moon___dude's reviews
160 reviews

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is a longgg and detail heavy book but so worth it. A story of family, love and betrayal, and growing up.

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri

reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

The plot is just living life in Italy and being a person. 

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Loved this book! Grief is scary.

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

One of my most disappointing reads of the year. There’s something kind of arrogant about it and I disliked a majority of the poems (but not all). Would recommend his other works instead (sorry Ocean!!)

Goblin Girl by Moa Romanova

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

3.75

Cool illustrations. For the messy, mentally ill girls.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

You’ll devour this book. What does it mean to be a villain?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Gaslighting

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.0

Just read this for the first time since elementary school. While I think the movies are great adaptations, the book explores Katniss’ trauma and performance in the arena much more meaningfully (i.e. how she understands this is a show and she needs to be entertaining to survive).

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

The illustration is so beautiful! Wonderfully composed, and a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a parent, especially within the context of trauma and war.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief

The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto

emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0

I’ve noticed that Japanese to English translation can be a bit dense. Much of what happens feels redundant or like filler, so it takes a while for the climax of the book.

Let There Be Light: The Real Story of Her Creation by Liana Finck

funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.5