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jamgrl's reviews
187 reviews
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved the writing style of this book. It was so visceral. The conversations (ha) too, about romance and love and friendship were all really complex and real. I appreciated some of the conversation about non-monogamy as well. I really like messy characters, so maybe it’s not a surprise I like this book 😂.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
I loved this book! I can’t put my finger on it, but this just felt like fantasy in its purest form. I really enjoyed the prose and world building. Sparrowhawk’s story was classic in a lot of ways, but his internal struggle with releasing and having to defeat an evil, him having to face his own arrogance, him realizing the wisdom of the teacher he found boring… I’m just eating it all up. The audiobook narrator is also excellent.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Looking for Alaska by John Green
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I understand now why this book has made such a mark. The first half, I felt like “yeah, this is good, John Green is a good writer” but I also had this dual sense of I don’t think I would have liked this as a teen, largely because so was such a goodie two shoes I wouldn’t have found it relatable, and as an adult, it just felt so teen. But then the second half hit and I totally turned around. It was brilliant. The realizations Miles had about his own character flaws and the ways he had to grapple with not really knowing someone, the final prank which made me laugh and cry, the remaining ambiguity of the mystery which felt powerful and true. It surprised me how raw it was able to go while remaining hopeful in the end.
On THAT aspect (if you know, you know, Nabor spoiler ahead):
I had NO IDEA Alaska died in this book. I thought it was like Paper Towns, where she disappears and they have to LOOK for her. Sure, it’d be weird to do that twice, but I didn’t expect him to KILL A TEENAGER twice. Anyways, as a result, that part of the book was very effective; even had I known, I think it would have been. The shock and emotional response of the characters was very powerful and incredibly well done.
On THAT aspect (if you know, you know, Nabor spoiler ahead):