sarahxify's reviews
692 reviews

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

adventurous

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

4.0

This is a very imperfect novel. The characters are unbelievable, not that well-developed (especially in the first half of the book), and don't seem to react like real human beings when things happen. Despite all that, by the time I reached the halfway point I was completely taken in by this story, very invested in these ridiculous people, and will be moving onto the second book immediately. Sometimes life just doesn't make sense I guess. 

(I listened to the audiobook version of this, produced by Neil Gaiman and would recommend it!)

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Reflective, quiet, and weirdly compelling. I really really enjoyed this one, and found it utterly absorbing. 

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

Too disjointed and fragmented for me, it was really hard for me to follow. I would absolutely try something else by this author, just not in this style. I ended up skimming through loads of this and felt that I was doing it a disservice, so decided to DNF. 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional slow-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

4.0

We reviewed A Little Life in episode #78 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/11316793

The Trees by Percival Everett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.

These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card

3.0

No Shame by Tom Allen

4.0

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Enjoyed this while I was reading this, but will probably be largely forgettable. 

Trust by Hernán Díaz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

The concept of this is interesting, I like what he's trying to do and I definitely see why this was longlisted for the booker this year. In the context of the longlist and Case Study being longlisted as well, it makes total sense on this shortlist. 
I'm personally just not interested though. Quite liked the first story but when it got to the second, I just found it really tedious. I can appreciate what he's doing, I think it's cool, but subject wise just doesn't get me going. 

Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution by Shiri Eisner

informative slow-paced

4.0