read_machine's reviews
85 reviews

Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman

4.0

This book depressed me so much, but I also think the portrayal of sexual connection and compulsion was kind of profound. 

Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux

5.0

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

5.0

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

I really didn’t like this book, and I feel like I’m missing something since it’s so popular. I found the dialogue awkward and forced, the timeline jumps confusing and boring, the frequent parenthetical exposition annoying and indulgent, and the characters unlikeable and shallow. I did read it all because I thought the parts about game play were fun to imagine, and some of the plot around the game development was interesting. I also thought there were a lot of anachronistic references and issues raised that felt like they were pandering to a modern audience. 

Earth Angel by Madeline Cash

dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I thought Earth Angels was trying to be sexy and edgy and witty, but overall I found it depressing and unrelatable. 

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I thought the writing was pretty bad and I didn’t find the dialogue believable — it felt like it was trying too hard to be relatable to millennials. But I liked some of the characters, and Sneha’s relationship with her family, her sexuality, and her friends was moving.

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

4.5

On the Line: A Story of Class, Solidarity, and Two Women's Epic Fight to Build a Union by Daisy Pitkin

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

4.5

Motherhood by Sheila Heti

4.5