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elizlizabeth's reviews
226 reviews
Howards End by E.M. Forster
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Entertaining drama with a bit of a comment on intellectual socialism/communism vs the materialist take on it. I really liked the characters and I was pleasantly surprised at how fleshed out, flawed and complex without making them a moral lesson or warning, especially regarding the (two! female!) protagonists. I think that I would have very much loved to chat with Edward Morgan, tbh he's my best friend now.
Only beware of the slow pacing. I don't mind much as I listened to it in bits here and there, but I know that a lot of people don't like the more meandering classics and this definitely does so.
Only beware of the slow pacing. I don't mind much as I listened to it in bits here and there, but I know that a lot of people don't like the more meandering classics and this definitely does so.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Classism
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.5
I liked the first couple chapters, but then the constant paragraphs of statistics and data kept getting in the way. I wish they had been footnotes.
That aside, as the book progressed it felt as if the characters were just a vessel to land a point, granted not a bad point to make, but it made me feel like I was being lectured in a rather condescending way.
That aside, as the book progressed it felt as if the characters were just a vessel to land a point, granted not a bad point to make, but it made me feel like I was being lectured in a rather condescending way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Ciudad de cristal by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
This is hands down the perfect YA urban fantasy. A perfect conclusion for the first trilogy arc, I wouldn't change a thing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Rape and Gaslighting
Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I have a love-hate relationship with this saga but it's always entertaining, if sometimes a bit convoluted.
Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There's some heavy topics, but overall I think they were treated with care and honesty. Jayne's self-hating moods is exhausting to be in after a while but I'm glad the narrative eventually calls her out on it. Most accurate portrayal of siblings I've read in a while. Overall the message is positive but not too storybook rosy, however I did feel a bit slow and meandering at times, perhaps because it wanted to tackle so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Dysphoria
Minor: Blood and Medical content
Album de familia by Rosario Castellanos
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Una discusión interesante sobre temas que, increíble o tristemente, siguen vigentes cinco décadas después de su publicación. Quizá más un ensayo con la máscara de narrativa que una novela.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, and Classism
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Such a genius use of language and plot. In saying so little it conveyed so much, I almost feel like I am a different person too. Already know that I will reread it many times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
The Name Drop by Susan Lee
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Really loved the premise of this, and I appreciate that both Jessica and Elijah helped the other grow -as opposed to making one the "helpless poor girl" or the other an "aloof rich brat". In this the plot was consistent with the message until the very end, a bit delusional but hopeful about carving a place for happiness in the middle of whatever late late stage capitalism we're stuck on. Things felt a bit rushed after the third act and I would've liked seeing some off-camera stuff, but it was a comforting read. A Sally Rooney novel for the girls and boys who are done being cynical about the state of the world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Olivia by Dorothy Strachey, André Aciman
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Storygraph recommended this as "out of my comfort zone" and true because I really struggle with stream of consciousness books like this. However, the theme and topic and the melodramatic narrator was right up my alley. I haven't read Aciman's foreword but the spirit of this is definitely in CMBYN, and it has in fact made me understand it better. Quite a surprise, but most welcome!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
Ending felt a bit rushed but overall it was a fun read. It's probably because I am a depressed millenial but reading about fuckups in their 30s found family-ing their way out of trouble is my cozy fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia