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theshiftyshadow's reviews
329 reviews
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
I was listening to this as an audiobook to see if I liked that format and turns out, I don't. Would probably have enjoyed the book in physical form though, so maybe I'll revisit it.
Run Me to Earth by Paul Yoon
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
This is the second book I've read as part of the Asian Readathon 2021, and it's the second book that had me gripped for about two thirds of it and then just lost me.
I was surprised by the structure of the book, as I was expecting a lot more time spent with the characters as kids and in Laos, but it jumps forward in time several times. Not a bad thing in itself, but I found that every time it did it got further and further away from what had drawn me in in the first place.
I did like the writing and there were several small moments that reflected on the legacy of war in quietly devastating ways. I also have a list a mile long of places and events to Google and learn about, which is something I love getting from fiction books.
I was surprised by the structure of the book, as I was expecting a lot more time spent with the characters as kids and in Laos, but it jumps forward in time several times. Not a bad thing in itself, but I found that every time it did it got further and further away from what had drawn me in in the first place.
I did like the writing and there were several small moments that reflected on the legacy of war in quietly devastating ways. I also have a list a mile long of places and events to Google and learn about, which is something I love getting from fiction books.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The writing in this is exquisitely beautiful but it wasn't enough to keep me engaged for the whole book. About two thirds of the way through I just checked out and the non linear structure lost me. It really felt like there were 3 or 4 novels worth of story here, but by telling them all together they all end up muddled and lost.
I guess the book is about the writer themselves and not an attempt to tell a linear story, and I understand that, but every other person in the book felt like a story that deserved their own time.
Still, incredibly beautiful writing.
I guess the book is about the writer themselves and not an attempt to tell a linear story, and I understand that, but every other person in the book felt like a story that deserved their own time.
Still, incredibly beautiful writing.
Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
One by One in the Darkness by Deirdre Madden
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
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
Written in the same detached style as Normal People but without even a sliver of something to care about in the characters. I hated every single second I spent reading this book.
Here is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the way this was written, and even though the main character is very unlikable, and makes all kinds of terrible choices, I was still mostly on board with it all, until the end. I don't even know how I expected it to end, but it felt like a let down.
The Herbalist by Niamh Boyce
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Disappointing really. Difficult at times to follow exactly what was going on and to/with who, and it's use of multiple POVs and narrative styles doesn't reallt serve any great purpose.
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
2.5
I am not the target demographic for this book, but 15 year old me probably would have given it 5 stars.
Like the few other YA books I've read I was way more interested in the non romantic elements of this story. The sibling relationship between Noah and Jude was strong enough to carry the whole story, and while I can appreciate the importance of Noah and Brian's story, I was really only interested in the bits where that overlapped with Noah and Jude. Likewise I had very little interest in Jude and Oscar, and I feel like her making a friend rather than falling in love could have served mostly the same purpose, but as I said, I'm not the target audience here.
Ultimately it's a story about grief and love, and how both can pull people apart or put them back together.
Like the few other YA books I've read I was way more interested in the non romantic elements of this story. The sibling relationship between Noah and Jude was strong enough to carry the whole story, and while I can appreciate the importance of Noah and Brian's story, I was really only interested in the bits where that overlapped with Noah and Jude. Likewise I had very little interest in Jude and Oscar, and I feel like her making a friend rather than falling in love could have served mostly the same purpose, but as I said, I'm not the target audience here.
Ultimately it's a story about grief and love, and how both can pull people apart or put them back together.
Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Probably better read in little sections over a longer period of time than from start to finish, like I did.
There is a huge wealth of knowledge in this book but it's presented in such a way that makes it very easy to take in and understand. It's probably something I'll revisit specific sections of repeatedly.
There is a huge wealth of knowledge in this book but it's presented in such a way that makes it very easy to take in and understand. It's probably something I'll revisit specific sections of repeatedly.