nixiethepixie's reviews
290 reviews

Six Memos For The Next Millennium by Italo Calvino

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

an insightful collection of lectures - pity i'm not too well read in his body of work, or familiar with many of the references made throughout. but a great collection of ideas and concepts, and a clear curiosity and admiration for form and the possibilities literature holds

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

adventurous emotional reflective 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

4.0

read this over two chunks of time over three months (felt longer), but mostly spent time with it over the past two days gunning through half the book. i finally get it - it took me time to warm into the world, characters and vignetted storytelling, but once you're in you're certainly in, and I'm keen to adventure onto book two which i hear is even more brilliant. the narrative voice, the relationship, observations, the insights. i have no opinions which i hadn't already heard, but i just love that this exists. the things i'm most struck by in this book is the push and pull of the friendship, and the way in which both don't seem to be able to thrive at once. how we can know our friends, but never truly know anyone. and the tender and brutal unfurling of learning more about the only world you know, and how expectation can shatter with life and reality. onto the next - i'm excited! 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

generous, reflective and moving - listened as an audiobook read by the author. A reminder of the ongoing effects of war

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I was expecting a mermaid adventure, but gifted with this gentle meditation on love, loss and letting go. We love a sapphic romance, and delving into the unknowable mysteries of the underwater world. Some really beautiful imagery and ideas, but a very gentle pace and reflective mode of storytelling that you have to meet to fully enjoy. Overall I love the ocean and stories that take place in its mystique and majesty.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh

adventurous challenging dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Still processing this one, but overall am struck by the gentle heart warming lyricism it holds you with. Leading us through worlds, times, pasts and histories and possible futures. And the way all are constantly in relation to each other.

We get to spend bits of time with a host of wondrous characters, and gradually build an image of a world without ever knowing too much. Perhaps I was missing an emotional hook throughout the story, but equally Mandel holds us at the cosmic, the boundless and the possibilities. There are a number of beautiful moments and tender reflections of time and possibility. And how everything and everyone is connected in ways we will never truly understand. 

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Enjoyed my time with this book and Selin’s curious observations of the world and moments passing by her. I kept describing it as an observational book - for not much happens or keeps us hooked other than the presence and absurdity of every day life. And the space to ponder upon it, even for a moment. So many lovely and funny little nuggets and quietly knowing moments. I found myself a little less engaged towards the last third of the book, but overall the curiosity and malaise of life is enough to keep us reading and living. I particularly love reflections upon language, translations and the moments in between people, places, moments and possibilities.

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

People who Lunch: Essays on Work, Leisure and Loose Living by Sally Olds

adventurous challenging funny reflective medium-paced

4.5

thoroughly enjoyed this collection, and absolutely felt like its target audience. enjoyed the alternative perspectives it offered, and its gentle wit and humour intertwined throughout. particularly appreciated the post-work polygamy essay

Be Not Afraid of Love: Lessons on Fear, Intimacy, and Connection by Mimi Zhu

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

super generous in it's sharing - the greatest reminders of love, presence and the way past, present and future all intertwine and interlace to shape our lives