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nicolinebl's reviews
254 reviews
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Definitely top 5 favourite books of all time. So easy to read, so touching. If I could give only one book recommendation to someone it'd have to be this one. I honestly can't really describe how much it meant to me but this was seriously great to read and I'm definitely going to need to read Matt Haig's other books now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Not completely in the mood for this book right now
Zelfverwoestingsboek: waarom we meer moeten stinken, drinken, bloeden, branden en dansen by Marian Donner
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
Opzich een interessant concept en ik kon me zeker vinden in de benoemde punten maar iets aan de uitwerking viel toch tegen. Ik heb het gevoel dat dit beter uitgediept had kunnen worden denk ik. Weinig nieuwe dingen geleerd en omschrijvingen van dingen die mij onnodig leken (ja, ik heb Her al gezien, thank you very much)
You Were Never Really Here by Jonathan Ames
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.75
Not sure what to think of this book. It was okay but I actually enjoyed the movie better I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use
Minor: Miscarriage, Dementia
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
I'm so glad I read this book, it has really helped me with my decluttering! I've been wanting to get rid of stuff for so long but I was always anxious how I would handle it. This book finally gave me the confidence to tackle all my stuff for real. I used to always skip the emotional stuff but I finally went through all of it and tossed out at least 90% of it. Honestly, feels like a weight has dropped off of me. I don't need things to remember how great an occasion is, the memory itself is precious enough. I have 5 big boxes filled with donation stuff, a very big bag with clothes to recycle cause they've had their best time and I threw out like 4/5 bags of trash. Mind you, I'm 19 and have a really tiny room. Don't even know how all of that managed to fit into my room.
So yeah, really glad with this book. I've read stuff about minimalism which was great but this method worked better for me.
I took off 0.25 of the rating because sometimes things were a bit repetitive but that's honestly fine, this book was great and had fantastic tips.
So yeah, really glad with this book. I've read stuff about minimalism which was great but this method worked better for me.
I took off 0.25 of the rating because sometimes things were a bit repetitive but that's honestly fine, this book was great and had fantastic tips.
Waarom je niet zomaar moet stemmen waar je ouders op stemmen by Nienke Schuitemaker, Titia Hoogendoorn
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Erg nuttig boek dat ook nog eens vermakelijk leest. Denk dat iedereen die voor het eerst mag gaan stemmen er zeker wat aan heeft, maar ook mensen die gewoon weinig met de politiek (denken te) hebben. Ik weet al wel redelijk wat over de politiek maar er waren ook voor mij nog nieuwe feitjes en tips - de humor die er in zat was daarnaast ook plezierig meegenomen. Ik zou zeggen: ken je iemand die 18 wordt en heb je geen idee wat je diegene moet geven? Dit boek is oprecht een aanrader!
De bange mens by Daan Heerma van Voss
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Dit boek heeft me enorm verrast!
Het klonk intrigerend omdat het zo diep ingaat op de gevreesde angststoornis waar ik ook zelf mee zit; een onderwerp waar ik nog nooit echt non-fictie boeken over had gelezen.
Ik vroeg me af - ook doordat er werd benoemd op de achterkant dat filosofen worden behandeld - hoe begrijpbaar/makkelijk de tekst zou zijn. Ik kan nu constanteren dat het een erg prettig en begrijpbaar boek was.
Het las erg vloeiend, had zelfs een bepaald soort humor die ik zeker kon waarderen aangezien het eigenlijk over een best heftig onderwerp gaat. Er zijn ontzettend veel verschillende onderdelen behandeld, wat ik erg fijn vond, ik had echt het gevoel dat dit een goed uitgewerkt boek was. Er werden interessante feiten gegeven (vooral het stuk over medicijnen/farmaceutische bedrijven en de DSM was interessant), gesprekken met mensen, én, naar mijn mening een van de meest waardevolle dingen aan dit boek: een heel eerlijke kijk in het leven van de auteur zelf. Ik kon echt waarderen dat er zo open werd gesproken over zijn eigen issues, iets wat toch eigenlijk heel eng is om te doen. Ik vind ook dat het boek me dingen heeft gegeven om over na te denken. Ik wil geen grote spoilers geven maar aan het einde komt er een soort 'conclusie/idee' uitrollen die me enigszins verraste maar eigenlijk ook wel iets had.
Een erg fijn boek waar veel bookmarks bij zijn geplaatst om later terug te kunnen lezen. Een duidelijk, eerlijk (herkenbaar) beeld voor helaas veel mensen en interessant om meer te lezen over die angst die velen van ons constant in de greep houdt.
Het klonk intrigerend omdat het zo diep ingaat op de gevreesde angststoornis waar ik ook zelf mee zit; een onderwerp waar ik nog nooit echt non-fictie boeken over had gelezen.
Ik vroeg me af - ook doordat er werd benoemd op de achterkant dat filosofen worden behandeld - hoe begrijpbaar/makkelijk de tekst zou zijn. Ik kan nu constanteren dat het een erg prettig en begrijpbaar boek was.
Het las erg vloeiend, had zelfs een bepaald soort humor die ik zeker kon waarderen aangezien het eigenlijk over een best heftig onderwerp gaat. Er zijn ontzettend veel verschillende onderdelen behandeld, wat ik erg fijn vond, ik had echt het gevoel dat dit een goed uitgewerkt boek was. Er werden interessante feiten gegeven (vooral het stuk over medicijnen/farmaceutische bedrijven en de DSM was interessant), gesprekken met mensen, én, naar mijn mening een van de meest waardevolle dingen aan dit boek: een heel eerlijke kijk in het leven van de auteur zelf. Ik kon echt waarderen dat er zo open werd gesproken over zijn eigen issues, iets wat toch eigenlijk heel eng is om te doen. Ik vind ook dat het boek me dingen heeft gegeven om over na te denken. Ik wil geen grote spoilers geven maar aan het einde komt er een soort 'conclusie/idee' uitrollen die me enigszins verraste maar eigenlijk ook wel iets had.
Een erg fijn boek waar veel bookmarks bij zijn geplaatst om later terug te kunnen lezen. Een duidelijk, eerlijk (herkenbaar) beeld voor helaas veel mensen en interessant om meer te lezen over die angst die velen van ons constant in de greep houdt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are many books I've given five stars. It almost feels wrong that this one would be just five stars and not so many more.
Those other books were great and I loved them but I've just never been so - intoxicated almost - by a book. I haven't dared to read a book with lots of pages for years but I'm glad I did because this is hands down the best book I've ever read.
I didn't want to put it down, didn't want the story to end though either. Its topics are very heavy but I thought there were a lot of positive themes in here as well. About love and hope and painful honesty; about friendship and family and choosing your own family.
I don't even know how to explain how much I admired this book. Its characters who felt so real and so lovely (Harold, Andy, Willem, Jude, Malcolm, Richard, so many fantastic characters); the way the story was built, starting slowly and unraveling as you go along in such a mind-blowing way.
What I heard about this book a lot was how heavy it was and that it was basically made to trigger you. Yes, it was very heavy, but I don't feel like it was done in a "let's emotionally fuck up some people" kind of way (although it did mess with my heart haha). It was written so thoughtfully and beautifully and with so much respect and I just admire this book so much.
Edit: I read some other reviews (I guess less positive ones, and although they make fair points - the book being unrealistic is probably mentioned the most - I don't feel like it took down my appreciation for this book while reading it.
Those other books were great and I loved them but I've just never been so - intoxicated almost - by a book. I haven't dared to read a book with lots of pages for years but I'm glad I did because this is hands down the best book I've ever read.
I didn't want to put it down, didn't want the story to end though either. Its topics are very heavy but I thought there were a lot of positive themes in here as well. About love and hope and painful honesty; about friendship and family and choosing your own family.
I don't even know how to explain how much I admired this book. Its characters who felt so real and so lovely (Harold, Andy, Willem, Jude, Malcolm, Richard, so many fantastic characters); the way the story was built, starting slowly and unraveling as you go along in such a mind-blowing way.
What I heard about this book a lot was how heavy it was and that it was basically made to trigger you. Yes, it was very heavy, but I don't feel like it was done in a "let's emotionally fuck up some people" kind of way (although it did mess with my heart haha). It was written so thoughtfully and beautifully and with so much respect and I just admire this book so much.
Edit: I read some other reviews (I guess less positive ones, and although they make fair points - the book being unrealistic is probably mentioned the most - I don't feel like it took down my appreciation for this book while reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt
Six Earlier Days by David Levithan
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Every Day by David Levithan
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Not entirely sure what to think of the ending just yet but this book was an emotional rollercoaster for sure; a great one though. The concept was so intriguing and I think the author did a great job answering questions that obviously arise with a concept like this.
I very much enjoyed this book and will definitely watch the movie to see if it is as good as the book it is based on.
I very much enjoyed this book and will definitely watch the movie to see if it is as good as the book it is based on.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking