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sara277's reviews
113 reviews
La Policía de la Memoria by Yōko Ogawa
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Un concepto interesante, muy bien desarrollado hasta ese inevitable final.
La lectura da gusto, el estilo de la escritora hace la historia muy acogedora aunque la historia en sí no pretenda serlo.
La lectura da gusto, el estilo de la escritora hace la historia muy acogedora aunque la historia en sí no pretenda serlo.
Boulder by Eva Baltasar
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-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
This has easily become one of my favorite books ever. Definitely the best I’ve read this year.
Both the writing and the characters are witty, sarcastic and touching, but most of all, empowering.
I loved Geeta and her interactions with every other character, specially Saloni and the other bonobos. Her story manages to be comical, hopeful and very dark while providing lessons on friendship, marriage, community, politics and the impact of female bonds.
Her character development is iconic, and the empowering ending so well earned.
Something that also played a big part in me being obsessed with this book was the sincerity when depicting India. It wasn’t sugar coated at all, there were many hard realities depicted and I think all of them contributed to the charm of the book. For instance, the way the author explained Phoolan Devi’s story through the narrative; making her someone Geeta admired and having gone through so much, I thought she might be fictional. I had to look her up to check if it was a real person and, of course, yes, she is.
Loved every bit about this book. I have recommended it and will force it on others through gifts because this story truly deserves all of the attention.
Can’t wait to see what the author will do next, after this brilliant first novel.
Some quotes, because it deserves:
Both the writing and the characters are witty, sarcastic and touching, but most of all, empowering.
I loved Geeta and her interactions with every other character, specially Saloni and the other bonobos. Her story manages to be comical, hopeful and very dark while providing lessons on friendship, marriage, community, politics and the impact of female bonds.
Her character development is iconic, and the empowering ending so well earned.
Something that also played a big part in me being obsessed with this book was the sincerity when depicting India. It wasn’t sugar coated at all, there were many hard realities depicted and I think all of them contributed to the charm of the book. For instance, the way the author explained Phoolan Devi’s story through the narrative; making her someone Geeta admired and having gone through so much, I thought she might be fictional. I had to look her up to check if it was a real person and, of course, yes, she is.
Loved every bit about this book. I have recommended it and will force it on others through gifts because this story truly deserves all of the attention.
Can’t wait to see what the author will do next, after this brilliant first novel.
Some quotes, because it deserves:
“You know, female bonobos band together to protect themselves from males. That’s not karma, though, that’s just nature, right?”
“You don’t have to love the assholes oppressing you, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
She loved him no longer, it was true, but often the memory of love was more powerful than the love itself. For a short while that had felt like a long while, he’d been her world. But her world was bigger now.
Monstruos: ¿Se puede separar el autor de su obra? by Claire Dederer
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Really liked the author’s thoughts and questions raised throughout the book; however difficult it is to agree with every idea, the analysis of characters/events and their work was interesting and mostly subjective.
It’s a very relevant subject, and the conclusion sat very well with me, something along the lines of: we can only hope in their next life their characters will be as wonderful as their art.
It’s a very relevant subject, and the conclusion sat very well with me, something along the lines of: we can only hope in their next life their characters will be as wonderful as their art.
Human Acts by Han Kang
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
4.25
To me this book is the definition of “raw”. It’s honest and brutal with descriptions of violence and rotten corpses. It’s also beautiful at times, and very very sad.
Human Acts is a window to a very dark chapter of Korean history, and learning about it through these characters and the author’s own connections to the massacre is horrible but so important.
I loved that all the stories were connected, not just through the event but through the characters knowing each other. I need to read it again to appreciate those connections better.
Also, wonderful writing, can’t wait to read the Vegetarian.
Human Acts is a window to a very dark chapter of Korean history, and learning about it through these characters and the author’s own connections to the massacre is horrible but so important.
I loved that all the stories were connected, not just through the event but through the characters knowing each other. I need to read it again to appreciate those connections better.
Also, wonderful writing, can’t wait to read the Vegetarian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Police brutality
Elena sabe by Claudia Piñeiro
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
Una historia redonda, me encantó. Una mirada muy cercana a la enfermedad y a los obstáculos que conlleva, no sólo para la enferma sino también para quien la cuida. Las circunstancias de Elena son muy duras, pero ella transmite tan bien esa fuerza (o resignación) de seguir adelante porque es lo que toca… Incluso después de comprender la razón detrás de la muerte de su hija. Elena me pareció un personaje súper realista. Un 10, buscaré más libros de esta autora.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is exactly what I was expecting.
A great read with interesting characters and Shakespearian parallelisms. Really enjoyed the whole story and conflicts, the dark academia atmosphere was perfect too. The characters were a bit too snobbish but it served the story, so it wasn’t annoying.
The big reveal of “who did it” didn’t come as a surprise, but the scenes leading up to the ending were so good I didn’t mind it.
Loved the ending but at the same time it’s the one thing about the book that I found weak. Because what was the point of James faking his own suicide? Doing that couldn’t have possibly relieved any of the guilt he was feeling. I love that he actually didn’t die, but he could’ve just not faked his death, and still get the same ending.
Would’ve liked this to be a series of books just to get more of the cozy suspenseful vibe.
A great read with interesting characters and Shakespearian parallelisms. Really enjoyed the whole story and conflicts, the dark academia atmosphere was perfect too. The characters were a bit too snobbish but it served the story, so it wasn’t annoying.
The big reveal of “who did it” didn’t come as a surprise, but the scenes leading up to the ending were so good I didn’t mind it.
Loved the ending but at the same time it’s the one thing about the book that I found weak.
Would’ve liked this to be a series of books just to get more of the cozy suspenseful vibe.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book broke me.
I had high expectations after SWBTS, and this second part went above and beyond.
The story was exciting and had me hooked at every point. I found a bit forced the going back and forth in the second half, but still loved the way everything unfolded.
The characters were handled so well, I could write an essay. This is probably my favorite thing about these books: the way the characters are written and interact with each other and move the whole story together.
The chapters where Ouyang and Zhu interacted are simply the best, I love them so much and enjoyed (and cried) reading all their moments. One thing that haunts me and I would like to be different was their last meeting. The way they parted and never saw each other again was heartbreaking. We had that beautiful moment at the end, but at what cost!?
Zhu… what a journey! All those hardships and loses, but finally was able to get their desire and find their limit Xu Da, my first ugly cry . Would definitely love to keep on reading stories about the Radiant Emperor. Their whole adventure was just so satisfying, and the ending! I was literally sobbing in that last chapter.
Ouyang was definitely my favorite character. His story is just so tragic from beginning to end. I can never forget that “Is Esen Temur there?”. Or all of his angst over Esen for that matter. I did NOT see the twist about papa Ouyang coming, and I’m still conflicted about it. But it just adds to the angst so I sort of liked it -and still sort of hated it. Like, did Ouyang really need to know?? He could’ve just died ignorant, but no, we had to drag him through the mud a bit more… And yet I loved the drama of that very last moment. UGH
One of the highlights of this book for me was the grief over Esen. He was so present for Ouyang and Baoxiang, that he was basically still influencing the actions.
As for Baoxiang, I only appreciated him after re-reading the first book, and this one is just a natural continuation into that dark and bitter person. It was such a sad arc, but his character was flawlessly wrapped up, loved his journey and where it finally got him. Also loved his chapters with Ma and how she influenced him, it was not the best of scenarios , but I liked what it brought to him.
I love the characters so much. I love the story and how it was told, and how it put me through all of the emotions. It was funny, and exciting and so so sad.
It’s definitely my favorite book I’ve read this year, and the duology will become one of those things I will go back to from time to time.
Shelley Parker-Chan is a brilliant storyteller and I will impatiently wait for their next book.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Very good memoir. A dying person’s perspective on life and the time we get. It was much more inspiring than it was sad, and it was very sad.
Loved Dr. Kalanithi’s writing. I feel glad that he managed to pursue and accomplish both of his passions.
Loved Dr. Kalanithi’s writing. I feel glad that he managed to pursue and accomplish both of his passions.