oliviaoverthinkseverything's reviews
502 reviews

Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel by Julian K. Jarboe

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This collection of short stories was such an emotional thing to read. It's funny but also horrifying, spiritual yet irreverent, fantastical but also darkly reminiscent of our current reality. There are a lot of content and trigger warnings here, so do your research before deciding whether this is a good choice for you. I'm going to be thinking about it for quite a while.

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-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

5.0

Each time a new installment of The Witches of Thistle Grove comes out, I find myself thinking there's no way I'll like this one as much as the others. Each time I'm wrong. I love these witches and this charming little town they live in! More of this, please.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

Go to review page

dark funny hopeful fast-paced

5.0

This was my first graphic memoir! Last year was my first experience with graphic books and comics and I'm really enjoying this "discovery" of a new format/genre. I only knew of Alison Bechdel from the famous Bechdel Test (does a book/movie/show have at least one instance of two or more women discussing something other than a man). I really enjoy her art style and her approach to storytelling. It's incredible that she was able to present such a heavy, dark story in such a way to make it feel humorous and light. Her relationship with her father was complicated, as was the man himself - equal parts victim of tragedy and monstrous villain. This book has a lot of trigger and content warnings and does not shy away from tough topics, so do your own due diligence before you decide if this is a good choice for you.

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry

Go to review page

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is dense, but in a good way - like a slice of that expensive, oversized sandwich bread studded with nuts and seeds, with rolled oats pressed into the crust. Equal parts memoir, history, sociology and cultural anthropology, Perry examines different sections of "the South" and dives deep. As someone who often becomes irritated when "the South" is painted with a broad brush, I greatly appreciated the distinctions made here. Southern culture is so varied and textured, and I learned quite a bit about Alabaman history in particular (the author was born in Birmingham and considers Ensley home).

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

Go to review page

dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

This is a very melancholy book, but one that very much resonated with me. Fellow depressives beware, as much of this book could be quite triggering depending on your state of mind, but it struck the gloomy winter note I have been craving lately and the writing is just absolutely lovely.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Go to review page

dark funny informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced