makenal's reviews
14 reviews

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

honestly the fact that she didn’t lose her phone earlier is crazy

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

what a silly, quick, but reflective book. I am obsessed with heckit and i am so glad i picked this book up. It was a really quick read, but so unique and fun. 

Galatea by Madeline Miller

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Very, very quick read but beautiful and impactful. It really resonated. I wish it were longer so that I could continue to get invested in the story, but I do think the length of it added to the impactful nature of the story

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH that book was so good & cute. HAPPY PRIDE!!!!

The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Quick and interesting! At first, I was feeling a bit underwhelmed but as it delved deeper, I got invested and loved it! This is very powerful when considering the times it written. Finished it super super fast!

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Come Closer by Sara Gran

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did! It was a very quick read and it was different than anything I’d ever read before. I finished it in a day and I definitely feel like I have to give it another read. I’ve always been a fan of horror movies, but I’ve never given horror books a try. I wouldn’t say this was necessarily scary, but it was so interesting to read from the perspective of a woman slowly being possessed. I loved the way that you could feel her losing herself and beginning to miss her old life. I think it was beautifully written at certain points and was very unique! 

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

5.0

At first, I wasn’t completely meshing with the writing style and how nonchalant Miri was when describing what was happening in her life. However, I came to realize that her apathy towards these abnormal and jarring experiences with Leah that she’s unfolding to the reader really demonstrates how numb we can become to extraordinary troubles when presented when them for long enough, especially with no solution in sight. I ended up loving this book. It was definitely a bit slow to start, but the last half kept me up until the sunrise so that I could finish reading it. I loved the different perspectives and how they unfolded the story in different ways. I loved how the book continued to reference back to earlier parts of the book or of their relationship. One of them would reference something that they were confused about the other and then the other would explain that their reasoning was rooted in the love they had for them. I love love loved it. Dealt with grief, loss, sexuality, and changes in relationships in such a unique way. And along the way, I felt like the metaphors and imagery having to do with the ocean kept me intrigued and wanting to learn more. I would highly recommend this book!

As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem

funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, but I really did enjoy it! It was strange and simple all at the same time. The story arch is very simple and easy to follow, but a lot of the language can be complicated and long. It was a very classic tale of boy likes girl and girl likes someone (or something or a lack of something) else, but it told it in such a unique way that kept me intrigued throughout the book. I read a majority of the book in one day, after spending a couple days on the first fifty pages. I honestly really loved the imagery, especially in the last parts of the book. I feel like you can really feel Philip begin to descend into desperation. Overall, this was a fun book and I’m glad I picked it up!

Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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 really loved this book! It embraced being a woman in such a unique perspective that allowed me to reflect on my own femininity. This truly is such a reflective book that allows you to take a look inside of yourself and adjust the view that you may have around destiny or fate. I love love loved it.