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sophielua's reviews
65 reviews
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Ann Friedman, Aminatou Sow
4.0
what a beautiful ode to friendship & all the beauty that comes with it. this just reaffirmed my desire to be anywhere but here !!!! and caused me to enter a major depressive phase because i miss my friends terribly 3 i still don’t know if reading this was a good idea given the pandemic but yes i think it is very timely, because connection is a luxury these days. and this made me want to put in the work in the name of biG fRienDsHiP. filled w cute terms too like “shine theory” and “stretching” and ya. just read it guys
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
5.0
simply dazzling, through and through. i feel unspeakably raw and broken
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
5.0
writers & lovers absolutely took my breath away. this might be one of my favourite books of all time. wildly conversation-driven, with elaborate illustrations of each character that saunters into view — illustrations of quaint phrases, detailed gestures, and strange mannerisms. and it’s funny, because this book was severely lacking in physical descriptions of its leads, but they’re so vivid in my mind nonetheless.
and let’s not forget the prose! so very special. king balances the tricky dichotomy of capturing a young voice and allowing her leads to brandish some sophistication here and there by peppering dialogue with poetry and cultural references.
this book won’t be for everyone. it leans into the strange blankness of a protagonist who is truly, truly lost, and doesn’t rush into any type of redemption. but this perhaps is my favourite part of all: its complete and utter rawness. for three days, i was casey peabody. i lived a whole life through this novel. i lived, i loved, and felt it all so deeply. <3
and let’s not forget the prose! so very special. king balances the tricky dichotomy of capturing a young voice and allowing her leads to brandish some sophistication here and there by peppering dialogue with poetry and cultural references.
this book won’t be for everyone. it leans into the strange blankness of a protagonist who is truly, truly lost, and doesn’t rush into any type of redemption. but this perhaps is my favourite part of all: its complete and utter rawness. for three days, i was casey peabody. i lived a whole life through this novel. i lived, i loved, and felt it all so deeply. <3
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
4.0
this book was transporting. i think this is the first time I've read a novel that framed the growth of an individual through the experience of food, and all I can say is... it was refreshing to witness. this felt me feeling raw, and grounded in my reality.
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
5.0
this is, quite possibly, the most wholesome piece of literature i’ve ever had the pleasure of consuming. a definite favourite for years to come. this captures the idea that we are all just people — people who possess potential to craft great friendships, should we want to do so. i opened up my heart to this book and kept flipping until i reached the end without realizing. this book was weightless and elusive in my hands, ending much too soon. i’m aching to read this all over again.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
3.0
i just know that i will remember this book forever. incredibly tender and soft-hearted yet absolutely hilarious. this is the type of novel that doesn’t take its protagonist too seriously, and, with all his failures and flaws, makes you love him all the more. arthur less has a special place in my heart (and my windowsill bc i named my new plant after him) and i will always think of his adventures.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
4.0
The plotline? Gripping. The protagonists? Magnetic. The writing? Exquisite. All I can say is that my bedtime is 10PM, but it’s safe to say that this novel had me poring over its pages well past midnight. Quite a lot of unpinned feelings, but the predominant one is dissatisfaction — not the bad kind that leads to disappointment, rather the kind that paves the way for deeper thought. I really did enjoy this one, and I feel hollow following its wake. This was nothing short of a sweeping adventure. A wondrous story. A captivating tale that treasures human connection in all its glory: precious, rare, & fleeting (much like the book itself). I don’t know how to explain it, but this novel brought me back to myself! It was probably the poetry tucked into the most mundane moments, constantly taking my breath away without pretence. This was deeply affecting and unforgettable.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
4.0
i don’t even know how to process this. i think this is the type of book that could benefit from a second reading (and a glass of wine) because of the way it gives surprise sucker-punches during the most lighthearted moments. this will read differently depending on where you place yourself socially and politically. i personally felt icky and squirmy because i realize that there is so much i don’t understand when it comes to talking about race; the subtle hypocrisy and micro-aggressions are what build up to create the entire experience. this book unpacks that for you (it really does escalate). now, with regards to the characters, i feel like their idiosyncrasies were so on point, they pretty much feel like real people. like... their unique imperfections and personal confusions literally make their personalities ! pop ! as you’re reading. so yes, you may unconsciously compare them to people you know. some of them may actually be you. just prepare yourself for that, because this book demands that you constantly check yourself. but let it all in, because the issues that this book brings to surface spark a conversation we should all be having. overall a very, very important read w one helluva plotline. this is type of book you openly debate with your friends over because of the various ways people may interpret the characters & situations. but i mean, that’s how you know a book is worth reading, right? when it challenges you and pushes u off your high horse