Scan barcode
byebrook's reviews
77 reviews
Watchmen by Alan Moore
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
i get why my professor said “you can never just read Watchmen, you can only ever re-read it,” because even as you begin to read it the first time you will find yourself stopping and flipping back to the past moments you’ve read to uncover references you didn’t know were there at first. like DAMN this comic is full of little easter eggs and niche references that you only see once you’ve started to read through. hell, the first pages contain a MASSIVE character easter-egg, and you don’t even bat an eye, because you have no clue yet. you can only go back an re-read that moment once your about halfway through the book, going “wait… i recognize him- is that..? no. way.” like there are so many of these moments, and it’s pretty damn brilliant in how they are done. especially when coupled with the fake in-universe prose pieces mixed throughout - like the pirate comics or the biography excerpts - i really like how it plays with the medium and genre of comics!
overall, an interesting commentary on the ideas of heroes, humanity, morality, and who exactly watches those that watch us. while some aspects are definitely of-the-time and have aged less-than-stellar, i did enjoy this comic and analyzing what makes it tick.
overall, an interesting commentary on the ideas of heroes, humanity, morality, and who exactly watches those that watch us. while some aspects are definitely of-the-time and have aged less-than-stellar, i did enjoy this comic and analyzing what makes it tick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Vomit, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
I walked past this book in a store a few years back and wanted to get it but passed it up - I wish I could go back in time and punch myself for not picking it up and not reading it sooner. It is so, soo good - heartwarming, emotional, and such a sweet depiction of queer romance in your teens. I did cry a bit reading it, but that's neither here nor there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware
3.0
The art in this book is so well done - really interesting cartoony style. The story was a bit confusing at times and the structure, while different and interesting, did amplify this sense of confusion. Once I got my footing it was okay, though I can’t say I really like the Corrigan family at all - they kind of all suck in their own ways. Except Amy, she seemed pretty okay. It is also just such a depressing read - you finish it feeling just as bad, if not worse, then when you started it - which, I acknowledge, is exactly what Ware is going for: this isn’t a happy story of a happy life. It’s the depressing story of a broken family tree that weaves throughout time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexism, and Alcohol
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
(Guesstimating how much I read) Fell off and kinda didn't vibe with it that much. Maybe I'll try again? Unsure. I tried again before and felt about the same, so we will see.
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Just got bored, that's all.
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Its a broken record at this point as I go through my DNF list and write explanations for them, but I put it out and fully forgot to finish it. My b my b.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
again, as I have done often, I put it down and forgot to finish it. I will be back, Daisy Jones and the Six! Your TV adaptation's soundtrack slaps so hard!