alanakuni's reviews
185 reviews

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

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dark reflective fast-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

3.75

truly the thoughts of a real arrogant man but damn is it well-written. definitely some morsels of good in there. a quick well worth it read.
"everything passes"
Shiver: Junji Ito Selected Stories by Junji Ito

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

My favorites from this selection were Used Record, Fashion Model, Hanging Blimp, and Painter. I really didn't like Shiver and Greased but I don't think that informs the quality of the art and storyline. I love the creepy art style and the author's plots are unique and interesting. I did find meaning and deeper themes in the stories but they are also enjoyable on a surface-level as well. 
The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

2.75

I enjoyed the parts about reflecting on consumerism and being cognizant of what you spend money on, but there were parts that felt too memoir/preachy and just uninteresting. I don't know if she was the right person to narrate, or maybe I just don't like the voice of the story in general. I did feel that she was a bit whiney. I will be taking some of her advice about a shopping ban/de-cluttering, but she lacks an intersectional lens on how this project would be more difficult/nuanced for other people. 
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I genuinely think this is a well-written book; I just didn't like it very much. I think the main character should've shown a bit more growth of emotional maturity, and I didn't find him loveable. I did relate to some of his thinking and his inner thoughts were articulated well by the author.
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

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emotional reflective sad tense 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

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense 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

its usually hard for me to follow stories that take place in different time periods and in different voices but this book effortlessly weaves together characters' storylines and themes. i loved loved loved this book.
Kapaemahu by Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

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emotional informative fast-paced

4.5

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.25

this book in an exploration of complex human relationships and how our experiences shape us. it's a kind of love story I haven't read before. some of the choices of the characters infuriated me so much I questioned whether or not I truly wanted to finish the book but in the end its a story I wish continued on. the ending felt like another beginning. 
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

i’m so glad britney is getting to tell her story but i’m not sure how great it’s written.