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mahamreads's reviews
353 reviews
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
medium-paced
3.5
a lot of the reviews i read for this book labelled it as mediocre, so i went in with certain expectations but, surprisingly, i quite enjoyed it (even though TDOABS is not at all the thriller it promises it to be).
There is something about the writing that is just so stunning; the way Slater talks about the weather and books and the characters’ frame of minds just sucks you in until you realize it’s 3 am and you haven’t slept.
I do feel like Roach’s character was slightly two dimensional but I think that was the point - she was never meant to be likeable or evolved and it gave me quite a bit of satisfaction to hate on her lol.
Laura, on the other hand, i found to be extremely complex; she’s a Bunting through and through but also a Cardovan . The character study and subtle juxtapositions of the 2 characters were also extremely enjoyable for me.
My only gripe with this book was probably the ending, I found it to be deeply unsatisfying (but maybe that’s just the idealist in me).
There is something about the writing that is just so stunning; the way Slater talks about the weather and books and the characters’ frame of minds just sucks you in until you realize it’s 3 am and you haven’t slept.
I do feel like Roach’s character was slightly two dimensional but I think that was the point - she was never meant to be likeable or evolved and it gave me quite a bit of satisfaction to hate on her lol.
Laura, on the other hand, i found to be extremely complex; she’s a Bunting through and through but also a
My only gripe with this book was probably the ending, I found it to be deeply unsatisfying (but maybe that’s just the idealist in me).
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
1.0
underdeveloped, flat characters, no semblance of a plot, and just SO boring. this was not for me.
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
This book has me thinking a lot about conflict, and not just in the obvious context of wars & disputes, but I think more so in terms of inner conflict.
Sasha is just a teenager when she experiences her first brotherless night, and at the time I think things were a lot more black & white for her - government bad, tigers good
A lot of the novel then deals with Sasha turning this black & white concept on its head & focusing on the nuances that exist as well as how she goes about navigating her own inner conflict.
Sometimes things can be good & bad, in fact that is the case w most things and Sashi’s dilemma of finding a balance is one many of us have dealt with (albeit on a much smaller & less dangerous level).
Another aspect that really stood out to me was Sashi’s changing relationship w her parents, particularly her father. One of the consequences of growing up is taking off the rose tinted glasses you view your parents through, and for Sashi this was probably an accelerated process because of all the growing up she had to do in such a short time.
I also think the way Ganeshanthan dealt with family and relationship dynamics in general was in such a nuanced way that shows how external factors can twist & alter these dynamics, and reading how Sashi lost old and gained new relationships broke my heart but simultaneously healed it at the same time.
All in all, this book is one that everyone should read, not just because of the historical events it highlights but in the ways it emphasizes the power that we have as citizens and humans and the responsibilities we have to those around us.
Sasha is just a teenager when she experiences her first brotherless night, and at the time I think things were a lot more black & white for her - government bad, tigers good
A lot of the novel then deals with Sasha turning this black & white concept on its head & focusing on the nuances that exist as well as how she goes about navigating her own inner conflict.
Sometimes things can be good & bad, in fact that is the case w most things and Sashi’s dilemma of finding a balance is one many of us have dealt with (albeit on a much smaller & less dangerous level).
Another aspect that really stood out to me was Sashi’s changing relationship w her parents, particularly her father. One of the consequences of growing up is taking off the rose tinted glasses you view your parents through, and for Sashi this was probably an accelerated process because of all the growing up she had to do in such a short time.
I also think the way Ganeshanthan dealt with family and relationship dynamics in general was in such a nuanced way that shows how external factors can twist & alter these dynamics, and reading how Sashi lost old and gained new relationships broke my heart but simultaneously healed it at the same time.
All in all, this book is one that everyone should read, not just because of the historical events it highlights but in the ways it emphasizes the power that we have as citizens and humans and the responsibilities we have to those around us.