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ssgcedits's reviews
158 reviews
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ah, yes... The better Green.
A very fast-paced adventure with much information and reflection on social media, media narratives, and how we see international/global problems. It reads a bit like a stream of consciousness but in a very effective and organised way. It is clearly written by a science person, but I mean that in the best way possible. It is very straightforward and unpretentious. Because it is so rooted in what our culture is actually like, it feels extremely possible, even real, despite being an alien invasion sci-fi story. I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a page-turner regardless of their interest in sci-fi.
A very fast-paced adventure with much information and reflection on social media, media narratives, and how we see international/global problems. It reads a bit like a stream of consciousness but in a very effective and organised way. It is clearly written by a science person, but I mean that in the best way possible. It is very straightforward and unpretentious. Because it is so rooted in what our culture is actually like, it feels extremely possible, even real, despite being an alien invasion sci-fi story. I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a page-turner regardless of their interest in sci-fi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
I couldn't take the unnecessary dragging of this story anymore.
Pan by Ssgc Edits, S. Ellan
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Working on this collection really was a pleasure. I hope the poems touch the readers as much as they did the editor.
Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
I had to pause several times while reading this and got a sadness hangover for three days after I was done--it's that depressing. But, of course, it wouldn't make that much of an emotional dent if it weren't masterfully written.
I ticked the lovable character box, not so much because they are particularly good people but because they grow on you as their story is revealed and stay with you long after as their nostalgia clings to you. You get the feeling that this pair of criminals could very well be your uncles, that they could be you. I always love an accurate depiction of mental illness and addiction. Sad as it may be--and this one is--it always makes you feel a bit less alone.
And, of course, the Irish charm on every page completes the package.
It deserves all the praise it got and more.
I ticked the lovable character box, not so much because they are particularly good people but because they grow on you as their story is revealed and stay with you long after as their nostalgia clings to you. You get the feeling that this pair of criminals could very well be your uncles, that they could be you. I always love an accurate depiction of mental illness and addiction. Sad as it may be--and this one is--it always makes you feel a bit less alone.
And, of course, the Irish charm on every page completes the package.
It deserves all the praise it got and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment and Confinement
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
And he did it again. Paolini never writes anything below epic.
This story is brilliantly researched, packed with action (even a bit too much for someone used to slower books) and well-rounded, diverse characters. It feels like a perfectly plausible future, but there are also nods to the Empire series that make it seem like a plausible future in that same universe.
It is definitely more adult and explicit than Empire. I am not saying that Empire isn't violent, bloody and nasty at points, because it is, but this book goes into more gore-ish detail, I think. So, be ready for that. I had to pause at various points not just because of the violence but also the sense of impending doom that builds up throughout the novel and to the very end.
Another great skill of Paolini's is in depicting relationships from the most formal to most intimate. Nothing is instantaneous or unexplained. It all makes sense to those characters in that moment and under those circumstances (almost always abnormal). Similarly, the saddest moments are often bittersweet and the happiest tend to be quite complex, which I also appreciate.
There is a lot o subtle and not-so-subtle commentary on racism and 'otherness,' on government, corporations and the exploitation of space and workers such as miners. I always admired the way Paolini handles the interaction of different species and it is no different here. In such a dark narrative, the inclusion of comical or lighthearted characters was very welcome.
And, again, as usual, at the end of a long book, there are still many mysteries to uncover and stories to tell beyond the protagonist's. So, is that an open door for (a) sequel(s)? I hope so.
This story is brilliantly researched, packed with action (even a bit too much for someone used to slower books) and well-rounded, diverse characters. It feels like a perfectly plausible future, but there are also nods to the Empire series that make it seem like a plausible future in that same universe.
It is definitely more adult and explicit than Empire. I am not saying that Empire isn't violent, bloody and nasty at points, because it is, but this book goes into more gore-ish detail, I think. So, be ready for that. I had to pause at various points not just because of the violence but also the sense of impending doom that builds up throughout the novel and to the very end.
Another great skill of Paolini's is in depicting relationships from the most formal to most intimate. Nothing is instantaneous or unexplained. It all makes sense to those characters in that moment and under those circumstances (almost always abnormal). Similarly, the saddest moments are often bittersweet and the happiest tend to be quite complex, which I also appreciate.
There is a lot o subtle and not-so-subtle commentary on racism and 'otherness,' on government, corporations and the exploitation of space and workers such as miners. I always admired the way Paolini handles the interaction of different species and it is no different here. In such a dark narrative, the inclusion of comical or lighthearted characters was very welcome.
And, again, as usual, at the end of a long book, there are still many mysteries to uncover and stories to tell beyond the protagonist's. So, is that an open door for (a) sequel(s)? I hope so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, War, Torture, and Grief
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love the deep look at how (white) women experience(d) oppression. I hate that the only lesson is that they each have their own special little way of accepting their oppression, even the one who seemed to be the rebel. I sort of expected it, but somehow I was still disappointed.
List of the Lost by Morrissey
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Pretentious sad-white-man syndrome. He tries too hard and fails too obviously to emulate the Beats. It's insulting to the entire genre.
As expected, there are multiple sexist passages and that's already forgiving other 'isms.' But kuddos for the criticism of neo-liberalism and racism. At least, we can rest assured he only hates migrants for media attention.
As expected, there are multiple sexist passages and that's already forgiving other 'isms.' But kuddos for the criticism of neo-liberalism and racism. At least, we can rest assured he only hates migrants for media attention.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexism
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The most beautiful, educational, well-structured and hopeful book on sustainability I have ever come across and I read a lot on the topic. So much is woven into this book--this is science in context, nature in context. The idea that we are actually part of it seems so foreign these days, yet Kimmerer writes seemingly effortlessly about our own role in the ecosystem. She makes it personal by sharing her own life in her essays and those of her community without dismissing much wider economic, political, colonial forces. I hope it is ever more successful and reaches more and more people because its message is urgent: we need not be the destroyer; we need not tear apart to survive; we can be carers, good neighbours, messengers, good children. This is one to pass on and discuss with everyone in your life.