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dreareads_'s reviews
259 reviews
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.5
WHY DID THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK MAKE ME SOB? IT WASN'T EVEN SAD!!!
That is simply how beautifully captivating this book is. I really did not expect myself to feel so seen in the story of a gay (kind of) rich white man and yet I found myself reflected in Less. As someone that just turned 30 recently I have been sharing agitation with aging and the weigh of time on our lives.
This book weirdly came to me at the right time and space as I reflect on my own life. Plus, it is dripping with sarcasm and humor that fully charmed me. I adored this book.
That is simply how beautifully captivating this book is. I really did not expect myself to feel so seen in the story of a gay (kind of) rich white man and yet I found myself reflected in Less. As someone that just turned 30 recently I have been sharing agitation with aging and the weigh of time on our lives.
This book weirdly came to me at the right time and space as I reflect on my own life. Plus, it is dripping with sarcasm and humor that fully charmed me. I adored this book.
Paper Girls, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Vaughans writing, his characters, his worlds. UGH
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
✨This is a thick slow Sci Fi book with just a brilliant take on evolution. It takes you from the beginning of a species spiders in a terraformed planet as they slowly evolve into brilliant creatures infused with the essence of humanity. Simultaneously, the last group of humans are in a ship trying to find a planet in which they can live in, dealing with humanities worst and best tendencies. The book slowly takes us to their eventual collision as both groups grow and change with time.
I LOVED THIS THING! It is the kind of meaty scifi book that is beautifully detailed oriented, and carefully plotted. I love the Spiders so SO much. Ugh this was a perfect book.
(Only reason it took me so long to read it’s because I was in the middle of a fanfic brain rot that took over me for weeks)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
5.0
✨This is a thick slow Sci Fi book with just a brilliant take on evolution. It takes you from the beginning of a species spiders in a terraformed planet as they slowly evolve into brilliant creatures infused with the essence of humanity. Simultaneously, the last group of humans are in a ship trying to find a planet in which they can live in, dealing with humanities worst and best tendencies. The book slowly takes us to their eventual collision as both groups grow and change with time.
I LOVED THIS THING! It is the kind of meaty scifi book that is beautifully detailed oriented, and carefully plotted. I love the Spiders so SO much. Ugh this was a perfect book.
(Only reason it took me so long to read it’s because I was in the middle of a fanfic brain rot that took over me for weeks)
Open Throat by Henry Hoke
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved every single sentence in this book.
Written from the perspective of a mountain lion (cougar?) in Ellay, Hoke explores humanity, desire, fear, loneliness, and empathy in such a raw and simplistic manner.
I was swept by the emotions this book elicited in me. I will come back and share the quotes that broke me the most because FuK.
Written from the perspective of a mountain lion (cougar?) in Ellay, Hoke explores humanity, desire, fear, loneliness, and empathy in such a raw and simplistic manner.
I was swept by the emotions this book elicited in me. I will come back and share the quotes that broke me the most because FuK.
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
How can a book be so horny/spicy and yet sooooooo boooooooooriiiiiiiing 😭 at least the chemistry between the characters was there
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I can see why this book won the Booker Prize. I can also see why it doesn't work for some people.
Personally I found myself truly moved by the writing in some chapters, for a story based on an experience most people will never have it is very relatable. (Especially the parts where the cosmonauts were grappling with the fact that another crew was going to the moon. I really felt their thrill and disappointment).
I will say that at times the book feels removed from reality not because the crew is in space but because the author seems to be talking down to the reader. There was something unreachable in the book that felt slightly elitist and at times took me out of the book.
Personally I found myself truly moved by the writing in some chapters, for a story based on an experience most people will never have it is very relatable. (Especially the parts where the cosmonauts were grappling with the fact that another crew was going to the moon. I really felt their thrill and disappointment).
I will say that at times the book feels removed from reality not because the crew is in space but because the author seems to be talking down to the reader. There was something unreachable in the book that felt slightly elitist and at times took me out of the book.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book but I did not think I would love it as much as I did.
When I first saw that it was written in second person I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but once you get through the first 50 pages it works as a way to immerse you. Once I reached the ending I fully understood the purpose of the second person pov (both to bring the audience in but also to drive the message of agency and the role of ghosts in), and now I cannot imagine the book working without it. In a book actively exploring the idea of distance/closeness to war the second person pov forces the reader to critically engage with our own position.
For a book set in the context of the deadly Sri Lankan civil war, I found the war violence and sardonic humor to be perfectly complimentary. The straightforward description of the horrors really allowed for the reader to interpret it the way one would an actual photo. In between the horror, the mockery of colonialism-politics-nonsensical violence gives us a respite from everything we see in the page. At times the humor even reminded me of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett (if their books were set in the most horrific real life context imaginable).
I would say that the balance between the scenes that took place in the afterlife and the civil war were not as seamlessly as I would have liked. The switch from one scene to another had a disruptive effect that at times took me out of the story. The epilogue itself I found it to be both refreshing but also a bit muddled (although not enough to change my enjoyment of the book).
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed a very unique reading experience.
When I first saw that it was written in second person I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but once you get through the first 50 pages it works as a way to immerse you. Once I reached the ending I fully understood the purpose of the second person pov (both to bring the audience in but also to drive the message of agency and the role of ghosts in), and now I cannot imagine the book working without it. In a book actively exploring the idea of distance/closeness to war the second person pov forces the reader to critically engage with our own position.
For a book set in the context of the deadly Sri Lankan civil war, I found the war violence and sardonic humor to be perfectly complimentary. The straightforward description of the horrors really allowed for the reader to interpret it the way one would an actual photo. In between the horror, the mockery of colonialism-politics-nonsensical violence gives us a respite from everything we see in the page. At times the humor even reminded me of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett (if their books were set in the most horrific real life context imaginable).
I would say that the balance between the scenes that took place in the afterlife and the civil war were not as seamlessly as I would have liked. The switch from one scene to another had a disruptive effect that at times took me out of the story. The epilogue itself I found it to be both refreshing but also a bit muddled (although not enough to change my enjoyment of the book).
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed a very unique reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Five stars because this book as entertaining as hell. Perfect balance of action, mystery, and creepy vibes. I want 20 more books like this lmao
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This was such a fun and refreshing read ✨
It was the perfect follow up to Agatha All Along with all the witchy vibes I needed 🧙🏽♀️🔮✨
It was the perfect follow up to Agatha All Along with all the witchy vibes I needed 🧙🏽♀️🔮✨
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay fine, I was slightly scared. Congratulations, this book made falling asleep a bit harder.
But also, (as a millennial) it was a too millennial for my taste.
But also, (as a millennial) it was a too millennial for my taste.