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joshlynjavier's reviews
101 reviews
Euphoria by Lily King
dark
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
he is wine and bread and deep in my stomach.
a kaleidoscope of the human condition in all of its raw beauty.
historical fiction and an anthropologist love triangle set in the 1930s. the atmosphere and prose was so vivid and fluid, and the characters were all authentically complicated and nuanced. the dangerous consequences of fascination, appreciation, appropriation, and obsession are explored both through the romantic relationships and the main characters relationships with the tribes they study.
nell's experience as a passionate, ambitious, and intelligent woman in an unfortunate relationship with a man - child who is threatened by her success was painful to read, but exploring the ways and reasons in which she stayed was very insightful and relevant even today.
overall, very interesting commentary on work, passion, love, lust, possession, and the unexpected people we love and lose throughout life.
not my favorite lily king book but in her defense, the bar is quite high.
historical fiction and an anthropologist love triangle set in the 1930s. the atmosphere and prose was so vivid and fluid, and the characters were all authentically complicated and nuanced. the dangerous consequences of fascination, appreciation, appropriation, and obsession are explored both through the romantic relationships and the main characters relationships with the tribes they study.
nell's experience as a passionate, ambitious, and intelligent woman in an unfortunate relationship with a man - child who is threatened by her success was painful to read, but exploring the ways and reasons in which she stayed was very insightful and relevant even today.
overall, very interesting commentary on work, passion, love, lust, possession, and the unexpected people we love and lose throughout life.
not my favorite lily king book but in her defense, the bar is quite high.
The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina
this book was the equivalent of eating a bowl of soup in your favorite sweater. such a peaceful, relaxing, and healing read. the heavy tones of grief and longing emphasize the significance of celebrating love, and appreciating who and what we have while we're able to. i really loved all the characters, and that's rare tbh. the plot also moves at an appropriate pace and i enjoyed the pace in which the relationships developed, they felt very natural and deserving. the
the strength and resilience it takes to embrace the chance of fulfillment and comfort even in the face of extreme tragedy is what makes us human, and allowing ourselves to trust and experience vulnerability again is a skill that we will develop and utilize for the rest of our lives. <333
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
time may pass, but the memory of the people we've loved doesn't grow old. it is only we who age
there was no addition or subtraction in life that did not require some time for adjustment
love is a miracle. even the second time around, even when it comes to you by mistake
this book was the equivalent of eating a bowl of soup in your favorite sweater. such a peaceful, relaxing, and healing read. the heavy tones of grief and longing emphasize the significance of celebrating love, and appreciating who and what we have while we're able to. i really loved all the characters, and that's rare tbh. the plot also moves at an appropriate pace and i enjoyed the pace in which the relationships developed, they felt very natural and deserving. the
the strength and resilience it takes to embrace the chance of fulfillment and comfort even in the face of extreme tragedy is what makes us human, and allowing ourselves to trust and experience vulnerability again is a skill that we will develop and utilize for the rest of our lives. <333
Banal Nightmare by Halle Butler
i needed to take a second to really think how i felt after i finished this story, this book initially put me into a slump but definitely gave me a lot to think about after i had finished it.
halle butler’s sarcasm and dry humor definitely helped this otherwise grating read. the character were insufferable at times but in the best way possible, i enjoyed reading their intrusive thoughts. surprisingly, as dark as this read was, the satire about the absurdity and banality of everyday life was oddly comforting and i found the commentary on fulfillment and the pretentious air surrounding art/academics very entertaining. and refreshing.
the switching perspectives give an added layer of depth to this story. it’s a well executed trainwreck and i found the contradicting moments of self righteousness and self hatred to be incredibly ironic but unfortunately relatable, especially while going through any form of life crisis or transition.
would ultimately recommend but not without a few disclaimers regarding expectations.
thank you netgalley and random house for the digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest reviews and opinions!
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
..but let's hang soon. i have a doctors appointment Tuesday, and I have to take my batteries to the recycling place and talk to my cousin on the phone, so maybe in like a week or something.
she was just a thirty seven year old little girl.
okay, what the fuck now? i went to fucking dinner and here i am again in my stupid little room, guess i'll sit on the couch and think about my stupid life.
she stared blankly at the coeds, who laughed and screamed, blissfully unaware of what boredom and anguish were to come a mere decade in their lives
..she curled into a little ball and screamed into her blanket like a person serving an eternal sentence in solitary confinement, who'd just learned that the afterlife was real, and there would never truly be an end.
i needed to take a second to really think how i felt after i finished this story, this book initially put me into a slump but definitely gave me a lot to think about after i had finished it.
halle butler’s sarcasm and dry humor definitely helped this otherwise grating read. the character were insufferable at times but in the best way possible, i enjoyed reading their intrusive thoughts. surprisingly, as dark as this read was, the satire about the absurdity and banality of everyday life was oddly comforting and i found the commentary on fulfillment and the pretentious air surrounding art/academics very entertaining. and refreshing.
the switching perspectives give an added layer of depth to this story. it’s a well executed trainwreck and i found the contradicting moments of self righteousness and self hatred to be incredibly ironic but unfortunately relatable, especially while going through any form of life crisis or transition.
would ultimately recommend but not without a few disclaimers regarding expectations.
thank you netgalley and random house for the digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest reviews and opinions!
Y/N by Esther Yi
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
i actually did not know what was going on the entire time. this book is literally a train wreck fever dream that i weirdly enjoyed.
themes of obsession, para-social relationships, depression, and different definitions of love. our y/n was literally delusional and i am glad i did not feel as if we were interchangeable.
themes of obsession, para-social relationships, depression, and different definitions of love. our y/n was literally delusional and i am glad i did not feel as if we were interchangeable.
What It's Like in Words: A Novel by Eliza Moss
this book is like "tolerate it" by taylor swift if it was a full on novel and not a 3 minute song.
i'm beginning to feel like i can't read romance in general, whether it's a happy ending or sad ending. a cheesy/sappy story makes me feel like it's unrealistic, but a frustrating story makes me want to rip all of my hair out, like GIRL GET UP.
the manipulation and emotional whiplash made my head spin at times, and it's written with scary accuracy. i found myself second - guessing my stance every other chapter, the divisive line between right and wrong becoming dangerously blurred. how much of love is enduring, how much of love is endurance?
the writing was incredibly beautiful and moving, and the intoxicating air of first love was captured so well. i really resonated with the exploration of the "cool girl" narrative and how suffocating it can be. while there was a lot of real character development that i ultimately found satisfying, the bullshit she put up with and gaslighting felt juvenile at times -- again, girl get up.
dark
sad
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
3.5
i hid the parts of myself that i didn't like and sometimes i wondered how much of me was left visible after that.
sometimes the good bits of people aren't the rule, they're the exception.
because the way i love you is every definition, every dictionary, every translation.
this book is like "tolerate it" by taylor swift if it was a full on novel and not a 3 minute song.
i'm beginning to feel like i can't read romance in general, whether it's a happy ending or sad ending. a cheesy/sappy story makes me feel like it's unrealistic, but a frustrating story makes me want to rip all of my hair out, like GIRL GET UP.
the manipulation and emotional whiplash made my head spin at times, and it's written with scary accuracy. i found myself second - guessing my stance every other chapter, the divisive line between right and wrong becoming dangerously blurred. how much of love is enduring, how much of love is endurance?
the writing was incredibly beautiful and moving, and the intoxicating air of first love was captured so well. i really resonated with the exploration of the "cool girl" narrative and how suffocating it can be. while there was a lot of real character development that i ultimately found satisfying, the bullshit she put up with and gaslighting felt juvenile at times -- again, girl get up.