samihami's reviews
93 reviews

The Flowers of Buffoonery by Osamu Dazai

dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Perfection!
The elements of an unreliable narrator but

it’s actually the author??

 
Osamu Dazai is a genius. 
Thos also reads so well so if you’re looking to get out of a reading slump, grab this one. 
-0.5 because I wasn’t so invested into the chracters’ lore as the author assumed the reader is. 

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

4.0

This is definitely my favourite of Rooney’s so far. The characters felt real and relatable. 
I’m seeing the author’s liking in email correspondence and like how Rooney uses it, it really breaks up the traditional structure of contemporary prose. 

Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I love love love this story. Tsujimura is such a great storyteller. 

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

Made me fall in love with Neil Gaiman. 

Mao by Delia Davin

informative fast-paced

4.5

It’s a great summary of Mao’s life, though some parts could’ve been shorter and other longer. 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

I didn’t really enjoy this one, but I might’ve just read it at a wrong time in my life. 

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Baldwin just doesn’t miss. 
The writing? Spectacular.
The story? Emotional rollercoaster. 
The characters? Deep and heartbreaking. 
I love this piece. 
I enjoyed his nonfiction a little more but it still didn’t stop me from covering the pages in pen marks. Must-read for everyone, at least once in your life.