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simranpradhan's reviews
122 reviews
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
surprisingly i didn't hate it
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
I don't think I am qualified enough to actually rate or review this.
this is like the classic example of, the girls who get it, get it. the girls who don't, don't.
that's it. no questions asked. if you absolutely loathes this book, by all means, go ahead and shit on it, i will completely get it.
this is one of those semi-plot druggie narrative books where its a story, because just there is. if you have want to find any point, you're in the wrong place. there is no theme, no meaning, no message, just pure fucking raw what the actual fuck shit.
and since it was just pure fucking raw what the actual fuck shit i actually understood, i enjoyed it, might as well have devoured it.
so yeah, i feel like an intellectual lol.
what i liked? well, the writing for one. it did not feel forced or that overly describing kind you're supposed to swallow like- see? this? THIS? this is pretty smart right? no shade to that kind of writing but it would not have worked here, at all.
ik a lot of people complain samantha is just a whiny loser, but like- i see her? feel her? maybe i am just a whiny bitch myself? idk. right from the beginning her depression/mental breakdown is very clear, it doesn't try to be pretentious with i am a woman in college meant to make a difference in the world but from the beginning the writing's (be it samantha's thinking or what others say to her) has always been pretty self aware. i liked that, not trying or being more than what you are. she never annoyed me, and while i can't go as far as to say i related to her, (because well sure the fuck not -) i can say i saw what she was trying to say, or just saw her and her story.
i liked max? idk if this is weird or problematic to say but the book became significantly better with him around.
i loved the ava - samantha (& then max) dynamic. a lot.
i hate the bunnies lol. not in a way that ohmygodstopthisicantreadanythingaboutthemanymore
kinda hate, but the way i guess the reader was supposed to hate, through samantha's eyes.
i definitely won't pick this book again lol because its trippy af unless i need to do some writing research concerned with it. i really hope i dont.
this was also my first horror
------------- speculative spoilers ahead -------------
page 35 "this is certainly an interesting read, but i have never picked up horror either so"
February 2, 2023 – 40.0% "what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck"
February 3, 2023 – 70.0% "she so in love with ava how do you not see it snwnsbs"
February 3, 2023 – 75.0% "NOT AVA FALLING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS THE MALE REPLICA OF SAMANTHA SNWNSN"
February 5th, 2023
this is like the classic example of, the girls who get it, get it. the girls who don't, don't.
that's it. no questions asked. if you absolutely loathes this book, by all means, go ahead and shit on it, i will completely get it.
this is one of those semi-plot druggie narrative books where its a story, because just there is. if you have want to find any point, you're in the wrong place. there is no theme, no meaning, no message, just pure fucking raw what the actual fuck shit.
and since it was just pure fucking raw what the actual fuck shit i actually understood, i enjoyed it, might as well have devoured it.
so yeah, i feel like an intellectual lol.
what i liked? well, the writing for one. it did not feel forced or that overly describing kind you're supposed to swallow like- see? this? THIS? this is pretty smart right? no shade to that kind of writing but it would not have worked here, at all.
ik a lot of people complain samantha is just a whiny loser, but like- i see her? feel her? maybe i am just a whiny bitch myself? idk. right from the beginning her depression/mental breakdown is very clear, it doesn't try to be pretentious with i am a woman in college meant to make a difference in the world but from the beginning the writing's (be it samantha's thinking or what others say to her) has always been pretty self aware. i liked that, not trying or being more than what you are. she never annoyed me, and while i can't go as far as to say i related to her, (because well sure the fuck not -) i can say i saw what she was trying to say, or just saw her and her story.
i liked max? idk if this is weird or problematic to say but the book became significantly better with him around.
i loved the ava - samantha (& then max) dynamic. a lot.
i hate the bunnies lol. not in a way that ohmygodstopthisicantreadanythingaboutthemanymore
kinda hate, but the way i guess the reader was supposed to hate, through samantha's eyes.
i definitely won't pick this book again lol because its trippy af unless i need to do some writing research concerned with it. i really hope i dont.
this was also my first horror
------------- speculative spoilers ahead -------------
page 35 "this is certainly an interesting read, but i have never picked up horror either so"
February 2, 2023 – 40.0% "what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck"
February 3, 2023 – 70.0% "she so in love with ava how do you not see it snwnsbs"
February 3, 2023 – 75.0% "NOT AVA FALLING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS THE MALE REPLICA OF SAMANTHA SNWNSN"
February 5th, 2023
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
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
4.0
The Calcutta Chromosome: A Novel Of Fevers, Delirium And Discovery by Amitav Ghosh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
life's too short to read about immortality from malaria
The Great Passage by Shion Miura
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
dnf 30% - 1.02.23
yeah, so, no. i am just gonna jump through it.
--- the main character is actually dumb. she is supposed to be this manipulative? sexy? enthralling? icon? but is just pathetic. there's stuff like:
He’s kind of a Chad. You know, a male Karen? Shit. I’ve been dating a fucking Chad for four years. And I was planning to marry this asshole?!
“I still can’t believe you went brunette for a man whose nickname is Dick,”
this glorious passage: All of Richard’s exes were brunettes. All of his friends’ girlfriends and fiancées and wives are brunettes. All the women at the country club who caught Richard’s eye when he thought I wouldn’t notice were brunettes. So I became a brunette. I figured that brunette might be the way to go to prove I was it for him. God, why was I so fucking stupid?
the lack of self awareness: “You . . . conformed.”
“Conformed?” I say, incredulous. “Me?”
no, me, by picking up this book
--- then these straight makes me wonder if the author purposefully doesn't want us to like her:
There was a time when you could say I was going to college to get my MRS rather than a bachelor’s—to find a husband. We’d spend nights at expensive, exclusive clubs, dancing and waiting on the CEOs and tech titans hanging in the VIP sections to invite us.
How did my ability to read people—what I once prided myself on so strongly—get so inaccurate? How did I fog my lens so terribly with love and adoration that I couldn’t see the signs?
Richard will get down on one knee and ask me to marry him. To become the perfect wife I’ve been showing him I can be. Dutiful and loyal, able to pick up the slack and help him succeed.
I think I had convinced myself doing all of this stuff—willingly, I should note, I was never forced—was my way of proving myself as wife material. The woman who could handle these details with a smile. That by doing it, I was proving my worth, that I was worthy of him.
this is like conservative white women twitter moment or something
look, i know people get into abusive relationships all the time and have a hard time getting out of it but this woman constantly points out how happy she was. that is, up until richard didn't break up with her she was fine with all of this - and still we have to also get along with the fact that she was a sex goddess when she was in college, her smiles could land jobs and boys and comets on her feet. but somehow, one boring dumb guy knocks her out of all of this for FOUR YEARS and she's fine, she even encourages it, becomes a personal assistant for fuck's sake despite how cLeVeR she is. like, stick to one personality, God. i know its a cutesy no brainer romance book but at least then don't make it THIS cliche
--- then damien is just so.. typical. ceo lawyer sexy hot little older commitment issues ohmygod don't you guys get bored reading the same erotica about the same men like -
"I’m a very possessive man. What’s mine is mine.”
“Boys might not, baby. But men? Men love to make a woman scream their name while their head is between her legs.”
i am gagging.
--- there is a constant repetition of the same kinda writing to the point its painful
It’s like someone talking to a toddler who painted all over their bedroom but is still holding the brush, able to do more damage.
He sighs, and it’s the sigh you give a five-year-old when they ask for ice cream at seven in the morning.
her hands held up like I’m a feral dog who might attack at any moment.
--- the most annoying, the need to explain every "problematic" statement to the point it's right on your face. like geez, okay, we won't cancel you but the writing still sucks
And he’s going bald. No shade to Vin Diesel because Richard is not Vin Diesel.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with a short man. Nothing at all. The issue becomes when the man puts so much thought into how tall he is that it starts to impact who he’s with.
There’s nothing wrong with brown hair by any means—Kat pulls it off like a damn goddess, and it looks fab on my sister, Hannah. But it has never fit me.
NO CONVERSATION OF VALUE TAKES PLACE. WHY DID I EVEN PICK THIS UP
yeah, so, no. i am just gonna jump through it.
--- the main character is actually dumb. she is supposed to be this manipulative? sexy? enthralling? icon? but is just pathetic. there's stuff like:
He’s kind of a Chad. You know, a male Karen? Shit. I’ve been dating a fucking Chad for four years. And I was planning to marry this asshole?!
“I still can’t believe you went brunette for a man whose nickname is Dick,”
this glorious passage: All of Richard’s exes were brunettes. All of his friends’ girlfriends and fiancées and wives are brunettes. All the women at the country club who caught Richard’s eye when he thought I wouldn’t notice were brunettes. So I became a brunette. I figured that brunette might be the way to go to prove I was it for him. God, why was I so fucking stupid?
the lack of self awareness: “You . . . conformed.”
“Conformed?” I say, incredulous. “Me?”
no, me, by picking up this book
--- then these straight makes me wonder if the author purposefully doesn't want us to like her:
There was a time when you could say I was going to college to get my MRS rather than a bachelor’s—to find a husband. We’d spend nights at expensive, exclusive clubs, dancing and waiting on the CEOs and tech titans hanging in the VIP sections to invite us.
How did my ability to read people—what I once prided myself on so strongly—get so inaccurate? How did I fog my lens so terribly with love and adoration that I couldn’t see the signs?
Richard will get down on one knee and ask me to marry him. To become the perfect wife I’ve been showing him I can be. Dutiful and loyal, able to pick up the slack and help him succeed.
I think I had convinced myself doing all of this stuff—willingly, I should note, I was never forced—was my way of proving myself as wife material. The woman who could handle these details with a smile. That by doing it, I was proving my worth, that I was worthy of him.
this is like conservative white women twitter moment or something
look, i know people get into abusive relationships all the time and have a hard time getting out of it but this woman constantly points out how happy she was. that is, up until richard didn't break up with her she was fine with all of this - and still we have to also get along with the fact that she was a sex goddess when she was in college, her smiles could land jobs and boys and comets on her feet. but somehow, one boring dumb guy knocks her out of all of this for FOUR YEARS and she's fine, she even encourages it, becomes a personal assistant for fuck's sake despite how cLeVeR she is. like, stick to one personality, God. i know its a cutesy no brainer romance book but at least then don't make it THIS cliche
--- then damien is just so.. typical. ceo lawyer sexy hot little older commitment issues ohmygod don't you guys get bored reading the same erotica about the same men like -
"I’m a very possessive man. What’s mine is mine.”
“Boys might not, baby. But men? Men love to make a woman scream their name while their head is between her legs.”
i am gagging.
--- there is a constant repetition of the same kinda writing to the point its painful
It’s like someone talking to a toddler who painted all over their bedroom but is still holding the brush, able to do more damage.
He sighs, and it’s the sigh you give a five-year-old when they ask for ice cream at seven in the morning.
her hands held up like I’m a feral dog who might attack at any moment.
--- the most annoying, the need to explain every "problematic" statement to the point it's right on your face. like geez, okay, we won't cancel you but the writing still sucks
And he’s going bald. No shade to Vin Diesel because Richard is not Vin Diesel.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with a short man. Nothing at all. The issue becomes when the man puts so much thought into how tall he is that it starts to impact who he’s with.
There’s nothing wrong with brown hair by any means—Kat pulls it off like a damn goddess, and it looks fab on my sister, Hannah. But it has never fit me.
NO CONVERSATION OF VALUE TAKES PLACE. WHY DID I EVEN PICK THIS UP