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peter1rose's reviews
54 reviews
Wind/Pinball by Haruki Murakami
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I think I'm tired of this sort of narrative about a man who's main issue with life is its mundanity. He isn't irredeemable but he isn't great either. It reminded me of the slower less interesting parts of the Goldfinch. The narrative relies heavily on heternormative social standards that I just don't relate to or empathize with. While I couldn't get very far the female characters felt more like accessories to the plot and mc than fleshed out characters. The writing is fine, good in parts but not engaging. I've heard his other novels be praised time and time again so maybe next time I will try one of those.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Well written, straightforward, easy to read. Like professional curated diary entries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
Moomin and the Spring Surprise by Tove Jansson
3.0
Very cute but strangely executed illustrations. Were they Tove's originals cut and recolored? Some of them seemed that way and some of them looked out of place.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Interesting book. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it, but it's soft and reflective. I enjoyed her writing as always.
A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very fun book full of many short stories. I enjoyed the second one the most. Entertaining more than anything else.
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokuren
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautifully illustrated! I love how they touch on grief visually and throughout the story. My favorite manga.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While I usually rate all books I think should be "required reading" 5 stars, books I hold above others and think of as life changing, I cannot bring myself to do that for The Jungle. Since it's an older novel, and the author's style can feel very impersonal, it can be difficult to get into. Once you're into it and become invested the book feels like a large tragedy with very few moments to pick up any hope. I understand that this is the point and there are few things within this book that I cannot also relate to. But in the latter half of the book one can start to see it's age. A bit more vulgar with POC, and demeaning of the worth of women. It's upsetting but again understandable given the original publication date of 1906. Then in the end it becomes preachy in an uncomfortable way. I consider myself socialist. At least to regard that democrats are never willing to do enough for us and in the end are just business people like the republicans. But the last 3 chapters of the book read more like a church sermon where men cling to socialism like it is a religion. It becomes a drag of lectures and speeches. I also have the privilege of being more than a century into the future, knowing that socialism still holds no ground in the US. It feels like a book on atrocities that never changed. Great for education. Great for the people it impacted and how it changed the food industry. But sad in all other regards.