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futurama's reviews
315 reviews
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
mysterious
3.5
1) Los Angeles: any story starting with "My 100 ex-boyfriends" will always grip me. This was one of the more surreal stories, it seemed like a surreal story with realistic elements. I think it worked, not sure how LA fit in, though. The $$$ dialogue was really funny.
2) Oranges: Probably my least favorite. Reminds me of MHB's "Parakeet" when the protagonist ends up crashing at another woman's house. I didn't think the structure did anything different. I did like the uncanny elements, how this realist story felt slightly off in certain ways, spooky.
3) G: I really liked this one, even though I'm still not sure if I liked it. But I really did. The competition between two As-Am women pitted together by their mothers, and them internalizing it. I like how all of Ma's stories have no backstory for the protagonists, but I think this one actually needed one. The motivation was definitely there and the foreshadowing predicted it but I'm still not sure of Bonnie's reasons for her actions.
4) Yeti Lovemaking: A silly little story. Great story for the middle of a collection, felt like a palate cleanser after the emotional intensity of 'G'.
5) Returning: Loved the story within a story structure with the protagonist's book 'Two Weeks'.
6) Office Hours: Wasn't sure where this story about a young undergrad and older male professor will lead but I really did enjoy this one. I was wondering how this story would tip the scales and the portal was a good add on. There is definitely layered elements in this involving film theory, I need to think about it more.
7) Peking Duck: Another story within a story structure I loved. Two stories within each other, actually. It's the infinite regression of stories. Probably my favorite, especially in structure. I've never read anything like it before.
8) Tomorrow: Another intense one. Still need some time to think about it.
2) Oranges: Probably my least favorite. Reminds me of MHB's "Parakeet" when the protagonist ends up crashing at another woman's house. I didn't think the structure did anything different. I did like the uncanny elements, how this realist story felt slightly off in certain ways, spooky.
3) G: I really liked this one, even though I'm still not sure if I liked it. But I really did. The competition between two As-Am women pitted together by their mothers, and them internalizing it. I like how all of Ma's stories have no backstory for the protagonists, but I think this one actually needed one. The motivation was definitely there and the foreshadowing predicted it but I'm still not sure of Bonnie's reasons for her actions.
4) Yeti Lovemaking: A silly little story. Great story for the middle of a collection, felt like a palate cleanser after the emotional intensity of 'G'.
5) Returning: Loved the story within a story structure with the protagonist's book 'Two Weeks'.
6) Office Hours: Wasn't sure where this story about a young undergrad and older male professor will lead but I really did enjoy this one. I was wondering how this story would tip the scales and the portal was a good add on. There is definitely layered elements in this involving film theory, I need to think about it more.
7) Peking Duck: Another story within a story structure I loved. Two stories within each other, actually. It's the infinite regression of stories. Probably my favorite, especially in structure. I've never read anything like it before.
8) Tomorrow: Another intense one. Still need some time to think about it.
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I like how Hamid contrasted the very real situation of the refugee crisis with the magic of portals. The contrast of the realities of love and relationships as well...magical mysterious and very very realistic
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
WOW I loved this so much. Never read anything like it and I loved every second.
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
I love Mona Awad so I decided to give this a try. The first half slogged and it seems like others disagree! I found the time jumps to be confusing and didn't get a sense of Lizzie as a character. Things started to come together after her adult visit with her mother. This was the turning point, when she starts to lose weight. This is the moment the reader truly gets to know Lizzie, her insecurities and relationship with her mother.
The second half of the book reminded me of ALL'S WELL. Lizzie keeps thinking about everyone's opinions of her and starts projecting, creating obsessive habits and becoming unhealthy and torturing herself while her greatest wish turns into a huge nightmare. The more I think about it, Lizzie and Miranda are two sides of the same coin. Awad has such a distinct voice and it was exciting to see it come together in her first book. It also reminds me that her work really depresses me, except Bunny, I loved its weirdness.
The content is triggering and incredibly difficult to read. It's very realistic and it feels like Awad got into my mind when I was younger and had severe body insecurities. It's sad thousands of women still feel the same way, and in a way, Awad gives them a voice here.
The novel in stories structure worked out great. I don't think Awad could cover Lizzie's adult life in a single novel. I'm not a fan of the structure normally (see: Fiona and Jane) but it seemed like Awad really cut out the unnecessary details by using stories. Although I do wish the beginning gave the reader more of Lizzie's mind.
This is the second time this year I've read another book by a favorite contemporary author (see: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder). I truly can't wait for what's next! Even if I do have to emotionally prepare myself.
The second half of the book reminded me of ALL'S WELL. Lizzie keeps thinking about everyone's opinions of her and starts projecting, creating obsessive habits and becoming unhealthy and torturing herself while her greatest wish turns into a huge nightmare. The more I think about it, Lizzie and Miranda are two sides of the same coin. Awad has such a distinct voice and it was exciting to see it come together in her first book. It also reminds me that her work really depresses me, except Bunny, I loved its weirdness.
The content is triggering and incredibly difficult to read. It's very realistic and it feels like Awad got into my mind when I was younger and had severe body insecurities. It's sad thousands of women still feel the same way, and in a way, Awad gives them a voice here.
The novel in stories structure worked out great. I don't think Awad could cover Lizzie's adult life in a single novel. I'm not a fan of the structure normally (see: Fiona and Jane) but it seemed like Awad really cut out the unnecessary details by using stories. Although I do wish the beginning gave the reader more of Lizzie's mind.
This is the second time this year I've read another book by a favorite contemporary author (see: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder). I truly can't wait for what's next! Even if I do have to emotionally prepare myself.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
dark
funny
sad
3.0
Sad ending. It was intense. Rachel had a good arc. I'm glad there was a small flash forward at the end. Both of Broder's novels are about supremely fucked up women and it's hard to read but she does it so well
Weasels in the Attic by Hiroko Oyamada
mysterious
Oyamada removes detail and adds excess detail to create a creepy vibe. I was hyped up on caffeine but my heart was racing and felt like something would happen....it's subtle and uncanny and weird. The stories are connected and makes you wonder what was going on in the narrator's mind...definitely a book I'm recommending!
Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby
2.0
The best stories were the longer ones. Casper, Here Preached His Last, First Woman Hanged for Witchcraft in Wales, 1594 were wonderful. Many of the stories felt too short, or like they ended before the story reached its apex (Mt Adams at Mar Vista), or were so close but something, just something was off (Marcy Breaks Up With Herself, For a Good Time Call). This sounds so basic but it felt like the story was so close to hitting the mark, but was just the slightest off.
The two stories set in international destinations (Disneyland of Mexico, Inishmore) gave me weird vibes. I'm still learning how to write in international settings so I can't really place what I felt into words. I guess the people and locations felt like meaningless/pretty/exotic props in two stories that were really just about yt women and their problems. Especially choosing Mexico and Ireland. I'm thinking about what happens when a western/yt writer writes their stories in locations that just prove to be pretty backdrops. Idk!
The title story was the best embodiment of Kirby's writing. Short but sweet, provides a punch.
I was disappointed but the stories I did enjoy were excellent. I am excited to read more of Kirby's work. I would love to see what she can do with a longer short story, or a novel.
The two stories set in international destinations (Disneyland of Mexico, Inishmore) gave me weird vibes. I'm still learning how to write in international settings so I can't really place what I felt into words. I guess the people and locations felt like meaningless/pretty/exotic props in two stories that were really just about yt women and their problems. Especially choosing Mexico and Ireland. I'm thinking about what happens when a western/yt writer writes their stories in locations that just prove to be pretty backdrops. Idk!
The title story was the best embodiment of Kirby's writing. Short but sweet, provides a punch.
I was disappointed but the stories I did enjoy were excellent. I am excited to read more of Kirby's work. I would love to see what she can do with a longer short story, or a novel.
The Things They Fancied by Molly Young
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
4.0
enjoyable read. forced myself to read it slowly. was worth it. my new favorite factoid is about pineapples now
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Cute! Can’t wait to read more. Cozy fantasy