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sheonceread's reviews
74 reviews
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i think i just didn’t really get this book. took me a year to finish (granted, it’s also because im in a constant reading block) but i’m really tickled by the premise and the whole vibe of it and i love how it’s written. but i just think it’s a bit too long and dragged out. it feels a lot like an A24 movie that leaves you with a “??? wtf” feeling and makes you search a “movie title explained” on youtube and Then you go Ahhhh Okay. it’s not bad i just think it does what it intends to do.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
3.75
this was pretty boring, but it did make me think about stuff i never really gave much thought about; monogamy, sense of self, etc. i liked it less than i did with Normal People, but i still have that sense of familiarity and comfort while reading it. maybe it has to do with the fact that Frances studies English, and is also my age, like Connel. i’ve also always thought Sally Rooney had a way of writing boring things (like white people) into pretty proses and though this one lacks it just a little bit, it was a lovely read. her books always had natural conversations and monologues that seem like it was straight out of my own thoughts. it wasn’t grand or mind boggling, but i don’t think Sally Rooney’s books are supposed to do that anyway.
The Metamorphosis, in the Penal Colony, and Other Stories by Franz Kafka
4.0
(abt metamorphosis) im SAD.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
5.0
im literally bawling. also he thanked mitski in the acknowledgments. gsueiskdjdkz
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
???? i rly dk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the reviews for this are a mess and so was it. i guess it’s trying to do the whole mediocre people in mediocre situations, human relationships type of reflective story but it just didn’t hit the way it’s supposed to. it’s too long, for one. and the narrative is all over the place, which i usually dont mind, but it just seemed erratic—maybe that’s the whole theme i dont know. lots of the characters are so stereotypical of their race/sexuality, in my opinion, and there were some parts that i think was unnecessary and even a little offensive.
(see: sugar glider)
it got better right at the end and i finally felt the warm, emotional feeling i was supposed to get the whole book. i can appreciate this book, but i don’t love it and it’s such a shame because i REALLY wanted to.
it got better right at the end and i finally felt the warm, emotional feeling i was supposed to get the whole book. i can appreciate this book, but i don’t love it and it’s such a shame because i REALLY wanted to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
emotional
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was everything I needed. It’s one of those cup of teas that aren’t for everyone but somehow found me at a perfect time and situation. I don’t agree that this was a romance book in specifics, it’s philosophical and logical and it churned my brain in such a way that it inevitably found a way to churn my heart too.
I saw on some people’s reviews that it felt like it was written by Taylor Swift and I agree that if you’re a swiftie, you’d find themes and lines that would fit into her lyrics, and this is not to dismiss Olivie Blake’s individual style of writing—I just thought it’s a noticeable quirk.
I also heard some people saying that this book felt like seeing God, or entering the gates of heaven and hell simultaneously. Atheist that I am, I thought that statement was a glorification, and ridiculous. But after finishing it just minutes ago, I may not feel like I have seen God but rather that I now understand what some people feel about religion. This book felt religious, not in a traditional sense, but I don’t know how to elaborate it further so take it with what you will.
It’s also a beautiful rendition of mood disorders. The author said that they also suffer from this mental illness and as a diagnosed myself I can see how Regan’s mood disorder comes straight from Olivie’s own struggles, which makes it one of the most organic portrayal of bipolar that I’ve ever read. Its message does not come fully formed to be consumed at the end of the book, it needs to be understood.
To add to it, this book felt like the feeling I get over lines like “You have bewitched me, body and soul.” from Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 movie) and “You are the bane of my existence. And the object of all my desires.” from Bridgerton, but prolonged and present throughout the whole reading experience.
I wish I can give myself a concussion and acquire amnesia just to read this all over again.
I saw on some people’s reviews that it felt like it was written by Taylor Swift and I agree that if you’re a swiftie, you’d find themes and lines that would fit into her lyrics, and this is not to dismiss Olivie Blake’s individual style of writing—I just thought it’s a noticeable quirk.
I also heard some people saying that this book felt like seeing God, or entering the gates of heaven and hell simultaneously. Atheist that I am, I thought that statement was a glorification, and ridiculous. But after finishing it just minutes ago, I may not feel like I have seen God but rather that I now understand what some people feel about religion. This book felt religious, not in a traditional sense, but I don’t know how to elaborate it further so take it with what you will.
It’s also a beautiful rendition of mood disorders. The author said that they also suffer from this mental illness and as a diagnosed myself I can see how Regan’s mood disorder comes straight from Olivie’s own struggles, which makes it one of the most organic portrayal of bipolar that I’ve ever read. Its message does not come fully formed to be consumed at the end of the book, it needs to be understood.
To add to it, this book felt like the feeling I get over lines like “You have bewitched me, body and soul.” from Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 movie) and “You are the bane of my existence. And the object of all my desires.” from Bridgerton, but prolonged and present throughout the whole reading experience.
I wish I can give myself a concussion and acquire amnesia just to read this all over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use
When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O'Neill
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I saw this book reccomended by someone I follow on Instagram and loved the cover, only knew it was somewhat gay so I was sold. But it was so much more than what I thought. This book was a roller coaster ride and I saw reviews saying it was too long and dragged out but in every turn there is always an unexpected twist, especially in the second half. Genuinely the first time I read a 400 page book and didn’t realize it was 400 pages, one of the only books I read this year that kept me wanting to read more.
It was queer in a really theatrical way, and I liked that it wasn’t advertised or written to be an exclusively queer story about two women in love with each other—it had everything in it. Snarky feminism, a twist on history, the cobweb of privilege, class struggle and the exhilarating side of a revolution. It’s a really unique call out of capitalism, and a fresh look on feminism. I just loved when fiction tries to intertwine with real history, especially the wordplay on the main characters’ names (Mary Antoine and Sadie Arnett). A really refreshing historical fiction.
My ADHD brain also loved how the book has very short chapters so it didn’t feel like I was reading a long book. It felt like reading proses that was easily digestible even though it was so decadent with thought-provoking ideas.
My only critique for this books how it describes George. It just didn’t felt right to me that she was constantly described as ugly, at times it felt unnecessary. Even though in the end it’s sort of explained why she was seen as ugly… just didn’t feel too right for me that the only gender non conforming character is being described with such negativity but I digress. I do think it’s cool to explore George’s gender identity from the POV that she was a biological female, it made me think of myself which was nice in a way. I do think we should have gotten more of George and less on Marie and Sadie’s insanity but again, I digress. Also one more critique is the fatphobic remarks on Marie’s “fatness” when she was a child. Like idk. I thought it wasn’t THAT necessary.
This has been my favorite 5 star read of the year. Very thought provoking, engaging, and radical. If it was more compact and shorter, I think it would reach a wider audience. Will be exploring more of the author’s works.
It was queer in a really theatrical way, and I liked that it wasn’t advertised or written to be an exclusively queer story about two women in love with each other—it had everything in it. Snarky feminism, a twist on history, the cobweb of privilege, class struggle and the exhilarating side of a revolution. It’s a really unique call out of capitalism, and a fresh look on feminism. I just loved when fiction tries to intertwine with real history, especially the wordplay on the main characters’ names (Mary Antoine and Sadie Arnett). A really refreshing historical fiction.
My ADHD brain also loved how the book has very short chapters so it didn’t feel like I was reading a long book. It felt like reading proses that was easily digestible even though it was so decadent with thought-provoking ideas.
This has been my favorite 5 star read of the year. Very thought provoking, engaging, and radical. If it was more compact and shorter, I think it would reach a wider audience. Will be exploring more of the author’s works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Abortion, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail