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nadia's reviews
573 reviews
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A super fun read that raises some ethical/moral questions! Although some of the dialogue felt a little cheesy and there were parts that got too bogged down in the science, I really appreciated how clever this book was and how much research and attention to detail Weir put into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drugs by Johann Hari
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be — a lot more focused on Ozempic and the business and drama behind it — but I was really fascinated by what it was — a book about the history of obesity, food, the industry, and the varying cultures around it, weight loss drugs, the evolution of human biology, and more! I appreciated the mix of personal memoir, pop science, and journalism/narrative nonfiction, and I liked Hari's narration. There were a few times where I felt like the structure was a teeny bit messy and the scope of the book strayed a little, but overall very very good and it's got me realising just how much everything is set up against us when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Suicide
Earthlight by J. Michael Straczynski
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Well, sound-wise, what a production this was!
It started strong, but unfortunately, I needed more unique story/plot points and meaty (instead of rather clichéd) dialogue over the action scenes! I had like zero emotional attachment to this. But the sound effects were really so well done!
If you want a real movie for your ears, this is well worth a listen!
It started strong, but unfortunately, I needed more unique story/plot points and meaty (instead of rather clichéd) dialogue over the action scenes! I had like zero emotional attachment to this. But the sound effects were really so well done!
If you want a real movie for your ears, this is well worth a listen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish by Anna Akbari
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
I was really excited to read this but the problem is the title gives the book away and so I therefore had very little patience for what was happening on all sides (which I know is very harsh on the women featured. Hindsight is a powerful thing!). I also came to really despise the voice of Ethan in the audiobook, "knowing" who he was/what he'd turn out to be.
I saw Traci Thomas's review where she said this would have been better as an article or podcast and I wholeheartedly agree!
I saw Traci Thomas's review where she said this would have been better as an article or podcast and I wholeheartedly agree!
Saga, Vol. 11 by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Something about this volume didn't pop for me. Felt a little emotionally removed, especially given some of the stuff that happened! I got to the end and felt like: "that's it??".
Looking forward to Volume 12!!
Looking forward to Volume 12!!
Ambition Monster by Jennifer Romolini
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A solid listen! It wasn't what I was expecting when I started and I was a little bored — definitely felt like more of a standard memoir, with a lot more of a focus on relationships than I though — but then I got into it, especially in the middle, when we had more BTS re Romolini's work. I was intrigued then. I love a juicy BTS.
Saga, Vol. 10 by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Wow, so great to be back with the series! I'm so curious to see where this goes!
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Disclaimer: I read this book in one day, while exhausted, in order to finish in time before the Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Prize winner announcement.
I went into this book with low expectations based on little tidbits I'd seen and heard from others and I found myself really taking to the writing style and I (bar one time) liked the multiple POVs. I also really liked how Enright played with the concept of memory and had recurring thoughts/moments crop up across different chapters and perspectives.
However, something about the book just didn't fully click. I felt detached from the characters and the poetry parts didn't really do much for me (though, maybe they would have had more impact had I not been rushing to finish the book). I did like the idea of weaving them in though!
Final Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
6. The Wren, The Wren
I went into this book with low expectations based on little tidbits I'd seen and heard from others and I found myself really taking to the writing style and I (bar one time) liked the multiple POVs. I also really liked how Enright played with the concept of memory and had recurring thoughts/moments crop up across different chapters and perspectives.
However, something about the book just didn't fully click. I felt detached from the characters and the poetry parts didn't really do much for me (though, maybe they would have had more impact had I not been rushing to finish the book). I did like the idea of weaving them in though!
Final Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
6. The Wren, The Wren
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a great book! The writing and use of varying narrative forms/media was excellent and I appreciated the setting and the themes, especially how art, via theatre and Shakespeare, intertwined with war, politics, and identity. The book started off really strong for me: I was intrigued, immersed, and could feel the tension between the characters. And it does unfold masterfully on the whole.
However, at some point it started to drag a little and I couldn't keep track of all of the characters introduced. This made it hard for me to fully believe or be invested in some of their decisions and actions. To be fair, I was super tired while reading this and also trying to read it super quickly in advanced of the Women's Prize winner announcement. And, although I don't think it necessary, I do wish I had a stronger grasp of the story and characters in Hamlet as that would have enhanced my engagement with the debates and discussions featured in the book.
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
Despite being my third ranked book, I see Enter Ghost being a worthy winner of the Women's Prize, more so than River East, River West!
However, at some point it started to drag a little and I couldn't keep track of all of the characters introduced. This made it hard for me to fully believe or be invested in some of their decisions and actions. To be fair, I was super tired while reading this and also trying to read it super quickly in advanced of the Women's Prize winner announcement. And, although I don't think it necessary, I do wish I had a stronger grasp of the story and characters in Hamlet as that would have enhanced my engagement with the debates and discussions featured in the book.
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
Despite being my third ranked book, I see Enter Ghost being a worthy winner of the Women's Prize, more so than River East, River West!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This was a great book about a topic I've not read anything about prior. Emotional, tense, sad, and informative, it gives a unique portrayal of life in a time of a brutal civil war, exploring the tough choices people, especially women, have to make every single day. While I really liked the writing style and certain narrative techniques used, it also contributed to certain parts of the book not having as big of an emotional impact on me as I'd expect given the subject matter!
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Soldier Sailor
4. Restless Dolly Maunder
Current Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:
1. Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Soldier Sailor
4. Restless Dolly Maunder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence