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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
27 reviews
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
My favorite part of this book is that every character is the main character. I was invested in every one. I don't understand how Gyasi was able to construct the life motivations of each character so perfectly with only giving each character like 20 pages. Seeing some of the characters age throught the generations is such a gift. Because so many wonderful characters had their life cut short as a product of white violence.
It is awe inspiring and heart breaking how many generations were and still are affected by slavery. How slavery has direct ties to the oppression and cyclical struggles of black people in America and in Africa. White oppression has killed generations of black joy.
This story demonstrates the struggle of being a woman so brilliantly too. How many generations of woman went undefined until a man defined her.
I learned so much through the course of this book. The birth of our modern prison industrial complex being born of the enslavement of African and Black men is something that makes perfect sense. But it was laid out so clearly here. Some of the violence was so vividly painted that I keep retracing those scenes in my mind. Some of the heartbreak too.
Absolute must read. We have been privileged to not know these stories for long enough. And we are privileged now to see these stories through the perspective of each of these characters.
It is awe inspiring and heart breaking how many generations were and still are affected by slavery. How slavery has direct ties to the oppression and cyclical struggles of black people in America and in Africa. White oppression has killed generations of black joy.
This story demonstrates the struggle of being a woman so brilliantly too. How many generations of woman went undefined until a man defined her.
I learned so much through the course of this book. The birth of our modern prison industrial complex being born of the enslavement of African and Black men is something that makes perfect sense. But it was laid out so clearly here. Some of the violence was so vividly painted that I keep retracing those scenes in my mind. Some of the heartbreak too.
Absolute must read. We have been privileged to not know these stories for long enough. And we are privileged now to see these stories through the perspective of each of these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Classism, Genocide, Violence, Racism, Rape, Confinement, Death, Body horror, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Grief, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Infertility, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Drug use, Vomit, Xenophobia, Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, War, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Suicide
Normal People by Sally Rooney
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I felt like I was rooting for Connell and Marianne while at the same time not really knowing what I was rooting for. This discussion of power dynamics was really beautifully done.
But i have never read a book that ended so abruptly and i think i love it?
Honestly I did struggle with the dialogue not being in quotation marks...but I did adjust!!!
But
Honestly I did struggle with the dialogue not being in quotation marks...but I did adjust!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexism, Grief, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
The Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Really glad I read this one. Came on recommendation from a friend, so I went into it pretty blind. First I'll say that the writing was really approachable considering this was written in the 60s. I didn't realize it was until after I finished it, in fact.
Both Schwarz and Helen have complex motivations for their actions in a way that really engages you while you read. I felt as if the author gave me a lot of space to read the story at face value while also leaving room for my interpretation.
The other refugee in the story, the man with no name who is being told Schwarz's story and is also our first-person character, also added an interesting dynamic to the novel. His occasional interjection or answer to the questions Schwarz posed sometimes confirmed Schwarz's opinions and sometimes challenged them in a way that really gave life to his character. You could feel this man's tension as he was listening - listening because he had no other option for his freedom.
Also, more broadly, this offered a perspective on the ramifications of Hitler's terrorism that I haven't read before. The refugee experience of people fleeing Germany pre-WW2 is a topic I previously never considered. I didn't know that the French held refugees prisoner while they were fighting German occupation.
All that to say: this is the type of book that will stun you with simple yet heartbreaking statements. I wanted to start it from the beginning after I finished it.
Misses the 5 because I did find the story within a story format kind of hard to follow at first. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you get into it and also find it confusing!
Both Schwarz and Helen have complex motivations for their actions in a way that really engages you while you read. I felt as if the author gave me a lot of space to read the story at face value while also leaving room for my interpretation.
The other refugee in the story, the man with no name who is being told Schwarz's story and is also our first-person character, also added an interesting dynamic to the novel. His occasional interjection or answer to the questions Schwarz posed sometimes confirmed Schwarz's opinions and sometimes challenged them in a way that really gave life to his character. You could feel this man's tension as he was listening - listening because he had no other option for his freedom.
Also, more broadly, this offered a perspective on the ramifications of Hitler's terrorism that I haven't read before. The refugee experience of people fleeing Germany pre-WW2 is a topic I previously never considered. I didn't know that the French held refugees prisoner while they were fighting German occupation.
All that to say: this is the type of book that will stun you with simple yet heartbreaking statements. I wanted to start it from the beginning after I finished it.
Misses the 5 because I did find the story within a story format kind of hard to follow at first. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you get into it and also find it confusing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Hate crime, Genocide, Torture, Police brutality, and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cancer, Antisemitism, and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was my favorite of the series! I genuinely cared about both Iris and Stevie. Fake dating is one of my favorite romance tropes and I think the author crafted a scenario where fake dating actually made sense. I liked Stevie's growth the best - the way her confidence grew throughout the book as she learned who she was beyond a small-stage actor in a somewhat controlling relationship was a fun character arc to root for.
Misses a 4 for me because some of the writing choices felt a little unnatural to me. Like instead of saying Stevie has anxiety the book specifically said several times that she has Generalized Anxiety Disorder which, for me, felt a little more clinical and stilted than the text required. Also some of Iris' decisions felt a little forced. Was her dating history really bad enough for her to swear off dating and make her question whether people would accept her as she is? I wasn't fully convinced.
Misses a 4 for me because some of the writing choices felt a little unnatural to me. Like instead of saying Stevie has anxiety the book specifically said several times that she has Generalized Anxiety Disorder which, for me, felt a little more clinical and stilted than the text required.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
nesta is the worst. i can't fathom reading the next book which is apparently about her
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
We love a slice of life. That's what's great about this - it's a total break from the intense plot of the rest of the series so far.
Misses 4 stars for me because the book, while a good & easy read, missed a depth that would have pushed it over the top. Really liked it though!
Misses 4 stars for me because the book, while a good & easy read, missed a depth that would have pushed it over the top. Really liked it though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Death, Cursing, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, War, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely a book that kept me invested! For a book of true fantasy escapism, I would recommend this book. The world building, character building, romance, and plot weave together in a way that sucks you in. Lower than 4 stars because I don't think it's doing anything particularly new for the genre. Even so, I bet the whole series will be an engaging and easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Torture, Misogyny, and War
Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo by Reggie Fils-Aimé
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
1.5
Book is a mixed attempt at buisness-savvy and leadership tips which accomplishes neither. I'll give it a half star for the Nintendo and big brand nostalgia of the early 2000s.
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