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potatokao's reviews
18 reviews
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i liked the beginning more than the end. the way i was lead into the world, the explanation of the midnight library, trying each life, i enjoyed slipping into each possibility. i like nora, she feels human. no archetype, just a human trying to make it through.
the book had me reflecting on my past present future. although im not jumping btwn lives myself, im at a point in life where i can take any path i want and yet im too afraid to take a step and move forward. unable to let go of my past life and adding to the book of regrets the way in which i didnt lead my life.
regarding the rest of the content of the book, i think mid way it lost a hold of me. the major lesson of “go on! live” was suddenly very positive.the polar bear event already had nora realize she wants to live so i don’t understand why the perfect life was more impactful for her? not sure i followed and did not end with anything insightful for me personally.
overall enjoyed the book, lovely world and made me reflect. the end just didnt hit me as much.
the book had me reflecting on my past present future. although im not jumping btwn lives myself, im at a point in life where i can take any path i want and yet im too afraid to take a step and move forward. unable to let go of my past life and adding to the book of regrets the way in which i didnt lead my life.
regarding the rest of the content of the book, i think mid way it lost a hold of me. the major lesson of “go on! live” was suddenly very positive.
overall enjoyed the book, lovely world and made me reflect. the end just didnt hit me as much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
emotional
informative
sad
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? No
4.0
a difficult and necessary read. it took me a while to get through the book in all honesty. the pain, frustration, and betrayal in having his life taken from roy, wrongfully convicted. parts of celeste's life taken along with roy's. it's never just one person, but a community affected
the book was written so well, the letter format and the perspective change was very effective in communicating their thoughts, emotions, and actions, their similarities and differences.
painful to witness in the last few scenes.the ways he changed by his release and how he almost became the criminal the system labeled him as. he needed to be seen again and celeste wasnt the person for that nor was it her responsibility.
to me, a main theme of this book was family and more specifically fatherhood. what it means to be a black father. for roy’s father, for celeste’s father, and even andre’s father. to feel their love and support, their indifference and rejection, in presence and in absence.
the book starts and ends very intensely. take time and care reading this. i picked it up after someone called it a new american classic and i must agree.
the book was written so well, the letter format and the perspective change was very effective in communicating their thoughts, emotions, and actions, their similarities and differences.
painful to witness in the last few scenes.
to me, a main theme of this book was family and more specifically fatherhood. what it means to be a black father. for roy’s father, for celeste’s father, and even andre’s father. to feel their love and support, their indifference and rejection, in presence and in absence.
the book starts and ends very intensely. take time and care reading this. i picked it up after someone called it a new american classic and i must agree.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape
A Love Story for Bewildered Girls by Emma Morgan
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.0
uninterestingly bland and white.
lots of background establishment for some of the characters like cool you have 4 sisters and that your mom is a ballerina. that doesnt explain why you’re so head over heels for someone that seems so uninterested in you.
the only interest was the minor path cross over between the three characters.
absolutely no character development which was the most disappointing part. they did not grow, they just suddenly decided to do something different.
wouldnt have finished if i hadnt bought the book. so much potential but nothing to show for it ‘:(
lots of background establishment for some of the characters like cool you have 4 sisters and that your mom is a ballerina. that doesnt explain why you’re so head over heels for someone that seems so uninterested in you.
the only interest was the minor path cross over between the three characters.
absolutely no character development which was the most disappointing part. they did not grow, they just suddenly decided to do something different.
wouldnt have finished if i hadnt bought the book. so much potential but nothing to show for it ‘:(
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia
Becoming by Michelle Obama
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
hard to rate and review a memoir, it’s their life story they’re sharing with us after all. i enjoyed the writing, i listened to the audiobook so it was nice to hear michelle’s story directly from her.
the pace was heavy leaning on her upbringing, her love story was very endearing, and her career change showed me a lot about her personal ambitions i didn’t previously know. giving me even more reason to respect her. her disdain for politics is with good reason. the book gave insight to her work as first lady and made me realize her health initiatives probably made more impact to today’s healthy eating world than we give her credit.
the latter half was more condensed, squished pacing. a good build up and then a plateau. her hopefulness is not something i can embody but her continuous growth as a woman is a quality i admire.
the pace was heavy leaning on her upbringing, her love story was very endearing, and her career change showed me a lot about her personal ambitions i didn’t previously know. giving me even more reason to respect her. her disdain for politics is with good reason. the book gave insight to her work as first lady and made me realize her health initiatives probably made more impact to today’s healthy eating world than we give her credit.
the latter half was more condensed, squished pacing. a good build up and then a plateau. her hopefulness is not something i can embody but her continuous growth as a woman is a quality i admire.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Mass/school shootings
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
i really like ken liu’s writing style. it’s very clean and simple but provides all the details and imagery you need to feel involved in the narrative. i enjoyed the mixing of asian diaspora and asian american themes with the science fiction genre, reminds me of afrofuturism and shows that main characters in stories can be asian without it being about how asian they are. sometimes it’s about leaving earth bc the planet has gone to ruins and exploring outer space and transcending the human form. and sure other times it’s about hating what you look like in a country that makes it seem like you dont belong. this book covers it all so each short story has a different feel.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
love the title names, he writes exactly like he narrates his shows, dive into his life and route to and through the culinary world, without getting too personal, always focused on food
i liked it but i took a big break in reading it, i think it gets lengthy at times but that’s okay, love this man and how he brought us into his world
amazing storyteller
i liked it but i took a big break in reading it, i think it gets lengthy at times but that’s okay, love this man and how he brought us into his world
amazing storyteller
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
very slow start, attempted to read at least 3 times, the thesis of “rediscovering your true purpose and destiny in life and following it wholeheartedly while trusting the process and believing in yourself” is given early in the book and repeated endlessly
not as eye opening or insightful as i’d hoped, giving very much surface level “follow your dreams!” vibes
i did like the ending though
not as eye opening or insightful as i’d hoped, giving very much surface level “follow your dreams!” vibes
i did like the ending though
Normal People by Sally Rooney
emotional
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
4.5
really enjoyed the book, made me feel something again, very realistic characters, LOTS of character development, good dialogue and writing style, easy and approachable, end of high school to throughout college age
slow middle, quickly wrapped up ending, i dont hate the ending though, i think it had to be this way
slow middle, quickly wrapped up ending, i dont hate the ending though, i think it had to be this way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse