moonpsyche's reviews
6 reviews

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

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informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay

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dark emotional informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

Create Dangerously by Albert Camus

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Albert Camus passionately examines the artist’s responsibility to challenge, provoke, and create. Through his three speeches, we explore the realities and freedom in which an artist inhabits. 

Although these may seem dated there are many views and ideas that still apply today. 

In particular is the statement:
"Many artists long to be exceptional, feel guilty if they are not, and wish for simultaneous applause and hisses." 

Create Dangerously!
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense slow-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

2.5

Reading this book felt like riding on a roller coaster that wasn’t as thrilling as the goers had initially hoped for. The writing felt repetitive and unnecessarily lengthy. There were moments of self-reflection but I expected something more tangible. In addition, I don't feel that the story had enough in itself to keep me engaged and wanting to turn the next page. 

I felt cheated of a plot by the time I finished reading the book.
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Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

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emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The book captures the essence of feminism in its simplest form— all while narrating the sensitive phases of a woman’s life meaningfully. The writing provides readers an accessible range of social movements and ideologies. 

I liked how the flow of the storyline was written in a comfortable pace. The book covers the journey of womanhood. In the position of the second gender, you’re taken through situations of an overwhelming sense that leave you feeling helpless. 

It felt as though the end of the book was rushed but I have no other complaints. This book is a great eye opener and conversation starter for readers of all ages (given that they’re aware of the trigger warnings.) The theme allows people to look at the world not as it is, but how it could be.
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Dirty Pretty Things by Michael Faudet

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dark emotional medium-paced

1.0

Dirty Pretty Things intrigued me and there were some interesting poems in the first few flips. As the story progresses, however, it quickly becomes dull. 

I couldn’t handle the author’s portrayal of women. There were multiple women in the story yet they were only differentiated by hair color— seeing them through the male gaze, only as mere objects. Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Infantilized with descriptions of “virgin snow, good girl, white cotton panties.” It really reveals Faudet’s underlying issues.

Beyond the characters, the writing was also as dense and repetitive as can be. There were so much cliches it made my eyes hurt from rolling too much. 

“It wasn’t until I was fully awake that I truly woke up.” I mean? COME ON.

I acknowledge that there is a specific audience this book is marketed to (hence the unbelievably high ratings) but it just didn’t do anything for me. A book of the same theme would be better if there was an actual progression in the story. Would not recommend.
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