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mayhemreading's reviews
71 reviews
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was such a cozy read! I could have read an entire novella about Dex’s life as a tea monk. The robot companion was adorable.
Even in a perfect world humans will experience this whimsy and strong need for purpose. Our purpose is to exist just like every other living thing on this planet!
Even in a perfect world humans will experience this whimsy and strong need for purpose. Our purpose is to exist just like every other living thing on this planet!
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.75
I listened to the audiobook and KC did a great job. “You do not exist to serve your space. Your space exists to serve you.” Taking the guilt and shame out of cleaning makes the tasks much easier to complete or forgive yourself for not finishing. Difficult to rate as some parts felt a bit repetitive and I’m still unsure this will make a huge impact in my life. But I’m sure it will be helpful to a lot of others💕.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Bro what the hell.. this is such a “..and then everyone clapped” ass story.
This started out really strong with a very intriguing challenge. Knowing ahead that were 6 books in this series I was expecting a politically driven story about the start of a rebellion. Not the fucking hunger games for dummies. People in power bad. Here comes 100% flawless character to stop them.
Minor spoilers here: Darrow is “made” into what he hates the most. An ultra-strong, super hot, very educated man. Even though he knows absolutely nothing besides the literal dirt of Mars he is now bigger and smarter than everyone around him with zero culture show. I think him and Feyre from ACOTAR are cousins.
Anyway, I’ll probably still give the second book in the series a shot since I still have hope for this plot.
This started out really strong with a very intriguing challenge. Knowing ahead that were 6 books in this series I was expecting a politically driven story about the start of a rebellion. Not the fucking hunger games for dummies. People in power bad. Here comes 100% flawless character to stop them.
Minor spoilers here: Darrow is “made” into what he hates the most. An ultra-strong, super hot, very educated man. Even though he knows absolutely nothing besides the literal dirt of Mars he is now bigger and smarter than everyone around him with zero culture show. I think him and Feyre from ACOTAR are cousins.
Anyway, I’ll probably still give the second book in the series a shot since I still have hope for this plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I almost couldn’t finish this because the second hand embarrassment was killing me.
However it is a beautifully written story about self worth and identity struggles. Loved that the complex emotions of the plot were accompanied within food and dining similes.
However it is a beautifully written story about self worth and identity struggles. Loved that the complex emotions of the plot were accompanied within food and dining similes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book started with the funniest chapter of any book I have ever read. The main character, Gilda, is instantly loveable. Which made the rest of this book detailing her depression and anxiety so much more painful to read. This book was so so lovely but at times repetitive and darker than I was expecting so just be aware of that. Otherwise a wonderfully crafted story :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sally Rooney you have my heart. I would love to live in her brain for a while and absorb the world as she does. Her connection of philosophy and the arts to modern day life is mind blowing and so admirable.
“Intermezzo” can only be described as being set in the real world, like all of Rooney’s books. Moments of social tension are the climax. And I fuckin’ love it every time. This book is what I wish “Beautiful World Where Are You” could have been.
I’ve dog eared this book more than any other book. While I don’t feel like it changed my life or is an essential read (hence 4.25 stars) I still couldn’t put it down. I do feel that this is one of Sally’s stronger books and feel it is 2nd to “Normal People” in my ranking.
I’m so looking forward to reading more from her!!
“Intermezzo” can only be described as being set in the real world, like all of Rooney’s books. Moments of social tension are the climax. And I fuckin’ love it every time. This book is what I wish “Beautiful World Where Are You” could have been.
I’ve dog eared this book more than any other book. While I don’t feel like it changed my life or is an essential read (hence 4.25 stars) I still couldn’t put it down. I do feel that this is one of Sally’s stronger books and feel it is 2nd to “Normal People” in my ranking.
I’m so looking forward to reading more from her!!
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
2.75
I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say. This book.. this series. I’m glad I can finish here. I wish I could show my younger self who dreamed of being an author these books. That way I can say to my younger self “Look, don’t be insecure about your writing. Because everything you are aware of as bad writing, this multi millionaire author does and no one seems to mind”. I will probably update this review once I’ve had time to stew.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I don’t want to shit on the book since I’m definitely not the target audience of it. The characters are very one dimensional and all of the adults are idiots. BUT it is SO creative and is the first WW1 book I’ve actually had interest in.
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The lesbian version of normal people!!
I’m speechless. I’m crying. I’m so happy this book exists. It is so so beautifully poetic (I feel like I highlighted half of this book) and absolutely heartbreaking. It has healed parts of my younger closeted self because it put into words what I was never able to. I’ll be thinking about and referring to Sunburn for a long time.
“I would drape my own soul over her body to protect her from eyes like mine.”
I’m speechless. I’m crying. I’m so happy this book exists. It is so so beautifully poetic (I feel like I highlighted half of this book) and absolutely heartbreaking. It has healed parts of my younger closeted self because it put into words what I was never able to. I’ll be thinking about and referring to Sunburn for a long time.
“I would drape my own soul over her body to protect her from eyes like mine.”
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia