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ninasloft's reviews
11 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I almost gave up on this one to be honest, however I'm glad I pulled through as the final story meant the most to me. However, maybe it was just because of the translation, but the writing felt really repetitive & I felt there was too much hand-holding of over-explaining. I had a hard time connecting to some of the characters - Fumiko felt like wasted potential of a character. Unlikeable in the beginning with what felt like an odd motive, I kind of didn't care what happened with her story. Closer to the end of the book, it felt clear there was intent for character growth but it just fell flat for me. This was recommended to me as a "thought-provoking" read, however for me personally, the characters felt immature & I found myself shaking my head at them. Which, in a way I guess is the point & I know there are plenty of people who do not say the things they need to, however, I'm very much an outspoken person so maybe that's why I struggled to relate to this one. I did find it a charming read despite the above & I can see myself reading it again from time to time. I would recommend this book as a lighthearted read more than the life-changing perspective-revelation it had been sold to me as. Probably a more thought-provoking read for a pre-teen aged person imo.
Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Child death
Minor: Abortion and Abandonment
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Definitely a must-read for logophiles & those with an unquenchable passion for words & the English language. I don't consider myself largely able to read or speak in complex terms, however I really enjoyed the word play & the enthusiacally eccentric way they speak in the book. If you've ever seen the episodes containing Paige Sinclair from Bojack Horseman, that is how I imagine the characters in this book to speak & I personally adore it. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but a wonderful book with a unique, interesting idea. My only wish is that it were a little longer so that we as the reader were able to connect more deeply to the characters. A strong recommendation nonetheless, especially for those who are fond of the writing style such as myself, I foun it to be a fun & quick read. Although it glosses over some intense subject matter, which might be off-putting to some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Police brutality
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Ableism
The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse, Abortion, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition by Junji Ito
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0