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alingtori's reviews
240 reviews
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
"How does one hate a country, or love one? I know people, I know towns, farms, hills, and rocks, I know how the sun at sunset in autumn falls on the side of a certain plowland in the hills,; but what is the sense of giving a boundary to all that, of giving it a name and ceasing to love where the name ceases to apply? What is love of one's country; is it hate of one's uncountry? Then it's not a good thing. Is it simply self-love? That's a good thing, but one mustn't make a virtue of it, or a profession..."
This was the quote that convinced me to read Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I've never read any sci-fi books and I was pretty intimidated by it--mainly because this book is said to be Le Guin's masterpiece.
The first few chapters were a bit confusing to me and it did take a while to get my bearing but I eventually did, thanks to the simple and evocative writing. The world seemed so real, each societies with their own characteristics and beliefs that I forgot I was reading sci-fi. If you are a fan of well written world building, then this is definitely your book. The idea of an androgynous/gender fluid society definitely makes us think about how we give arbitrary values/characteristics to sex and gender. Which is what Genly Ai grapples with.
This is not a happy story--which made all moments of kindness in the book even more poignant. At the end of the day, no matter what are differences are, there will always be people who will help us, those who will focus on what binds us more than what separates us.
This was the quote that convinced me to read Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I've never read any sci-fi books and I was pretty intimidated by it--mainly because this book is said to be Le Guin's masterpiece.
The first few chapters were a bit confusing to me and it did take a while to get my bearing but I eventually did, thanks to the simple and evocative writing. The world seemed so real, each societies with their own characteristics and beliefs that I forgot I was reading sci-fi. If you are a fan of well written world building, then this is definitely your book. The idea of an androgynous/gender fluid society definitely makes us think about how we give arbitrary values/characteristics to sex and gender. Which is what Genly Ai grapples with.
This is not a happy story--which made all moments of kindness in the book even more poignant. At the end of the day, no matter what are differences are, there will always be people who will help us, those who will focus on what binds us more than what separates us.
Will and Testament by Vigdis Hjorth
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
There's just something about Vigdis Hjorth's writing that gets me. Maybe it's the tone? the subject matter? the structure? How the story unfolded wasn't even dramatic, considering what the big secret is. There's even no resolution but it doesn't make me like the book less. Instead, I appreciate how realistic it is. It's not a pretty story--we don't get to see the family reconcile, we don't get to see Bergljot truly heal (if she ever will)--but it's a necessary one. This is the first book that I've read that talks about sexual assault in the family and it made me think a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent
Persuasion by Jane Austen
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I'm done!!!!! Finally!!!! Unfortunately, it took too long for me to finish this book because of reasons unrelated to it. I don't think I can make a proper review of this book because I did not read it steadily so I might've forgotten some things to form a proper opinion of it. Not to mention I haven't really done much research on the book to understand better the context so there's that.
However, I can say that if you like chaotic, magical characters, this book is for you. I enjoyed reading the absurdity of it all and while this is a very thick book, I'll definitely read it again (especially since I found a website that provides annotations to the book).
However, I can say that if you like chaotic, magical characters, this book is for you. I enjoyed reading the absurdity of it all and while this is a very thick book, I'll definitely read it again (especially since I found a website that provides annotations to the book).
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh gosh wow these cuties. Talia Hibbert did not disappoint with the last book for the Brown sister! As usual, the romance and pacing is just right. I might not be a fan of falling in love in that short time frame, but Hibbert made it work (heck, even the characters acknowledge the "suddenness" of it).
Any enemies-to-friends-to-lovers? Sign me the fuck up! I immensely enjoyed seeing Eve and Jacob bicker. I also completely agree with Jacob that Eve is a Disney princess. She's such a delightful character and I definitely relate with her in terms of finding the thing that I want to do in life. And just like with the other books, I loved the side relationships we have in the book. The Montmarte siblings are a delight and I wish I could read more about them.(Also I have a huge crush on Mont and Alex. Whoops.) That love declaration scene was definitely my favorite of the three and this is because of the Tess and Alex's antics. I wonder if we'll get their stories. A girl can dream.
Any enemies-to-friends-to-lovers? Sign me the fuck up! I immensely enjoyed seeing Eve and Jacob bicker. I also completely agree with Jacob that Eve is a Disney princess. She's such a delightful character and I definitely relate with her in terms of finding the thing that I want to do in life. And just like with the other books, I loved the side relationships we have in the book. The Montmarte siblings are a delight and I wish I could read more about them.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I know a lot of people have already sang praises for this book and I get it now.
Written in a matter-of-fact manner, Cho Nam-Joo lays down all the injustices faced by women, not just of Korea, but all over the world. We women are all to familiar with these but it doesn't make it less heartbreaking.
We do get to see some push-back from women every now and then, and I lived for those. Because without them, I don't know how we are all going to survive a world where you are viewed and treated as inferior. I remember what the lady who helped Jiyoung in the bus told her: there are many crazy men in the world but there are far more great guys out there. It may, or may not be true. But we have to have hope that there are people (both men and women) who will step up and fight against injustices in their own ways.
However, we all know that even well-meaning people can perpetuate inequality because of the system and the deeply ingrained prejudices that we grew up with. We can see that in Jiyoung's husband. I never doubted his love for Jiyoung even if he fails to recognize the absurd amount of inequality and sacrifices Jiyoung has made, just because she's a woman. The most progressive male colleague in her company still thinks that women should stay silent for fear of losing revenue.
That said, I also can't help seeing this book as a critique of a capitalist society. People--especially women--are forced to make sacrifices in order to survive. From working at a young age to help support one's family, choosing a career that bring in money instead, to experiencing and enduring harassment just so they can keep, or get the job.
I can't say I enjoyed reading this heartbreaking book but it's a great one and everyone should also read it. Go ahead, it's a fairly short book anyway.
Written in a matter-of-fact manner, Cho Nam-Joo lays down all the injustices faced by women, not just of Korea, but all over the world. We women are all to familiar with these but it doesn't make it less heartbreaking.
We do get to see some push-back from women every now and then, and I lived for those. Because without them, I don't know how we are all going to survive a world where you are viewed and treated as inferior. I remember what the lady who helped Jiyoung in the bus told her: there are many crazy men in the world but there are far more great guys out there. It may, or may not be true. But we have to have hope that there are people (both men and women) who will step up and fight against injustices in their own ways.
However, we all know that even well-meaning people can perpetuate inequality because of the system and the deeply ingrained prejudices that we grew up with. We can see that in Jiyoung's husband. I never doubted his love for Jiyoung even if he fails to recognize the absurd amount of inequality and sacrifices Jiyoung has made, just because she's a woman. The most progressive male colleague in her company still thinks that women should stay silent for fear of losing revenue.
That said, I also can't help seeing this book as a critique of a capitalist society. People--especially women--are forced to make sacrifices in order to survive. From working at a young age to help support one's family, choosing a career that bring in money instead, to experiencing and enduring harassment just so they can keep, or get the job.
I can't say I enjoyed reading this heartbreaking book but it's a great one and everyone should also read it. Go ahead, it's a fairly short book anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Sexual Harassment
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
That said, this was a meh book to me. Granted, I finished it in just a day because thankfully it's not as dragging as the other books (and I'm very invested in Nesta so...). I did, however, wished it was edited further. SJM's writing was too flowery and descriptive for me. I did not need to know every single detail there is in this world and it's not even essential to the story (i.e., I did not have to know how insanely gorgeous and sexy Mor is. I did not have to know how Feyre and Rhys love each other and how insatiable they are. We've already established that in the other books. Also don't get me started with the stupid and toxic promise between Feyre and Rhys). If you've removed unnecessary details, the writing would be much tighter.
Plot-wise, this is a typical (which isn't a bad thing) healing journey. The conflict wasn't much about the threat posed by Briellyn (who was easily defeated anyway), but more about Nesta's healing. The steps Nesta took were heavily borrowed from what happens in the real world from the exercise to meditation that there are times I forget that the story is set in a magical world. In my previous review, I said I don't know if that's good or bad writing-wise. After some thinking, I think it's not really my cup of tea. Is this how I pictured Nesta's healing journey? Not really. I wanted the IC (yes, including Cassian) to be held accountable at how they've treated Nesta. She was nasty, yes. But did she deserve the way she was treated? No. She was in pain, she was traumatized. She needed understanding. She needed patience.
And thank god Nesta has found herself her own family. Just like a lot of Nesta stans out there, I'm not really fond of how the IC treated her, so it was a relief to see her having her own friends behind her back. People (and yes, that includes the House) who understand her and do not judge her for her mistakes.
Will I read it again? I'm not sure. Again, I love Nesta but the I don't want to read through that brick of a book. There are I know the fanfiction will tide me over, anyway.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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
I'm gonna preface this review by saying that I'm a Nesta stan through and through. Also, no star rating this time. Read it if you enjoy healing stories, gratuitous smut, and love a bad-ass Queen and Goddess Nesta.
That said, this was a meh book to me. Granted, I finished it in just a day because thankfully it's not as dragging as the other books (and I'm very invested in Nesta so...). I did, however, wished it was edited further. SJM's writing was too flowery and descriptive for me. I did not need to know every single detail there is in this world and it's not even essential to the story (i.e., I did not have to know how insanely gorgeous and sexy Mor is. I did not have to know how Feyre and Rhys love each other and how insatiable they are. We've already established that in the other books. Also don't get me started with the stupid and toxic promise between Feyre and Rhys). If you've removed unnecessary details, the writing would be much tighter.
Plot-wise, this is a typical (which isn't a bad thing) healing journey. The conflict wasn't much about the threat posed by Briellyn (who was easily defeated anyway), but more about Nesta's healing. The steps Nesta took were heavily borrowed from what happens in the real world from the exercise to meditation that there are times I forget that the story is set in a magical world. In my previous review, I said I don't know if that's good or bad writing-wise. After some thinking, I think it's not really my cup of tea. Is this how I pictured Nesta's healing journey? Not really. I wanted the IC (yes, including Cassian) to be held accountable at how they've treated Nesta. She was nasty, yes. But did she deserve the way she was treated? No. She was in pain, she was traumatized. She needed understanding. She needed patience.
And thank god Nesta has found herself her own family. Just like a lot of Nesta stans out there, I'm not really fond of how the IC treated her, so it was a relief to see her having her own friends behind her back. People (and yes, that includes the House) who understand her and do not judge her for her mistakes.
Will I read it again? I'm not sure. Again, I love Nesta but the I don't want to read through that brick of a book. There are I know the fanfiction will tide me over, anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Torture
'night, Mother: A Play by Marsha Norman
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've watched a Philippine adaptation of this play and I was floored (and needless to say, cried like a baby) so when I saw a book of the original play I bought it. I just finished it in one sitting not just because it's a pretty short book, but also because it was so tense. I knew what was going to happen but it still felt painful, to the point of suffocation.
I feel for both Jessie and Thelma. I first watched the play when I, too, was contemplating of ending my life so I pictured myself and my own mother, of what will I happen to the both of us. This is a very painful piece all the more reason why I liked the little funny moments in their conversations. Looking back, it was very bittersweet. But it that's what life is anyway.
I feel for both Jessie and Thelma. I first watched the play when I, too, was contemplating of ending my life so I pictured myself and my own mother, of what will I happen to the both of us. This is a very painful piece all the more reason why I liked the little funny moments in their conversations. Looking back, it was very bittersweet. But it that's what life is anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide