safsaf118's reviews
264 reviews

Brother by David Chariandy

Go to review page

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.0

Ugh you know when you're reading a book and you know it has a bad ending but you can't stop reading it because you want to know just how bad it will be? That dread is the worst feeling in the world. It's just too depressing I can't deal with it or think about it. All the tender moments just hurt more.
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Interesting premise but unenjoyable execution. Not for me, but maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace. 
How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

Whenever I read a short story collection I remember why I don't like short story collections. But there were a few stories here that really stuck with me, but some of them were too depressing. 
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

SCREAMING CRYING VOMITING SHAKING CONVULSING DYING. Yeah, there are no words. Like I genuinely have never read something like this which is why I loved it so much. I was so engrossed in their world that I didn't want to leave. I don't think I can fully capture how much I loved this. How can you even describe this? Friendship, love, betrayal, video games, business partners. After finishing the book I just laid there to soak it all in. "Tell me I don't know you, Sam thought. Tell me I don't know you when I could draw both sides of this hand, your hand, from memory." 
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

4.0

I'm a sucker for memoirs and I love Star Wars so could this be any more perfect? It was super interesting to get a glimpse behind the curtain. Honest, funny, unflinching. 
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq

Go to review page

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

1.0

Didn't get it and didn't like it. Very weird but in a creepy way and just gross. 
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I felt like I couldn't really enjoy this because I kept waiting for it to all fall apart. The prose was really beautiful but I also found it hard to follow at parts. I distinctly remember that I was reading this during my lunch break at an Atlantic Superstore food court. 
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Go to review page

dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.5

I realized as I started this that I had very little knowledge about the Zodiac Killer, so this sent me down a rabbit hole and I couldn't put it down. It was hard to read, haunting and creepy and claustrophobic -- and it felt like holding the author's entire life work in your hands. So heartbreaking that she never got to see him caught.
The Book of Mother by Violaine Huisman

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I really struggled to read this and don't know why I didn't just give up. I guess I thought it would be similar to Tove Ditlevsen's writing but that didn't really happen. Not a fan.
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

Go to review page

challenging dark hopeful medium-paced

3.75

It was an interesting read, I enjoyed how she interspersed research and historical literature with her own family history and experiences. It was occasionally a bit hard to follow, but I found her reflections on generational trauma and family upbringing to be a highlight.