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wends_nblw's reviews
96 reviews
Why Socialism? by Albert Einstein
informative
fast-paced
3.25
I'm just starting my journey into political reading, so imagine my shock when I was recommended an article written by Albert Einstein. I had no idea this man was a socialist. Not when capitalist classmates I know hold him on a pedestal.
Onto the article itself, it was quite short. It doesn't offer solutions, but it doesn't have to as I don't think it was his intention. I found the first half to really ramble on, but not really say much at all. It was only when he started talking about society that I perked up (i'm currently in two anthropology classes so i was quite ecstatic to apply what i'd learned).
What Einstein writes is quite simple. He explains capitalism and its faults, pointing to 'evils'. Unfortunately for me, I already knew all this. I didn't learn anything from reading it, but I can see its value in teaching others the basics. All in all, I'm glad I read it, but maybe skip it if you know even a little bit about socialism. It's an introduction, good for those hesitant to engage with socialist works.
Onto the article itself, it was quite short. It doesn't offer solutions, but it doesn't have to as I don't think it was his intention. I found the first half to really ramble on, but not really say much at all. It was only when he started talking about society that I perked up (i'm currently in two anthropology classes so i was quite ecstatic to apply what i'd learned).
What Einstein writes is quite simple. He explains capitalism and its faults, pointing to 'evils'. Unfortunately for me, I already knew all this. I didn't learn anything from reading it, but I can see its value in teaching others the basics. All in all, I'm glad I read it, but maybe skip it if you know even a little bit about socialism. It's an introduction, good for those hesitant to engage with socialist works.
Mai-Chan's Daily Life by Waita Uziga
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this manga a while back, and quite enjoyed it! While I wasn't a fan of the infamous ending, I really liked the premise of someone immortal in a horror setting.
Please take care before reading this. It gets incredibly graphic, and it's harder to physically look at horror than to read it.
Please take care before reading this. It gets incredibly graphic, and it's harder to physically look at horror than to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Rape, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Slavery, Body horror, Murder, and Pedophilia
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
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
2.75
I'm a bit 'eh' on this one. This book was a tad bit too dull for me. One of my special interests is cannibalism, so reading about the consumption of humans wasn't particularly disturbing to me. As well, the writing style was so bland. I understand that it fits the main character, that is his voice, but lord did I find him as a character to be bland too. Not a single thing in this book surprised me in the least, I even predicted the end.
However, I will say. The end was my favorite part; the only good part, in my opinion. This isn't a bad book either. It just wasn't really for me, which is a shame because cannibalism is my favorite trope.
However, I will say. The end was my favorite part; the only good part, in my opinion. This isn't a bad book either. It just wasn't really for me, which is a shame because cannibalism is my favorite trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Death, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Confinement and Pedophilia
Minor: Excrement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, Dementia, Classism, Racism, Homophobia, and Car accident
Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I am once again disappointed by Junji Ito's work. Reading this after Uzumaki is like having leftovers when last night you were at a nice restaurant. It's okay, but it's just not the same. In fact, I would say that I enjoyed Deserter more than this collection.
Aside from the comedic ending of this story, I found the other pieces to be lackluster. I'm not sure why, but it felt like it was missing something. The Lovesickness story was good, though I wasn't fond of the reveal. The other pieces weren't as good.
I think this collection comes off as more comedic than dark. I snorted quite a few times while reading.
I will continue with my Ito journey, but I'm unsure if anything will top Uzumaki. (And I might be regretting selling my copy of Deserter.)
Aside from the comedic ending of this story, I found the other pieces to be lackluster. I'm not sure why, but it felt like it was missing something. The Lovesickness story was good, though I wasn't fond of the reveal. The other pieces weren't as good.
I think this collection comes off as more comedic than dark. I snorted quite a few times while reading.
I will continue with my Ito journey, but I'm unsure if anything will top Uzumaki. (And I might be regretting selling my copy of Deserter.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Self harm, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Bullying, Gore, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Minor: Mental illness
5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love by Zeniko Sumiya
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a super quick read. I wasn't quite fond of the other story (I Hate age gap romances... a 17 y/o with 2k y/os?? And they met when she was in middle school???), but I found the main story to be nice.
I really like the idea of a predator/prey enemies to lovers romance, so it being between a witch and witch hunter was a plus. Still hate age gaps (??? y/o and a 26 y/o. Better than the previously mentioned age gap, though.)
Other than that, it was a simple, sweet story. I'd say it's a one-shot, but it's more like.. two one-shots and some added bonuses.
I really like the idea of a predator/prey enemies to lovers romance, so it being between a witch and witch hunter was a plus. Still hate age gaps (??? y/o and a 26 y/o. Better than the previously mentioned age gap, though.)
Other than that, it was a simple, sweet story. I'd say it's a one-shot, but it's more like.. two one-shots and some added bonuses.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Adult/minor relationship
Uzumaki by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Okay, this one is *much* better than Deserter. Don't get me wrong, Deserter wasn't bad; a lot of the stories on there were amazing, but the overall book wasn't at the expectations that I had. Uzumaki, however.
Uzumaki was beautifully done. The artwork is truly phenomenal; the character's facial expressions were so well done, very lifelike. Also, the story itself was very interesting. I wasn't Quite sure what was happening until the very end. I loved Shuichi, and the love between him and the FMC was so pure. Even the side character's stories were amazing.
The only gripe I have is with the FMC. Why on Earth would she stay in the town? Why wouldn't she insist on her family leaving with Shuichi when she had the chance? Maybe it wasn't very practical, but you know. Other than that, I'm excited to read more of Ito's work. <3
Uzumaki was beautifully done. The artwork is truly phenomenal; the character's facial expressions were so well done, very lifelike. Also, the story itself was very interesting. I wasn't Quite sure what was happening until the very end. I loved Shuichi, and the love between him and the FMC was so pure. Even the side character's stories were amazing.
The only gripe I have is with the FMC. Why on Earth would she stay in the town? Why wouldn't she insist on her family leaving with Shuichi when she had the chance? Maybe it wasn't very practical, but you know. Other than that, I'm excited to read more of Ito's work. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Self harm, Child death, Car accident, Murder, Body horror, and Cannibalism
Minor: Bullying
Erase the Patriarchy: An Anthology of Erasure Poetry by
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
I don't like erasure poetry very much, but I quite enjoyed this anthology. The different ways people 'blacked out' their sources was fun to see, and I enjoyed their insight. I will be writing my own erasure poetry inside the cover of the copy I have and putting it in my local free little library. I hope it reaches others and encourages them to make their own poetry. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Transphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
The Girl I Want Is So Handsome! The Complete Manga Collection by Yuama
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This is definitely not a masterpiece, but it was cute and fluffy. The cast of characters were super cute and the plot was semi-interesting. I wish it had been longer, but you know. Fast paced, insta love, perfect if you're looking for a quick wlw read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood
Zola by D.E. McCluskey
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Oh my dear lord, I'm still reeling from this. This is technically my second splatterpunk novel, and wow! This was beautiful. There are no words to properly describe this book. It made me gag, it made me cringe from disgust, and at some point, I even cried. All that to say, what an incredible read.
I wasn't sure where the book was heading. I'd admit that I quite enjoyed the first half more plot-wise, but the second half's insight and writing was delicious. The ending was perfect. I found myself enamored with the characters, hoping they would have a happy ending (as close to a happy end as a splatterpunk can be, haha).
All in all. Amazing. I finished about a half hour ago and the thought of eating anything still makes me nauseous.
I wasn't sure where the book was heading. I'd admit that I quite enjoyed the first half more plot-wise, but the second half's insight and writing was delicious. The ending was perfect. I found myself enamored with the characters, hoping they would have a happy ending (as close to a happy end as a splatterpunk can be, haha).
All in all. Amazing. I finished about a half hour ago and the thought of eating anything still makes me nauseous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Cannibalism, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Eating disorder
other content warnings : necrophilia and excrement eating
No Exit by Taylor Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I need to start taking reviews with a grain of salt because they always set my expectations too high. That being said, this was still a good thriller.
I couldn't stand Darby at first, but I found myself warming up to her towards the halfway point before fully loving her character by the end. With the rest of the cast, I couldn't decide if I hated or loved them. There aren't many side characters : aside from Darby, we have five other distinctive characters.
As for the culprit(in this case : one of the culprits, Ashley) ... I found myself fully enraptured by them. Their motive, their point of view, the way they spoke.. I couldn't help but find myself being manipulated by them. By the end, I was as smitten with them as they were with Darby. For sure one of my favorite antagonists of any book.
So many twists and turns, I wouldn't say this book had me on the edge of my seat, but it certainly had me sitting up straight. Every time I thought this book was going to end, that Darby and this little girl, Jay, were going to escape, 'No Exit' would toss that hope aside and shoot me with a nail gun. I would groan and in the words of our villain, say "oh, come on."
I couldn't stand Darby at first, but I found myself warming up to her towards the halfway point before fully loving her character by the end. With the rest of the cast, I couldn't decide if I hated or loved them. There aren't many side characters : aside from Darby, we have five other distinctive characters.
As for the culprit
So many twists and turns, I wouldn't say this book had me on the edge of my seat, but it certainly had me sitting up straight. Every time I thought this book was going to end, that Darby and this little girl, Jay, were going to escape, 'No Exit' would toss that hope aside and shoot me with a nail gun. I would groan and in the words of our villain, say "oh, come on."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Torture, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, and Vomit
This book uses the n + r slurs both once.