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sandro_reads's reviews
44 reviews
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Homegoing is an ambitious generational saga that begins with two sisters, Effia and Esi, unknown to one another in Africa in the 1700s. Each chapter then follows a subsequent descendant covering such topics as colonialism in Africa, the slave trade, and racism in the Jim Crow south to 1980s Harlem.
Yaa Gyasi has a matter-of-fact writing style and the format can lend itself to read more like a collection of short stories. But, the power of Homegoing lies in the totality of the book over some of its individual chapters.
Yaa Gyasi has a matter-of-fact writing style and the format can lend itself to read more like a collection of short stories. But, the power of Homegoing lies in the totality of the book over some of its individual chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
The Reformatory tells the story of Robert Stephens Jr. who is unjustly sent to the Gracetown School for Boys and his sister, Gloria, who is desperately trying to get him out.
The school is full of ‘haints’ or ghosts but the true horror is the action of men in the Jim Crow-era south. Tananarive Due has created a fully realized world that will infuriate and shock but ultimately stands as a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.
And, although a work of fiction, it is based on Due’s own connection to the very real horrors that took place at the Dozier School for Boys - which adds another layer while reading.
The school is full of ‘haints’ or ghosts but the true horror is the action of men in the Jim Crow-era south. Tananarive Due has created a fully realized world that will infuriate and shock but ultimately stands as a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.
And, although a work of fiction, it is based on Due’s own connection to the very real horrors that took place at the Dozier School for Boys - which adds another layer while reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Perhaps my expectations were too high given my love of Makkai’s The Great Believers but, Questions felt like it was trying too hard.
Bodie returns to her boarding school 20 years after the murder of her former roommate, Thalia, and, together with her students, creates a podcast examining if the right man was convicted.
Part One was filled with so many characters across two timelines it was hard to keep track of who was who. And, there was the odd choice of having the book told in the first person but as if Bodie was talking to one of the suspects - which added to the confusion.
Questions tackles memory, true crime obsession, the justice system, cancel culture, #metoo, racism - the list goes on - which is the problem: it felt forced and took focus away from the core story.
Bodie returns to her boarding school 20 years after the murder of her former roommate, Thalia, and, together with her students, creates a podcast examining if the right man was convicted.
Part One was filled with so many characters across two timelines it was hard to keep track of who was who. And, there was the odd choice of having the book told in the first person but as if Bodie was talking to one of the suspects - which added to the confusion.
Questions tackles memory, true crime obsession, the justice system, cancel culture, #metoo, racism - the list goes on - which is the problem: it felt forced and took focus away from the core story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Adult/minor relationship
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The premise of The Heiress sparked hope of an 80s primetime soap-type drama: Cam returns to his family estate, Ashby House, with his wife Jules after a decade away only to find his deceased mother, the infamous Ruby “Kill-more”, is still pulling the strings of the estranged McTavish clan.
Unfortunately, Ruby’s story (told through letters) eerily reads like a less charming Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Jules is so unlikeable it’s hard to root for her, even after her predicable connection. At one point, she oddly breaks the fourth wall to address the reader.
With reveal after reveal, it was like [insert Oprah impression]“You’re a murderer! And, You’re a murderer! And, You’re a murderer!” I just do not understand all the praise this book has received.
Unfortunately, Ruby’s story (told through letters) eerily reads like a less charming Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Jules is so unlikeable it’s hard to root for her, even after her predicable connection. At one point, she oddly breaks the fourth wall to address the reader.
With reveal after reveal, it was like [insert Oprah impression]
The Infatuations by Javier Marías
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
You know that one friend who, when high, turns any comment into a deep philosophical discussion so that hours pass and you no longer have any idea what you are talking about? The Infatuations by Javier Marias is that friend.
The thriller-esque plot of a woman who watches “The Perfect Couple” every day at a cafe until the husband is brutally killed barely exists in the overblown exposition, told mostly through imagined conversations, on life, death and relationships. Intriguing at first but it becomes so repetitious, I found myself skimming through whole chapters trying to find a point.
The thriller-esque plot of a woman who watches “The Perfect Couple” every day at a cafe until the husband is brutally killed barely exists in the overblown exposition, told mostly through imagined conversations, on life, death and relationships. Intriguing at first but it becomes so repetitious, I found myself skimming through whole chapters trying to find a point.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Is Amanda losing her mind or is she being possessed by a demon?
For a book told in the first person, we learn surprisingly little about Amanda. So I’m not sure if her random homophobic slurs directed at 2 different characters are part of her personality or said potential demon.
The conversational tone does little to heighten any horror or make the reader care. At least it was short.
For a book told in the first person, we learn surprisingly little about Amanda. So I’m not sure if her random homophobic slurs directed at 2 different characters are part of her personality or said potential demon.
The conversational tone does little to heighten any horror or make the reader care. At least it was short.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Evie seems to have it all but, Evie doesn’t exist - a great setup.
With echoes of Charlie’s Angels and Alias, First Lie Wins is a cat-and-mouse caper between a con woman and the unknown Mr. Smith she works for.
It is a fast, fun (if somewhat forgettable) ride, one can even overlook the predictable reveal.
With echoes of Charlie’s Angels and Alias, First Lie Wins is a cat-and-mouse caper between a con woman and the unknown Mr. Smith she works for.
It is a fast, fun (if somewhat forgettable) ride, one can even overlook the predictable reveal.
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This was a book club pick so I am aware that I am not the intended audience. While I love the concept of retelling Grimm fairytales as one continuous story of Hansel and Gretel, I found the narrator who keeps interrupting with repetitive jokes and warnings too distracting from the narrative - but can see how middle schoolers might appreciate him.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Child abuse, and Murder
Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I had not read an Agatha Christie book since I was a teen but picked this up because I was about to go on a Nile River cruise. There is something so enjoyable about a group being trapped together with a murderer among them and Christie is a master at a twist ending where every piece of the puzzle is firmly put back in place.
What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A young adult mystery where teen sleuths try to find out why Clara’s sister killed their neighbor. Surprisingly dark subject matter stands out amid the underdeveloped characters and predictable ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault