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readingwithasha's reviews
107 reviews
Middlemarch by George Eliot
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
This is an epoch/epic.
Despite its gargantuan length, I found myself completely engrossed. And though it’s set in the 19th century, it’s incredibly modern.
The characters are nuanced, complicated, and sympathetic. Dorothea is probably the most powerful heroine I’ve ever read.
Despite its gargantuan length, I found myself completely engrossed. And though it’s set in the 19th century, it’s incredibly modern.
The characters are nuanced, complicated, and sympathetic. Dorothea is probably the most powerful heroine I’ve ever read.
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An extremely disappointing read.
I wanted to like this, but everything about this falls flat. There is almost no story and barely any character development. It feels rushed and incomplete.
I wanted to like this, but everything about this falls flat. There is almost no story and barely any character development. It feels rushed and incomplete.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
This is the second time that I tried to engage with this book because I absolutely love trees and want to love this so badly.
However, I just cannot make it past the first 145 pages! I got to about this point last time, too. It just doesn't excite me at all. I don't find myself reaching for this book, so I just decided to let it go. Life is too short to read books you don't want to read.
However, I just cannot make it past the first 145 pages! I got to about this point last time, too. It just doesn't excite me at all. I don't find myself reaching for this book, so I just decided to let it go. Life is too short to read books you don't want to read.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall a great page-turner. I saw the television series first, which I personally think is better than the book. The TV series does a lot more to flesh out the characters and gives a richer background to the events surrounding the murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately by the time I reached the end, I found myself asking "huh?"
I found the first book interesting, albeit a bit heavy-handed when it came to the discussion of women's bodies. I don't want to be too harsh on it because I read the translated version, and it is entirely possible that the Japanese version is much more poetic. I thought the relationship between Makiko and Midoriko was extremely interesting and I would have loved to see more about how Midoriko's silence and Makiko's breast augmentation surgery manifested in Book Two. But it never came back! I was at page 420 hoping that this would be addressed but it never was. I'm not even sure we ever find out if Makiko had her surgery (which is fine, a little mystery is good).
I agree with other reviews that say it's too long. It did drag a lot, and I think we could have done without numerous scenes of Natsu collapsing on her futon in the summer heat.
Overall, I feel like there were a lot of interesting threads that just never get picked up, and by the end it all just falls kind of flat. That being said, it's an interesting read!
I found the first book interesting, albeit a bit heavy-handed when it came to the discussion of women's bodies. I don't want to be too harsh on it because I read the translated version, and it is entirely possible that the Japanese version is much more poetic. I thought the relationship between
I agree with other reviews that say it's too long. It did drag a lot, and I think we could have done without
Overall, I feel like there were a lot of interesting threads that just never get picked up, and by the end it all just falls kind of flat. That being said, it's an interesting read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Xenophobia
Definitely some transphobia, don't think this is the most enlightened way to talk about women's bodies...
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Amazing book, but the plot lost me at some points.
Beasts of Burden: Animal and Disability Liberation by Sunaura Taylor
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
An AMAZING and groundbreaking text by Sunaura Taylor! A must-read.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.5
Another pandemic book that feels rushed and undeveloped.
I found the first half insufferable, but I began to enjoy it in the latter half. Feels predictable, but is overall a fun beach read.
I found the first half insufferable, but I began to enjoy it in the latter half. Feels predictable, but is overall a fun beach read.
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25