amsswim's reviews
234 reviews

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced

3.0

Maybe it is my preference or what I was looking for but this was just alright to me. More of a story following various different families in the slum, which I loved hearing about their intertwining lives. I guess I wanted more history/information about Mumbai, and/or maybe her writing style wasn't for me. Something was off.

That being said I have been wanting non-fiction/historical books about India or the greater cultures of the Indian subcontinent, so if anyone has anything like that please share. Open for recs.

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The Storm is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything by Mike Rothschild

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

3.75

I liked this one. The information is well cited and time lined, the author kept me decently engaged the whole time, and the information came of pretty unbiased all things considered. He attempted to walk a centrist line and stayed pretty basic lib, but in that I think he failed to address some key pieces of what makes this movement more concerning. Probably good for an overview, especially if you have an interest in cults/cultish groups. Nice section on dealing with loved ones wrapped up in the movement too. 

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The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

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emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Afternoon/evening listen today, trying to get back into reading after a hiatus. I can see why many people read it in school, classic teenage story. Did shed a tear. A good classic and quick read.

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-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

5.0

This was sweet and a nice change in pace for the type of books I usually read. The interweaving characters and plots is my favorite story telling type. Maybe a bit predictable, but it was the ride not the destination. Highly recommend.

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The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Fascinating short story about the future of overworking employees and clones/androids/artificial humans. Abstract writing, the story progressed with official statements. Quick thoughtful read, the scratched both dystopian and science fiction itches. 
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is science fiction I would recommend to everyone. Great read. Makes you reflect on everything you have done in your life as well.

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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

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adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I am a big reader of non-fiction in general, but I could see Erik Larson being very accessible to those who don't or find non-fiction more difficult. Similar to his most known book, The Devil in the White City, the information and interaction of the people it follows feels like a narrative and not just a retelling. Vivid and simple to understand, and in my opinion very interesting.

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Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

Good quick read. Gives great data and actual ways to change your community. 

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The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I highly recommend this book. Well written nonfiction with a quick but not overwhelming pace. The Israel-Palestine issues may seem exhausting and extensive, but he breaks them down into easy to follow eras. The issue is actually not that difficult to comprehend and vital to understand- Free Palestine. 

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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

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adventurous funny mysterious 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

5.0

I loved this book. Scratches the same itch as Good Omens does for me in some ways. I do attribute it to getting me back into fantasy, I started this last year and got 40% through then my hold went up. Finally was able to finish it now and I'm happy I did.

For lovers of magical fantasy and characters with significant interpersonal relationship issues, this is the books for you. Love the footnotes and constant character pov rotation.

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