townmarshboy's reviews
50 reviews

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke And Other Misfortunes by Eric LaRocca
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.

too gross for me. not exactly what i’m going for in horror!!

A Violent History of Benevolence: Interlocking Oppression in the Moral Economies of Social Working by A.J. Withers, Chris Chapman

challenging informative slow-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

The Dinner by Herman Koch

challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Stigma: The Machinery of Inequality by Imogen Tyler

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

Bunny by Mona Awad

challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

I didn’t understand what was going on until the last ~20 pages and suddenly the whole book came together. I don’t typically read magical realism, but I am glad I picked this up because it was a great read. 

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking, how did this even get published? 2.5 stars because the plot was interesting (until the end, when

everything was ruined by the twist

) and i felt that Flynn strongly developed an atmosphere in this novel so it was very immersive. This is my first Gillian Flynn read and I’m not sure if I’ll read anything else after this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Medical content

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

adventurous challenging funny 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

3.0

the women sure did talk!

Insurgent Love: Abolition and Domestic Homicide by Ardath Whynacht

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Educated by Tara Westover

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Car accident