alingtori's reviews
239 reviews
The Chronology of Water: A Memoir, by Lidia Yuknavitch
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
My god, where do I even start with this book?
At the end, where I bawled like crazy? When she said that we have to—that we can—make our own family. Make our own story. No matter how fucked up we are, we can still make something out of nothing. That no matter how alone we feel, there is someone something somewhere out there that will hold us will accept us will make us feel alive.
At the beginning, which I read first in the digital form but re-read again as soon as I got a physical copy with that ~iconique~ cover (million thanks to bookendsbeginnings)?
In the middle, where I thought: "My god—Lidia Yuknavich, how can you assemble words and letters this way?" The way she wrote made me want to write. The way she used language to make me feel so deeply, to make me feel less alone, to make my life a bit more bearable.
I feel like this is a book that I can read over and over and over. In part and in whole. Whenever I feel another urge to drown myself, I will remember her words so that I can breathe again, even underwater.
At the end, where I bawled like crazy? When she said that we have to—that we can—make our own family. Make our own story. No matter how fucked up we are, we can still make something out of nothing. That no matter how alone we feel, there is someone something somewhere out there that will hold us will accept us will make us feel alive.
At the beginning, which I read first in the digital form but re-read again as soon as I got a physical copy with that ~iconique~ cover (million thanks to bookendsbeginnings)?
In the middle, where I thought: "My god—Lidia Yuknavich, how can you assemble words and letters this way?" The way she wrote made me want to write. The way she used language to make me feel so deeply, to make me feel less alone, to make my life a bit more bearable.
I feel like this is a book that I can read over and over and over. In part and in whole. Whenever I feel another urge to drown myself, I will remember her words so that I can breathe again, even underwater.
A Long Petal of the Sea, by Isabel Allende
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
Oh man, Isabel Allende does it again.
While set in the 20th century, reading A Long Petal of the Sea feels very recent. This story remains relevant until today as families are still forced to leave their country in fear for their lives. Extremist rhetoric is still being circulated, and gross inequality is still prevalent.
While set in the 20th century, reading A Long Petal of the Sea feels very recent. This story remains relevant until today as families are still forced to leave their country in fear for their lives. Extremist rhetoric is still being circulated, and gross inequality is still prevalent.
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Nothing like a great romance book to get me through a reading slump! But more than the romance, my favorite part of this book is my girl Nora, and how she learned to put herself before others (who, frankly, can also handle their own problems anyway). Nora, who knows what she wants but had to make sacrifices for the people that she loves.
Oh and her relationship with Charlie!!! My man is such a simp! Their open and honest (and realistic) communication is *chef's kiss* It's also uncommon for romance novels to have the pairing explicitly say that they do not want children so another plus points.
Oh and her relationship with Charlie!!! My man is such a simp! Their open and honest (and realistic) communication is *chef's kiss* It's also uncommon for romance novels to have the pairing explicitly say that they do not want children so another plus points.
Human Acts, by Han Kang
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
How can humans be capable of such inhumane acts? This has been what's going through my mind as I read this book.
Human Acts is a story of suffering--both physical and mental--brought by individuals to other individuals. But it is also a story of bravery and love and justice. Because at the end of the day, that's what being human is--it is being complex and capable of doing good and bad. And ultimately, it also up to us to make sure that the good prevails.
This is especially hard for me to read because it's so familiar with the stories of Martial Law in the Philippines. The violence, the trauma, and also the bravery of people in the face of oppression. It reminds us that we are not alone, and that we have been able to survive despite everything. And it is our obligation to those who didn't that this never happens again. That their memories, sufferings, and sacrifices are never forgotten.
Human Acts is a story of suffering--both physical and mental--brought by individuals to other individuals. But it is also a story of bravery and love and justice. Because at the end of the day, that's what being human is--it is being complex and capable of doing good and bad. And ultimately, it also up to us to make sure that the good prevails.
This is especially hard for me to read because it's so familiar with the stories of Martial Law in the Philippines. The violence, the trauma, and also the bravery of people in the face of oppression. It reminds us that we are not alone, and that we have been able to survive despite everything. And it is our obligation to those who didn't that this never happens again. That their memories, sufferings, and sacrifices are never forgotten.
The Temple of Dawn, by Yukio Mishima
informative
reflective
slow-paced
...wow.
This is probably my least favorite of the three books that I've so far read from the Sea of Fertility. It's too philosophical for my taste. Mishima really went on and on about abstract concepts and couple that with his writing style? Whew. It was too much for me, unfortunately. Part 1 was basically a travelogue w/ philosophizing, while Part 2 turned icky real fast. It felt gross reading an old man lusting over a young woman--no matter what his reasons are.
Anyway, I did not expect that ending but Good for them.
This is probably my least favorite of the three books that I've so far read from the Sea of Fertility. It's too philosophical for my taste. Mishima really went on and on about abstract concepts and couple that with his writing style? Whew. It was too much for me, unfortunately. Part 1 was basically a travelogue w/ philosophizing, while Part 2 turned icky real fast. It felt gross reading an old man lusting over a young woman--no matter what his reasons are.
Anyway, I did not expect that ending but
Spoiler
I'm glad Ying Chan and Keiko were getting some.
Runaway Horses, by Yukio Mishima
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
This book is no doubt, a reflection of Mishima's political belief--his manifesto.
The second book in Yukio Mishima's The Sea of Fertility tetralogy, Runaway Horses is immensely different from the first book of the series--Spring Snow. Spring Snow is about "passionate love" while Runaway Horses is about "passionate dedication".
Here we meet Isao Iinuma, who Shigekuni Honda believes to be his friend Kiyoaki Matsugae's (Spring Snow's protagonist) reincarnation. We follow along as Isao, a passionate young extremist, plots against capitalists who he believes are destroying the country and usurping the Emperor's power.
Knowing how Yukio Mishima was, and the circumstances of his death, one cannot help but compare Isao to him. As I follow along Isao's plotting, I cannot help but wonder if this was also what Mishima has done when he planned his own coup (and death) the year after the book was published.
Isao might be a fanatic but he does have points (except for you know, the worshiping of the Emperor and other extreme measures he believes in). And while I think we are made to sympathize with Isao and his cause, we are also made aware of Isao's flaws.
No matter what his politics is, one cannot deny the beauty of Mishima's writing (and of course, kudos to the translator Michael Gallagher). I love the way describes emotions through nature, and he really has this uncanny ability to make me feel(tm) emotions I can't express. To borrow from a colleague of mine: "The guy's crazy, but he's still one hell of a writer."
The second book in Yukio Mishima's The Sea of Fertility tetralogy, Runaway Horses is immensely different from the first book of the series--Spring Snow. Spring Snow is about "passionate love" while Runaway Horses is about "passionate dedication".
Here we meet Isao Iinuma, who Shigekuni Honda believes to be his friend Kiyoaki Matsugae's (Spring Snow's protagonist) reincarnation. We follow along as Isao, a passionate young extremist, plots against capitalists who he believes are destroying the country and usurping the Emperor's power.
Knowing how Yukio Mishima was, and the circumstances of his death, one cannot help but compare Isao to him. As I follow along Isao's plotting, I cannot help but wonder if this was also what Mishima has done when he planned his own coup (and death) the year after the book was published.
Isao might be a fanatic but he does have points (except for you know, the worshiping of the Emperor and other extreme measures he believes in). And while I think we are made to sympathize with Isao and his cause, we are also made aware of Isao's flaws.
No matter what his politics is, one cannot deny the beauty of Mishima's writing (and of course, kudos to the translator Michael Gallagher). I love the way describes emotions through nature, and he really has this uncanny ability to make me feel(tm) emotions I can't express. To borrow from a colleague of mine: "The guy's crazy, but he's still one hell of a writer."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Oh dear, what a book! The main character is so unhinged, I love it.
This is my first Tokarczuk and honestly I really didn't know what to expect. The blurb describes it as a "thriller cum fairy tale" but really, it's more of a reflection about human's place in the universe. Is our fate already written in the stars? Why are we placed on this earth? What is our use, if we even have one?
For such a heavy theme, I find it amusing that my favorite part about this book is definitely the humor. Admittedly, I did slightly lose focus whenever she started explaining the horoscope but despite that I can't help but want her to read mine. Maybe because I too, wanted to understand my existence and want to find answers wherever I can—be it from the stars or wild animals.
Spoiler
And the way her friends also protected her was sweet and also a little bit disturbing—get yourself friends who will let you get away with murder!This is my first Tokarczuk and honestly I really didn't know what to expect. The blurb describes it as a "thriller cum fairy tale" but really, it's more of a reflection about human's place in the universe. Is our fate already written in the stars? Why are we placed on this earth? What is our use, if we even have one?
For such a heavy theme, I find it amusing that my favorite part about this book is definitely the humor. Admittedly, I did slightly lose focus whenever she started explaining the horoscope but despite that I can't help but want her to read mine. Maybe because I too, wanted to understand my existence and want to find answers wherever I can—be it from the stars or wild animals.
Si Janus Sílang at ang Pitumpu't Pitong Púsong, by Edgar Calabia Samar
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
What a jam packed book! It has been a while since I've read the previous one so I had to recall some stuff before truly being immersed in the story.
But once that's out of the way oooh boy, this was such a fun read! I had to concentrate so hard because there's so many new information given to us—new characters, new powers, new leads, new mysteries. The time travelling element, especially, made focus even more. Usually this would annoy me but in this case, it was done well and made the book more engaging.
And as usual, the ending is such a cliff-hanger! Now, onto the next book!
But once that's out of the way oooh boy, this was such a fun read! I had to concentrate so hard because there's so many new information given to us—new characters, new powers, new leads, new mysteries. The time travelling element, especially, made focus even more. Usually this would annoy me but in this case, it was done well and made the book more engaging.
And as usual, the ending is such a cliff-hanger! Now, onto the next book!
In the Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Carmen Maria Machado's in the dream house tells us a haunting story of domestic (non-physical) abuse in a queer relationship—something that is rarely talked about, and even seem as impossible.
Machado's prose and style are gorgeous. Her use of the second voice in chapters where she talks about her time and relationship with the woman in the Dream House makes it more visceral. I had to put down the book several times because the pain was too much to bear.
And in telling her story, she gives voice to those who are silenced. To those whose tongues have been cut off by fear—fear of rejection, fear of judgement, fear of retaliation. By breaking her silence, she tells us that we are not alone, contrary to what others say or believe.
In the Dream House reminds us queer people are humans, warts and all.
Machado's prose and style are gorgeous. Her use of the second voice in chapters where she talks about her time and relationship with the woman in the Dream House makes it more visceral. I had to put down the book several times because the pain was too much to bear.
And in telling her story, she gives voice to those who are silenced. To those whose tongues have been cut off by fear—fear of rejection, fear of judgement, fear of retaliation. By breaking her silence, she tells us that we are not alone, contrary to what others say or believe.
In the Dream House reminds us queer people are humans, warts and all.
Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Oh wow, how do I start? I devoured this book in just one day and I didn't even notice that it's 400 pages. Iron Widow is an action-packed book centered around Wu Zetian, an 18-year-old girl who offers herself to become a concubine-pilot but becomes more than that.
The description for this book--"Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers"--is more spot on than I've expected. I'm not the biggest mecha science fiction reader/watcher and I was expecting a lot of technical discussion that might bug me down, but it was surprisingly a very easy read--you don't even have to know Pacific Rim to understand how the piloting mechanics work. There was a good balance of mecha action and plot so I appreciated that very much.
It was, however, Zetian's unhinged energy that captivated me and made me glued to this book. Her rage was so palpable that I, too, felt anger whenever I read all of the injustices women face in this book. I, too, want to lash out whenever women are made to be submissive to men on the basis of their gender. Her ascent to power was so satisfying, but also fearsome. I'm not really complaining, though. It's actually nice to see a female protagonist that is untamed and unabashedly ambitious.
Of course, the poly trio (which was why I started the book in the first place) is also a bonus and I will lose it if they all don't get back together in the next book.
The description for this book--"Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers"--is more spot on than I've expected. I'm not the biggest mecha science fiction reader/watcher and I was expecting a lot of technical discussion that might bug me down, but it was surprisingly a very easy read--you don't even have to know Pacific Rim to understand how the piloting mechanics work. There was a good balance of mecha action and plot so I appreciated that very much.
It was, however, Zetian's unhinged energy that captivated me and made me glued to this book. Her rage was so palpable that I, too, felt anger whenever I read all of the injustices women face in this book. I, too, want to lash out whenever women are made to be submissive to men on the basis of their gender. Her ascent to power was so satisfying, but also fearsome. I'm not really complaining, though. It's actually nice to see a female protagonist that is untamed and unabashedly ambitious.
Of course, the poly trio (which was why I started the book in the first place) is also a bonus and I will lose it if they all don't get back together in the next book.