zayzay2's reviews
38 reviews

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark slow-paced

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

2.0

I didn't finish this book I DNF'd it 75% in, I couldn't finish it. It nearly got me into a reading slump I had to DNF it, I understood what the reader was trying to do but the book was just not for me and that's okay. The hype I just don't get, the character I understand Is meant to be unlikeable and your meant to not like her and fin her funny and even thought I related to the depression and the feeling of numbness she felt I still didn't like the book. I couldn't finish the book, I could finish A little life but not this ? they are both dark books A little life is worse and I finished that, what does that say ? I found the book boring, no plot, not much character development, didn't even like Neva, non of them, at least if the characters were interesting and bad people I would enjoy the book but they were just BORING. If this is one the book the girlies are saying is a 'hot girl book' then they got me fucked up, I skimmed through the rest of the book and saw the character development in the last page of her saying ' My sleep worked. I was soft and calm and felt things. This was good. This is my life now . I could survive without the house.' I just don't understand what changed and I honestly don't care, I just couldn't go on reading this book. The things I like about this book since I gave it a 2 stars, the writing style I enjoyed and liked, the character was kind of funny but mostly annoying. The descriptions of the depression and numbness was spot on, her trying to sleep the depression of was so real felt honestly!! Overall wouldn't recommend but each to their own. 

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I knew what this would talk about, I have seen everyone read and talk about it. When I started reading I didn't realise how graphic it would be with talking about the canabalism it was disturbing. I'm not the type to get too grossed out so it wouldn't DNF a book because of that, the characters were grey and I usually enjoy that  more than 'good' characters. The main ml was annoying half way the book till the end, I was sick of the sister I hoped he would cut her off honestly she got on my neves. When he got the women pregnenant I was shocked honestly, he usually followed rules and I thought he would never commit such a crime but he did and I was disappointed but that's the point of 'grey' characters they are complicated beings. Before I got the end I thought of a plan for him when it came to the baby, I thought to my self the best thing to do is tell the wife that 'we will rase the kid as our own and get rid of the other women'. The way I saw it either he, the baby and the women would be killed for the crime or he would have to kill her, take the kid and rase it as he's and he's wife as they already lost a child and this can be their second chance even thought it's unfair and unethical. I didn't like the fact that he had sex with the women as I didn't think it could ever be consensual, the other women doesn't even know how to shower, hold a door, open the fridge and he thought having sex with someone who might as well have a Childs brain was okay ? that was very unethical to me. He should have never had sex with her but since he did I thought what he did was the smartest, even thought all of it is wrong the world they live in is wrong, what they do day to day is wrong, everything is wrong so where do we draw the line. In the last chapter the women gives birth to the child and he's wife is holding him, he says he's staying with us and the wife says 'what should we call you?'. He killed the women and it was obvious that was the smartest way to get out of this otherwise he would have be caught and he would be in the saloughter house with the women and the child. He was very obsessed with the idea of the child and not jasmine, he wanted another child since he's other child died. I liked the pace of the book, the writing, the concept of him not participating in the cannibalism but also still having he's hand in it as he works in the slaughterhouse. Interesting book over all shows us how far we would go as humans if everyone does something we are too afraid to stand out so most people follow, he didn't believe the animals had a virus therefore it shows it's a fear tactic and everyone follows what the government said and no one suspects the governments involvement maybe they do but are too afraid to speak up. Also shows how easy the world can change as the shift of them eating animals and not too long them eating humans and normalising it like it's a chill thing shows how fast the world and people can change. scary thought but true. 

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

adventurous mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This is the book that got me into reading, it was the first book I read as an adult that allowed me to read more books and got me in to reading. I read one more book before this but it was a few years before this, it didn't expand my book reading but this one did . I clearly liked and enjoyed this book as it made me want to read more and get into book properly, I enjoyed the mystery and the suspense, I was on my toes while reading it, I honestly couldn't figure out the killer and was confused kept switching the characters that I accused. I enjoyed the characters relationships, I don't remember much since it was 3/4 years ago but I remember enjoying the connections some of the characters had, I remember there was a gay character who at the time was a DL which was interesting to see and how that went and if they would be outed. All the characters had secrets they were hiding and I remember being shocked at some of them and not at some but enjoyed the ravel regardless,  it was my starter to mystery and Crime. It wasn't a morning book and I didn't have any of the main chatterers I remember some of the characters that I had a issue with when they did something, but overall they were all decent high school students who got thrown into a murder mystery. 

Sugar Daddies by Jade West

lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

This book was one of the first books I read, I was really interested in the whole 1 women in a relationship with 2 men that are already dating. The beginning for me was fun but the ending of the plot twist of them trying to hide the baby thing got me, like what do you mean you wanted a women in the relationship because you want a child? is she a baby making machine? crazy anyways one of the men got on my nerves a lot. I don't remember much of the book or the names but the man who's more closed off he said a lot of weird sexist things that was weird, I guess he stopped saying them once the women got with them but in first interaction he was being weird. The other guy who was friendly is cool and he seemed like some I would like to be around fun, understanding and he turns rawrrrr once he's in the mood love the switch. Over all this book wasn't that bad, I feel like there was a lot internalised misogyny she needed to work though and the men need to work on their misogyny as well, other than that the worst part of the book was the baby part as I remember thinking 'I don't even think she wants the baby she's just doing it for them' which is a problem. You can't have a baby for men you are in love with it has to be your doing something you want, it didn't feel as such as she never thought of having a child before she met them it was very rushed to me. They are just dating that's it, how it that legally safe if they take full custody that would be hard as they have more money than her and prob have better layers. I just felt like she was at a disadvantage and she didn't really think of it or even made plans incase anything doesn't go that way, why would you think things would never go left?. It was a quick read di don't think it took me long to read this book, I remember reading it in shorter time than most book , the SMUTTTT!! it was very good that was prob one of the best smut I read even though the words she used sometimes cringed me out. 

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

lighthearted medium-paced

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

1.0

This book is properly one of the worst books I read, it was inappropriate, had no plot and made me very uncomfortable. Why is a grown man fucking a freshly 18 year old ? that's so weird, not only is she a 18 year old she is her son's ex girlfriend. The dynamic between them was weird as she lived in he's house I think she got kicked out or something, how are you fucking a 18 yearly who lives in your house who is literally indebted to you who also happens to be your sons ex girlfriend. Like I understand why a freshly 18 year old would be attracted to an older man who's in his early 30s who has a house treats her decently compare to the boys she comes across, due her being young she prob though older guys are more mature compare the boys her age who are still immature. This mindset is normal for younger women as there is a lot movies that give that narrative which is not accurate both are immature, I wanted her to not end up with him but from what I remember they ended up together. The way people saw this was a revenge on the boyfriend who cheated if I remember correctly but that is not a flex from the dads perspective, it might be a flex for her but it's weird and were shouldn't be seeing this as 'boss girl' it's creepy and super inappropriate. The only thing I remember is alottt of smut, the writing for the smut wasn't the worst but the fact that's a 30 something year old with a 18 year old didn't do anything for me like ok smut and what ? it's still weird. The only reason I rated it a 1/5 and not 0/5 is due to the writing style was easy to read and I read this quite quickly or at least felt like a quick read, this is important to me I don't want to take 5 months reading 1 book that's an issue. 

Normal People by Sally Rooney

emotional informative reflective

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

3.5

This book was recommended to me by a friend so she lent me her book, she's really liked it and wants to re-read it. I have heard about this book all over social media, I was excited to see what the hype was all about. I had mixed feeling about this book, I understood why people loved it and related to it so much but it wasn't resonating with me. I enjoyed the writing style even though it was unusual as there wasn't any quotations, the story developed straight away it wasn't taking 100 pages for the characters to Meet it was from the jump which I enjoyed. This book took me a while to read as I kept getting depressed reading it and had to spread the book as I couldn't finish it in one sitting that would have been too much for me, the miss communication or say the lack of communication really bothered me and that's the part most people enjoyed as it was 'how people can be'. I just don't like any books with a trope of misunderstanding or miscommunication as it drags on and frustrates me a lot.  Thought the book the female character and male character have a lot of issues they need to work through and deal with and it bothered me that they went on for so long holding back and holding their emotions in, the female lead got into a abusive relationship which makes sense as she is unhealed and needed to go to therapy before getting into a relationship as individuals that are evil or also unhealed can see that within them and take advantage or even abuse them. The male lead from what i remember finally went to therapy and actually tried to get help which is what I was proud of seeing, overall I was not rooting for the main couple or anything I just thought they should both stay away from each other and get the help they need as they both have a lot to work though. I don't remember most of the book but I do remember not liking the male lead in the beginning as he treated the fl not that great, it bothered me that she liked him so much and I wanted her to stand up!!. I understanding liking someone when you were young but the moment they treat you not good it should be obvious to move on, if you bump into each other don't rekindle those emotions for him as he might still be the same. I understand the reason he treated her bad was due to him also not working through he's issues but it doesn't excuse it, they both need deep therapy and need to work on themselves and I think that was the point of the book. I think the reason a lot of people enjoyed this book was due to it being about 2 characters that are grey, who aren't the best of people and unhealed who are messy, raw, honest, and not happy with life which last of people can relate to but I just didn't like the depressing underlaying. It was about to put me in a reading slump that was how bad it was, but luckily I didn't DNf it as I enjoyed it and maybe will re-read it in the future to see if my options have change and I can give it some slack. 

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

dark informative reflective

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

3.5

Really enjoyed this book, I knew what this book would discuss before I read it and was excited to see how the author would do it. The female lead is sociopath who doesn't know wrong or right, she doesn't know what is socially exceptible and the social Norms and etiquettes. All the characters were grey characters, the female lead is understandable as her thought and feeling aren't considered 'normal'. The male lead talked about the patriarchy a lot and I agreed with some of he's takes on it but it got debunked the moment we learn he's a stalker, makes female workers uncomfortable by saying sexist things, ran away from he's roommate so he didn't pay rent, made he's family pay the rent he ran from and finally leeching of the female lead. He's takes on society and work culture I agree with, but he then talks about how we still the in the dark ages where women and men are still following the norms from then which isn't entirely true. He makes him self a victim when he's not, he talks about how women don't have it as hard as men society and how men are only valued if they work good paying job, married and have kids if not they will be excluded from society. What's interesting is he complains about how the pretty women he wants only go for the man that is successful and not him, well why would they? you don't even want to take care of yourself how will you be able to take of them?. He deems certain women ugly or useless as they have reached a certain age and won't be fit to have a child while arguing that society needs to be more excepting of him, he leeches of the female lead making her pay the rent and food for both of them. The only reason he care about the patriarchy is due to it affecting him and not everyone if he was a successful man that women wanted he would not care at all he's selfish, he doesn't want to take accountability and work and be apart of society but he doesn't even want to work in this economy and complains. Her friends and the husbands are also the problem they make her feel uncomfortable due to her bing single, not everyone should get married and she really shouldn't. They are the perfect type of people that contribute to the patriarchy, classism, sexism and help it thrive as they think they are good people for judging others. Every character was a grey characters, there was a lot of discussion and dialog I agreed with and the characters were interesting. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The first murder mystery book I read, I was absorbed by this book. I wasn't expecting me to love it the way I did, there was a lot of mixed reviews and opinions and I wasn't sure where I would lay. I loved the pace of the book it was some what slow at the start and then started picking up in the middle and end, I was so eager to find out who the strange man was that was standing at the window and was following the fl was. It might have been obvious for most people but I was honestly shocked, usually books give hints of the killer or the mystery is hinted so people already figure it out and the plot is discovered but I didn't feel any hinting in this book. I was honestly rooting for the therapist, didn't understand why the fl kept attacking the therapist just thought maybe she didn't like talking to anyone but the reveal made sense, when the plot twist came everything made sense. I loved the ending, the book/diary in the painting was a smart move. Highly recommend and would lend it to a friend.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Terminal illness, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

The Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is the first female serial killer book I read. The fl was funny, bad ass, straight forward, she left an impression on me. The story of her and her brother really angered me but also make me sick, the revenge was 100% needed and I enjoyed every bit of it due to what they have done to the poor children. I didn't really mind the love interest as he was cool but there was only 1 scene where I felt very uncomfortable and didn't like him, when he handcuffed her to the bed due to a misunderstanding that later was explained, if I'm not wrong she was naked and vulnerable and as someone who went through physical and sexual abuse that should not be happening it was disgusting. other than that it was overall a good read, even thought it is a bit of a longer read you fly through it due to the writing style but also the pace is quite quick so your on your toes constantly story after story. She was very intellectual and knew how to make the men suffer, she can fight, what else can you ask for in a female serial killer? 

Addicted to You by Krista Ritchie

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

1.0

I remember feeling really annoyed at both of their views, I understand they are addicts but they risk each others lives to continue their addictions and help each other hide it from the rest of the world. They moved in together and didn't tell each other stop but rather just lived with it. He was addicted to alcohol and she was addicted to sex, the ml's addiction in my opinion is more deadly as he can die over dosing or he's organs failing. I remember a character getting upset at the fl and saying how she is enabling him and he needs help, saying if she really loves him get help together as when you are together you enable each other addictions which is dangerous and I wholeheartedly agreed.  I have read bout and seen alcoholics before but never read about a sex addict, not sure if it's accurate but either way it seemed exaggerated as she needed sex every few hours multiple times a day. She would have sex with random men no matter where due to her addiction, didn't know if sex addicts felt the urge multiple times and as a must. Don't really remember any of the plots but from what I remember they got help thankfully and stayed together, I didn't really get attached to the characters or rooted for their relationship. Both characters seem very one dimensional and didn't have depth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol