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sweetsxrrxw's reviews
91 reviews
People From My Neighbourhood by Hiromi Kawakami
however, despite these two issues, as i said earlier, it's an okay book! i liked how it just painted a picture of a whole neighborhood, explained its quirks, unique experiences and dived into different characters in every chapter. i think i could have enjoyed it more in different conditions
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this book was... okay. not horrible, not good, just okay.
i personally enjoy reading short stories, specially the ones where characters and plots are intertwined. however, there's a couple reasons why i couldn't enjoy this book at 100% :
i personally enjoy reading short stories, specially the ones where characters and plots are intertwined. however, there's a couple reasons why i couldn't enjoy this book at 100% :
- firstly, i've been in a terrible reading slump for months and i thought that reading short stories would help... but it did not. i think it took me about a month to finish this, in three different sittings. so whenever i would pick it up again i'd just forget about most of the characters lmao
- then, the plot is pretty bizarre. it might be a nice read for people who are into weird japanese lore buuut, it's not really my cup of tea.
however, despite these two issues, as i said earlier, it's an okay book! i liked how it just painted a picture of a whole neighborhood, explained its quirks, unique experiences and dived into different characters in every chapter. i think i could have enjoyed it more in different conditions
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Animal death
Moderate: Infidelity and Ableism
Minor: Death and Animal cruelty
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
i like the premise of this book but my reading slump will be the end of me fr
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
this book is a solid 4 star and i knew from the very first moment i started reading it. but i would have never thought it would take me SO long to finish reading it.
for some reason, after i finished reading the first half of the book i got into a terrible reading slump and i don't want to blame it on the story, since i must admit im super burnt out bc of uni, but i liked the first part better, idk.
anyways, going back to the book, i really loved its main theme, of how books can bring people together and i really loved both takako and her uncle satoru so much <3 specially takako, it was nice following her journey of growth, self-discovery and watch her falling in love with books. and of course, her relationship with her uncle was one of the best parts of the book <3
i did not particularly dislike the second half of the story since it was cool to get to know a bit more of momoko's story. but i do wish i had enjoyed it more :/ let's just blame my reading slump, lmao.
but, overall it's a simple cozy story that can easily become your new comfort book <3
for some reason, after i finished reading the first half of the book i got into a terrible reading slump and i don't want to blame it on the story, since i must admit im super burnt out bc of uni, but i liked the first part better, idk.
anyways, going back to the book, i really loved its main theme, of how books can bring people together and i really loved both takako and her uncle satoru so much <3 specially takako, it was nice following her journey of growth, self-discovery and watch her falling in love with books. and of course, her relationship with her uncle was one of the best parts of the book <3
i did not particularly dislike the second half of the story since it was cool to get to know a bit more of momoko's story. but i do wish i had enjoyed it more :/ let's just blame my reading slump, lmao.
but, overall it's a simple cozy story that can easily become your new comfort book <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion and Terminal illness
Minor: Child death
Squire by Nadia Shammas, Sara Alfageeh
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
4.0
a story about a little girl from an opressed minority who wants to become a squire in order to help her struggling family? i'm in.
the artstyle was really good and i loved how it helped the characters express their emotions. also the coloring was really good and i always appreciate a graphic novel with colored pages because i know how much work it takes! and ofc most of the characters (specially aiza and husni <3even though as soon as he was introduced i thought he would die bc that's what happens to the comedic side kicks in fantasy stories lmao )
as for the plot i loved the themes of propaganda and imperialism and the desire for liberation, and the parallelisms with what has been going on in palestine were really good too. however, i can't give this 5 full stars because the ending felt a bit rushed. it's like the 2/3 first parts of the book were slow and you could easily understand what was going on but the final realization happened really quick and i was a bit lost of what was happening and why it was happening.
the artstyle was really good and i loved how it helped the characters express their emotions. also the coloring was really good and i always appreciate a graphic novel with colored pages because i know how much work it takes! and ofc most of the characters (specially aiza and husni <3
as for the plot i loved the themes of propaganda and imperialism and the desire for liberation, and the parallelisms with what has been going on in palestine were really good too. however, i can't give this 5 full stars because the ending felt a bit rushed. it's like the 2/3 first parts of the book were slow and you could easily understand what was going on but the final realization happened really quick and i was a bit lost of what was happening and why it was happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
oh wow. not me tearing up because of a childrens' book.
ok but in all seriousness, the main issues discussed in this book resonate so much with my current situation. i also feel kinda lost at life right now and i wish i could find the answer to my problems the same way these characters did but i don't think that's possible. however, it was really nice to read about them having the same worries as i do.
additionally, it was also nice that this book gave closure to all the main characters in the two first books (ps: rinn looks gorgeous as an adult omg). it's nice how some of their worries were interconnected and they all somehow helped each other to get through their problems.
i also like how this book focused more on grief in all its forms: greta's little tea dragon grieving her last owner, minette feeling homesick for the person she used to be... and how even though sometimes it may take a lot of time for you to get over that grief, at the end of the day you just have to let yourself feel it until you start feeling happy and capable of finding your own path again.
so so so sweet, i hope someday it becomes an animated series or movie so i can watch it <3
ok but in all seriousness, the main issues discussed in this book resonate so much with my current situation. i also feel kinda lost at life right now and i wish i could find the answer to my problems the same way these characters did but i don't think that's possible. however, it was really nice to read about them having the same worries as i do.
additionally, it was also nice that this book gave closure to all the main characters in the two first books (ps: rinn looks gorgeous as an adult omg). it's nice how some of their worries were interconnected and they all somehow helped each other to get through their problems.
i also like how this book focused more on grief in all its forms: greta's little tea dragon grieving her last owner, minette feeling homesick for the person she used to be... and how even though sometimes it may take a lot of time for you to get over that grief, at the end of the day you just have to let yourself feel it until you start feeling happy and capable of finding your own path again.
so so so sweet, i hope someday it becomes an animated series or movie so i can watch it <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Death
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
there are only two details i disliked about this story. firstly, i was a bit upset that this book isn't a continuation to the first one and is instead a backstory which, yeah, was really nice! but i was expecting to see more about greta and minette :( secondly, i never thought that at my big age of twenty i'd be shipping a human with a (mythological) animal 😠like yeah the ship was cute but that was such a humbling experience for me lmfao.
leaving that aside, just like the first one, this book was so so so so sweet and kinda felt like a hug <3 i was once again gladly surprised at the inclusion of deaf people and it was so lovely to see how a whole village learnt asl just for one person, i wish that was more common in real life.
as i already mentioned, it was also nice to get a glimpse on hesekiel and erik's past, meet some of their family members and learn why they decided to retire to the village they're currently living in.
and, of course, i loved the main themes of the story, about how it's never too late to decide or start doing what you love, the "not too late" topic always resonates a lot with me, tbh <3 and the whole finding a home and a place in your community plot was also really sweet.
once again, i really wish i had these books when i was younger.
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
just because something comes easily to you, does not mean it has no value. you find it effortless because you love it, and that is why it is your gift.
there are only two details i disliked about this story. firstly, i was a bit upset that this book isn't a continuation to the first one and is instead a backstory which, yeah, was really nice! but i was expecting to see more about greta and minette :( secondly, i never thought that at my big age of twenty i'd be shipping a human with a (mythological) animal 😠like yeah the ship was cute but that was such a humbling experience for me lmfao.
leaving that aside, just like the first one, this book was so so so so sweet and kinda felt like a hug <3 i was once again gladly surprised at the inclusion of deaf people and it was so lovely to see how a whole village learnt asl just for one person, i wish that was more common in real life.
as i already mentioned, it was also nice to get a glimpse on hesekiel and erik's past, meet some of their family members and learn why they decided to retire to the village they're currently living in.
and, of course, i loved the main themes of the story, about how it's never too late to decide or start doing what you love, the "not too late" topic always resonates a lot with me, tbh <3 and the whole finding a home and a place in your community plot was also really sweet.
once again, i really wish i had these books when i was younger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
i've heard people talk about this book for ages and everything they said about it was really nice and sweet. and i can confirm too, this was super super super sweet <3
let me just start talking about the art because it is incredibly pretty and adorable. the little dragons are super cute, the color palette is gorgeous.
i remember i had also read about the characters being diverse so i really wasn't surprised to see the different skin tones they all have (and even a hijabi as an extra character <3) but what really surprised me was how one of the characters, erik, has a disability.
and, speaking of that, i love that one of the messages of the book is that even if you lose something, you can still make new memories with people who love and care about you. if you want to, you can always keep certain sides of yourself alive.
i really wish i could have read this book when i was younger, but right now, even though i like slice-of-life stories, im not a big fan of the "no plot just vibes" type of books
let me just start talking about the art because it is incredibly pretty and adorable. the little dragons are super cute, the color palette is gorgeous.
i remember i had also read about the characters being diverse so i really wasn't surprised to see the different skin tones they all have (and even a hijabi as an extra character <3) but what really surprised me was how one of the characters, erik, has a disability.
and, speaking of that, i love that one of the messages of the book is that even if you lose something, you can still make new memories with people who love and care about you. if you want to, you can always keep certain sides of yourself alive.
i really wish i could have read this book when i was younger, but right now, even though i like slice-of-life stories, im not a big fan of the "no plot just vibes" type of books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
woah. this book was so good that i actually feel a bit frustrated because i don't know anyone who could read it and enjoy it as much as i did.
first things first, if you are not a children of immigrants then you're probably not going to appreciate or even understand this story for what it is. and secondly, i think it was published in the 80s so its characters are definitely a product of its time and the society portrayed in the book might be unpleasant for you so, if you're way too sensitive to deal with that (which is okay, btw) then this book is not for you.
however if you come from a family of (specially poc) immigrants, then i'm sure there are lots of parts of this book that will ressonate with you. even if the book does not describe all of your experiences, i am pretty sure there will be at least one you, your siblings and parents can relate to.
this book is divided by multiple short vignettes of a esperanza's live (the mc). she is a child, she is only about 12 years old and she is a mexican living in the united states and she dreams of owning a pretty big house of her own. however, because of her social status, she has to live in a segregated neighborhood with other latinos.
the different vignettes give us a closer look to how is life in that neighborhood and in esperanza's house: the struggles of being a woman in these communities, of feeling like you don't belong in that place, of not having enough money and feeling like your dreams might not come true. we also get to see different characters on the neighborhood and while their personalities and depth might not be complex because of the shortness of the stories, but they still hit home. some examples of these kind of stories are "geraldo no last name", "no speak english", "papa who wakes up tired in the dark", "a smart cookie" and many many others.
i love how the message of the story is that, even when you have this kind of life, you can always improve it and become better. but you will eventually have to come back, for those who can't. you don't have to be attached to your roots forever, but you can't allow yourself to forget them.
i also love how the author decided to explain all of these stories and all of these lessons via a child's voice because it allows young and old readers to get into the story and it also makes it a little less raw, somehow.
it's true that some parts of this book might make it a bit confusing, like the lack of quotations or how sometimes it's not very clear who the narrator is. but in the worst case scenario, you can always look for an explanation or a summary of that specific chapter, lmao.
but yeah, i am just really glad i decided to read this book since not only it helped me to get over my reading slump but it was also really relatable for me, a daughter of immigrants.
first things first, if you are not a children of immigrants then you're probably not going to appreciate or even understand this story for what it is. and secondly, i think it was published in the 80s so its characters are definitely a product of its time and the society portrayed in the book might be unpleasant for you so, if you're way too sensitive to deal with that (which is okay, btw) then this book is not for you.
however if you come from a family of (specially poc) immigrants, then i'm sure there are lots of parts of this book that will ressonate with you. even if the book does not describe all of your experiences, i am pretty sure there will be at least one you, your siblings and parents can relate to.
this book is divided by multiple short vignettes of a esperanza's live (the mc). she is a child, she is only about 12 years old and she is a mexican living in the united states and she dreams of owning a pretty big house of her own. however, because of her social status, she has to live in a segregated neighborhood with other latinos.
the different vignettes give us a closer look to how is life in that neighborhood and in esperanza's house: the struggles of being a woman in these communities, of feeling like you don't belong in that place, of not having enough money and feeling like your dreams might not come true. we also get to see different characters on the neighborhood and while their personalities and depth might not be complex because of the shortness of the stories, but they still hit home. some examples of these kind of stories are "geraldo no last name", "no speak english", "papa who wakes up tired in the dark", "a smart cookie" and many many others.
i also love how the author decided to explain all of these stories and all of these lessons via a child's voice because it allows young and old readers to get into the story and it also makes it a little less raw, somehow.
it's true that some parts of this book might make it a bit confusing, like the lack of quotations or how sometimes it's not very clear who the narrator is. but in the worst case scenario, you can always look for an explanation or a summary of that specific chapter, lmao.
but yeah, i am just really glad i decided to read this book since not only it helped me to get over my reading slump but it was also really relatable for me, a daughter of immigrants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, Death, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i decided to add this book to my tbr when i saw someone describing it as "barbie without ken". but i think i would have enjoyed it more if i knew that its basically an accumulation of comics the author put together because i think i spent the first quarter of the book a bit confused about the "plot" not being linear somehow.
however, i think it was a nice story. ofc it portrays millenial feminism and its not an exhaustive study of it, instead, the story just includes anecdotes of a group of a women in a post apocalyptic world with no men. sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're relatable, sometimes they're both.
also, i loved all of the characters. every woman is going through her own stuff and its nice to see how there's some character development by the end. i think my favorite character was emiko, she was so cute <3
overall it has a nice concept and its pretty lighthearted, but the humor might not be for everyone.
however, i think it was a nice story. ofc it portrays millenial feminism and its not an exhaustive study of it, instead, the story just includes anecdotes of a group of a women in a post apocalyptic world with no men. sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're relatable, sometimes they're both.
also, i loved all of the characters. every woman is going through her own stuff and its nice to see how there's some character development by the end. i think my favorite character was emiko, she was so cute <3
overall it has a nice concept and its pretty lighthearted, but the humor might not be for everyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Vomit, Cancer, Misogyny, and Mental illness
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
as for the story, it was both sweet and sad. maybe it was not super devastating or maybe i just avoided to cry because i was in front of my family during about 90% of my reading time. however, i did tear up and drop a couple tears, not gonna lie!i like how grandpa grew up to realize he was really shitty to ted and that he deserved better but i'm glad that he got to somehow redeem himself with noah, who shared his love for science and maths. although i just really wish people would stop treating other people who are more into letters and art like we're dumb and worthless.
the main topics were nice, i liked how the author handled the theme of memory loss and giving your last goodbyes to people who are still alive. i guess at first the change of setting/pov can be a bit confusing and but after a couple switches you can understand how is it going.
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
tbh there's only two reasons why i decided to pick this book up:
- firstly, a friend of mine has recommended me this author a bunch of times and i told her i'd read some of his books one day
- secondly, since this novella is super short and im in a huge reading slump, i just thought it could be helpful
as for the story, it was both sweet and sad. maybe it was not super devastating or maybe i just avoided to cry because i was in front of my family during about 90% of my reading time. however, i did tear up and drop a couple tears, not gonna lie!
the main topics were nice, i liked how the author handled the theme of memory loss and giving your last goodbyes to people who are still alive. i guess at first the change of setting/pov can be a bit confusing and but after a couple switches you can understand how is it going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, and Dementia
Minor: Death