is the best, but I think the subsequent books got a bit overcomplicated, confusing, and long. As the finale, this book did what it needed to do to wrap up the various storylines, but for me it suffered as a result of books 2 and 3. That said, I would still recommend the series to fantasy readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and Murder
When London Snow Falls by Hayden Stone
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
3.0
I had high hopes because of An Unexpected Kind of Love, but I never quite connected with Charlie or Ben. Maybe it would have been more believable if they'd been slightly older? It was a good story, but I didn't find it particularly special or memorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders