renreads2much's reviews
54 reviews

A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, Richard Lannon

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

This book was so interesting, beautiful, and informative. I’m probably going to read this book once every few years because I find the information valuable.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

I feel like I have stuff to say, but I really don’t know it was just a good time. It felt like a peek into woman hood, I enjoyed the vulnerability of it all.

The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs

mysterious 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? No

2.75

(Required to read this book for class)

Not my cup of tea, I feel like in the technical terms of things like literary devices and strategies, the author was doing everything right. But I still found it boring regardless, overall I feel like she didnt do that great of a job of establishing why the reader should care and be rooting for the main character. Like when

Hazel and Bennet broke up

I couldn't care less. We didn't even see much of that relationship so we didn't build a connection to it, yet we are supposed to believe that Hazel is hurt?.. Ok.. 

TLDR, concept of the book was cool, some aspects were enjoyable, I overall found it boring.

Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

The art is so gorgeous, and the information is meaningful and interesting. I really enjoyed reading it and discussing it with other people in my class, there is so much to learn. 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

emotional sad slow-paced

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

5.0

One of the saddest most beautiful things I have ever read. Despite the anguish I felt while reading, it was hard to look away from the pages as the poetry mesmerized me. Ocean Vuong is so talented, and I want to read his poetry collection now. 

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.

Its just too much. Its good story, but its confusing, long, and too slow for my liking. I was originally just taking a break from the book but when I came back, I wasn't excited to dive back into the story so I'm not going to read it LOL maybe I'll try again another time. 

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

One of the most beautiful and captivating books I've ever read. This book has brought so many emotions out of the dark, and can really show a person where they feel the most compassion. The stories in here teaches the reader that there is no black and white, especially within family dynamics and relationships. There is no one "correct" answer, there are only emotions in cases like these. I really don't know what to say now, I feel speechless. I'm left feeling awestruck, but the book had beautiful writing and was full of sadness and rage in a fast paced environment between the pages. 

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

emotional informative slow-paced

5.0

One of the most informative and interesting books I've ever read. This books gives me hope for the field of psychiatry, social careers, and doctors; the way the author spoke about his patients and learning from THEM and not from a text book, makes me feel seen. I enjoyed hearing about peoples journeys and what he learned from working in his field, even if they were heartbreaking, they were real. The fact that there are solutions and ways to heal, is also real. Which gives me a sense of peace considering the fact that a lot of the patients were older than me. 

This book isn't just about hope, but its one of the most accessible yet informative books I have experienced. And I am definitely not only going to buy a paper back version of this, but I see myself returning to this often to learn more. 

No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories Read Aloud by Miranda July

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Listened to my partner read this book out loud to me :) It was really nice. The book was interesting with their characters and writing style, it’s cool to talk about as well. Possibly a cool book club book. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault

Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.25

The book is just entirely internal dialougue of this girls thoughts, she moves through the motions of her life in a depressed state. She feels a range of emotions, all so heavy and pent up, yet she does nothing about it. Like Yozo, from No Longer Human, she is also a clown. She has complicated family relationships and connections to people that dont necessarily make sense. She is a lonely girl, who is not really a girl anymore as the novel insinuates the transition from girlhood to womanhood.

I think the book was good, but I think it could honestly be so much better. I wish the story felt less zoomed in, maybe told from a third perspective or a narrator that isn't the main character? I'm not sure. The feelings the character feels are very relatable and depressing.