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nadia's reviews
494 reviews
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Loved the structure and "meta" nature of this book. I didn't quite grasp everything but I was very here for the whole concept of this book. I'd never given that much thought to the Asian American identity struggle and this was such an inventive way to explore it against the backdrops of White America and Black America. It definitely gave me a lot of food for thought!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and War
Minor: Gun violence
Christine by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book, but it felt like it dragged on way too much! I felt like I was at the 50-60% mark for ages!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
Dune by Frank Herbert
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I knew I had to have patience with Dune, but I wasn't expecting at times to still be struggling to understand exactly what was going on in the last quarter of the book. I don't want to penalise the book too much though as I did struggle to find long periods of uniterrupted time to read whilst I was awake and alert, so that probably had an impact on my enjoyment and comprehension.
The appendices at the end of the book were great providers of extra context — though I really struggled to fully grok the one on religion — and watching the 2021 Dune: Part I film, which was excellent, really helped to increase my appreciation for this story.
The appendices at the end of the book were great providers of extra context — though I really struggled to fully grok the one on religion — and watching the 2021 Dune: Part I film, which was excellent, really helped to increase my appreciation for this story.
Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad by Michela Wrong
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
4.5
A wonderfully detailed book! To me it's must-read for understanding Rwanda, its history, and its political regime. On the whole, I was hooked, but I think I'd prefer if I'd read this one in print or digitally as opposed to listening to it. There were a lot of names and details and I got a little lost at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Genocide, War, and Violence
Our Family in Fiji by David Todd
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Loved exploring this family history from a university friend. I knew nothing about the history of indentured Indian workers in Fiji!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Racism
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A solid, interesting listen, but I needed more from this! I felt like I didn't leave with a clear understanding of what was going on and why — maybe Lewis himself didn't know? It also felt like the book ended so soon after the main climatic event! Maybe the project needed to be extended before the book was marked as complete! Michael Lewis is one of my favourite nonfiction authors but I think I wish Patrick Radden Keefe had written this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Come Forth As Gold by Erica Dansereau
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
How awesome to read the debut novel of StoryGraph's first ever user? 😍
I enjoyed getting immersed in Kitty and Claude's story, immediately transported to the 1940s and the small, dusty town of Goldfield, Nevada!
Not being religious, I did struggle with the main themes surrounding God and faith. However, the protagonists' beautiful story still shone through!
I enjoyed getting immersed in Kitty and Claude's story, immediately transported to the 1940s and the small, dusty town of Goldfield, Nevada!
Not being religious, I did struggle with the main themes surrounding God and faith. However, the protagonists' beautiful story still shone through!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Child death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've finally read this classic, in time for the latest movie (which I was surprised to see massively simplified the book, in terms of plot points and themes explored).
I really liked the book! I liked the letter structure and appreciated all of the themes covered. I certainly did not expect to laugh out loud at parts, especially so early on. Those who've read the book or seen one of the film adaptations might guess at what was the cause of this!
Didn't have as much of an emotional pull as I thought it would have though!
I really liked the book! I liked the letter structure and appreciated all of the themes covered. I certainly did not expect to laugh out loud at parts, especially so early on. Those who've read the book or seen one of the film adaptations might guess at what was the cause of this!
Didn't have as much of an emotional pull as I thought it would have though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Racism, Domestic abuse, Rape, Colonisation, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Incest, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Classism and Injury/Injury detail
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this! A solid romance!
(Wanna go watch When Harry Met Sally now!)
(Wanna go watch When Harry Met Sally now!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Awww, I had such a wonderful time with this book. I went into a bookstore with a friend who said: "In December, I like to just read books I don't know much about that my friends have loved throughout the year, so choose me a book, Nadia!"
I said: "I love this! I want to do this too! You choose me a book!"
And she chose me Lessons in Chemistry. I knew nothing about what this book was about except for the fact that maybe there was some cooking involved because of a marketing stand I saw of it at the London Book Fair.
My friend told me the book was many things and boy was she right!
The humour, the emotion, the shocking moments, the reflective moments, the life lessons. Just brilliant and filled with quirky fun! I had several out-loud chuckles and smiles. Even one gasp. Lots on public transport.
Will definitely be looking out for whatever Bonnie Garmus releases next!
I said: "I love this! I want to do this too! You choose me a book!"
And she chose me Lessons in Chemistry. I knew nothing about what this book was about except for the fact that maybe there was some cooking involved because of a marketing stand I saw of it at the London Book Fair.
My friend told me the book was many things and boy was she right!
The humour, the emotion, the shocking moments, the reflective moments, the life lessons. Just brilliant and filled with quirky fun! I had several out-loud chuckles and smiles. Even one gasp. Lots on public transport.
Will definitely be looking out for whatever Bonnie Garmus releases next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Vomit, and Pregnancy