nadia's reviews
445 reviews
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I went into this (audio)book (from Libro.fm's ALC Program) with very low expectations and I guess that helped because I ended up really enjoying it.
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Stalking and Pedophilia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The Haunting Season: Nine Ghostly Tales for Long Winter Nights by Bridget Collins
adventurous
dark
mysterious
4.0
A solid collection of spooky, eerie stories. I had a lot of fun with this collection. Looking back at the contents page I remember each of the stories from the title, which is a great sign!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Child death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape
Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love by Huma Qureshi
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I really really liked this collection of stories. I just really connected with the writing and found some of the scenarios relatable or...is there a word for "you've not necessarily experienced the thing but you grok it hard"...? That.
I loved how accessible, and yet lovely, the writing was, I enjoyed the theme of love and relationships, especially cross-cultural romantic ones and those centred around motherhood, and I didn't often feel like: "I need more of this story!!" which is a common short story con for me.
My favourites were Too Much and Summer.
I loved how accessible, and yet lovely, the writing was, I enjoyed the theme of love and relationships, especially cross-cultural romantic ones and those centred around motherhood, and I didn't often feel like: "I need more of this story!!" which is a common short story con for me.
My favourites were Too Much and Summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Infertility
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault
The Running Man by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I spent a lot of this book bored and not caring about the main character at all...I still didn't really care about him come the end but I was more intrigued and curious to see how it all unfolded!
Also, obviously not a fan of the racial slurs used at all!
Also, obviously not a fan of the racial slurs used at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Body horror, Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Homophobia
Tar Baby by Toni Morrison
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A really solid read! I didn't know anything about Tar Baby going in, avoiding the blurb on the TSG page and the back of my book, and found myself quickly immersed, with the characters coming to life. As always when I get back to Morrison I'm like: "okkkkkurrr, now this is writing. Wow."
I didn't fully get the significance of everything, especially some of the more magical realism elements (I think that's what you'd call them), including the ending, but I was able to mostly follow everything and appreciated all of the main themes of the book.
I think my current Toni Morrison ranking is:
1. Song of Solomon
2. Sula
3. Tar Baby
4. The Bluest Eye
My Beloved reread — the only Morrison I'd read before starting this chronological read — is next!
I didn't fully get the significance of everything, especially some of the more magical realism elements (I think that's what you'd call them), including the ending, but I was able to mostly follow everything and appreciated all of the main themes of the book.
I think my current Toni Morrison ranking is:
1. Song of Solomon
2. Sula
3. Tar Baby
4. The Bluest Eye
My Beloved reread — the only Morrison I'd read before starting this chronological read — is next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Child abuse
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Racism, and Violence
Chasing the Panther: Adventures and Misadventures of a Cinematic Life by Carolyn Pfeiffer
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
I really liked this memoir, which I listened to on audio! I didn't recognise the name Carolyn Pfeiffer at all — I just saw this book in the Libro.fm Advanced Lending Copy library and thought it sounded up my street. Goes to show how far I've come from a few years back where I thought to enjoy a memoir I had to be very familiar with the author's work.
Well, it was fun to hear all of the famous names Carolyn has come across/worked with during her career. I had no clue the story would be so star-studded. It was also super interesting learning about the development of the film industry in the 60s.
Not sure if this was my fault or the fault of the book, but I started to get distracted at points, couldn't remember who was who in some cases, and ultimately didn't fully connect emotionally with the story.
But it was all still very interesting. I wasn't really ever bored at all!
Well, it was fun to hear all of the famous names Carolyn has come across/worked with during her career. I had no clue the story would be so star-studded. It was also super interesting learning about the development of the film industry in the 60s.
Not sure if this was my fault or the fault of the book, but I started to get distracted at points, couldn't remember who was who in some cases, and ultimately didn't fully connect emotionally with the story.
But it was all still very interesting. I wasn't really ever bored at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Infertility
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
emotional
reflective
4.0
A super solid collection of stories. I liked every single one...well...at least most of every single one. A fair few left me thinking: "What — it's over already? That's it? Really?" with respect to the ending...but on the whole, these characters and settings were great and I loved the writing. Looking forward to getting to one of Lahiri's novels.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A decent listen! Some things were a bit awkward/contrived, but that can sometimes be hard to avoid with a thriller of this sort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
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
So, I enjoyed this more than The Poppy War, but it was still a lil' struggle to keep on top of all of the different characters' histories, loyalties, motives, motivations, etc. But it felt like this one had a better pace on the whole and if I sat and thought through most of things I was presented with I could piece them together enough.
Much more intrigued to continue on to the next book!
Much more intrigued to continue on to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, Blood, Death, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Self harm
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A super quick, solid read, filled with great anecdotes and tidbits of business wisdom. A super easy-to-read informal, conversational tone!