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internationalreads's reviews
1644 reviews
I'll Love You Forever: Notes from a K-Pop Fan by Giaae Kwon
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
There are some really beautiful insights in this book around culture and values but I fear they are too often mired in these repetitive essays. Sometimes entire sentences and paragraphs were repeated. This book also can’t decide who its audience is. It went back and forth between over explaining Korean culture and history for those with no prior knowledge to dropping full Korean words and phrases with no translation or explanation. I don’t mind either way, it just felt like it should be one or the other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole
dark
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Holds up way better than I thought it would!
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wrapped up the trilogy nicely. Some well done/thoughtful surprises.
Guatemalan Rhapsody: Stories by Jared Lemus
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t think of any other short story collection where I loved every single story.
Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I was so excited for this book but it is dragging. The use of the philosophy class as a way for the main character to discover himself is way too cliche. The last straw for me was the inaccurate soccer scene (a wall during a penalty shootout?? Where is the editor?)
Chronicle of a Last Summer: A Novel of Egypt by Yasmine El Rashidi
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Maybe this would have worked better for me in print rather than audio. Something about the structure made me less engaged/interested than I wanted to be. Too many people to follow.