samarakroeger's reviews
298 reviews
Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
this book sucked me down into a black hole and wouldn't let me back out until I finished it (which didn't take me long -- I was captivated). I can feel the book hangover coming.
a devastating, beautiful, and ultimately tragic look at one man's struggle with his intense internalized homophobia and his affair with another man in 1950s Paris. David is a deeply unlikeable main character who is unable to come to terms with himself (to the detriment of those around him). no one comes out a winner here, and it would be unrealistic if they did. in weird ways, this book made me feel similar to how Stoner by John Williams made me feel -- simultaneously disgusted, heartbroken, and empty.
a devastating, beautiful, and ultimately tragic look at one man's struggle with his intense internalized homophobia and his affair with another man in 1950s Paris. David is a deeply unlikeable main character who is unable to come to terms with himself (to the detriment of those around him). no one comes out a winner here, and it would be unrealistic if they did. in weird ways, this book made me feel similar to how Stoner by John Williams made me feel -- simultaneously disgusted, heartbroken, and empty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Misogyny, and Homophobia
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, by Wes Moore
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
Wes Moore acknowledges at the end of the book that he has no journalistic training, and it really shows in this book. While an interesting premise, I have found that this type of human interest story really needs to be told by an investigative journalist. Why? Because journalists are curious and inquisitive to a fault, generally critical of institutions, and ask the tough questions. This book failed to answer (or really ask) any of the central questions: WHY did the two Wes Moores go down vastly different life paths? (hint: I don't think it was due to personal choices...). HOW did the system fail them, as young Black men? The incarcerated Wes Moore at one point states he's innocent, which is NEVER BROUGHT UP AGAIN. Hello!!! That would have been a super interesting thing to investigate and explore! But this book is vaguely exploitative, instead providing an opportunity for the author to brag a bit about his awesome life after he turned his life around (with lots of familial support). The incarcerated Wes Moore is used as a prop, someone we really don't get to know at all, one of the ones who made bad choices by falling into the drug trade. He's there to make the author look better.
I would think that if I found out about someone who shared my name, demographic, and hometown, who was serving a life sentence, that I would be pretty invested in getting to actually know them. I'd like to think that if I found out they might be innocent, I would be working my ass off to figure out the truth and get them acquitted and out of there. Prime examples of similar premises told much better: the first season of Serial (Adnan Syed) and Radiolab’s The Other Latif (which I went back to and listened to again after finishing this book. thanks for that inspiration at least).
While I’m glad that Moore was able to turn his life around at his military academy, I really didn’t need all the pro-military propaganda. I also didn’t need the myth of meritocracy shoved down my throat. At the end, there is an extremely religious “call to action” with an entirely different tone to the book that was giving “pray all your problems away” as a message. I’m sorry, I just don’t think prayer alone is going to solve systemic injustice and inequality. A call to action that is not.
The politics in this book are fascinating to me — I would guess that Moore is a closet Republican from this book. He’s pro-military, worked for a variety of different politicians, and is neutral-positive on law enforcement. He seems to believe that just trying harder will solve your problems. He gives off extremely financially conservative vibes. All of this is especially interesting given the fact that he was just elected governor of Maryland (as a Democrat) and his current policies seem to be quite liberal. A person’s beliefs should and can change in the space of 10 years though.
Finally, the writing is just mediocre. The organization leaves something to be desired. I wanted way more actual conversations with the incarcerated Wes, way more reflection and dissection on how their lives differed, what it means to have a strong support system, etc. I did not care for the personal bragging that went on in the second half.
I would think that if I found out about someone who shared my name, demographic, and hometown, who was serving a life sentence, that I would be pretty invested in getting to actually know them. I'd like to think that if I found out they might be innocent, I would be working my ass off to figure out the truth and get them acquitted and out of there. Prime examples of similar premises told much better: the first season of Serial (Adnan Syed) and Radiolab’s The Other Latif (which I went back to and listened to again after finishing this book. thanks for that inspiration at least).
While I’m glad that Moore was able to turn his life around at his military academy, I really didn’t need all the pro-military propaganda. I also didn’t need the myth of meritocracy shoved down my throat. At the end, there is an extremely religious “call to action” with an entirely different tone to the book that was giving “pray all your problems away” as a message. I’m sorry, I just don’t think prayer alone is going to solve systemic injustice and inequality. A call to action that is not.
The politics in this book are fascinating to me — I would guess that Moore is a closet Republican from this book. He’s pro-military, worked for a variety of different politicians, and is neutral-positive on law enforcement. He seems to believe that just trying harder will solve your problems. He gives off extremely financially conservative vibes. All of this is especially interesting given the fact that he was just elected governor of Maryland (as a Democrat) and his current policies seem to be quite liberal. A person’s beliefs should and can change in the space of 10 years though.
Finally, the writing is just mediocre. The organization leaves something to be desired. I wanted way more actual conversations with the incarcerated Wes, way more reflection and dissection on how their lives differed, what it means to have a strong support system, etc. I did not care for the personal bragging that went on in the second half.
The Novelist, by Jordan Castro
challenging
funny
medium-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
ummm.... did I know this was going to be experimental lit featuring an entire scene about pooping on the toilet? no. no I did not. this book is either very genius or very dumb, and I haven't been able to decide which yet.
this is an extremely meta book, following an unnamed male author who is struggling to write his novel, which is a piece of auto-fiction. is this author himself a piece of auto-fiction from Castro? is this multi-layered auto-fiction? anyways, I read an interview where it seems Castro has been trolling one of his author friends (Tao Lin) through inside jokes and references to his characters here. I honestly thought it was funny and bold for him to include "Jordan Castro" as a character in this book (although I think he was brought up too many times, sometimes seemingly to spew his own agenda).
and yet, despite it all, I found parts of this weirdly relatable. the indecision, the weird morning habits, the wanting to avoid social media but doom scrolling as a reflex anyways. I didn't think that this was going to be an ~internet novel~, but I was pleasantly surprised by that aspect here. also, for experimental lit fic about the internet, Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This is far superior (imo). I think the fact that The Novelist is a two-in-one, with a drug novel inside an internet novel, kinda complicates things.
and yeah, this would be the worst motivational book to get you to work on your own novel. I cannot in good faith recommend this book to most people.
this is an extremely meta book, following an unnamed male author who is struggling to write his novel, which is a piece of auto-fiction. is this author himself a piece of auto-fiction from Castro? is this multi-layered auto-fiction? anyways, I read an interview where it seems Castro has been trolling one of his author friends (Tao Lin) through inside jokes and references to his characters here. I honestly thought it was funny and bold for him to include "Jordan Castro" as a character in this book (although I think he was brought up too many times, sometimes seemingly to spew his own agenda).
and yet, despite it all, I found parts of this weirdly relatable. the indecision, the weird morning habits, the wanting to avoid social media but doom scrolling as a reflex anyways. I didn't think that this was going to be an ~internet novel~, but I was pleasantly surprised by that aspect here. also, for experimental lit fic about the internet, Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This is far superior (imo). I think the fact that The Novelist is a two-in-one, with a drug novel inside an internet novel, kinda complicates things.
and yeah, this would be the worst motivational book to get you to work on your own novel. I cannot in good faith recommend this book to most people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Excrement, Body horror, and Drug use
The Story of a New Name, by Elena Ferrante
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this so much more than the first book! While it felt like I was dragging my feet through parts of My Brilliant Friend, I was hooked to this one. This book follows them from the ages of 15-23, focusing on Lenu’s pursuit of education and Lila’s tumultuous and abusive marriage.
If I thought the first book had kill all men energy, then it is even stronger here. Every single man is downright terrible here.
If I thought the first book had kill all men energy, then it is even stronger here. Every single man is downright terrible here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Classism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, and Miscarriage
Before Your Memory Fades, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
I thought this book was especially heavy-handed, even when in comparison with the first two. I didn't like that it was date stamped (set in 2030) and how every story revolved around early death or suicidal ideation. Through a trip to the past, every depressed person miraculously found the strength to keep on living! In comparison to the first two books in the series, the stories in here really lacked variety and a sense of urgency.
but then again, maybe I'm just cold-hearted.
but then again, maybe I'm just cold-hearted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Honey & Spice, by Bolu Babalola
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’d say this is way more of a campus novel with a side plot of romance. I almost DNFed it in the first 30%, thankfully giving it one last shot basically right before the actual fake dating plot is introduced. The characters are kinda insufferable at first, but obviously that just provides more room for character growth (which is thankfully present). I liked Malakai a lot as a character.
Even though I’ve given both of Bolu Babalola’s books a rating in the 3-3.5 star range, I’d still happily read whatever she writes next. idk, I like her writing style and I feel like she has tons of potential. who knows, maybe her next endeavor will really work for me!
also, the audiobook is excellent. fantastic narration with cool added elements fitting for a radio show host.
Honey & Spice would make a perfect movie or TV show. the banter, the cliques, the drama … it’s all there
Even though I’ve given both of Bolu Babalola’s books a rating in the 3-3.5 star range, I’d still happily read whatever she writes next. idk, I like her writing style and I feel like she has tons of potential. who knows, maybe her next endeavor will really work for me!
also, the audiobook is excellent. fantastic narration with cool added elements fitting for a radio show host.
Honey & Spice would make a perfect movie or TV show. the banter, the cliques, the drama … it’s all there
Citizen: An American Lyric, by Claudia Rankine
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
the hype is real. personally, it lost a little bit of steam towards the middle of the book (section VI). I struggled a bit with the transcripts (are there corresponding videos somewhere?), but overall, an incredibly readable, deeply resonant piece of work.
His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice, by Toluse Olorunnipa, Robert Samuels
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
it was lacking a little something but it is certainly a decent biography. I appreciated how straightforward the narrative structure was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Addiction, Gun violence, Police brutality, Drug abuse, and Murder
Someday, Someday, Maybe, by Lauren Graham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
there was too much condoning of disordered eating patterns going on for my liking. also, this was a very stereotypical “struggling actress in NYC” narrative that I personally just don’t really care about (even as side characters, but in this book it is every character). I fully understand why a successful actress would write this sort of a book as a first novel (tbh felt closer to auto fiction), and the writing feels very Lauren, but it was lacking something for me. and there were enough acting clichés to last me a lifetime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Eating disorder
The Bodyguard, by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
you know I'm a sucker for a somewhat ridiculous fake dating premise. it gets me every time.
this was fun, there was not much depth to it (classic dead relatives aside) but charming characters learning to let themselves be loved. cute, entirely closed-door, charming. I doubt it will stick in my mind but I had a good time.
this was fun, there was not much depth to it (classic dead relatives aside) but charming characters learning to let themselves be loved. cute, entirely closed-door, charming. I doubt it will stick in my mind but I had a good time.