sinvvas's reviews
292 reviews

Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik

informative reflective tense slow-paced

1.5

This was one of the most bloated and narcissistic books that I have had the pleasure of reading. I was hoping for details about these women’s lives and careers, and I was prepared to get a look at Joan Didion under her cool “it girl” facade. Instead I got a book that blamed Didion for her child’s death, pitted the two women against each other, and had large tangents about how the author did not think that Didion deserved her success. This was really just a book for Eve Babitz and I would be totally cool with that if the name “Didion” wasn’t slapped on the cover. 

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

2.5

Not for me :(

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

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

4.25

“The reason magical girls exist is because they needed their power the most. In other words, before a magical girl awakens her powers, she’s the weakest person in the world.” Fun, fast, and surprisingly climate focused book. I’m a huge fun of subverting the magical girl narrative so this was just very up my alley. 

Nicked by M.T. Anderson

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

dark informative tense slow-paced

4.25

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

dark hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

I used to describe myself as having “unlikeable person syndrome” feeling a lot like how she felt it this book. It’s nice to see hope through adulthood and how frustrating it is to have to put constant effort into something that was done to you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Smacks the book. This bad boy can fit so much heart, charm, and dirty talk in here. It was an absolute delight. 

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0