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kalyaniwarrier's reviews
45 reviews
Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Thick is emotional, sad, and gives a reality check on the institutionalised racism African-American women in all aspects of life. The essay collection also heavily features the personal experiences of the author, Tressie McMillan Cottom.
This book is educational as it is an essay collection; there are tons of notes and references made to give context to the subjects being spoken about.
I would want to re-read this book once again to completely understand the nuanced arguments put forth by the author as well as goes through the notes and references to understand the whole context of the African-American history; which is why I give it a 4.5 stars as there is a lot of research to be done to encapsulate the entire experience of a marginalised community.
This book is educational as it is an essay collection; there are tons of notes and references made to give context to the subjects being spoken about.
I would want to re-read this book once again to completely understand the nuanced arguments put forth by the author as well as goes through the notes and references to understand the whole context of the African-American history; which is why I give it a 4.5 stars as there is a lot of research to be done to encapsulate the entire experience of a marginalised community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Before We Say Goodbye is a 4 part short story collection that revolves around time travel and why the characters choose to travel back or forth in time to allow themselves to alleviate regret due to their past actions.
Having read the previous three books in the series, the quality of writing and the plot has not gone down in my opinion. The books stay consistent with the themes of bereavement, regret, longing, and mending relationships that arouses raw emotions in the reader.
If you're looking to read this book, you don't have to start from the first book in the series to understand the plot and the characters; it can be read as a standalone.
Having read the previous three books in the series, the quality of writing and the plot has not gone down in my opinion. The books stay consistent with the themes of bereavement, regret, longing, and mending relationships that arouses raw emotions in the reader.
If you're looking to read this book, you don't have to start from the first book in the series to understand the plot and the characters; it can be read as a standalone.
A Cup of Sake Beneath the Cherry Trees by Yoshida KenkÅ
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A Cup of Sake Beneath the Cherry Tree is part-memoir, part-collection-of-essays that covers simple ideas and morals that builds the foundation for modern values.
Written in the 13th century by a Japanese monk who reflects on the actions and thoughts of the average human, Yoshida Kenko spreads his wisdom with the reader to live a life of utmost value, without the burden of regrets.
Mostly following the first person POV, the book encapsulates the value of life's importance in the most simple ways, allowing the reader to absorb not only these ideas, but also the culture, traditions and norms of medieval Japan and its people.
A book worthy of making notes - allowing to leave a mark not only in its pages, but also in the lives of its readers; to streamline one's thoughts, to damper complexity and embark on simplicity.
Some worthy quotes to implement and to share:
Written in the 13th century by a Japanese monk who reflects on the actions and thoughts of the average human, Yoshida Kenko spreads his wisdom with the reader to live a life of utmost value, without the burden of regrets.
Mostly following the first person POV, the book encapsulates the value of life's importance in the most simple ways, allowing the reader to absorb not only these ideas, but also the culture, traditions and norms of medieval Japan and its people.
A book worthy of making notes - allowing to leave a mark not only in its pages, but also in the lives of its readers; to streamline one's thoughts, to damper complexity and embark on simplicity.
Some worthy quotes to implement and to share:
Why should it be so difficult to carry something out right now when you think of it, to seize the instant?
Does mortality wait on our choosing? Death comes upon us more swiftly than fire or blood. There is no escaping it. Who at that moment can refuse to part with all they love - aged parents, beloved children, lord and master, or the love of others?
Things are not unpleasant in large amounts are books on a book cart, and rubbish on a rubbish heap.
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Chup: Breaking the Silence About India's Women by Deepa Narayan
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Tears of the Silenced by Misty Griffin
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Acceptance of grief is a gift not many can accept, much less survive, in the tragedy of the matter. The same can be observed in the case of Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the protagonist of the novel, who cherishes her summers with her cousins, away from problems and the angst of teenage life, to enjoy love, memory and family. Except, a tragedy occurs that spoils her memory and leaves her questioning of her existence.
We Were Liars focuses on the relationship dynamic between family and oneself, and the acceptance of illusion aligned with grief. A novel with underlying mysteriousness and a void to question the validity of the storyline, e. lockhart portrays life's dilemma's with conviction and doubt at the same time.
For the ones who find life's chaos entertaining, but confusing to tangle out of.
We Were Liars focuses on the relationship dynamic between family and oneself, and the acceptance of illusion aligned with grief. A novel with underlying mysteriousness and a void to question the validity of the storyline, e. lockhart portrays life's dilemma's with conviction and doubt at the same time.
For the ones who find life's chaos entertaining, but confusing to tangle out of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Hope-giving, relieving, questioning.
What captivated me most about this book are the characters and their way of questioning elements of this universe. They seem to think, question and understand the doubts and fears we have as humans, giving some kind of companion to the reader who would, otherwise, feel alone in their thoughts.
To conclude, I would suggest anyone who appreciates the fictional genre to give this book a chance to question life, if not to understand the entirety of it.
What captivated me most about this book are the characters and their way of questioning elements of this universe. They seem to think, question and understand the doubts and fears we have as humans, giving some kind of companion to the reader who would, otherwise, feel alone in their thoughts.
To conclude, I would suggest anyone who appreciates the fictional genre to give this book a chance to question life, if not to understand the entirety of it.