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extravagantly's reviews
91 reviews
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.25
i’ve recently been on an adventure with afghani media / media about afghanistan, and i believe this was a good addition to my roster—although it took me a minute to read.
i understand why the author never talked about how she interacted with the members of the family, though i wish she did. something like “i witnessed this all beneath my burka.” or “the visitors of sultan talked unawares a norwegian reporter—a woman at that—sat listening just one room over.” idk im not the author but as a reader i’m curious how she heard some conversations. i know she said about of it was told to her but she also mentioned being present for some. it would’ve appeased some of my curiosity
i also liked how the author didn’t insert her own opinions either. there was one part i can’t quite remember off the top of my head where i felt a bit of the authors voice, but i feel like us as readers were all thinking the same thing anyway; “this is crazy.” by leaving out her voice, i was able to really put myself in the minds of these people and try to rationalize their pov. one of the things i like to do when reading books like this is really get in the mindset of the charas/people, assume they’re morally correct, and once the book is over digest their actions. it make it a lot easier when the author isn’t making their opinions known
anyways, i highly recommend this book if, like me, you are on a hunt to read about more POVs and societies you hear almost nothing about
i understand why the author never talked about how she interacted with the members of the family, though i wish she did. something like “i witnessed this all beneath my burka.” or “the visitors of sultan talked unawares a norwegian reporter—a woman at that—sat listening just one room over.” idk im not the author but as a reader i’m curious how she heard some conversations. i know she said about of it was told to her but she also mentioned being present for some. it would’ve appeased some of my curiosity
i also liked how the author didn’t insert her own opinions either. there was one part i can’t quite remember off the top of my head where i felt a bit of the authors voice, but i feel like us as readers were all thinking the same thing anyway; “this is crazy.” by leaving out her voice, i was able to really put myself in the minds of these people and try to rationalize their pov. one of the things i like to do when reading books like this is really get in the mindset of the charas/people, assume they’re morally correct, and once the book is over digest their actions. it make it a lot easier when the author isn’t making their opinions known
anyways, i highly recommend this book if, like me, you are on a hunt to read about more POVs and societies you hear almost nothing about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: War
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i would recommend this book to someone who really resonated with the themes and ideas found within encanto
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: War
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
changed the way i view the elderly and now im thinking about how i want to die.
i have some medical issues and my lifespan is maybe 40-50, depending on if my issues get more severe with age, and now im contemplating to what limit i would want to be supported if modern medicine keeps progressing
i have some medical issues and my lifespan is maybe 40-50, depending on if my issues get more severe with age, and now im contemplating to what limit i would want to be supported if modern medicine keeps progressing
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
[EDIT original rated 3.75 stars, reason at end]
i’ve only read 5 of brandersons work, but i think this one is the weakest/my least favorite. not that it’s objectively, i just felt like for the first half of the book i was reading an alternate AU of mistborn. taking down the corrupt ruler, an unassuming girl getting some power, charismatic leader character, etc. obviously didn’t end up being the case but for a good minute i was not excited to read vivenna’s perspective.
i will say the magic system is splendid. very unique and just generally pleasant to read about. but the ending felt a bit rushed. idk if this is because i was reading it so quickly or if it was all happening too quickly.
there were also some moments where it felt very telly and not a whole lot of showy. vivenna loves her sister so so so much… but we got no semblance of that before the inciting incident. siri is constantly told that she ignored her tutors lessons, she’s not fit for this, etc. got a lil old. also reading about every time their hair changed colors. i was like we get it
i very much enjoyed it. i’ve read 5 branderson books so far and im still shocked when somehow he turns the last 30 pages into a solid ending.
i very much recommend this book but if you are working your way specifically to clear his bibliography, maybe read this one later on, or as a break between his longer books
EDIT:
after thinking more on this book i had to bump it down a star because why [spoiler] did the villains end up being the oppressed group of people who just wants to get back at their imperialist oppressors? it’s a bit odd imo and it seems strange when mistborn is like the opposite of this one in terms of messaging. like bluefingers could’ve been a kelsier character who’s fighting for his people…
i’ve only read 5 of brandersons work, but i think this one is the weakest/my least favorite. not that it’s objectively, i just felt like for the first half of the book i was reading an alternate AU of mistborn. taking down the corrupt ruler, an unassuming girl getting some power, charismatic leader character, etc. obviously didn’t end up being the case but for a good minute i was not excited to read vivenna’s perspective.
i will say the magic system is splendid. very unique and just generally pleasant to read about. but the ending felt a bit rushed. idk if this is because i was reading it so quickly or if it was all happening too quickly.
there were also some moments where it felt very telly and not a whole lot of showy. vivenna loves her sister so so so much… but we got no semblance of that before the inciting incident. siri is constantly told that she ignored her tutors lessons, she’s not fit for this, etc. got a lil old. also reading about every time their hair changed colors. i was like we get it
i very much enjoyed it. i’ve read 5 branderson books so far and im still shocked when somehow he turns the last 30 pages into a solid ending.
i very much recommend this book but if you are working your way specifically to clear his bibliography, maybe read this one later on, or as a break between his longer books
EDIT:
after thinking more on this book i had to bump it down a star because why [spoiler] did the villains end up being the oppressed group of people who just wants to get back at their imperialist oppressors? it’s a bit odd imo and it seems strange when mistborn is like the opposite of this one in terms of messaging. like bluefingers could’ve been a kelsier character who’s fighting for his people…
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Death, Murder, and Pregnancy
The Stranger by Albert Camus
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? Yes
5.0
free my boy. you’re not you when you’re hot
Finger Bone by Hiroki Takahashi, Takami Nieda
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
i picked this up in a library in japan, 2 hours before my class started and set out to complete it before i had to go.
i mainly chose it due to its short length, but also the premise. i did not even know war was fought in papua new guinea. like many other reviewers, i was wary of how the japanese author would describe the japanese side of war—but it was much like every other soldier with their respective countries. disillusioned.
i enjoyed reading about the other soldiers’ lives and hobbies. sanada probably being my favorite, though as an artist shimizu also stuck out to me.
i’m going to research more about the battle of isurava and purchase this book in japanese to heighten my understanding of the text.
i mainly chose it due to its short length, but also the premise. i did not even know war was fought in papua new guinea. like many other reviewers, i was wary of how the japanese author would describe the japanese side of war—but it was much like every other soldier with their respective countries. disillusioned.
i enjoyed reading about the other soldiers’ lives and hobbies. sanada probably being my favorite, though as an artist shimizu also stuck out to me.
i’m going to research more about the battle of isurava and purchase this book in japanese to heighten my understanding of the text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, and War
The Pearl/The Red Pony by John Steinbeck
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
the pearl teaches us that capitalism is the root of all evil (4.5/5)
the red pony teaches us about death, guilt, and coping with ageing (3.5/5)
an odd parring if i say so myself
the red pony teaches us about death, guilt, and coping with ageing (3.5/5)
an odd parring if i say so myself