sincerelykiwi's reviews
587 reviews

What If We Were... by Axelle Lenoir

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Started off strong and fun but started to lag halfway through then finished strong. 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

This was my second time reading and I did not like it as much as previously thought. All of the adults are selfish as hell and then have the nerve to look confused when sh*t blows up in their face. I didn’t really find any of the characters likable or redeemed by the end. Idk it just read very white.

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It started out a bit slow but as it gained momentum I was locked in. Unfortunately, it was stopped quite abruptly at the end, but I just found out there’s a sequel so I’ll read that. 

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Grieving is a process that doesn’t ever really end, it’s just something you learn to live with. We’re at the beginning of the grieving process with Peter and Ivan and, to be frank, they are a mess.
I found both of them to be manipulative and jealous of each other. They have a lot of personal issues compounded with their grief where they see each other very clearly but also not clearly at all. To be fair, Peter was more aware of his shortcomings and patterns of self-destruction, whereas Ivan was too self-absorbed to see himself clearly. If I had to choose who annoyed me the least out of the brothers it would be Peter.
I have so many thoughts on the women in their lives… there is a Madonna/Whore dichotomy happening with Sylvia and Naomi but that’s Peter’s fault. Now with Margaret, Ivan is looking for a mother who doesn’t find him exhausting… it’s not just the age thing but the way he looks to her for guidance and acceptance. So much here!   

Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé by Michael Arceneaux

adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

Daddy by Emma Cline

adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

All of the stories felt incomplete. The author danced around real issues in each story so I wasn’t sure what I was reading but knew that it wasn’t the full story and I just found that very annoying.

What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

3.0

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I'm Telling the Truth, But I'm Lying: Essays by Bassey Ikpi

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

Brutally honest account of her life leading up to her diagnosis. It’s so beautifully written, which makes sense as she’s an ex-poet.