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sisa_moyo's reviews
195 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
adventurous
emotional
I've wanted to read this book for the longest time, but after a heard a review from someone that they found it weird that all the women used their ticket back in time to go and see men/ fix romantic relationships with men I started this book a bit apprehensive of whether i would enjoy it.
But I really loved this sort little book. It was beautiful and tender and explored various kinds of relationships in a succint and moving way, from romantic relationships, to sisterhood, and motherhood, they were all written so well, and the cast of characters wonderfully built, each with their own distinct personality and voices which I loved.
I did find the specific part of going back in time quite repetitive as the same language was used to describe each trip, and there were also some sentences that would be repeated like 3 sentences apart which for me was a bit odd. And some parts didn;t add up on the rules of time travel, such as moving objects like letters through space time.
Overall, it was a good read. Perfect for people who want a short book that explores human connection and makes you ponder about your relationships with those close to you and how to cherish them without regret.
But I really loved this sort little book. It was beautiful and tender and explored various kinds of relationships in a succint and moving way, from romantic relationships, to sisterhood, and motherhood, they were all written so well, and the cast of characters wonderfully built, each with their own distinct personality and voices which I loved.
Overall, it was a good read. Perfect for people who want a short book that explores human connection and makes you ponder about your relationships with those close to you and how to cherish them without regret.
dd's Umbrella by Hwang Jungeun, 황정은
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Had to take it back to the library
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 2 by Koyoharu Gotouge
Here we’re introduced to Kibutsuji and you cannot tell me that he is not Michael Jackson because he is.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Keiko, an autistic coded woman who has only ever worked in a convenience store for 18 years and has no aspirations to work anywhere else.
This is such an interesting read. The author talks about societal expectations, especially on women and how without marriage they are considered abnormal or outcasts. Keiko is judged for being ambitionless and staying in a dead beat job and so is unmarried while her friend is “too successful” and so is unmarried.
The author explores Keiko’s attempts to live in a society and coexist with people who cannot accept or understand her neurodivergence or personal identity.
It was interesting too how Murata comments on individuality and how it is affected by societal expectations, from how Murata adopts mannerisms, clothing styles from people at work, her friends and how they adopt those of each other as well. I suppose it’s in that way that societal expectations are further cemented and societies kept homogenous.
This is such an interesting read. The author talks about societal expectations, especially on women and how without marriage they are considered abnormal or outcasts. Keiko is judged for being ambitionless and staying in a dead beat job and so is unmarried while her friend is “too successful” and so is unmarried.
The author explores Keiko’s attempts to live in a society and coexist with people who cannot accept or understand her neurodivergence or personal identity.
It was interesting too how Murata comments on individuality and how it is affected by societal expectations, from how Murata adopts mannerisms, clothing styles from people at work, her friends and how they adopt those of each other as well. I suppose it’s in that way that societal expectations are further cemented and societies kept homogenous.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is darkly funny and well written with well balanced humour and personal life elements.
As someone who religiously watched both icarly and Sam and Cat because of Sam Puckett’s character, to get to peer into McCurdy’s life and trauma, fear abuse and healing was so informative.
This is an account of McCurdy’s life becoming a child star against her will to please her mother, the emotional, physical and verbal abuse, trauma and manipulation she experiences at the hands of her mother. From extreme invasions of personal spaces, eating disorders, personal image, and being manipulated into a “dead-end” career in which she could form no personal identity or image.
As she grows older in the account the narrative voice also matures as Jennette does, so well written.
McCurdy understands what a memoir is, she spills all, tells all doesn’t hide anything and uses simple and candid language as is, which makes this so emotional and hard hitting from the first page down for the last sentence.
As someone who religiously watched both icarly and Sam and Cat because of Sam Puckett’s character, to get to peer into McCurdy’s life and trauma, fear abuse and healing was so informative.
This is an account of McCurdy’s life becoming a child star against her will to please her mother, the emotional, physical and verbal abuse, trauma and manipulation she experiences at the hands of her mother. From extreme invasions of personal spaces, eating disorders, personal image, and being manipulated into a “dead-end” career in which she could form no personal identity or image.
As she grows older in the account the narrative voice also matures as Jennette does, so well written.
McCurdy understands what a memoir is, she spills all, tells all doesn’t hide anything and uses simple and candid language as is, which makes this so emotional and hard hitting from the first page down for the last sentence.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi, Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
It was an interesting read and I ate it up and enjoyed the reading experience for the most part.
However, I’m unsure if I would have picked this up had I not watched the show (numerous times) before.
I think for me, the world building was not as strong, the picture in my head was based not on the descriptions bit from the show.
I also think the artistic liberties taken in the show, for example with the timeline arrangement, made the story more enjoyable.
Some parts were laugh out funny, and the mystery complex and well constructed, but there were definitely some parts, language and phrases that were quite cringe.
I think if you’ve watched the show and loved it, the experience of reading this might not live up in comparison.
But given that the source material is the books themselves, this was still an enjoyable read and a fun time, and it was wonderful to meet old friends in a world so familiar and magical.
However, I’m unsure if I would have picked this up had I not watched the show (numerous times) before.
I think for me, the world building was not as strong, the picture in my head was based not on the descriptions bit from the show.
I also think the artistic liberties taken in the show, for example with the timeline arrangement, made the story more enjoyable.
Some parts were laugh out funny, and the mystery complex and well constructed, but there were definitely some parts, language and phrases that were quite cringe.
I think if you’ve watched the show and loved it, the experience of reading this might not live up in comparison.
But given that the source material is the books themselves, this was still an enjoyable read and a fun time, and it was wonderful to meet old friends in a world so familiar and magical.
In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is Murakami at his most dark and twisted. This is about an American Frank who comes to Japan to tour the red light district through the services of Kenji, the tour guide. But as the night darkens and the 2 walk through the streets of Japan the mood and tone get darker, deadlier and murderous.
I think Murakami excels most in these shorter books. Compared to his longer book Coin locker babies which at times felt like it meandered into tangents a bit, this felt more whittled down and straight to the point.
In the miso soup is well written in my opinion, the descriptions of Frank, of Japanese night life are so vivid you can clearly picture it, and also feel the creeps from Frank. There was wonderful commentary on America vs the other, of Japanese condition, loneliness and poverty that made the book a spectacular read.
I think while the ending was vague and extremely open ended I quite enjoyed it, the lack of concrete, blatant resolution keeps one thinking about the book long after it, about what happened to each character afterward.
I think Murakami excels most in these shorter books. Compared to his longer book Coin locker babies which at times felt like it meandered into tangents a bit, this felt more whittled down and straight to the point.
In the miso soup is well written in my opinion, the descriptions of Frank, of Japanese night life are so vivid you can clearly picture it, and also feel the creeps from Frank. There was wonderful commentary on America vs the other, of Japanese condition, loneliness and poverty that made the book a spectacular read.
I think while the ending was vague and extremely open ended I quite enjoyed it, the lack of concrete, blatant resolution keeps one thinking about the book long after it, about what happened to each character afterward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Forced institutionalization
Togani by Gong Jiyoung
A strong and powerful book on a dark and twisted moment in South Korean history, that the author novelises with delicacy and kindness yet still maintaining the gruesomeness and pain of it all.
It is eerie and as you read it you too feel consumed and clouded by the mist and fog, bogged down and increasing tight in the chest with each page.
Kang, a failed businessman, lands a job as a teacher at a school for deaf-mute children. Here, he discovers a painful and disturbing secret between the children and the teachers.
I am yet to watch the movie adaption called “Silenced”.
It is eerie and as you read it you too feel consumed and clouded by the mist and fog, bogged down and increasing tight in the chest with each page.
Kang, a failed businessman, lands a job as a teacher at a school for deaf-mute children. Here, he discovers a painful and disturbing secret between the children and the teachers.
I am yet to watch the movie adaption called “Silenced”.
The Consultant by Im Seong-sun
It was an intriguing concept with a lot of criticisms and ponderings on the evils of capitalism and the many various things that count as a job in this system.
About a man who works as a “restructuring consultant” for the Company, and is doing a killer job. (pun intended)
But I felt there was something missing and incomplete about the whole story. There were questions left unanswered that were not satisfactorily addressed for me - the who and whats of the Company for example.
And because the main character did not know, we too will never know so it just felt incomplete for me.
About a man who works as a “restructuring consultant” for the Company, and is doing a killer job. (pun intended)
But I felt there was something missing and incomplete about the whole story. There were questions left unanswered that were not satisfactorily addressed for me - the who and whats of the Company for example.
And because the main character did not know, we too will never know so it just felt incomplete for me.
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
It was nice and short and hopeful. With themes of motherhood, child nurturing, love despite difference and going beyond the limits set for yourself .