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susukam's reviews
231 reviews
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'd describe this book as relaxing, it's quite a simple and straightforward plot, with good character development.
Definitely a book that's not for everyone, but I really loved it! People keep saying it's a self-help book, but I don't see it that way at all. I appreciated the positive message about fate, destiny, and choices, and how if you want to follow your dreams, you should just go for it. I feel like the main focus is on trying to live life without regrets.
It is definitely preachy, but I didn’t mind since it’s rare to see both Islamic and biblical references woven together in a novel. I enjoyed reading about how the characters hold onto faith and religion while pursuing their goals. That said, I can totally understand why some people might not like that aspect—at times, it can feel overbearing. Still, I was a fan of the style.
Overall, it’s a very quick read and beautifully written.
Definitely a book that's not for everyone, but I really loved it! People keep saying it's a self-help book, but I don't see it that way at all. I appreciated the positive message about fate, destiny, and choices, and how if you want to follow your dreams, you should just go for it. I feel like the main focus is on trying to live life without regrets.
It is definitely preachy, but I didn’t mind since it’s rare to see both Islamic and biblical references woven together in a novel. I enjoyed reading about how the characters hold onto faith and religion while pursuing their goals. That said, I can totally understand why some people might not like that aspect—at times, it can feel overbearing. Still, I was a fan of the style.
Overall, it’s a very quick read and beautifully written.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This book felt like it approached depression in a way that reflects outdated, surface-level perceptions, almost as if written from the perspective of someone who doesn’t truly understand it. The idea that simply exploring "what could have been" will somehow make you magically grateful for your current life is overly simplistic and dismissive. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes about mental health, making it seem like depression is easily resolved by a shift in perspective rather than acknowledging the complexities of the condition. Books like this frustrate me because they feel tone-deaf and can inadvertently reinforce misconceptions about mental health.
While the concept of The Midnight Library as a liminal space between life and death is intriguing, however the execution is poorly done . The plot is highly predictable, and Nora, the protagonist, comes across as one-dimensional. She’s an average person overwhelmed by regret, but instead of delving into meaningful self-reflection or growth, the story glosses over any real effort to work on herself. Shockingly, therapy isn’t even mentioned once in a book ostensibly about mental health.
Additionally, the narrative feels heavy-handed, constantly overexplaining itself to the reader. There’s no room for subtlety or interpretation because either Nora or Mrs. Elm spells everything out, stripping the story of any deeper layers of symbolism or nuance. Overall, while the premise had potential, the execution fell flat, leaving me more frustrated than inspired.
While the concept of The Midnight Library as a liminal space between life and death is intriguing, however the execution is poorly done . The plot is highly predictable, and Nora, the protagonist, comes across as one-dimensional. She’s an average person overwhelmed by regret, but instead of delving into meaningful self-reflection or growth, the story glosses over any real effort to work on herself. Shockingly, therapy isn’t even mentioned once in a book ostensibly about mental health.
Additionally, the narrative feels heavy-handed, constantly overexplaining itself to the reader. There’s no room for subtlety or interpretation because either Nora or Mrs. Elm spells everything out, stripping the story of any deeper layers of symbolism or nuance. Overall, while the premise had potential, the execution fell flat, leaving me more frustrated than inspired.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Since this is marketed towards youth/kids I won't rate it, but I do have to say I'm disappointed. It's too naive in the way it presents war and conflicts between different races. I would've been okay with it, had they not completely glossed over a literal killed of innocent students. Like it just happens, and the person who was part of it, Okwu is suddenly forgiven by the main character. It's not even forgiven, it's more like forgotten because their crimes aren't even mentioned. When they are talked about, it's always with a weird pretense of 'honour' or being forced to do what they did. So it's just so strange why the author committed to the Muduse commiting mass murder, if they wanted the audience to feel sympathy for them???
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
What in the world did I just read. I'll give you two quotes that summarize my distaste for the book.
For some reason the woman in the book has a psycho streak that comes up randomly?? When her niece/nephew is crying she has this thought:
"I looked at the small knife we'd used to cut the cake still lying there on the table: if it was a matter of making him quiet, it would be easy enough"
And then for some reason the whole book is highly misogynistic. With the main lead having gross comments, such as:
"Your womb is probably too old to be of any use, and you don't even have the looks to serve as means to satisfy carnal desire."
First, who talks like that..and second, in what works is that okay to put onto paper. Someone please give me acid for my eyes.
It's just a mess of a book, the characters make no sense and the writing is so weird.
For some reason the woman in the book has a psycho streak that comes up randomly?? When her niece/nephew is crying she has this thought:
"I looked at the small knife we'd used to cut the cake still lying there on the table: if it was a matter of making him quiet, it would be easy enough"
And then for some reason the whole book is highly misogynistic. With the main lead having gross comments, such as:
"Your womb is probably too old to be of any use, and you don't even have the looks to serve as means to satisfy carnal desire."
First, who talks like that..and second, in what works is that okay to put onto paper. Someone please give me acid for my eyes.
It's just a mess of a book, the characters make no sense and the writing is so weird.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Book was okay, overall I enjoyed the first part but didn't like the second and third parts. I would've loved to see a better integration of Eleanor's healing within the FIRST part, rather than it being condensed into the second part. It went from 'show don't tell' to a complete tell tell tell. The whole second part is dialogue with a therapist and it felt so defeating to read, because so much buildup had been made, only for all of it to come out in a disappointing way.
What really got on my nerves is that instead of us readers getting a present account of the Climax, we get a slight time skip, where Eleanor had already seen Johnnie. Why didn't the author give us a present account? Why not build up to that moment and let us readers slowly see Eleanor's whole world view come down as she, in present time, realized she was mistaken for her love of Johnnie. It was so underwhelming to have Eleanor think back to that incident, instead of letting the reader experience it WITH her.
Overall, I liked Eleanor but I wish the second and third parts weren't so underwhelming.
What really got on my nerves is that instead of us readers getting a present account of the Climax, we get a slight time skip, where Eleanor had already seen Johnnie. Why didn't the author give us a present account? Why not build up to that moment and let us readers slowly see Eleanor's whole world view come down as she, in present time, realized she was mistaken for her love of Johnnie. It was so underwhelming to have Eleanor think back to that incident, instead of letting the reader experience it WITH her.
Overall, I liked Eleanor but I wish the second and third parts weren't so underwhelming.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was a BIG miss for me. I had heard the complaints about it for a long time but wanted to give it a shot myself and finally understood the criticism ppl had. I didn't realize this was a Dark Satire until halfway through, but despite it being satire it just missed such a great opportunity to delve into the topics it dabbled in.
It raises great discussions about the nuances around individuals who write stories about pocs, or races, that they are not a part of or have any lived experience. It deals with model minorities within publishing and how, even when a poc author is given a shot, it's someone who is privellaged and maintains the status quo.
The IRONY and real satire is that the author R.F Kuang is a model minority herself. Who is quite similar to Athena, having come from a RICH RICH and a social media claim to fame.
Instead of writing a book about Athena, a model minority, and giving opportunity to discuss the unfairness within publishing, Kang goes for the easy route: an insufferable white lady who steals a pocs identity because she's too insecure to realize she herself has white privellage.
I really think it's a shame because I did like many parts of the book, some of the writing felt fun, but seemed to be dragged down by, what felt like, a vent or rant about publishing and being politically correct. This book could've been so much better.
It raises great discussions about the nuances around individuals who write stories about pocs, or races, that they are not a part of or have any lived experience. It deals with model minorities within publishing and how, even when a poc author is given a shot, it's someone who is privellaged and maintains the status quo.
The IRONY and real satire is that the author R.F Kuang is a model minority herself. Who is quite similar to Athena, having come from a RICH RICH and a social media claim to fame.
Instead of writing a book about Athena, a model minority, and giving opportunity to discuss the unfairness within publishing, Kang goes for the easy route: an insufferable white lady who steals a pocs identity because she's too insecure to realize she herself has white privellage.
I really think it's a shame because I did like many parts of the book, some of the writing felt fun, but seemed to be dragged down by, what felt like, a vent or rant about publishing and being politically correct. This book could've been so much better.