jeslis's reviews
74 reviews
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Notes:
- Second read of this and it's going in my top favourite books ever now; I flew through this so unbelievably fast and I loved every second of it! (and felt every second of it too wow)
- Favourite part: the exploration of being the partner of someone with mental illness and how that can be difficult and not always the fairytale of "love makes all better". Also Willem and Jude's dynamic in general was my favourite (the good and the bad of it).
- Other favs: Yanagihara's aim to write a character who never gets better and whether narrative tension can still be created (answer: yes it can), Andy as a mode to explore doctor-patient relationships, the insane way that Yanagihara manages to conceptualise and establish each of the four main characters in a way that feels so real in the first part of the book alone.
A note on the gravitational sadness of this book:
- I don't think it's trauma porn tbh; I think Yanagihara had an aim with this book and she executed it so well. The amount of trauma is a lot, yes, and it's ruthless, but I think it was part of the "not all characters get better" thesis of the work AND despite it, she manages to highlight the surreal and beautiful quality of human connection in all its messy forms, and how valuable it is even if it doesn't come with a happy ending. I don't think this book is for most people, and if you don't want to read sad books, then don't. But this book explored so many themes beyond it that make it not just the "tik tok trauma dump" book.
- Additionally, there's something to be said here about how we consume sad stories not only because it's cathartic, but because there's something beautiful in sadness. This may feel uncomfortable for us as readers, even voyeuristic at times, but I still think there's worth in the act of consuming and sharing sad stories. If for nothing else than the idea that completely banning books for being "too traumatising" is rather suggestive of censorship of literature to me.
- Second read of this and it's going in my top favourite books ever now; I flew through this so unbelievably fast and I loved every second of it! (and felt every second of it too wow)
- Favourite part: the exploration of being the partner of someone with mental illness and how that can be difficult and not always the fairytale of "love makes all better". Also Willem and Jude's dynamic in general was my favourite (the good and the bad of it).
- Other favs: Yanagihara's aim to write a character who never gets better and whether narrative tension can still be created (answer: yes it can), Andy as a mode to explore doctor-patient relationships, the insane way that Yanagihara manages to conceptualise and establish each of the four main characters in a way that feels so real in the first part of the book alone.
A note on the gravitational sadness of this book:
- I don't think it's trauma porn tbh; I think Yanagihara had an aim with this book and she executed it so well. The amount of trauma is a lot, yes, and it's ruthless, but I think it was part of the "not all characters get better" thesis of the work AND despite it, she manages to highlight the surreal and beautiful quality of human connection in all its messy forms, and how valuable it is even if it doesn't come with a happy ending. I don't think this book is for most people, and if you don't want to read sad books, then don't. But this book explored so many themes beyond it that make it not just the "tik tok trauma dump" book.
- Additionally, there's something to be said here about how we consume sad stories not only because it's cathartic, but because there's something beautiful in sadness. This may feel uncomfortable for us as readers, even voyeuristic at times, but I still think there's worth in the act of consuming and sharing sad stories. If for nothing else than the idea that completely banning books for being "too traumatising" is rather suggestive of censorship of literature to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Pedophilia, Rape, Physical abuse, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Eating disorder
In a Dream You Saw a Way to Survive by Clementine Von Radics
emotional
fast-paced
Notes:
- I have no idea how to rate poetry so I'm not going to :D
- This collection was nice — it was easy to understand, easy to read, had a few good lines that hit me personally, and felt like a cohesive package surrounding its theme of infidelity.
- Overall enjoyment score probably 3.5/5 (nothing too memorable but cohesive and pleasant).
- I have no idea how to rate poetry so I'm not going to :D
- This collection was nice — it was easy to understand, easy to read, had a few good lines that hit me personally, and felt like a cohesive package surrounding its theme of infidelity.
- Overall enjoyment score probably 3.5/5 (nothing too memorable but cohesive and pleasant).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Notes:
- Such a great concept! Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai with gangs and the multi-cultural context.
- Unfortunately the writing really didn't do it for me — so many of the details in the descriptions were unnecessary, tedious and made the book too long. And for the love of god you can use the word "said" as a dialogue tag.
- Some plot points were written in a way that took me out of the book too, which was a shame.
- I loved Roma, every time he softly looked at Juliet or said her name or grabbed her was a wonderful stab to my heart.
- Such a great concept! Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai with gangs and the multi-cultural context.
- Unfortunately the writing really didn't do it for me — so many of the details in the descriptions were unnecessary, tedious and made the book too long. And for the love of god you can use the word "said" as a dialogue tag.
- Some plot points were written in a way that took me out of the book too, which was a shame.
Spoiler
Eg. the idea of a pandemic running through the city (too on the nose atm which felt uncreative) and the drinking with Archie (not at all plausible for supposedly "scary and intense bad guy scene").- I loved Roma, every time he softly looked at Juliet or said her name or grabbed her was a wonderful stab to my heart.
Spoiler
Him calling her "dorogaya" made me FERAL in the best way possible. I also loved the exploration of "you made a choice for me (being responsible for killing her servants/nurse) and I'm angry at that, but you did it to save me and so it was the right choice in a way but I still hate it". For personal reasons oop. I wish they'd leaned harder into it but again, a personal desire than an actual opinion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Notes:
- Really pleasant book to read overall! Didn't get 5 because it didn't steal my breath away with the delivery of its themes or by being something I will remember forever, but it was fast-paced and very enjoyable.
- A succinct and well-contained book which was an incredibly satisfying experience as a reader. Having the story revolve around a wedding helped to anchor its cast of characters and their relationships. Same event, multiple perspectives/interweaving elements: totally up my alley.
- Really pleasant book to read overall! Didn't get 5 because it didn't steal my breath away with the delivery of its themes or by being something I will remember forever, but it was fast-paced and very enjoyable.
- A succinct and well-contained book which was an incredibly satisfying experience as a reader. Having the story revolve around a wedding helped to anchor its cast of characters and their relationships. Same event, multiple perspectives/interweaving elements: totally up my alley.
Spoiler
- I also kind of enjoyed that it wasn't a happy ending for Celine and Luke and that they didn't get married. For no other reason than it was fascinating to be left hanging with an atmosphere that felt so much like it had just dropped off into empty air right before the book ended. Also, I think it's a good message to not get married to a serial cheater, even if you do love him haha.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Notes:
- The writing... yikes. It's like it came straight out of wattpad. So much unnecessary exposition that is told through the character dialogue that sounds like it belongs to a 14 year old.
- The plot itself isn't really that great either tbh:
- Only saving grace was Nathan's panic attack scene which is a trope that I love personally, but honestly it wasn't that long or complex of a moment so it wasn't as fulfilling to me as I was hoping.
- The writing... yikes. It's like it came straight out of wattpad. So much unnecessary exposition that is told through the character dialogue that sounds like it belongs to a 14 year old.
- The plot itself isn't really that great either tbh:
Spoiler
the cheat sheet isn't really important other than to function as a scene generator for Nathan and Bree, Bree has no friends other than the football guys and her sister, and the wedding was just stupid — either elope properly or just wait and plan a nice wedding why rush into it??- Only saving grace was Nathan's panic attack scene which is a trope that I love personally, but honestly it wasn't that long or complex of a moment so it wasn't as fulfilling to me as I was hoping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Notes:
- New favourite book! Had absolutely everything I loved about literary fiction and I flew through it so fast I had to stop myself from finishing it in one day because I didn't want it to end.
- The prose was gorgeous and second POV was done so poetically.
- Loved the exploration of racism and how the perception of race can dictate the lived experience of so many. The latter in particular was done in a way that was so vivid and yet honed in on such small moments that are inflated with so much meaning.
- New favourite book! Had absolutely everything I loved about literary fiction and I flew through it so fast I had to stop myself from finishing it in one day because I didn't want it to end.
- The prose was gorgeous and second POV was done so poetically.
- Loved the exploration of racism and how the perception of race can dictate the lived experience of so many. The latter in particular was done in a way that was so vivid and yet honed in on such small moments that are inflated with so much meaning.
Spoiler
- I also loved the way this book's emotional narrative went from falling in love with your best friend to the feeling of lost love. It was a really significant emotional journey to go on and what you experience in the beginning compared to where you are after only 145 pages is so different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Notes:
- Good book — just not my personal style.
- Great concept and good execution, the exploration of society and exclusion especially! The detached voice of Yunjae works really well, even though that style isn't really my favourite.
- I was hoping that there would be a bit more exploration around different types of emotions through his perspective, but that's definitely more about my expectations than a fault of this book.
- 0.5 above 3 though because I thought the imagery was so tactile and I loved the way all the scenes looked in my head.
- Good book — just not my personal style.
- Great concept and good execution, the exploration of society and exclusion especially! The detached voice of Yunjae works really well, even though that style isn't really my favourite.
- I was hoping that there would be a bit more exploration around different types of emotions through his perspective, but that's definitely more about my expectations than a fault of this book.
- 0.5 above 3 though because I thought the imagery was so tactile and I loved the way all the scenes looked in my head.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Notes:
- I forgot to review this when I read it oops so I can't remember very well what I thought.
- Silly concept and I felt like everything to do with Dreamland itself was a bit cringey and fell flat as a setting for the book.
- But I did like that there was exploration of other issues I felt like it kept their characters from feeling as flat as the setting.
- I'm sure I loved Rowan a lot, I only remember him sitting on the floor with Zahra and ordering her food and thinking it was sweet.
- I forgot to review this when I read it oops so I can't remember very well what I thought.
- Silly concept and I felt like everything to do with Dreamland itself was a bit cringey and fell flat as a setting for the book.
- But I did like that there was exploration of other issues
Spoiler
like Zahra's push for diversity in Dreamland and Rowan's emotional exploration around his father- I'm sure I loved Rowan a lot, I only remember him sitting on the floor with Zahra and ordering her food and thinking it was sweet.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Notes:
- This one might be my least favourite of Sally Rooney's books — but definitely more about my own personal preferences and expectations going in to this one than her writing.
- I felt like her commentaries on first-world countries and capitalism were very overt which wasn't my favourite. I think I could've just read a non-fiction book if I wanted that style.
- Also the celebrity/author culture commentary felt very much like a self-projection from Rooney, and whether or not it was or wasn't, it just took me out of the story and depth for me personally.
- Wished that the four characters had interacted all together a bit sooner than they did too.
- That said, some of the prose and ideas in the email chapters were really great to read! And I did enjoy the way Rooney writes characters and their dynamic relationships with one another (especially Simon!) — I just think she did it much better in Conversations With Friends.
- This one might be my least favourite of Sally Rooney's books — but definitely more about my own personal preferences and expectations going in to this one than her writing.
- I felt like her commentaries on first-world countries and capitalism were very overt which wasn't my favourite. I think I could've just read a non-fiction book if I wanted that style.
- Also the celebrity/author culture commentary felt very much like a self-projection from Rooney, and whether or not it was or wasn't, it just took me out of the story and depth for me personally.
- Wished that the four characters had interacted all together a bit sooner than they did too.
- That said, some of the prose and ideas in the email chapters were really great to read! And I did enjoy the way Rooney writes characters and their dynamic relationships with one another (especially Simon!) — I just think she did it much better in Conversations With Friends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Ravenclaw Edition by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Notes:
- This series will always be 5/5 every time.
- Why does Hagrid have the maturity of a 13 year old.
- Big yikes reading this as an adult and realising Harry's lowkey experiencing child abuse (Dursleys obviously but especially Snape?! He's an awful man).
- This series will always be 5/5 every time.
- Why does Hagrid have the maturity of a 13 year old.
- Big yikes reading this as an adult and realising Harry's lowkey experiencing child abuse (Dursleys obviously but especially Snape?! He's an awful man).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse