majortomwaits's reviews
269 reviews

Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream by Neil Young

informative medium-paced

4.25

I love Neil Young, so I'm not surprised with the unconventional autobiography. It's a mess and it's all over the place, but it's a funny and interesting mess. 

So if you expected a linear story, think again, it's up to Neil to pick a life event he wants to talk about, but he does it in a wonderfully simplistic way that makes reading this a delight. Hoped for more, but I'm happy regardless.

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

challenging emotional medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

Okay, so I realized that I'm missing out on the party by not having read Jane Eyre, but regardless, this was an interesting read. An almost psychological look at a woman descending into madness instilled onto her by her husband whom I wanted to strangle.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Redemption Song:The Definitive Biography Of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz

informative medium-paced

5.0

Is it fine to say that I couldn't help but cry at the times? 

One of the best rock n roll biographies I've read and I've read a handful of them.

The Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I love noir as a genre of film, but reading it has proven to be a chore. However, something about this book was very different. 

Modern noir set in the land of toys, ideas and imagination with a very dark twist that keeps getting darker. And yet it remains thoroughly emotional and I can tell you that I started crying mere pages into the book. 

And don't worry, it's not that edgy type of 'a murder in toyland' type of story, it's an honest and wonderful tale that everyone should give a chance to. I can assure you that it's worth your time.

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Despite the book itself being short, it took me nearly a month to get through it. It is written in a way that you have no choice but to read it as if you were following a slug to its secret lair. However, it's an interesting read, completely deprived of all happiness and hope, but I picked a right moment to read it, so I'm good. Really the biggest note to the future readers is to not read this while in the middle of a depressive episode and you should be good, pick a bright, good moment for reading it, that way you can 'step away' from the themes and merely observe as the events unfold.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Strangehaven: Conspiracies by Gary Spencer Millidge, Dave Gibbons

Holy shit, I didn't even know about the existence of this series this time yesterday and I am near close to completely finishing it now, absolutely phenomenal! Onto the Meanwhile... issues now, no time to waste!

The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B. Hudspeth

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Many months ago I stumbled across a video that went into great details about this book, but did not say that it was from a book until the very end, so I was sure that it was based on facts. Turns out no, it was just a book, but I was determined to track it down and read it. Well, I gotta say that I'm a bit underwhelmed.

It focuses on anatomy and mythology, as well as mutations, all very interesting subjects set in the late years of 19th and the early years of the 20th century aka the era of body snatching. So as you could've guessed, it is macabre galore. The book is filled with phenomenal illustrations and no wonder, considering that the author is an artist first. And that's where the problem lies if you ask me. The story, while interesting and even gripping, is not very interestingly written. It felt more as if I was reading a newspaper article and I am not the biggest fan of that type of writing. The book itself spans over some 80 or so pages at most, while the rest are illustrations. All I can say is that I expected way, way more.

Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division by Deborah Curtis

dark informative fast-paced

4.0

The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Zafon never disappoints. And while this may be the shortest book in the series that leaves a lot to be desired, it is like a foreplay for the finale, which I am looking forward to for sure. 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

Heartbreaking and horrifying. A journey of a girl trying to keep up with her surroundings until it lands her outside of it and into the metaphorical bell jar.