stillmuseum's reviews
421 reviews

The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş

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5.0

 A gem of a novel. It explores the choice to find home in a foreign city. It is gentle and contemplative.
 
Worry Lines: You're Doing Really Well Given the Circumstances by Worry Lines

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funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

4.5

An adorably affirming read for the anxious, overwhelmed and depressed. Anyone looking to giggle through tears should pick this up.
Frida Kahlo's Love Letters by Suzanne Barbezat

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reflective fast-paced

3.5

“You are the mirror of the night. The violent flash of lightning. The dampness of the earth… All my joy is to feel life spring from your flower-fountain that mine keeps to fill all the paths of my nerves, which are yours.”

-Frida Kahlo diary entry about Diego Rivera

Beautifully intimate reading experience - to read someone’s feelings captured in the moment that they felt them. And an artistic genius at that!

I also really appreciate that many of the letters themselves were printed with in the book. I personally couldn’t read them (I can only read in English), however, it is a lovely touch.

I recommend this book be read along with a greater study/reading of Frida’s life. (I’ve only seen the film starring Salma Hayek years ago and it was enough to contextualize most of it.)

I think I would have preferred the letters be presented in chronological order (not grouped by the recipient) so all of her loves could be read within the context of each other. I would have also preferred a little more context about her life between some of the letters. However, I doubt this book was meant to be read cover to cover, as I did.

[This review is based on an advanced copy provided to me by Edelweiss.]

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The 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Such a fun read that really hit me in my Disney nostalgia. So many of those iconic elements/moments from the film are right here in the original book. I enjoyed the playful tone - it is very akin to the Pongo narration in the Disney film, but with a wider scope.

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A Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
I wanted to like this one so much, but I just didn't buy into these people as a mafia family. The main male character (Nate) is adorable - I liked him the most - but the way he was just immediately accepted and integrated into their family makes NO sense. When I started to agree with the (likely) villain character about Nate, I knew it was time to give up.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

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

3.5

Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry

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informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

This is book is a meditation on black people’s relationship with the colour blue. A great book for anyone starting to get into non-ficiton. 
The reading experience most reminded me of reading Braiding Sweetgrass. Like BS, the prose is simple but informative and emotionally rich. It’s not as poetic, but I still suggest you take your time reading it.

Excellent read.

[This review is based an advanced reader copy, provided by NetGalley. Thank you, NetGalley!] 
The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
not enough of the Mulan stuff that i love - gender play, bisexual panic.