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bookworme's reviews
16 reviews
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked the play with distance and over proximity I felt with all the characters, main and even the eccentric background ones. I connected to all the very visceral details that made Greta and Big Swiss’s relationship a delightful and confusing retreat: the association of popsicles and sweets with their time spent together walking the dogs, the fluctuating temperature of Greta’s room, forcing proximity via the flower picture.. The morally grey, sticky relationship that ensnares both Big Swiss and Greta felt like savoring a guilty pleasure that I knew would not last. I appreciated the format, which let me feel like a fly on the wall eavesdropping through therapy session transcripts. The back and forth conversation heavy format made the book’s pacing easy to digest. I gobbled this up.
+ I also delighted in the more descriptive passages, especially anything to do with the house! Great house details that made me think of setting-as-a-character: the bees in the kitchen walls, the closet turned makeshift bed, the old windows, the pasture and mini donkeys. I could go on, but I truly do think the physical space is related to emotional space, and it was interesting when they chose to cross that line together. The physical role of Greta’s house/work correlates to her emotion/mental state, which is either a catalyst or paralyzing.
+ I also delighted in the more descriptive passages, especially anything to do with the house! Great house details that made me think of setting-as-a-character: the bees in the kitchen walls, the closet turned makeshift bed, the old windows, the pasture and mini donkeys. I could go on, but I truly do think the physical space is related to emotional space, and it was interesting when they chose to cross that line together. The physical role of Greta’s house/work correlates to her emotion/mental state, which is either a catalyst or paralyzing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug use
Welcome Back, Aureole by Takatsu
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really tender slice of life that leans towards slow and steady in it’s deliveryーwell worth it for the way we experience time with these characters. I love the nuanced emotions this author captures and live for the paneling with the butterfly motif. It’s nice to see this kind of character growth for a LGBT+ story, one that takes its time, withstanding the difficult parts of growing up and actualizing your identity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Charmed by all the POVs and how much I get out of this story from our different narrators, I appreciate them all. I’m a real fan of how Ruth Ozeki crafts a story and ties the bow at the end of the book! highly recommend
Girls Can Kiss Now: Essays by Jill Gutowitz
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
the list of things that are lesbian....... my everything.
Shoutout to the following in no particular order that made me laugh/feel seen
Shoutout to the following in no particular order that made me laugh/feel seen
- Fish..anything in oceans, lakes, or rivers
- Furbys
- Tamagotchis
- Storms
- Snow/slush/ice
- HAIL
- Gray skies, all sinister clouds
- Light rain
- Pouring rain
- Invisibility
- Warmth
- Magic
- Shapeshifting
- Towers(All)
- Calculator App
- 7-Eleven rewards App
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
Rounding up my overall review bc the stories I liked in this collection were of really good substance. A very matter-of-fact take on moments of surrealism that read as very much part of the ordinary. Full of food for thought. 🍊🍊🍊🍊 favs : G, Yeti Lovemaking, Returning, Office Hours, Peking Duck
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Medical trauma
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Stunning. Everyone should read and experience this book, and if you love fairytales/retellings you should go rn and buy this book to add to your collection! Incredibly lovable ! 11/10
The Bread We Eat in Dreams by Catherynne M. Valente
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Super Fresh fairytales/lore/myth using poetic prose, humor, dream logic and subverted expectations. A powerful voice to read! A Treat!
favs: The Melancholy of Mechagirl, White Lines on a Green Field, The Bread We Eat in Dreams, A Voice Like a Hole, How to Raise a Minotaur, The Wolves of Brooklyn , One Breath, One Stroke ,The Secret of Being a Cowboy, The Room, Silently and Very Fast
favs: The Melancholy of Mechagirl, White Lines on a Green Field, The Bread We Eat in Dreams, A Voice Like a Hole, How to Raise a Minotaur, The Wolves of Brooklyn , One Breath, One Stroke ,The Secret of Being a Cowboy, The Room, Silently and Very Fast
Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
4.25
Cats of the Louvre by Taiyo Matsumoto
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A stunning work. The whimsy and fantasy of this story feels tangible and real like walking through an art museum and seeing a painting move out of the corner of your eye. I love the cats personifications and was delighted at how well their stories tied in with the museum staff’s storylines. Filled with emotion and thoughtfulness on time and destiny and childhood innocence/joy