isabezza's reviews
180 reviews
Weyward by Emilia Hart
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Wow, I am so pleased I checked this book out of the library as these fictional women have shifted something inside me. Hart has used incredible historical world building and magical realism to reconstruct what we know about the world into a believable and harrowing fairy tale. I live in Lancaster for university and this story has added an extra layer of magic to my surroundings. The character development was highly emotional, causing me to have visceral reactions (gasping, forgetting the real world, forgetting to breathe!) This story follows three women through their Cinderella Story from abuse and fear to freedom and power, with heart warming and confident feminist messages throughout.
One of the most beautifully constructed stories I have read, but the distressing content meant I almost DNF out of pure discomfort when reading. I wish I had started this venture with more knowledge of the traumatic themes. Before you read, check the content warnings!
One of the most beautifully constructed stories I have read, but the distressing content meant I almost DNF out of pure discomfort when reading. I wish I had started this venture with more knowledge of the traumatic themes. Before you read, check the content warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Animal death, Car accident, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Rape, Death, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
One by Sarah Crossan
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I avoided reading this book for a while because of the high school setting and the unique writing style as a series of poems. However, this book surprised me; the arrangement of the poetry produced a stronger insight to the narrators voice and feelings. Aside from the predictable plot and unoriginal trope in YA fiction, I know I would have loved this as a teen. After reading the author's note and understanding the research and interviews that went into this, I realise how Crossan was able to write such powerful disabled characters as an able bodied author. The sister relationship between Grace and Tippi, the friendships, and the first loves made for a nostalgic and happy read as an adult. I really wanted to give this book 4 stars, but I did not cry when I definitely should have cried; something there prevented me from being fully absorbed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Eating disorder, and Medical content
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
I could not get into this no matter how hard I tried - perhaps it was the audiobook reading and narration? Maybe I could have enjoyed this novel with a physical edition as I usually enjoy poetic prose, but this was incredibly tedious and I zoned out too much to understand it. I do intend to try again as friends have recommended this multiple times.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
emotional
informative
5.0
I did not know what to expect from this book and I am really pleased I picked it up. This book was a very informative and emotional read about gender inequality in Korea from 1982 to the present day. About the life of a mother, Kim Jiyoung, experiencing "strange" representations of mental illness, this book is divided into the eras of her life where readers (particularly those from other cultural backgrounds, such as myself in England) learn the processes of life in Korea as a woman; life influenced by misogynistic laws and expectations. Not only was this book well-researched (with footnotes included in every chapter) and interesting, the language was moving and engaging. I believe it was an important structural choice to write this fictional story within the context of real Korean historical changes because it likely emulates with and represents the livelihoods of many Korean women today, which provided an additional emotional layer to the reading process. The twist in narrative POV in the final chapter was also illuminating, offering a more diverse range of perspectives on the same topic. I could not praise this book more, if you are debating reading it - read it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
I borrowed this book from a friend after she recommended it as a silly read. It certainly lived up to her review, making me laugh out loud on multiple occasions and involving so much drama I could not put it down. Easily a book to finish in a weekend. Personally I would have enjoyed a deeper exploration into the Arthurian Legends and greater world building around Camelot, but for a fictional YA romance this certainly met criteria and I could not have asked for more. Although there were plot twists and dramatic wars, the characters were all loveable and the story was light hearted; I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get out of a reading slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was a super fun read! This classic adventure felt like reading a fairy tale, with rhymes and poems throughout and fun characters throughout. Lyrical, musical, and beautiful, this book feels extra special knowing J.R.R Tolkien wrote this book for his children. However fun the language is, I can't say it is going into my favourites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Fatphobia, and Violence
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
The first half of this book was beautiful and had a solid structure as transcripts and reflections from a series of therapy sessions. The narrative came to a comfortable conclusion with notes from the psychotherapist and an epilogue about Baek Se-hee's life. However, the book then continued an internal reflection in a seemingly unnecessary way with multiple chapters after the conclusion, which made me feel uninterested. The writing was good and should have been involved in the main structure instead to avoid it feeling rambling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Having read this book in one sitting, I would recommend doing the opposite; dipping in and out of the content when in times of need. If you read it all in one go it can feel a little draining and repetitive. However, Matt Haig once again performs great companionship to (and representation of) those struggling with poor mental health. There are many epiphanies and reassurances which I will take with me in my toolkit for survival, and I would recommend this book to someone who needs a little bit of calm and a lot of space.
Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
Tsarina is a long read, with complicated Russian names and geography that may not be familiar to everyone (I required some research.) The story is very intense for someone unaccustomed to the violence, war, and rape often found in historical fiction books. The first half of the book contains graphic depictions of rape (to which I almost DNF) whilst the second half of the book involves horrific descriptions of torture and death. Only read this book if you are prepared to face those challenging scenes - they are pretty inescapable in this one.
That being said, I loved Ellen Alpsten's writing style. She clearly has a passion for this period in history and all the characters she discovered there. The book was evidently well researched, with many quotes now underlined in my copy. I have learnt a lot about Russian history, customs, and cities which I had previously been ignorant of. Catherine (Martha) is a well developed main character, and the discussions of femininity, fertility, and family in the midst of war were emotional to read.
I would recommend this, but go into it prepared for a battle through hardship (as Catherine always was.)
That being said, I loved Ellen Alpsten's writing style. She clearly has a passion for this period in history and all the characters she discovered there. The book was evidently well researched, with many quotes now underlined in my copy. I have learnt a lot about Russian history, customs, and cities which I had previously been ignorant of. Catherine (Martha) is a well developed main character, and the discussions of femininity, fertility, and family in the midst of war were emotional to read.
I would recommend this, but go into it prepared for a battle through hardship (as Catherine always was.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, War, Violence, Torture, Death, Miscarriage, and Child death