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readwithev's reviews
189 reviews
Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love the whimsical art style, color palette (pinks & tans contracts with grays, blues, and black), as well as the animal familiars matching their witch partner. Each familiar has a cute yet unique personality and voice. There's only one male charater so far (the doctor), but each female witch has a distinct personality, motivation, and physical traits.
Since this is part one of Unfamiliar, the character development is still budding. So far, I like their early stages of friendship, the curiosity about their powers, and small reveals about their families.
Planchette specifically takes the lead and unites all the witches because her house is haunted. I like that she's helping the ghosts find peace while also appreciating her cooking/food witch powers. I appreciate Babs and Sun's growing friendship; I predict they will learn to appreciate their curses/powers and how to utilize their potential instead of hiding it. I'm also looking forward to Pinyon's powers since she just got her pigon familiar Ari. I also think it's cute that Ari blushed when he saw Planchette. Lastly, Lucy the detective witch is intiguing and I look forward to what role she'll play in Unfamiliar part 2
Since this is part one of Unfamiliar, the character development is still budding. So far, I like their early stages of friendship, the curiosity about their powers, and small reveals about their families.
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.25
Caro offers so many details not just about Robert Moses, but the people he knew, his rivals, his defeats, and his victories. Caro offers an empathetic view of Robert Moses the man and the builder. We see some of Moses' redeeming qualities - his intelligence, his motivation, his relentlessness, and his creativity; however, the author also documents Moses' hot temper, arrogance, uncompromising attitude, and disregard for other ideas.
The first thing I feel is missing from the book are more details about Moses' personal life. Caro hints at difficulties with his first wife, his often busy schedule that interrupted family time, and his estrangement from his older brother. I chalk this up to Moses' privacy and unwillingness to conduct personal interviews. I believe an element of his power and prestige rests partly on being mysterious.
The second and most important element I think is missing are interviews with families and residents who were displaced by Moses' highway, slum clearning, park, and bridge projects. There are a few testimonials and quotes, but I would have liked a final chapter to conclude the impact of his projects on low-income people and neighborhoods of color. He appropriated land under the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, cleared slums without providing adaquate rehouse resources, and did not fairly reimburse people for their farm land. What happened to those families? How were New York's neighborhoods forever changed 10 - 20 yrs after the bridges or parks were built?
Also, what long term impact did Moses' massive investments in bridges, parks, etc. have on other departments? I would have appreciated a conclusion paragraph or chapter. He convinced Mayors and Govenors to divert funds to his projects instead of schools, hospitals, fire stations, water treatment etc. How did this affect residents later? Did the city ever re-evaluate their spending on these projects once Rockefeller ousted him?
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I appreciate the complexities behind city/urban planning.
The first thing I feel is missing from the book are more details about Moses' personal life. Caro hints at difficulties with his first wife, his often busy schedule that interrupted family time, and his estrangement from his older brother. I chalk this up to Moses' privacy and unwillingness to conduct personal interviews. I believe an element of his power and prestige rests partly on being mysterious.
The second and most important element I think is missing are interviews with families and residents who were displaced by Moses' highway, slum clearning, park, and bridge projects. There are a few testimonials and quotes, but I would have liked a final chapter to conclude the impact of his projects on low-income people and neighborhoods of color. He appropriated land under the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, cleared slums without providing adaquate rehouse resources, and did not fairly reimburse people for their farm land. What happened to those families? How were New York's neighborhoods forever changed 10 - 20 yrs after the bridges or parks were built?
Also, what long term impact did Moses' massive investments in bridges, parks, etc. have on other departments? I would have appreciated a conclusion paragraph or chapter. He convinced Mayors and Govenors to divert funds to his projects instead of schools, hospitals, fire stations, water treatment etc. How did this affect residents later? Did the city ever re-evaluate their spending on these projects once Rockefeller ousted him?
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I appreciate the complexities behind city/urban planning.
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them by Clinton Kelly
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Snarky/sassy comments regarding fashion mistakes. None of it was all that funny. I thought it would have helpful advice, but it was predominantly commentary and pictures. The “fashion mistakes” were short 1-2 pages. Nit worth finishing.
Revenge by Yōko Ogawa
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed how all 11 tales are woven together in a creepy fashion. Some of the characters are elder, some middle aged, and others young adults. All the chapters are written in 1st person, which conveys their limited perspectives and unique voices. Some of the characters are likable while others are eerie and have ill intentions.
The only reason this book doesn’t get a 5 star ⭐️ review is that I thought it would be scarier. For example, the old man/uncle who was a curator for the museum of torture, i thought his chapter was anti-climactic. Also the wife being cheated on by her doctor husband, she wasn’t as full of blinded rage as I expected.
The only reason this book doesn’t get a 5 star ⭐️ review is that I thought it would be scarier. For example, the old man/uncle who was a curator for the museum of torture, i thought his chapter was anti-climactic. Also the wife being cheated on by her doctor husband, she wasn’t as full of blinded rage as I expected.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Grief
Where We Come from by Oscar Cásares
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
I wish I could give this book 10 stars. Each character is rich in their development, their emotional conflict and family turmoil. There are 3 main characters: Nina, her godson Orlando (12 yrs old) and a young boy named Daniel (13-15 yrs). We also have some interesting italicized paragraphs from a few side characters. These short paragraphs add to the main characters’ history or provide additional context to the story’s themes of familial love, sacrifice, desperation, or anxiety. I love the unique voices Cásares uses for each character. I enjoyed seeing Orlando develop from naive and sad to more empathetic, hopeful, and curious about others. I think Beto (Nina’s brother) was an interesting point of conflict. His half-hearted devotion to his mother, prejudice against immigrants (even though he’s also one), and desire to control others’ decisions. He also looked down on people he thought were “too educated.” An indication of his self-consciousness.
The book is primarily character driven and centers on family sacrifice, separation, devotion, the danger of secrets, and having hope in the midst of great sadness.
The book is primarily character driven and centers on family sacrifice, separation, devotion, the danger of secrets, and having hope in the midst of great sadness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, Death of parent, Deportation
Circe by Madeline Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The writing style is rich and poetic without feeling weighed down with adjectives. Ogawa also expresses emotions clearly with great similes. She focuses on characters rather than plot. The Memory Police aren’t the primary focus of the book. “what makes our memories important? How do they shape us? Can we keep living without certain memories?” These are the questions Ogawa’s characters ask themselves.
The ending fell a bit flat for me so that’s why the book only gets 3.75 stars. I wish there was more conclusion with what and who exactly the memory police are and what happens to the survivors on the island. Even if the main female character doesn’t remember these details or if they’re told to us (the reader) through a flashback or second means, i would have liked these details.
We never find how how the memory police were created, who’s the main source of authority, why they choose specific objects to disappear, etc. The main female character doesn’t try to stop the memory police and one tries to form a military resistance against them. However, she and others do form safe houses and a boating-escape attempt is mentioned. These lack of violent resistance against the Memory Police was most interesting to me. As if the loss of items (and therefor themselves) created a docile population. We also never learn the main female character’s name, the old man’s name or R’s full name. Its as if the memory of names has been erased from the characters’ minds too. I love that the main female character’s novel about the typist is a frame or allegory for what’s happening in her life.
The ending fell a bit flat for me so that’s why the book only gets 3.75 stars. I wish there was more conclusion with what and who exactly the memory police are and what happens to the survivors on the island. Even if the main female character doesn’t remember these details or if they’re told to us (the reader) through a flashback or second means, i would have liked these details.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent