racheltheripper's reviews
139 reviews

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? No

5.0

Reading this in 2024 is surreal. I had a good time noting both the similarities and differences in the world created by Octavia Butler and the current state of the world.

This is my favorite brand of science fiction, and Butler's examination of social interactions, who we are when we're comfortable and safe vs. what we're willing to do to survive.

I will admit I found Lauren unbearable at times, almost hypocritical in a lot of ways. But I think that was part of her story - everything we touch changes, and it in turn changes us, right? An ever-changing person in an uncertain world is bound to piss you off sometimes.

I bet that's how people felt about Socrates...

From beginning to end I was enthralled, and I'm looking forward to obsessing over Octavia Butler for a while.

Content Warnings

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.5

Very enjoyable read - I felt like the fluffy bits (recipes, satirical emails) were unnecessary, and took a bit from the rest of the memoir. There were also a few moments where the stories seemed to be told out of chronological order, which could have just been me zoning out...

But the emotional journey of Dolly's relationships and stories from her 20s were pretty relatable for a 32 year old who has lost one best friend to an untimely death and another due to just growing apart. Dolly expressed these emotions beautifully. And as the narrator of the audiobook, she is damn entertaining.

I wouldn't go to this book for advice by any means - her experience is unique and not a reflection of my own in a lot of ways. But it's... Comforting? It's also an easy, enjoyable read, and it's kind of fun to read the audiobook and Kindle version (America) for the subtle changes in rhetoric.

Content Warnings