Scan barcode
paperportals's reviews
112 reviews
Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The more I read McFarlane the more I realize how much I just want happy stories. There's usually a sparkly element to her books: whether the heroine is amazing, the hero dreamy, the group of friends or family believable or sparkly, and I think this might be the story that falls the flattest on all fronts (except perhaps the jerks. Don't You Forget About Me certainly had the worst a-holes in the McFarlane Literary Universe, and yes, I do mean plural!)
This isn't a romance book by any means, it's more of a journey of self-discovery and healing with a subplot of romance rekindled. I can understand how that can be very entertaining to others, but generally not what I was looking for. I found myself feeling impatient (when are these two going to interact?) and not rewarded for the amount of time I had to wait for the story to unfold (oh... that's it?)
So all in all, "It's Not You, It's Me" is still my favorite... and maybe this one is my least? My other candidate for least favorite is Here's Looking At You, but I feel like that had better format since it was dual-POV.
This isn't a romance book by any means, it's more of a journey of self-discovery and healing with a subplot of romance rekindled. I can understand how that can be very entertaining to others, but generally not what I was looking for. I found myself feeling impatient (when are these two going to interact?) and not rewarded for the amount of time I had to wait for the story to unfold (oh... that's it?)
So all in all, "It's Not You, It's Me" is still my favorite... and maybe this one is my least? My other candidate for least favorite is Here's Looking At You, but I feel like that had better format since it was dual-POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual harassment
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Honestly really enjoyed this one, and (might be too soon to tell) think that maybe Beth O'Leary is someone whose writing agrees with me more than Mhairi McFarlane - the OG author who made me a happy romance reader. Versus a disatisfied one, of course.
O'Leary stakes are a little higher, after all. Heroine has a difficult history with men; hero's work and ongoing life situation are difficult. Their Flatshare (title alert!) may have singularly been the catalyst for a little joy in their lives. Also, the book features an *actual* crazy ex-boyfriend, which is terrifying when you think about it. So, while McFarelane is an obvious happy pill for me when I read her, O'Leary feels a like a happy-ish pill only.
And in terms of friend groups, I think this might be my favorite. Maybe the reason why I like romance books so much now is because they demonstrate and don't neglect the truth that I've always held to: true friends are so, so important.
O'Leary stakes are a little higher, after all. Heroine has a difficult history with men; hero's work and ongoing life situation are difficult. Their Flatshare (title alert!) may have singularly been the catalyst for a little joy in their lives. Also, the book features an *actual* crazy ex-boyfriend, which is terrifying when you think about it. So, while McFarelane is an obvious happy pill for me when I read her, O'Leary feels a like a happy-ish pill only.
And in terms of friend groups, I think this might be my favorite. Maybe the reason why I like romance books so much now is because they demonstrate and don't neglect the truth that I've always held to: true friends are so, so important.
Content Warnings
TW: stalking, fits of rage, feelings of fear related to abuse
Exquisite Corpse by Pénélope Bagieu
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful art, easy reading, and definitely dabbling into wild scenarios that can only happen in books or movies. Poses the question, "What can you get away with?" And how one diabolical plan is usurped by another -- so not a lot to expect in term of a redemption arc, but still a satisfying end for me!
Borrowed from Drea from SBC Manila :)
Borrowed from Drea from SBC Manila :)
After Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Not my fave, but glad to see MF's growth as a writer too (this being her first novel).
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Honestly, a little woo-woo? Too many instances of "after one session, problem solved" -- not sure if that's how human beings work, especially when it comes to significant generational trauma.
But, despite that, informative and will definitely cause the reader to broaden their contexts when thinking about their life. It certainly poses an interesting possibility of why we are the way we are (at times, in ways we can't explain).
Still, I think it could've been a longform essay or a workbook instead of a non-fiction novel.
But, despite that, informative and will definitely cause the reader to broaden their contexts when thinking about their life. It certainly poses an interesting possibility of why we are the way we are (at times, in ways we can't explain).
Still, I think it could've been a longform essay or a workbook instead of a non-fiction novel.
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
My first TJR - not bad, but not sparkly, either. I was more interested in how it all ended (one parallel story more than the other), but I do have to say there were some moments when this book made me laugh, and I'm always a fan of that.
I think TJR was able to strike a balance between heavier topics with abortion/divorce with moments of levity/hope and I think that's pretty cool too.
My favorite ship is friendship. I think listening to the interview with the author towards the end increased my appreciation for the book. :)
I think TJR was able to strike a balance between heavier topics with abortion/divorce with moments of levity/hope and I think that's pretty cool too.
My favorite ship is friendship. I think listening to the interview with the author towards the end increased my appreciation for the book. :)
How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Made me eyes water, turned my stomach, forced a sigh. Listening to this audiobook was a physical experience throughout the body.
Marie Ressa can write-write, and she gets personal and political and weaves those two components so well together. She still feels like she's talking to people who are listening, not to crowds who are blinding adoring. I'm glad she's alive to tell her story, despite the many sacrifices she's needed to make, the intimidation she continues to face, and the absurdity and frustration walking the line she walks entails.
My one constructive criticism would be the hard line she draws between herself and the enemies of press freedom (in this case, it was frequently the PH government). "Don't fight monsters by becoming one," she says, and perhaps in her fight for truth and justice, she's needed to draw that hard line. But she ends the book be encouraging readers to take a step back when they start hating each other. To fight together, not each other, but I'm not entirely sure if it's always so clear.
Pilipinas. :'(
Pilipinas, I'm so sad and sorry for us.
Marie Ressa can write-write, and she gets personal and political and weaves those two components so well together. She still feels like she's talking to people who are listening, not to crowds who are blinding adoring. I'm glad she's alive to tell her story, despite the many sacrifices she's needed to make, the intimidation she continues to face, and the absurdity and frustration walking the line she walks entails.
My one constructive criticism would be the hard line she draws between herself and the enemies of press freedom (in this case, it was frequently the PH government). "Don't fight monsters by becoming one," she says, and perhaps in her fight for truth and justice, she's needed to draw that hard line. But she ends the book be encouraging readers to take a step back when they start hating each other. To fight together, not each other, but I'm not entirely sure if it's always so clear.
Pilipinas. :'(
Pilipinas, I'm so sad and sorry for us.
In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
My first Jen Wilkin - my goodness, give me EVERYTHING she's written.
Holiness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Wisdom -- so striking and encouraging. She also touched on moral relativism, which I appreciated.
I read this as an audiobook, but I reckon this would make an excellent devotional companion to read (with your eyes), underline, and probably cry over. Simple, direct, instructive writing that sucker punches you where it matters. Thank God.
Holiness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Wisdom -- so striking and encouraging. She also touched on moral relativism, which I appreciated.
I read this as an audiobook, but I reckon this would make an excellent devotional companion to read (with your eyes), underline, and probably cry over. Simple, direct, instructive writing that sucker punches you where it matters. Thank God.