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midnightbookmusings's reviews
496 reviews
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
A funny satire that for some reason felt unfinished, as if the editor accidentally deleted the last chunk of the novella. It was funny though seeing how it poked fun at the British monarchy as an institution.
After Life by Gayle Forman
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
7 years after she was killed by a hit and run accident, 17-year-old seemingly received a second chance at life when she found herself miraculously alive again, much to the shock of her family and everyone whose lives were touched by her death.
A combination of the short length of the book, rushed plot points, and lack of direction result in an interesting premise that was bogged down by poor execution. Every character reacted in the most ridiculous and unreal way and spends the majority of the book still stuck in the initial stage of disbelief only for the book to rush through the last 30% with plot twists that have no zero buildup and thus, no emotional impacts.
I am also rather uncomfortable with the brief instances of domestic abuse in this book and how quickly they were glossed over.
A combination of the short length of the book, rushed plot points, and lack of direction result in an interesting premise that was bogged down by poor execution. Every character reacted in the most ridiculous and unreal way and spends the majority of the book still stuck in the initial stage of disbelief only for the book to rush through the last 30% with plot twists that have no zero buildup and thus, no emotional impacts.
I am also rather uncomfortable with the brief instances of domestic abuse in this book and how quickly they were glossed over.
A Darkness at the Door by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ghost Train by Paul Yee
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A short, enchanting, and emotional read that deals with the often buried history of the Chinese workers who died building the railroad in this country. The message of grief and homecoming is powerful. Should be compulsory reading in this country.
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Storygraph: Is there strong character development?
Me: Well, it's complicated. BIG SPOILER BEWAREI mean yes if you consider the protagonist's more willingness to embrace murder and patricide at the end of the novel then yes, there is character development!
Ji-won's life has been falling apart for a while now but perhaps the catalyst happens when her father leaves her family for his younger pregnant mistress. Still reeling from this major implosion in her life, it only goes downhill when her mother falls for a disgusting mid white man with a very clear case of yellow fever and Jiwon begins fantasizing about certain illegal acts involving said white man's eyeballs.
This is the book for the Asian female rage girlies. A phenomenal thriller and horror debut that got me squirming in my bed in disgust and discomfort in one moment and then the next moment cheering for violence. Granted the target is rather low hanging fruit considering how despicable the racist boyfriend is but gods, I will never not cheer for white men being dunked on. And despite her very obvious problems (this girl really needs therapy), it is hard not to pity Ji-won as it becomes clear how much she is hurting from her broken family and deteriorating mental state.
Admittedly, I had mixed feelings about the ending. On the one hand, I appreciate it isn't a traditional route for a happy ending. On the other hand, it does open up possibility for an unhappy ending. Though honestly given how incompetent LAPD is in general, Ji-won will probably be fine.
Bonus: I did not expect the blossoming sapphic romance in the book but it was definitely well-appreciated by me.
Me: Well, it's complicated. BIG SPOILER BEWARE
Ji-won's life has been falling apart for a while now but perhaps the catalyst happens when her father leaves her family for his younger pregnant mistress. Still reeling from this major implosion in her life, it only goes downhill when her mother falls for a disgusting mid white man with a very clear case of yellow fever and Jiwon begins fantasizing about certain illegal acts involving said white man's eyeballs.
This is the book for the Asian female rage girlies. A phenomenal thriller and horror debut that got me squirming in my bed in disgust and discomfort in one moment and then the next moment cheering for violence. Granted the target is rather low hanging fruit considering how despicable the racist boyfriend is but gods, I will never not cheer for white men being dunked on. And despite her very obvious problems (this girl really needs therapy), it is hard not to pity Ji-won as it becomes clear how much she is hurting from her broken family and deteriorating mental state.
Admittedly, I had mixed feelings about the ending.
Bonus: I did not expect the blossoming sapphic romance in the book but it was definitely well-appreciated by me.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I had such high expectation for this book but alas, it is mid. So mid.
The book reads a lot like a slice of life. In that there is no plot. Instead, the narrative is very much driven by the characters, leaving the novel feels at time aimless. Certain revelations about the characters' relationships do not have the emotional punch it deserves and comes off at very out of nowhere since it outrights contradicts things said earlier in the story, especially since there's no indication that the narrator is unreliable. Hence, it just comes off as odd.
Of course, this may very well be a me problem instead of the book since the typical three acts structure is more of a norm in Western storytelling rather than Japanese.
The book reads a lot like a slice of life. In that there is no plot. Instead, the narrative is very much driven by the characters, leaving the novel feels at time aimless. Certain revelations about the characters' relationships do not have the emotional punch it deserves and comes off at very out of nowhere since it outrights contradicts things said earlier in the story, especially since there's no indication that the narrator is unreliable. Hence, it just comes off as odd.
Of course, this may very well be a me problem instead of the book since the typical three acts structure is more of a norm in Western storytelling rather than Japanese.
Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza by Mosab Abu Toha
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
Things You May Find Hidden in My Ears is a beautiful testament to love, resistance, and hope despite despairs. Written and published prior to the Genocide in Gaza, these poems are further proofs that the sufferings of Palestinians at the hands of the genocidal apartheid entity. And yet, they are also proofs of the spirits and perseverance of Palestinians.
At times, while reading this collection, I found myself needing to stop and compose myself. I found myself looking up poet Mosab Abu Toha to check if he is still alive. Thankfully he is safely evacuated to Egypt after being kidnapped by the IOF. It speaks to the depravity of this genocide that this is something a reader must do when it comes to literature from Palestinian authors: looking up to see if they are still alive and have not been murdered yet by the genocidal entity.
At the time of the writing of this review, a ceasefire is underway. Yet, even during this ceasefire, the IOF has continued to murder more than 20 Palestinians in Gaza, not to mention its escalation and war on the West Bank, the demolition and forced displacement of more than 22,000 Palestinians in Jenin and the unchecked pogroms from the settlers.
One can only hope that justice will prevail and soon, we will see a free and liberated Palestine in our lifetime.
At times, while reading this collection, I found myself needing to stop and compose myself. I found myself looking up poet Mosab Abu Toha to check if he is still alive. Thankfully he is safely evacuated to Egypt after being kidnapped by the IOF. It speaks to the depravity of this genocide that this is something a reader must do when it comes to literature from Palestinian authors: looking up to see if they are still alive and have not been murdered yet by the genocidal entity.
At the time of the writing of this review, a ceasefire is underway. Yet, even during this ceasefire, the IOF has continued to murder more than 20 Palestinians in Gaza, not to mention its escalation and war on the West Bank, the demolition and forced displacement of more than 22,000 Palestinians in Jenin and the unchecked pogroms from the settlers.
One can only hope that justice will prevail and soon, we will see a free and liberated Palestine in our lifetime.