mikkiokko's reviews
107 reviews

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares

mysterious tense

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

Sometimes it is the end of a book that saves it from the eternal sorrow corner of my brain. 

Here's the thing, this narrator: annoying as fuck. Will never shut up. Annoying. Insecure man baby and will make everyone else pay for it. A man who will do anything but leave a woman alone. A man who would rather die than change.

But thank god, there were some things in the end that made it interesting. The sci-fi element and the musings on the meaning/impact of the images were great to circle around. Plus, I personally kept relating parts of the images to modern day social media. It made me fear the immortality of our social media use and how we become more obsessed with it than real life. Love that! And I think the narrator getting into thinking about Morel and in turn being forced to confront himself, fabulous. 

I'm glad I was forced to read this book, it's some new knowledge. And I appreciate somethings about this book, and overall I'd say it's good. BUT this author trying to imbue this romance, please god no please no no no god no

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I almost dislike trying to say anything about books this GREAT because nothing I say will ever capture what makes it so good. Read the blurbs, I'm sure people much smarter than me can capture the technical greatness of it (the writing, guys, seriously, thank god Kaveh Akbar exists). 

But all I can say is that books like this are pure magic somehow existing in our world. 

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

I appreciate the story of Jennifer's experience of motherhood the most in this book. It is one not thought of enough I think.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Nimona by ND Stevenson

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

I have six tests/projects this upcoming week. This book prepared me and soothed my aching soul. Fantastic!

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

adventurous emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

This is the first book for a book club I joined and I must say, this book grew on me. In all honesty, I would have never picked up this book and in the beginning I struggled to keep picking it up. But I was proven wrong and for that I am glad I was forced to read it because I found some really touching things within it (along with a lot of hot goss and frustration towards characters haha). I will say, the writing is not my favorite. I feel like it tells more than shows a little too much, but even then there were times where it hit a little better. Overall, a pleasant experience!

(Also I freaking love Charlie. He makes me almost cry)

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I am crying while loving every living thing. 
The more this book marinates, the closer it gets to my heart. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and War

Moderate: Alcoholism and Death

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Mi-Ye Lee 이미예

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Ugh! Love it! For another cozy episodic fantasy book I think that this one is one of the better written. For instance, DDDS is often compared to "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" but I think I'd recommend DDDS more because it does not suffer from the fame faults as BCGC. DDDS is never repetitive and instead each new chapter brings more and more to the whimsical world Lee has constructed (the structure of the chapters also differs from time to time which is nice). Her characters are also very lovable, fun, and a little mysterious at times. I truly could not escape from Lee's world once I entered it. 

The only thing I wished for more of was an explanation of was what was going on with Penny and Maxim. There was clearly something then it just disappeared...sequel? I guess we'll have to wait and see :)

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I am here for the atmosphere. Yoshimoto gave such life to small little moments, absolutely loved it. Also, a surprising amount of despair in this book. If you like Mieko Kawakami then I def recommend giving Banana Yoshimoto a read.   

The Houseguest: And Other Stories by Amparo Dávila

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Nice collection. I liked the subtle and unexplained horror, but if you don't that's cool just keep it in mind before you think of buying/reading it. The writing style was good for me most of the time, but I did feel like some of the longer stories dragged on/felt lengthened with unnecessary information. I did like the feminist horror and got some serious chills about the experience of being ignored being reflected with supernatural or real elements. However, I think I am a little put off by using insanity/mental illness as horror (this mainly applies to the story "Oscar"). All to say, I thought "The Houseguest" was pretty good. Also, shout out to the cover designer, Oliver Munday, you ate with this one. 

My fav stories: 
"The Houseguest"
"Fragment of a Diary [July & August]" (This one is such good psychological horror)
"Tina Reyes"
"The Breakfast"