oneshelf's reviews
60 reviews

رأيت رام الله by Mourid Barghouti, مريد البرغوثي

emotional reflective slow-paced

3.0

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

I found Cameron extremely annoying to the point that I skimmed most of the chapters from his pov. His character growth was belated and insignificant. But otherwise this was a good book! I might've enjoyed it more if I wasn't already in a reading slump.

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Capitalism: A Very Short Introduction by James Fulcher

informative medium-paced

3.75

Human Acts by Han Kang

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Martian by Andy Weir

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Educated by Tara Westover

challenging dark sad tense

I don't know how to rate or review a memoir (I don't think I'm going to read anything autobiographical again). I feel so conflicted about this book but I can't articulate why. It was really disturbing and horrifying. I hope all of these people are better now.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

adventurous emotional reflective 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

4.0

I can understand why some reviews criticize this book for having a white savior trope, but we have to keep in mind that this is from the perspective of a very young, sheltered child who idolizes her father. Nonetheless, I do wish the Black characters were given more complexity and agency.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable and thought-provoking novel, and I think there's more to it than what meets the eye.