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romi_griff's reviews
210 reviews
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Elizabeth Zott is a scientist, a chemist to be more specific and before anything else; she’s also a woman, a rower, a misfit, a lover (on the first half of the book), a mother and a TV host and celebrity (on the second half). She’s a multifaceted character that rationalises every situation, I don’t have many of those aspects in common, nevertheless it was effortless to relate to Elizabeth and to understand her reasons for most of her decisions.
But Elizabeth Zott is not the only well rounded character in this book, Harriet, Mad, Calvin, Walter, and even 630, all of them added more colour to the story each of them played a crucial part in turn of events. All the way to the villains in it, constricted by a different time, a different society, the one that crushed women in the 60’s making sure they stayed in the kitchen and remained docile and silent. This book is a tale of old times but at the same time, somewhat applicable to modern days.
My only down would be that it drag here and there but as my rating shows wasn’t a major issue to the overall enjoyment that I received from it.
But Elizabeth Zott is not the only well rounded character in this book, Harriet, Mad, Calvin, Walter, and even 630, all of them added more colour to the story each of them played a crucial part in turn of events. All the way to the villains in it, constricted by a different time, a different society, the one that crushed women in the 60’s making sure they stayed in the kitchen and remained docile and silent. This book is a tale of old times but at the same time, somewhat applicable to modern days.
My only down would be that it drag here and there but as my rating shows wasn’t a major issue to the overall enjoyment that I received from it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I always loved Chandler, I grew up with all 6 of them. Now I met Matthew, and learned to love him too, to understand him and his struggle, his encounter with the big terrible thing, his longing for a family of his own.
The book was even better than I thought, him reading it to me was priceless, it’s honest and funny, hilarious in bits even, I laughed out loud more than once, and it truly made me understand.
It breaks my heart knowing what happened after, after all that fight, all that struggle. When he was finally on the path he was trying to get on for decades, then, he didn’t get his wish, no wife, no children laughter.
The only thing making me feel a bit better is that his fight is over, he doesn’t have to struggle anymore, he doesn’t have to fear anything anymore. More than anything I hope he’s at peace.
The book was even better than I thought, him reading it to me was priceless, it’s honest and funny, hilarious in bits even, I laughed out loud more than once, and it truly made me understand.
It breaks my heart knowing what happened after, after all that fight, all that struggle. When he was finally on the path he was trying to get on for decades, then, he didn’t get his wish, no wife, no children laughter.
The only thing making me feel a bit better is that his fight is over, he doesn’t have to struggle anymore, he doesn’t have to fear anything anymore. More than anything I hope he’s at peace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Mother Country by Etaf Rum
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The book explores culture separation between generations, in this particular case from a very conservative Palestinian family, between a daughter and her mother.
A lot of it is painfully relatable, the want to change history, instead of repeating your mother’s, to be different, or to be better in this or that aspect.
We can also see bits of context from the unique Palestinian view, how scared they are due to the oppression their society has endured for the past 75 years.
Great short read, I chose it to expand on the authors I read, and I’m glad I came across this one.
A lot of it is painfully relatable, the want to change history, instead of repeating your mother’s, to be different, or to be better in this or that aspect.
We can also see bits of context from the unique Palestinian view, how scared they are due to the oppression their society has endured for the past 75 years.
Great short read, I chose it to expand on the authors I read, and I’m glad I came across this one.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4.0
What a good read, it started slow I know that for impact stories you need the background but in this case it seemed a really long one. With that said once you get to it, it blows your mind away and everything falls in place.
I can't believe how I waited so long to read it but now I'm glad I did.
I can't believe how I waited so long to read it but now I'm glad I did.
Quick Reads This Is Going To Hurt: An Easy To Read Version Of The Bestselling Book by Adam Kay, Francesca Main, Francesca Main
4.0
Gives us a real inside on how much do people sacrifice to become a doctor and be able to help people