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mercator's reviews
80 reviews
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.25
Sad, depressing, gross, beautiful, poetic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina García
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A quick read that didn't make me think of anything I hadn't thought of before, but I generally enjoyed the journey our narrator went on. A pleasant addition to the Snicket world.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It kept me on my toes for most of the book. I did want to find out what happened, how, why - but that excitement was completely overpowered by how disgusting the characters were. The sexism, psychotic teens, general terrible thoughts I was subject to throughout the reading experienced absolutely sullied this book. This isn't the case of an author writing these gross characters in a way to make the reader rethink their sympathies or anything, either. These characters are not written in a way I wanted to root for them, they seem to be the author's inner thoughts and I was disgusted.
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
There are so many characters and they are not strong enough to stand out from each other. For a book about a sports team doing witchcraft, there really isn't a whole lot of interesting sections of witchcraft. I was hoping for a lot more historical connection outside of a name and a lot more interesting coming-of-age things besides sex. The narration was also sort of (I hate to say) cringey at times, especially when they are talking about things new in the late 80s that we know all about now. I know it was trying to be funny but the humor wasn't for me, or maybe I'm too young to appreciate it. There were absolutely endearing moments, and the diversity of the characters and their highlighted stories are really good. But it didn't feel as cohesive as it could have been.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Cute and enjoyable. Not my usual stuff but rec'd by my oldest friend. Cathartic read for queer folks who are frustrated politically :)
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