mgris's reviews
129 reviews

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Been a long time coming. It's less shocking than I thought it would be, but it's oddly way more human than I expected.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

adventurous mysterious medium-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? No

4.0

I had read a few of these stories over the years, but revisiting Baker Street is always a joy.

The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft by Leslie S. Klinger, H.P. Lovecraft

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.0

I think I've been reading this book on and off for like 3 years, and it's surreal to finally finish it. I'll probably be rereading the individual stories for years to come, to be honest

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

I feel like there's a lot of symbolism that goes over my head right now, but the surface level is really good. Definitely worth a reread at some point.

Capitan Grisam y el Amor by Elisabetta Gnone

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.0

What can I say? It's cute. It's sweet. It's heartwarming.

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.0

As usual, reading Gaiman is very enjoyable. The man just has a style I enjoy, and interests I share. He's hornier than I remembered or expected, though.

El código de la vida: Jennifer Doudna, la edición genética y el futuro de la especie humana by Walter Isaacson

hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

2.5

 A biography of Nobel prize winner Jennifer Doudna. A pretty big chunk of the book is spent talking about CRISPR, the many researchers that studied it, and the implications of gene editing (very interesting topic). Which is just as well, since Doudna's life isn't very exciting, to be honest. The covid section is kind of a slog.

Passport to Magonia: On UFOs, Folklore, and Parallel Worlds by Jacques F. Vallée

informative mysterious medium-paced

3.0

I don't really believe in UFOs, but I think equating them psychologically and philosophically with fair folk encounters is an intriguing idea. The book itself was alright, maybe a little dry. Had a long index of UFO sightings, which could be of interest for some people.

Erebus: The Story of a Ship by Michael Palin

The first half is kind of a funny read after having read At The Mountains of Madness.

Redwall by Brian Jacques

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

Again, I swear I'm not a furry.
Still, pretty good, slightly bloodier than expected. I like children's fiction that takes itself seriously