zoltar's reviews
41 reviews

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

3.75

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous informative sad medium-paced

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

5.0

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

3.0

Unseen City by Amy Shearn
Did not finish book.

I did not understand the hype around this book. The narrator was so annoying, and not in a relatable way. The whole thing was trying so hard to be witty, without really landing any jokes. It had a weird British lilt to it, despite being set in NYC with an American author

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
Did not finish book.

He referred to violent war crimes (including

killing children, murdering an innocent farmer, and raping a woman

) as “objectively warranted.” Yeah, no thanks I’ll pass. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

dark funny hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.0

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.0

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

challenging hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

I listened to the audiobook for this story. The themes reminded me of La vida es sueño or Don Quixote, both of which I read in Spanish classes right before the pandemic. It felt good to revisit these themes — what is time and how does it change depending on our perception? What is the self and how does it shift? What is “real” or “true?” 

I sobbed openly at many points in this story. It takes its time, and pays off on every little thing. I loved being in this world, especially because of its flaws. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt