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tigeryear's reviews
9 reviews
A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Don't get me wrong, this is an awfully cute book with some touching and reflective parts woven within.
It reminded me a lot of a children's story, despite some of its more emotionally grueling content -- specifically, one I read when I was in maybe second grade? -- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. But, instead of featuring an inanimate toy traversing around trying to get back home, the main character in this was Bella, a Coloradoan mutt found under an apartment complex living with a colony of cats. And in an unfortunate way, I recall the former novel in fonder form than I found finishing the latter.
The reason I rated this so low was because I felt, while narrating as a dog was an interesting choice (and made me reflect on my past pets' feelings), Bella being so naive to the world around her got sort of infuriating by the time we meet Axel. I felt like making that choice did a disservice to the novel, didn't accomplish much with the plot or the characters learning much about themselves (besides Bella, who I think grew the most out of this whole story? Not by much, though), and Bella's constant recollections of being with Lucas did not do the job to cement my interest in him as a character or make Bella's motivation to GO back home believable. Besides all of that, maybe I've missed something that others found really enjoyable? I don't know, I barely remember the movie. In my opinion, this dog deserved better! By far!
If you are an animal lover or are immersed within a military family -- and especially if there are children around who share these values you've impressed, go ahead and give this book a read aloud to them. It is enjoyable, I believe, in that capacity.
It reminded me a lot of a children's story, despite some of its more emotionally grueling content -- specifically, one I read when I was in maybe second grade? -- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. But, instead of featuring an inanimate toy traversing around trying to get back home, the main character in this was Bella, a Coloradoan mutt found under an apartment complex living with a colony of cats. And in an unfortunate way, I recall the former novel in fonder form than I found finishing the latter.
If you are an animal lover or are immersed within a military family -- and especially if there are children around who share these values you've impressed, go ahead and give this book a read aloud to them. It is enjoyable, I believe, in that capacity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and War
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
2.0
This was the first Nicholas Sparks book I've ever read. My cousin Billy recommended the movie to me on a flight back home and I didn't even realize I'd had the same story sitting on my shelves since I graduated high school, 6+ years ago.
Most of the passages were simplistic yet strung out for all they were worth. Sparks could have made this novel like 100 pages shorter. There was no need for separate parts, either, since the second part wasn't fleshed-out at all. I'm unimpressed... and possibly no longer within the target audience range in which Travis and Gabby's "relationship" is something to fantasize about, or whatever.
Most of the passages were simplistic yet strung out for all they were worth. Sparks could have made this novel like 100 pages shorter. There was no need for separate parts, either, since the second part wasn't fleshed-out at all. I'm unimpressed... and possibly no longer within the target audience range in which Travis and Gabby's "relationship" is something to fantasize about, or whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, and Classism
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Nobody...Nobody developed. Not at all. And the plot is what you would expect after reading, like, the first three chapters. Don't waste your time.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
1.0
Hemingway, so ungodly boring and dry, made this a difficult read. I expected more ACTION! This long-ass book took place over 4 days! Mediocrity! Anytime we were away from Robert Jordan was a respite.
I read till the end hoping and praying that we would see his death.I'll unhappily settle for his leg being torn and torqued, I guess.
There wasn't even good romance! Sure, there was sex. Maybe even good sex, who knows? But Maria pretty easily left Jordan for her own safety. In a novel, a character can only SAY so much, but their actions show you their real motivations. She wanted to live. Marriage be damned. Plot be damned!
I can't believe this was recommended to me by a friend. We truly have differing tastes in what makes a good story. Historical relevancy or no, do not read this book if you don't have to. Now that I'm finished, I'm glad to be rid of it.
I read till the end hoping and praying that we would see his death.
There wasn't even good romance! Sure, there was sex. Maybe even good sex, who knows? But Maria pretty easily left Jordan for her own safety. In a novel, a character can only SAY so much, but their actions show you their real motivations. She wanted to live. Marriage be damned. Plot be damned!
I can't believe this was recommended to me by a friend. We truly have differing tastes in what makes a good story. Historical relevancy or no, do not read this book if you don't have to. Now that I'm finished, I'm glad to be rid of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
literally marianne was given three options: frivolous ninny, taboo creeper, or spinster. which would YOU pick? this would make a good play, honestly, but austen?? why?? would you not comment prejudicially upon this topic?!
I'll have to read it again to really understand the point of this. If you haven't already, drop this, go and read Pride and Prejudice.
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Everyone was opp in this book. Rough read -- not that it was hard to comprehend, but in that it was boring drudgery. It didn't work for me as a satire, after my first read I'm not convinced the characters even had development, and if you have to say "we're not really blood related [insert whine]" -- you failed!
Mash that up with some early 1800s pedophilia and you've pretty much got the plot of this.
Disappointing!
Mash that up with some early 1800s pedophilia and you've pretty much got the plot of this.
Disappointing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Medical content, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol
When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson
Yes, yes, you are.
No, it's not your fault. Good ownership, but who are you to take blame for actions you were coerced into doing under threat of your and your loved ones' lives?
Something I annotated on page 92:
White women endanger and profit off of the suffering of brown women. Ally's selfish desire to posthumously learn about her mother via her travel log directly correlate to Huda's suffering.
Ally knows she is endangering everyone around her by making this her priority. Huda realizes she is going against her own moral compass by lying, deceiving, and threatening, but feels powerless in the presence of her aggressors -- who regularly visit her home and threaten her family.
I think this kind of writing is dangerous, especially when Huda apologizes to Ally. Glossing over and forgiving Ally's ignorance of others' suffering is detestable to me and an inexcusable tenet of the work.
I understand the author wrote this fictional story based on her real-life experiences working in 2000s Iraq in the OIP as a way to cope/find closure from being "betrayed" by an actual informant. The fact that she writes fictional forgiveness of ignorance on the atrocities world governments inflict upon the peoples that live under them is bullshit.
I admire the context of the story. I was overjoyed that I found a book that could explain through firsthand accounts the tension and danger of the era in this corner of the world. However, the white savior complex written into Ally's character and the ideal that culture can be disregarded -- that we can all live in peace and happiness without reparations or even critical examination of the effects of colonization and racism make this book exactly what it is: coffee table Suburban wine mom garbage reading. It could have been a MUCH better story if Iraqi voices were not merely referenced and consulted but put at the forefront rather than have a third of the novel be a wild goose chase by a well-to-do white woman.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Ally turned a seasick green.
'I never wanted to cause trouble,' she said. 'I'm such a fool, just like my mom.'"
Yes, yes, you are.
"'It's my fault.' The words leaped from Huda's mouth before there was time to think...
'You're not to blame. And neither was your mom.' She took Ally's hands in hers. 'The informant would have drawn her close. Just like I did to you.'"
No, it's not your fault. Good ownership, but who are you to take blame for actions you were coerced into doing under threat of your and your loved ones' lives?
Something I annotated on page 92:
White women endanger and profit off of the suffering of brown women. Ally's selfish desire to posthumously learn about her mother via her travel log directly correlate to Huda's suffering.
Ally knows she is endangering everyone around her by making this her priority. Huda realizes she is going against her own moral compass by lying, deceiving, and threatening, but feels powerless in the presence of her aggressors -- who regularly visit her home and threaten her family.
I think this kind of writing is dangerous, especially when Huda apologizes to Ally. Glossing over and forgiving Ally's ignorance of others' suffering is detestable to me and an inexcusable tenet of the work.
I understand the author wrote this fictional story based on her real-life experiences working in 2000s Iraq in the OIP as a way to cope/find closure from being "betrayed" by an actual informant. The fact that she writes fictional forgiveness of ignorance on the atrocities world governments inflict upon the peoples that live under them is bullshit.
I admire the context of the story. I was overjoyed that I found a book that could explain through firsthand accounts the tension and danger of the era in this corner of the world. However, the white savior complex written into Ally's character and the ideal that culture can be disregarded -- that we can all live in peace and happiness without reparations or even critical examination of the effects of colonization and racism make this book exactly what it is: coffee table Suburban wine mom garbage reading. It could have been a MUCH better story if Iraqi voices were not merely referenced and consulted but put at the forefront rather than have a third of the novel be a wild goose chase by a well-to-do white woman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Animal Farm by George Orwell
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
books that make you feel like a broken-down horse. or perhaps a nihilistic ass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism and Torture
Minor: Murder and Alcohol
A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
adored this! really made me long to retake math classes in an alternate universe somewhere where they're actually good.
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
naive of me to read this the same year my dad died! at least he was loved by many, unlike addie bundren. i'd almost excuse what her husband did to her (in life and as a corpse) if i didn't absolutely hate his guts, too. sorry poverty kicked you in the ass; could you NOT take it out on your children, you groveling bum?? (note: it's too much of an ask)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Abortion
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
challenging
funny
tense
slow-paced
0.25
lovely, 2 straight white people with some kind of obedience kink. quarter of a star for all the dick jokes. everything else was generally bad.
go ahead and call me a boring liberal for not liking to read about servants and women being beaten.
go ahead and call me a boring liberal for not liking to read about servants and women being beaten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Classism