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minibabble's Reviews (121)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Hilarious. Memorable. Sweet. Authentic. A truly kind and human-experience centered love letter by Backman to his son. We cover every “big” life topic in the most comedic way possible.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another brilliant story by Backman. A sweet, touching, and memorable story about holding onto memories while letting go of very elderly family members. It’s hard to follow what’s happening at first because of the jumbled memories jumping between the past and present, but that’s the whole point. You’re in the shoes of a grandpa with dementia.
Plot moved way too slow for me and I didn't find any of the characters special or relatable. It just seemed like a lot of yap. Maybe I'll go back and skim through to finish, but it's a DNF for me.
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's hard to rate this book. It's enjoyable, funny, and gives us an insight into the thought process and mind of an anxious, depressed, and people-pleasing person who is deeply afraid of death or harming anyone-- even if it means she may harm or make herself unhappy in the process.
The writing is super ADHD coded, with the main character's thoughts jumping around. As such, this book might not be for everyone, and sometimes, I would feel a bit overstimulated too. But that's the power and elegance of Emily Austin's writing. She does a really fantastic job placing the reader in the main character's shoes, and makes their thought process feel like your own. We start to recognize little glimmers and special moments in day-to-day life that make life special and worth living, even if the rest of the world/life feels meaningless, empty, overwhelming, depressing, destructive, or boring. It marries this perfectly with the slightly self-destructive, exhausting, and overstimulating aspects of being depressed and not having energy to do anything. The sapphic love story is not the main focus of the book, but it is a pillar in the MC learning how to overcome depression, hold herself accountable for the (very minimal imo) damage she's caused, and find the little joys in life.
It feels like Flea Bag, but sapphic, slightly more depressed, way more anxious, and not quite as funny (though, this book is still really funny; holding it up to Flea Bag levels of humor is an extremely high bar).
So many moments throughout the book are awkward, funny, relatable, and not-so-charming-but-still-loveable. I walk away having more empathy for the MC and anxious/depressed people in my life in general. This book is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth picking up and trying out. Plus, it's super short. The audiobook is great too.
The writing is super ADHD coded, with the main character's thoughts jumping around. As such, this book might not be for everyone, and sometimes, I would feel a bit overstimulated too. But that's the power and elegance of Emily Austin's writing. She does a really fantastic job placing the reader in the main character's shoes, and makes their thought process feel like your own. We start to recognize little glimmers and special moments in day-to-day life that make life special and worth living, even if the rest of the world/life feels meaningless, empty, overwhelming, depressing, destructive, or boring. It marries this perfectly with the slightly self-destructive, exhausting, and overstimulating aspects of being depressed and not having energy to do anything. The sapphic love story is not the main focus of the book, but it is a pillar in the MC learning how to overcome depression, hold herself accountable for the (very minimal imo) damage she's caused, and find the little joys in life.
It feels like Flea Bag, but sapphic, slightly more depressed, way more anxious, and not quite as funny (though, this book is still really funny; holding it up to Flea Bag levels of humor is an extremely high bar).
So many moments throughout the book are awkward, funny, relatable, and not-so-charming-but-still-loveable. I walk away having more empathy for the MC and anxious/depressed people in my life in general. This book is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth picking up and trying out. Plus, it's super short. The audiobook is great too.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A relatively short read that touches on Rapinoe's upbringing, college years, career, and political activism. I understand that the BLM movement is very core to her values, activism, and what she is best known for, but I wish there was a bit more about her equal pay activism. Parts of the book describing her reasoning about her commitment to BLM felt a bit more preachy or a repeat of popular headlines, but I can't complain too much because it is an extremely important cause and Rapinoe has repeatedly risked her career for it.
I wish it was a bit more tell-all and included more details about her hard work/childhood/etc. to become a successful soccer player, and that it would've better balanced discussing her women's pay gap, BLM, LGBTQ+ rights activism. It's limited mostly to her life 2016-2020, and 60% BLM, 20% pay gap, 20% queer rights. I imagine this is because the book was released in 2020, and the height of her popularity and activism was during the Trump admin. Still, it was still a relatively authentic read. Rapinoe acknowledges when she could've done/said/acted better, as well as when she was being treated unfairly or held to a double standard for standing up for what she believed in. Not a favorite/standout, but not terrible or unreadable either.
I wish it was a bit more tell-all and included more details about her hard work/childhood/etc. to become a successful soccer player, and that it would've better balanced discussing her women's pay gap, BLM, LGBTQ+ rights activism. It's limited mostly to her life 2016-2020, and 60% BLM, 20% pay gap, 20% queer rights. I imagine this is because the book was released in 2020, and the height of her popularity and activism was during the Trump admin. Still, it was still a relatively authentic read. Rapinoe acknowledges when she could've done/said/acted better, as well as when she was being treated unfairly or held to a double standard for standing up for what she believed in. Not a favorite/standout, but not terrible or unreadable either.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Almost perfect. The twist is predictable but that doesn’t make the book not enjoyable. I love the dual perspective story telling between Nick and Amy; it’s the best insight into their psyche and their biased opinions on certain key plot points.
Gillian flynn nails writing the female villain— their perspective, motivations, and perspectives.
Gillian flynn nails writing the female villain— their perspective, motivations, and perspectives.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Yes
Fucking brilliant. 15/10.
Hilarious. Heartbreaking. Emotional. Human. Bloody Brilliant.
Backman is an incredibly comedic writer with a talent for writing deeply human and relation characters. Ove seems like a bitter old man. And he is. He's a stickler for stupid rules and would be the President of your HOA. "Rules are Rules." Then, skipping back and forth between his past/background and present-day events, you learn more about him and what makes him the way he is. Suddenly, you'll be rooting for him more than ever and love him. Backman skillfully helps build a character, the narrative, and the plot in a compelling and funny way. I've never related with a 60 year old man more in my life. Like Anxious People, this book also explores [triggers]suicidal thoughts, suicide, suicide attempts , and it is written in a way that makes it relatable/"logical" even if you-- like me-- have never struggled with those things.
There's great representation of immigrant/mixed families interacting with and assimilating with long-time residents of old neighborhoods, gentrification, and the importance of community/love.
I wouldn't change a thing about this book. Pacing is medium--fast, which I like. It's very fitting and there's never an excessive lull or rushed period. The ending had me sobbing and cheering and laughing. The audiobook is also great!!
Hilarious. Heartbreaking. Emotional. Human. Bloody Brilliant.
Backman is an incredibly comedic writer with a talent for writing deeply human and relation characters. Ove seems like a bitter old man. And he is. He's a stickler for stupid rules and would be the President of your HOA. "Rules are Rules." Then, skipping back and forth between his past/background and present-day events, you learn more about him and what makes him the way he is. Suddenly, you'll be rooting for him more than ever and love him. Backman skillfully helps build a character, the narrative, and the plot in a compelling and funny way. I've never related with a 60 year old man more in my life. Like Anxious People, this book also explores [triggers]
There's great representation of immigrant/mixed families interacting with and assimilating with long-time residents of old neighborhoods, gentrification, and the importance of community/love.
I wouldn't change a thing about this book. Pacing is medium--fast, which I like. It's very fitting and there's never an excessive lull or rushed period. The ending had me sobbing and cheering and laughing. The audiobook is also great!!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
- Pretty funny book about humanity and anxieties about life
- Highlights the pressures of trying to be the best parent/partner/person and taking care of people we love
- How far will we go to protect our loved ones?
- I loved Zara's character and ark. She's an old successful banker, but something is haunting her past.
- Roger is funny. Learning more about his relationship with Anna Lena is where Backman's humanistic writing shines
- Sweet, realistic, authentic father/son (cop and younger cop) relationship
- Loved the casual WLW relationship representation, and lack of "commodifying" their relationship. In other words, their relationship is just like any other couple and is not treated in a excess special light that pink washes the novel.
Funny, but not as funny as A Man Called Ove. As always, Backman's messaging and style of writing about humanity is fantastic. All the characters feel very human. He did a great job subtly weaving each character's background with another, and how past experiences inform and affect a character's current decision or logic. Parts of the book were a bit slower than the others, but the book was still paced relatively well. Perhaps I don't really relate to all of it because I'm not the most anxious person nor struggle with
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s pretty good and Carrie soto is a ruthlessly competitive, ambitious, and focused player— which is exactly what you’d expect from a world class tennis player. She’s unlikeable, but it makes sense. Not all main characters have to be morally perfect.
I wish more of the character development was spread throughout the book. It felt concentrated towards the last 25%. I didn’t mind the tennis technicalities. It helps add logic and validity to what the main character does and how she practices. I liked reading about the development of her personality throughout childhood and early adulthood, leading up to the events of the story where she is 37.
I wish more of the character development was spread throughout the book. It felt concentrated towards the last 25%. I didn’t mind the tennis technicalities. It helps add logic and validity to what the main character does and how she practices. I liked reading about the development of her personality throughout childhood and early adulthood, leading up to the events of the story where she is 37.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the audiobook a lot. The writing in the book is pretty good. The author does a good job telling a story from multiple perspectives, including highlighting accuracies/consistencies and inconsistencies based on the character's background or perception of an event. That's difficult to do, and the author pulled it off.
The story is entertaining and a rollercoaster; it's exactly what you'd imagine a drug-fueled 70s rock band's account of their life to sound like. I didn't find the story overwhelmingly emotionally complex, and the plot wasn't necessarily that thick. I didn't feel a sense of connection or loyalty to any one particular character, so it was harder to empathize with any one particular character. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining and fun read.
The story is entertaining and a rollercoaster; it's exactly what you'd imagine a drug-fueled 70s rock band's account of their life to sound like. I didn't find the story overwhelmingly emotionally complex, and the plot wasn't necessarily that thick. I didn't feel a sense of connection or loyalty to any one particular character, so it was harder to empathize with any one particular character. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining and fun read.