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siralexjames's reviews
34 reviews
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Second time around reading Moshfegh and it delivered with exhilarating triumph. This book covers a lot of the darker truths of our world while also highlighting many of the things society might otherwise shy away from. I believe what I admire most about Eileen is its willingness to portray and confront the horrors of reality in such an unapologetic way while giving the reader room to reflect on the nature of good and evil. Perhaps Moshfegh urges us to look closer through the darkness, shining a light on certain areas where others might not have dared to look before.
All Down Darkness Wide by Seán Hewitt
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Seán Hewitt’s All Down Darkness Wide was one long vivid breath that was both exhilarating and at other times, the cause of my being left winded. Breathtakingly beautiful, this book contains a living pulse, a heartbeat that continued pounding until the final page. I was captivated by Hewitt from the beginning and feel blessed to have encountered such a soul through writing in this lifetime. I am convinced that Hewitt’s gift for writing makes him much more than a writer. This memoir holds so much wonder and I am content to have read his poetry as a sort of companion to this story. I am happily changed, never to be the same, a sign I have come to find, as having come across a masterpiece.
Tongues of Fire by Seán Hewitt
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
A fine work of art with each poem and page a door opening to reveal a writer worth reading with words resembling valuable gems. Some hidden in plain sight. Hewitt is a master of his craft, possessing a voice that illuminates through trails of darkness, echoing his brilliant light. In many ways, these poems prove to be haunting and healing, guiding us to look deep within our selves, nudging us closer to nature, offering an ode to perseverance in the face of reflection. Darkness offers itself as a safety net, promising to catch all that the light cannot behold on its own. This was an experience I will carry with me, revisiting will be inevitable.
Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Jodi Picoult
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This book hooks you from the very beginning and anchors itself deep within your heart. There are many topics covered in the honeycomb of this book. All are handled with such profound care and respect. I applaud both authors for their triumphant storytelling and the representation that was given the opportunity to be explored. There are many twists in Mad Honey and each page turns into a road that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
One’s heart is easily shattered upon the loss of a loved one. The pieces that remain are picked up and held to certain lights that show us truths. A confrontation of our past. A reckoning of future. Grief can reveal many things. And sometimes things are still left to settle in the dark. Crying in H Mart is a vulnerable and expressive take on such matters. Michelle Zauner opens the many layers of her heart in such a beautiful and tragic memoir. Peeling back to expose the reality of healing and what lies in the wake of grief. Identity emerges from the shadows, bringing to light the love that never fades.
Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
One of the most enchanting and exciting reads I had the pleasure of experiencing. This book was like drinking water. At other times, it took my breath away. Lispector’s brilliant mind shines on every page and haunts the reader with every word. Near to the Wild Heart invents new ways of connecting to the world around us while also creating a new world altogether. Her writing offers an intimate and astonishing portrayal of life and what happens to us when we are at the center of it.
Lie with Me by Philippe Besson
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Nostalgic and deeply felt, Besson’s writing pulls on so many heartstrings and expresses the melancholic and emotional aftermath of first love. It is a sad read, but offers something more than that. I believe many will also find resonance within these pages.
Devotion by Patti Smith
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I have found a new favorite book and I am so grateful to have come across this fantastic piece of writing from the brilliant mind and legend that is Patti Smith. There is always something new and inspirational to learn from her writings and this book in particular is not only groundbreaking, but truly life changing. I definitely plan to revisit this book in the future. This is essential reading!