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venusinlove's reviews
330 reviews
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tragic.
i wish the POVs were reduced because it was a bit hard to follow the chronology. what made it harder were also the different switch points in the history of it all.
the story was v complex because yes, it was very intriguing but also they were cousins??? that didn't sit v right with me no matter if they were queer or not. up until the end, i was thinking that Vivek would be killed by some homophobic people and not his brother. that was honestly heartbreaking for both of them (and me).
it's painful how unaccepting Nigerians are but I'm sure the problem does not involve only them. the sad thing is that people like Vivek and Osita (and their friends, too) cannot be themselves and sooner or later they either die, get killed or hide and run away, even from their close ones and parents.
the story was absolutely absorbing and super interesting especially from the point of view of a person who has no touching points with the African culture/people.
i wish the POVs were reduced because it was a bit hard to follow the chronology. what made it harder were also the different switch points in the history of it all.
the story was v complex because yes, it was very intriguing but also
it's painful how unaccepting Nigerians are but I'm sure the problem does not involve only them. the sad thing is that people like Vivek and Osita (and their friends, too) cannot be themselves and sooner or later they either die, get killed or hide and run away, even from their close ones and parents.
the story was absolutely absorbing and super interesting especially from the point of view of a person who has no touching points with the African culture/people.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was so ahead of its time. it's actually mind-blowing. i feel like everyone should read it.
the narrator was phenomenal! it took you from the rawness of the person who was "stupid" to the highly intelligent one with his thoughts and feelings, so good. I've been having a hard time finding good audiobooks and this one really hit the heart, not only because of the narrator but because the story was very complex too and I'm sure it took a lot from him to represent such a person like Charlie.
the sole ups and downs of this story made me tear up on a few occasions. i hated how differently everyone treated Charlie. no matter if he was smart or not he still remained disliked with the only difference being that when his IQ was not so high he didn't feel the negative feelings almost everyone around him was giving out.
this book got imprinted on my mind and I'm sure i won't be able to forget it for a long time.
the narrator was phenomenal! it took you from the rawness of the person who was "stupid" to the highly intelligent one with his thoughts and feelings, so good. I've been having a hard time finding good audiobooks and this one really hit the heart, not only because of the narrator but because the story was very complex too and I'm sure it took a lot from him to represent such a person like Charlie.
this book got imprinted on my mind and I'm sure i won't be able to forget it for a long time.
Възможно най-пълният пътеводител на галактическия стопаджия by Douglas Adams, Дъглас Адамс
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
i cannot finish this book. i started it in July and it's so goddamn boring, even the audiobook is not doing it.
the first one was v interesting, I enjoyed it a lot actually. the second book was not as intriguing mostly because it was so out of place, so many things were happening. and the third one is where I give up. it's way too random, I can't keep my mind on it, it's jumping between characters, things that are happening, random items and I'm tired. lol.
a big "I'm sorry" to my dad for not liking this book but it sucks. some day I might understand why it's so important to him and try to reread it. but for now, that's my opinion and I won't change it.
the first one was v interesting, I enjoyed it a lot actually. the second book was not as intriguing mostly because it was so out of place, so many things were happening. and the third one is where I give up. it's way too random, I can't keep my mind on it, it's jumping between characters, things that are happening, random items and I'm tired. lol.
a big "I'm sorry" to my dad for not liking this book but it sucks. some day I might understand why it's so important to him and try to reread it. but for now, that's my opinion and I won't change it.
1984 by George Orwell
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.75
maybe one of my favourite opening lines so far from everything I've read.
sadly, I did not see that this was an adaptation and went with it. basically half of the book and the "drawn-out" part were missing so I'll have to read it once again at some point. it was good though, as scary as everyone says it is.
i'd honestly kill myself as well if I had to keep my mouth shut and erase everything I've known, also doubt every single person that I speak to. it's weird that it's been so many years and this book is still relevant and people continue to feel this fear from the rest of society and the government (I'm going to be bold here and say in almost every country.).
for now I think I'm done with classics but I now consider this man a time-traveler. also a genius.
sadly, I did not see that this was an adaptation and went with it. basically half of the book and the "drawn-out" part were missing so I'll have to read it once again at some point. it was good though, as scary as everyone says it is.
i'd honestly
for now I think I'm done with classics but I now consider this man a time-traveler. also a genius.
Foster by Claire Keegan
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
now can anyone explain to me why I was imagining "Anne of Green Gables" this whole time?
it was fairly well-written and full of emotion. short and tender. i wish I could live in a place where there are no secrets and you feel safe to speak your truth.
it was fairly well-written and full of emotion. short and tender. i wish I could live in a place where there are no secrets and you feel safe to speak your truth.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
a very easy read but why was it just so close to Beach Read? maybe I felt it so close since I read them back to back but this one seemed a lot weaker. this one was literally nothing exciting, just kinda obnoxious (both the book and Nora).
I'm trying hards not to get into the whole rant about "sissy"... like, who tf talks like that with their siblings? no freaking way.
it was sweet at times but just so annoying, too. my final opinion is that it's mid. sorry to all emily henry stans. i hope you heal.
I'm trying hards not to get into the whole rant about "sissy"... like, who tf talks like that with their siblings? no freaking way.
it was sweet at times but just so annoying, too. my final opinion is that it's mid. sorry to all emily henry stans. i hope you heal.
The Orange and Other Poems by Wendy Cope
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I resonated a lot with many of the poems. good. I'll return to them when I don't.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
The story seemed so intriguing but the distribution was bad. There was too much story and characters to get into right from the start. The dialogue was fake and too cheesy for my liking.
I feel bad for dropping it but i have many more interesting books that i need to get to.
I feel bad for dropping it but i have many more interesting books that i need to get to.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Okay, backstory - i wanted to read something fun and not challenging while on vacation in Cyprus and thought this was perfect. Nobody informed me that I would stay awake almost every night until 3am (including the night we had to fly back) just to read 1 more chapter. At some point I started dreading having to go to bed because it was so fun!!!
This is my first book of Emily Henry and yes, I've already got every other book of hers.
Honestly, I wouldn't say it's "perfect" but it was so fun! I think what most intrigued me is the plot!!!! It's not that original but it's different and it's smooth and lovely to read. Just goes so fast and it's almost natural.
There are some flaws to me such as the heavy drinking that's happening throughout the book. I honestly don't think it's okay for a book to revolve around alcohol so much. And now that I'm reading Book Lovers it's pretty much the same but at least not as heavy. Also there are soooo many cringe-y internal monologues and phrases I wish i'd skip over them. Maybe the target audience is below 25 and thus why I didn't enjoy that but it was enough to throw me off. Do I go off on the topic about the main characters missing communication? Basic human skill? Get it together, man, y'all are grown-ups.
Btw, what the fuck was that thing with the cult?
It was a good read regardless of my comments. I've needed this fast read.
P.s. why is it called "Beach Read"? Genuine question.
This is my first book of Emily Henry and yes, I've already got every other book of hers.
Honestly, I wouldn't say it's "perfect" but it was so fun! I think what most intrigued me is the plot!!!! It's not that original but it's different and it's smooth and lovely to read. Just goes so fast and it's almost natural.
There are some flaws to me such as the heavy drinking that's happening throughout the book. I honestly don't think it's okay for a book to revolve around alcohol so much. And now that I'm reading Book Lovers it's pretty much the same but at least not as heavy. Also there are soooo many cringe-y internal monologues and phrases I wish i'd skip over them. Maybe the target audience is below 25 and thus why I didn't enjoy that but it was enough to throw me off. Do I go off on the topic about the main characters missing communication? Basic human skill? Get it together, man, y'all are grown-ups.
It was a good read regardless of my comments. I've needed this fast read.
P.s. why is it called "Beach Read"? Genuine question.
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I don't think i managed to get through this book like how I wanted to. It was a bit messy i'd say and I needed to get more in-depth with the Arab world which I thought it would happen but it kind of didn't? I really wanted to love it more.
Now that i'm writing my review on this book I can't remember most of it, only glimpses. i would have loved it if the book was more about the history / countries involved but that's just what i'd like and not I am fairly certain that i'm not the author so I cannot complain.
Part 3 (the ending) didn't appeal to me... I see where the author is coming from, it's a fun view on the whole book. It's different and i've not read much books with such stuff but I'm not so sure if it fit well enough for me to like it one bit. Sorry.
Now that i'm writing my review on this book I can't remember most of it, only glimpses. i would have loved it if the book was more about the history / countries involved but that's just what i'd like and not I am fairly certain that i'm not the author so I cannot complain.
Part 3 (the ending) didn't appeal to me... I see where the author is coming from, it's a fun view on the whole book. It's different and i've not read much books with such stuff but I'm not so sure if it fit well enough for me to like it one bit. Sorry.