paigeinthepages_sg's reviews
106 reviews

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I don't really know what to say about this book. It is truly just beautifully written. This meloncoly roman-à-clef classic is a fantastic read, especially for someone in their early 20s. If you decide to read this book I highly advise you to check trigger warnings beforehand as it covers very serious topics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

It was a pretty unique romance novel. I at least have never read about a romance between an Instagram influencer and a crab fisherman before. The smut wasn't really my thing but the story was definitely cute. As with most romance novels there were some parts that seemed unrealistic but nothing insane. If you are looking for a laid back summer romance, I would definitely recommend.

A 3.0 is a pretty standard rating for romance books for me as they are not my favorite genre, but I do like to read one every once and awhile. If romance is your favorite I would definitely recommend this one to you though as it is one of the more fun ones I've read!

Bunny by Mona Awad

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was between 3.75 and 4 but I settled on 4 because the writing is simply beautiful. This dark academia, social satire, bizzaro horror novel was definitely worth the read, although is not the easiest to follow at some points. If you are in the mood to read something a little weird this one's for you 

Persuasion by Jane Austen

reflective slow-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? No

2.5

My least favorite Austen book so far. Nothing really kept me super engaged and I struggled finishing it. I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey much more.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Kevin Kwan does it again! This has become one of my favourite series and I'm a bit sad that I've finished it. I will say some plot points dragged a bit, but when I got to part 3 I couldn't put the book down!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous mysterious slow-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

1.0

I DNF this book at 80% because it totally put me in a reading slump. I went from reading at least 2 books a month to taking 3 months to get through this because it was just boring to me. I feel like the romance did not really build, it just suddenly happened and felt so forced by the author so I didn't really feel anything. There was no anticipation, and no reason for me to want them to be together. There were no characters that I felt anything towards. I did not root for or hate any, they were just boring. The idea is interesting but the writing/plot of the book just ended up being boring. 

Normal People by Sally Rooney

dark emotional reflective tense slow-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? Yes

3.75

A decent book, about a less than decent relationship. I found the two characters stories interesting but I didn't find any characters at all enjoyable. I just don't think Sally Rooney is my style.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A double POV story with a teen boy bildungsroman and an old man who can talk to cats. Definitely an interesting read. They say it's best to read it twice but I don't think I will. If you like Murakami's style and are looking for an unconventional read this may be for you. I would recommend seeing if you like a book like Norwegian wood first before diving into this one, because the writing is a bit unconventional and could be uncomfortable for some. There was some interesting trans representation in this one, and I enjoyed the difference in tone in Nakata and Kafka's chapters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Self harm

Minor: Transphobia

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

A modern sci-fi sapphic romance mystery novel? What more could you ask for! I thought the mystery aspects were really well written and there weren't too many plot conveniences (which is the #1 thing I end up hating about most mystery novels)

Small Pleasures: A Novel by Clare Chambers

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Overall it has an interesting premise. A reporter investigating claims of a virgin birth in the 1950's, but it felt underdeveloped and some parts felt like lazy writing. ESPECIALLY that damn ending. I cannot believe this book went through the publishing process without that being changed. It's not a "this is so sad why would the author do this thing" either, it is a "why was this ended so lazily, why did I waste my time reading this" kind of way