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xx_ruby_xx's Reviews (49)
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
Being an avid video game lover my entire life made this book feel really special. For years, I have found video game development such an interesting topic (I have watched way too many Youtube video essays on the topic). Getting an inside look on the creative process behind development was so fun to me, especially with all the video game references sprinkled throughout. Although the novels focus on video games initially made it worthwhile, sometimes I found it a tad cringey. For example, when the author repeatedly attempts to make a profound statement on the relationship between dying in a video game and dying in real life. Honestly, I rolled my eyes every time this sentiment was expressed.
What I loved most from this book is our ability to observe decades of the characters lives. From childhood to their mid-40's we see it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Relationships are complicated, and this book delivers that reality in an unapologetically raw way. Sometimes a characters actions make no sense- they're being irrational- but that's what makes them feel real.
IV: Both Sides was by far my favorite section of the novel. I am ashamed to say it took me a few chapters to understand the format the author was going for, but once I realized :o . Such a clever little way to represent the growing distance, resentment, and tension between Sam and Sadie. Also, how could I write this review without commenting on Sam and Sadie's relationship. Wow. A perfect example of two people whose relationship has never been properly defined, who just can't quit each other. Getting both of their perspectives on the relationship throughout is profound.
What I loved most from this book is our ability to observe decades of the characters lives. From childhood to their mid-40's we see it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Relationships are complicated, and this book delivers that reality in an unapologetically raw way. Sometimes a characters actions make no sense- they're being irrational- but that's what makes them feel real.
IV: Both Sides was by far my favorite section of the novel. I am ashamed to say it took me a few chapters to understand the format the author was going for, but once I realized :o . Such a clever little way to represent the growing distance, resentment, and tension between Sam and Sadie. Also, how could I write this review without commenting on Sam and Sadie's relationship. Wow. A perfect example of two people whose relationship has never been properly defined, who just can't quit each other. Getting both of their perspectives on the relationship throughout is profound.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Pregnancy
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I LOVED Tova so much in this novel. The way she handles grief in such a practical and nonsensical way was something I haven't seen represented much in the books I read. Marcellus's chapters were a breath of fresh air each time they appeared and I love how his way of dealing with life reflected Tova's. Both knew they were going to die soon, and they both have come to terms with that. What a beautiful and heartwarming story!
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the main protagonist's matter-of-fact way of describing the world around her. Her streams of conciousness were cruel and often excessively judgmental contributing to the amusing undertones of the novel. My favorite sections were when the protagonist actually allows herself to think about her parents and their tragic ends. She always gets so close to understanding her emotions relating to her parents, but never quite gets there.
Truthfully, the main protagonist is largely unlikable, which is what made her so relatable. She appeals to the worst parts of myself, and it was refreshing to read about a selfish asshole attempting to get through life.
The only reason why this is not a 5/5 book is because I am SO confused by the 9/11 subplot that kind of just creeps up on the reader. What was the point of having Reva die in 9/11? The ending left me feeling unsatisfied and confused.
Truthfully, the main protagonist is largely unlikable, which is what made her so relatable. She appeals to the worst parts of myself, and it was refreshing to read about a selfish asshole attempting to get through life.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
The "Afropioneerism" and "Afrofronterism" concepts delineated at the beginning were very compelling. However, I failed to see the connection between some of the poems and the themes outlined at the start. Also, maybe I'm just out out of the loop but all of her pop culture references were completely lost on me.
The poems I loved:
A Class Distinction
As Cain
Double Threat
Black Lead in a Nancy Meyers Film
Ecriture Feminine
Ars Poetica with Mother and Dogs
Visiting Whisky Plantation
The poems I loved:
A Class Distinction
As Cain
Double Threat
Black Lead in a Nancy Meyers Film
Ecriture Feminine
Ars Poetica with Mother and Dogs
Visiting Whisky Plantation
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had to read this book for book club, and I was just... okay with it. The motivation behind some of the characters actions still remain unclear to me, and the last third of the novel was rushed and full of nonsense. The most compelling part of this novel were the explanations of deaf culture, deaf history, and sign language that concluded almost every chapter. I found myself learning a lot, but overall this is not a book worth remembering.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jesus Christ this book made me never want to have children. Nightbitch perfectly encapsulates the rage that boils just beneath all of us. Instead of turning off the heat, Nightbitch embraces this feminine rage, and allows it to be a transformative experience.
If you are a woman, and you love Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, please read this book.
If you are a woman, and you love Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, please read this book.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Before this book, I violently despised the modern contemporary romance genre. Why I hated a genre I never even bothered read? I'm not quite sure honestly. Maybe a mix of internalized misogyny and a superiority complex that deemed me better than the genre.
Yesterday, a patron at the library I work at returned this book, and I decided to give it a chance on a whim. Afterall, I've been in a bit of a reading slump and really needed a fluffy easily-consumable story to help me out. All my pre-conceived notions of the genre were squashed, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this novel. The plot was actually enticing, and I actually cared about the wellbeing of all the characters.
Also, this book was literally the slowest of slow burns, which is exactly what I need in a romance story. I mean they didn't even have sex until page 256 out of a total 352. Speaking of the sex, I literally have not read a smut scene in YEARS, so I definitely felt a little out of my element. This book really does justice for girls who are a little weird about having sex.
All in all, I had a blast reading this book!!!
Yesterday, a patron at the library I work at returned this book, and I decided to give it a chance on a whim. Afterall, I've been in a bit of a reading slump and really needed a fluffy easily-consumable story to help me out. All my pre-conceived notions of the genre were squashed, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this novel. The plot was actually enticing, and I actually cared about the wellbeing of all the characters.
Also, this book was literally the slowest of slow burns, which is exactly what I need in a romance story. I mean they didn't even have sex until page 256 out of a total 352. Speaking of the sex, I literally have not read a smut scene in YEARS, so I definitely felt a little out of my element. This book really does justice for girls who are a little weird about having sex.
All in all, I had a blast reading this book!!!
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an experience to follow these characters for years and years of their lives.