Scan barcode
amsswim's reviews
235 reviews
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
5.0
Reread again recently. A comfort book of mine and still is as good as when I first read it.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
5.0
This was a reread from high school in honor of banned books month. It is even better than I remember it with themes that are relevant now as they were when it was written. Fans of the show will like this inside look into Offred's head, but fans of the book may not love the show as much. Either way it is solidified its spot as my favorite of the classic dystopian novels.
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
If you like the movie Heathers I recommend this. If you like cults blending in with normal society I recommend this. I just recommend this.
The writing style threw me off, but by the end it made total sense in context of the story. 4.5 stars :)
The writing style threw me off, but by the end it made total sense in context of the story. 4.5 stars :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Violence
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
4.25
The nearly unexplainable psychological horror of this book left my chest hurting. I am sitting here and I just feel deeply unsettled.
Would recommend, I didn't think it was too graphic if that is a trigger for anyone
Would recommend, I didn't think it was too graphic if that is a trigger for anyone
This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
5.0
I love this, made my heart soar. I like how abstract it was in what theor jobs are and why they do it, but still gave me a bit of science fiction to work with.
I have many opinions and thoughts that I think I'll keep for my book club.
Yours.
I have many opinions and thoughts that I think I'll keep for my book club.
Yours.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book has a way of keeping such a steady pace through the whole story that unsettled me at certain parts. In the best way.
I worried that the length would exhaust me, but the book doesn't feel as plot dense as it looks. I don't feel exhausted and never did at any point. More intrigued and compelled to continue.
Would recommend for the dark academia, creepy vibe. I totally fell into the madness with the characters and I hope you do too.
I worried that the length would exhaust me, but the book doesn't feel as plot dense as it looks. I don't feel exhausted and never did at any point. More intrigued and compelled to continue.
Would recommend for the dark academia, creepy vibe. I totally fell into the madness with the characters and I hope you do too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
5.0
This book spans nearly 100 years of history having to do with the Sackler's. As mentioned in the book, many people have been touched by the opioid crisis, and I think this book does an incredible job of describing how it came about and where it touched. It was honestly astonishing to me how far it all went, as well as disturbing. The very special way large corporations exist in this country in coordination with the government allows large scale health epidemics over and over again.
This book is very dense, but not difficult. It took me 2 separate Libby rentals to finish. Linking old information I had known previously with passing comments from my childhood; it was a very specific experience I have not experienced in a book before. Very much worth the read.
This book is very dense, but not difficult. It took me 2 separate Libby rentals to finish. Linking old information I had known previously with passing comments from my childhood; it was a very specific experience I have not experienced in a book before. Very much worth the read.
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.25
I was aware of much of the information in this book, but the author does a good job of collecting a lot of information and tying it back to his main topic. The whole book revolves around a murder in the 80s but we cover much of the history of the Latter Day Saints and the various branches (mostly fundementalist) of the church.
It always strikes me how incredibly American the Morman church and beliefs are, as well as the incredible violence within their history and beliefs.
Anyone interested in religious fanaticism should read this one. Also there is a Hulu series out now, so maybe will watch that too. There have been some major developments since its publishing, so that also offered an interesting perspective.
It always strikes me how incredibly American the Morman church and beliefs are, as well as the incredible violence within their history and beliefs.
Anyone interested in religious fanaticism should read this one. Also there is a Hulu series out now, so maybe will watch that too. There have been some major developments since its publishing, so that also offered an interesting perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Colonisation
What You Are Getting Wrong about Appalachia by Elizabeth Catte
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Loved this. Recommend to everyone looking for quick non-fiction. The history was so fascinating to me and honestly jawdropping at times.
Already knew some, but makes me want to buy like 50 copies and hand them out so everyone knows it all.
Already knew some, but makes me want to buy like 50 copies and hand them out so everyone knows it all.