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thebarandthebookcase's reviews
279 reviews
Normal People by Sally Rooney
5.0
I was introduced to Sally Rooney this year when I was reading a Taylor Swift interview (a frequent occurrence for me) in which she mentioned that she loved Conversations with Friends, Rooney’s debut novel. I trust Tay wholeheartedly, and I saw that a local book club was reading Normal People. I started with the latter, and I was stunned. It remains my favorite novel of the year (Conversations is also phenomenal, it’s a tough pick).
Both of Rooney’s novels involve complicated relationships marred by miscommunication, insecurity, and anxiety. An implicit anchor of her work is the interplay between class, capitalism, and communication in a digital age (she has been called a “voice of millennials,” which is a title I don’t think necessarily gives her enough credit). Rooney is a master of placing you in the minds of her characters, dissecting each aspect of their personality and playing them off of one another. The dialogue is sharp, funny, and often ironic. As a reader, looking at the characters from the outside often made me want to scream at them to just be clear in their communication with each other. I ultimately found this endearing, as this is often a flaw we find in ourselves, making this “criticism” feel quite hypocritical. These characters feel immensely real and relatable, which kept me turning the pages. I could rant forever, but in short, Rooney is currently my favorite working author and I’m dying to see which relationships she will throw me in the middle of in her next book.
Both of Rooney’s novels involve complicated relationships marred by miscommunication, insecurity, and anxiety. An implicit anchor of her work is the interplay between class, capitalism, and communication in a digital age (she has been called a “voice of millennials,” which is a title I don’t think necessarily gives her enough credit). Rooney is a master of placing you in the minds of her characters, dissecting each aspect of their personality and playing them off of one another. The dialogue is sharp, funny, and often ironic. As a reader, looking at the characters from the outside often made me want to scream at them to just be clear in their communication with each other. I ultimately found this endearing, as this is often a flaw we find in ourselves, making this “criticism” feel quite hypocritical. These characters feel immensely real and relatable, which kept me turning the pages. I could rant forever, but in short, Rooney is currently my favorite working author and I’m dying to see which relationships she will throw me in the middle of in her next book.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
5.0
Set in Nigeria, the novel follows Korede, a hospital nurse, as she helps cover up murders committed by her sister, Ayoola. As the novel begins, Ayoola has murdered her third boyfriend, which makes Korede believe that her sister is a serial killer. Meanwhile, Korede has an unrequited crush on a doctor at her hospital. Ayoola wins the affections of the doctor, causing Korede to worry that the doctor will be next. Consequentially, Korede must confront the reasons she serves an an accomplice for her sister and decide whether to turn her sister in.
This satirical slasher was such a fun read, although it became quite dark as the novel progressesd. The synopsis and cover enticed me immediately and it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year. While this one is definitely a short page-turner, there is significant depth to the novel as it considers gender, trauma, and morality. This one has been on many awards lists (rightfully so)! If you’re looking for a quick and original literary thriller to add to your pile, this is for you.
This satirical slasher was such a fun read, although it became quite dark as the novel progressesd. The synopsis and cover enticed me immediately and it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year. While this one is definitely a short page-turner, there is significant depth to the novel as it considers gender, trauma, and morality. This one has been on many awards lists (rightfully so)! If you’re looking for a quick and original literary thriller to add to your pile, this is for you.
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
4.0
Set in the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, Disappearing Earth begins with two sisters spending an afternoon by the water. A man approaches them and asks them for help to his car. He then offers them a ride home. You can probably see where this is going. However, this isn’t your typical thriller.
Following the sisters’ disappearance, the novel uses each chapter to consider the stories and perspectives of different individuals in the community who are somehow connected to the missing girls. Notably, Phillips uses each chapter and character to examine violence against women, patiently pulling you to the conclusion in which you find out what happened to the girls.
Phillips places you directly in Kamchatka, which is likely unfamiliar territory for most. Despite having never heard of or even seen pictures of the peninsula before reading this novel, I feel like I had a brief visit there. The novel reads like a short story collection, yet is all tied together by the setting and the disappearance the reader encounters in the first chapter. Phillips is clearly a gifted writer, and if her debut is this good, I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Following the sisters’ disappearance, the novel uses each chapter to consider the stories and perspectives of different individuals in the community who are somehow connected to the missing girls. Notably, Phillips uses each chapter and character to examine violence against women, patiently pulling you to the conclusion in which you find out what happened to the girls.
Phillips places you directly in Kamchatka, which is likely unfamiliar territory for most. Despite having never heard of or even seen pictures of the peninsula before reading this novel, I feel like I had a brief visit there. The novel reads like a short story collection, yet is all tied together by the setting and the disappearance the reader encounters in the first chapter. Phillips is clearly a gifted writer, and if her debut is this good, I can’t wait to see what she does next.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
4.0
Based on a real reform school that existed until 2011, Whitehead’s novel follows two boys as they navigate the hell that is The Nickel Academy, a segregated reform school in Florida.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot, as I think this is a book that is best approached without knowing much. After you close the book, you’ll immediately hit Google, trust me. This is a gut-punch of a story that I found extremely difficult to get through at times. However, Whitehead is a master storyteller, and even through the horrors of the novel his writing and characterization keeps you invested as you root for Elwood and Turner. There were a few points in the narrative that dragged just a bit, but the novel quickly rebounded each time, and at the end I appreciated the necessity of each scene. Above all, the ending will leave you SHOOK. Overall, this is a smart, important novel that should be required reading for all.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot, as I think this is a book that is best approached without knowing much. After you close the book, you’ll immediately hit Google, trust me. This is a gut-punch of a story that I found extremely difficult to get through at times. However, Whitehead is a master storyteller, and even through the horrors of the novel his writing and characterization keeps you invested as you root for Elwood and Turner. There were a few points in the narrative that dragged just a bit, but the novel quickly rebounded each time, and at the end I appreciated the necessity of each scene. Above all, the ending will leave you SHOOK. Overall, this is a smart, important novel that should be required reading for all.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
3.0
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is a new student at Yale. In exchange for admittance, she is asked to join Lethe House, a secret society which monitors the magic conducted by the other eight societies at Yale. Alex is gifted in that she can see ghosts, which attracted the attention of Lethe. Soon after her arrival, a girl is murdered on the same night as a magic ritual takes a bad turn. Alex’s power to see ghosts sparks her investigation into the murder, leading her to discover the secrets of Yale and its magical societies.
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I’m really conflicted about this book. There was a lot that I really enjoyed, while some aspects of the book just didn’t work for me. As a result, it took me SO LONG to read this one.
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Jumping around in time, the book drops you immediately into the plot, which makes it read like a sequel in that Bardugo expects the reader to understand what is going on. Meanwhile, Bardugo has crafted a somewhat complex world of magic, thus leaving the reader confused. As the plot picks up, everything clicks, but I couldn’t help but feel initially frustrated. Aside from the questionable pacing, I really enjoyed how creative Bardugo was in developing the interplay between the nine Houses and the different forms of magic each House dabbles in. The murder mystery was somewhat well-executed in that it was intriguing, but it was unsolvable because the reader does not know enough about magic to put the pieces together. Finally, I really enjoyed Alex as a character, yet wish the supporting characters were more developed. However, based on the ending, I am sure the sequel will do just that. Overall, I think it is worth a shot if the synopsis is at all intriguing to you.
.
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I’m really conflicted about this book. There was a lot that I really enjoyed, while some aspects of the book just didn’t work for me. As a result, it took me SO LONG to read this one.
.
.
Jumping around in time, the book drops you immediately into the plot, which makes it read like a sequel in that Bardugo expects the reader to understand what is going on. Meanwhile, Bardugo has crafted a somewhat complex world of magic, thus leaving the reader confused. As the plot picks up, everything clicks, but I couldn’t help but feel initially frustrated. Aside from the questionable pacing, I really enjoyed how creative Bardugo was in developing the interplay between the nine Houses and the different forms of magic each House dabbles in. The murder mystery was somewhat well-executed in that it was intriguing, but it was unsolvable because the reader does not know enough about magic to put the pieces together. Finally, I really enjoyed Alex as a character, yet wish the supporting characters were more developed. However, based on the ending, I am sure the sequel will do just that. Overall, I think it is worth a shot if the synopsis is at all intriguing to you.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
4.0
Wilson’s new novel follows a woman taking care of her best friend’s two children. The simple premise is shaken up with some magical realism: the kids catch on fire when under stress.
I adored this book. It is at once a page-tuner and a hilarious dramedy, anchored by a complex narrator who steals the show in a book about spontaneously combusting children. While a short and fast-paced novel, I did not expect it to have as much depth and emotional insight as it did, with many quotable passages. The novel juggles big themes flawlessly, including class, stigmatization of illness, and the impact of trauma on children. Overall, the crux of the book is the question of what is means to be a family. If you’re looking for a super quick, heartwarming read, go grab of copy. I cannot recommend this book enough!
I adored this book. It is at once a page-tuner and a hilarious dramedy, anchored by a complex narrator who steals the show in a book about spontaneously combusting children. While a short and fast-paced novel, I did not expect it to have as much depth and emotional insight as it did, with many quotable passages. The novel juggles big themes flawlessly, including class, stigmatization of illness, and the impact of trauma on children. Overall, the crux of the book is the question of what is means to be a family. If you’re looking for a super quick, heartwarming read, go grab of copy. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
4.0
In the introduction for Pet Sematary, King states that he feels it is the scariest book he has ever written. I haven’t read all of his books to state my opinion on that, but I can say that this book has not left my mind since I finished it last night. This is a heavy novel about death and grief, and King doesn’t hold back in addressing these themes in the most grueling way possible. King masterfully keeps the reader engaged despite it being quite clear where the story is going from the beginning, using foreshadowing and suspense to slowly mount dread. The one thing holding this book back from a five-star rating is that the book drags at times with overly descriptive scenes, making the book about 50 pages too long. However, the payoff is amazing, as the last 100 pages of this book are absolutely insane and smartly written. While the ending is sad and terrifying, as a horror fan, I wanted to clap after I read the last line because the ending is just PERFECT. While King arguably over-saturates the horror genre (even his non-horror novels are categorized as horror), I think it is inarguable that he has rightfully earned his title as the King of horror.
I read and listened to this one, and if you’re at all a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to it narrated by Michael C. Hall (from Dexter). He absolutely nails it.
I read and listened to this one, and if you’re at all a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to it narrated by Michael C. Hall (from Dexter). He absolutely nails it.
Lanny by Max Porter
4.0
Lanny is a brilliant young boy, bursting with wisdom and creativity. Set in a small England village, the story follows Lanny’s parents and an older man, who teaches Lanny art, which draws skepticism from the town gossipers. Finally, we learn about the village and its inhabitants through a shapeshifting entity named Dead Papa Toothwort who intently listens to the gossip of the town, and is particularly drawn to Lanny.
I’m a bit conflicted about my rating for this book. It’s an experimental novel from a poet, and Porter admirably (if sometimes frustratingly) uses his own rules of structure and form. The narrative pulled me along and I didn’t want to put it down, so I ended up reading it in a day. However, I struggled a bit with the lyrical language throughout, particularly in Dead Papa Toothwort’s segments. While it was wholly original to see the town gossip represented as swirling phrases on the page, these “chapters” sometimes just felt a bit pretentious. However, these sections only really occupy the first 1/3 of the short novel, and the last 2/3 were phenomenal. Overall, I was hooked throughout and thoroughly enjoyed my day with this book. I definitely recommend for everyone to give it a shot since it’s so short, especially if you like original, weird novels!
I’m a bit conflicted about my rating for this book. It’s an experimental novel from a poet, and Porter admirably (if sometimes frustratingly) uses his own rules of structure and form. The narrative pulled me along and I didn’t want to put it down, so I ended up reading it in a day. However, I struggled a bit with the lyrical language throughout, particularly in Dead Papa Toothwort’s segments. While it was wholly original to see the town gossip represented as swirling phrases on the page, these “chapters” sometimes just felt a bit pretentious. However, these sections only really occupy the first 1/3 of the short novel, and the last 2/3 were phenomenal. Overall, I was hooked throughout and thoroughly enjoyed my day with this book. I definitely recommend for everyone to give it a shot since it’s so short, especially if you like original, weird novels!
Bunny by Mona Awad
5.0
Please close Goodreads and go snag a copy of this book. After spending the day pondering this novel upon finishing it last night, I think I can confidently say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. This is truly a book that is best going into blind, but to entice you further, here’s a quick elevator pitch: Samantha is an outsider in a MFA program at a small prestigious college. She is in a fiction cohort, and the remaining four are an unbearable clique of rich girls who call each other “Bunny” and host rituals called “Smut Salons.” Samantha is slowly enticed into their circle and attends one of these bloody gatherings, with dire consequences. Think Mean Girls or Heathers meets Carrie.
This satire expertly balances literary horror and comedy while methodically taking an axe (*wink wink*) to stuffy graduate programs and its sometimes horrific students. What sets this novel apart for me is the unexpected theme of the effect of loneliness and isolation on an individual and how imagination can become a deadly force in such circumstances. I am in love with Awad’s writing on every page, painting hilariously gruesome images when describing the mundane yet carefully avoiding being excessive. As for the plot, I did not see the end coming, and throughout I was gripped to the pages to figure out WTF was going on in this twisted fairy tale. Finally, the last sentence is simply perfect. Please head to your local bookstore now!
This satire expertly balances literary horror and comedy while methodically taking an axe (*wink wink*) to stuffy graduate programs and its sometimes horrific students. What sets this novel apart for me is the unexpected theme of the effect of loneliness and isolation on an individual and how imagination can become a deadly force in such circumstances. I am in love with Awad’s writing on every page, painting hilariously gruesome images when describing the mundane yet carefully avoiding being excessive. As for the plot, I did not see the end coming, and throughout I was gripped to the pages to figure out WTF was going on in this twisted fairy tale. Finally, the last sentence is simply perfect. Please head to your local bookstore now!