coffeemybook's reviews
55 reviews

Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

adventurous challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I swear this book is meant to break down the reader’s psyche. Because the people in the novel are just so eniatic and doing random odd things.

But then I realise the protagonist herself is a ball of mess and that explains pretty much most of her abnormal doings.

Still a worthy read if you want to explore complex mother-daughter r/s.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

adventurous funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

A book that’s able to shed light on serious topics like race and class but yet makes it light-hearted and easy to read (thrilling even), is an instant 5 star. That duality is truly a gift of a talented author.

Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
Did not finish book.

20ish pages in and it was too boring to continue. Granted, i read this as I was on my way to work, but still….

Kappa Quartet by Daryl Qilin Yam

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Storyline became too convoluted for my liking. But writing wise, it was easy to read through, cosy even. 

The Diving Pool by Yōko Ogawa

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Diving Pool and Pregnancy Diary was okay, The Dormitory was random and ended abruptly??

The Dog Who Dared to Dream by Sun-mi Hwang

reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Heartwarming but not in-depth to be memorable

Richard Yates by Tao Lin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

Random, repetitive, 

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Heartwarming read, but predictable with hues of shockness

In the Pond by Ha Jin

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Funny book thanks to the quirky characters. But hate hate HATE the ending…

South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Great read but nothing indelible