semmler's reviews
106 reviews
Our Need for Consolation is Insatiable, by Stig Dagerman
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Can the Monster Speak? Report to An Academy of Psychoanalysts, by Paul B. Preciado
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
I gobbled it up in one sitting. A tasty, well seasoned piece of fiction with a sprinkle of teasing existentialism.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood
Die Verlorenen Stürme, by Susanne Kerckhoff
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ein Buch, das schmerzt.
Mit einer feinfühligen tollen Sprache zeichnet Kerckhoff das Leben einer jungen politischen Bewegung.
Die Hoffnung und schlussendlich die Hilflosigkeit bricht einem das Herz.
Die Autorin macht nicht nur den politischen Umschwung zum Thema sondern schafft es, die Naivität und die Vorahnungen der Jugend einzufangen. Es sind im Endeffekt eine Gruppe 16-25(?) Jähriger, die sich weigern ihre Zukunft schon im Voraus in Scherben zu sehen und das untätig in Kauf zu nehmen.
Das Buch löst eine Art von Weltschmerz aus, der, wenn man sich die Biographie der Autorin anschaut, noch einmal anders weh tut. Eine absolute Empfehlung.
Mit einer feinfühligen tollen Sprache zeichnet Kerckhoff das Leben einer jungen politischen Bewegung.
Die Hoffnung und schlussendlich die Hilflosigkeit bricht einem das Herz.
Die Autorin macht nicht nur den politischen Umschwung zum Thema sondern schafft es, die Naivität und die Vorahnungen der Jugend einzufangen. Es sind im Endeffekt eine Gruppe 16-25(?) Jähriger, die sich weigern ihre Zukunft schon im Voraus in Scherben zu sehen und das untätig in Kauf zu nehmen.
Das Buch löst eine Art von Weltschmerz aus, der, wenn man sich die Biographie der Autorin anschaut, noch einmal anders weh tut. Eine absolute Empfehlung.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Police brutality, and Suicide
Minor: War
A Reaper at the Gates, by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
You think you know where it's going, you try decrypting the prophecies and everytime you are wrong.
I loved how surprising the plot twisted, it still made sense and didn't seem forced or unrealistic within this universe. The dread looms over you, you know it's coming but you don't know when or how and the characters are as 'clueless' as you which makes it even better to read. With clueless I don't mean that they don't try or that they are dumb, on the contrary; they have super valid theories and you root for them and you try to solve it with them, but the author is a genius playing you and your expectations for ya fantasy like a fiddle.
I loved how true the characters stayed themselves. How the author didn't dimish their personalities for plot or the reader's satisfaction. There is no black and white, no right or wrong. Everything has consequences, that will sooner or later come back to you even if it takes time and it's so great to read! Top book!
The only point of criticism I would have is, that it is fantasy with all that fantasy needs. Magic, ghosts, the power of a story, monsters etc. Which is not bad at all, but I won't be able get my non-fantasy-reading friends to read it and that is kind of a shame.
Their loss, loved it a lot 💕
I loved how surprising the plot twisted, it still made sense and didn't seem forced or unrealistic within this universe. The dread looms over you, you know it's coming but you don't know when or how and the characters are as 'clueless' as you which makes it even better to read. With clueless I don't mean that they don't try or that they are dumb, on the contrary; they have super valid theories and you root for them and you try to solve it with them, but the author is a genius playing you and your expectations for ya fantasy like a fiddle.
I loved how true the characters stayed themselves. How the author didn't dimish their personalities for plot or the reader's satisfaction. There is no black and white, no right or wrong. Everything has consequences, that will sooner or later come back to you even if it takes time and it's so great to read! Top book!
The only point of criticism I would have is, that it is fantasy with all that fantasy needs. Magic, ghosts, the power of a story, monsters etc. Which is not bad at all, but I won't be able get my non-fantasy-reading friends to read it and that is kind of a shame.
Their loss, loved it a lot 💕
Spoiler
The 0.25 to the 5 stars are missing, because it doesn't have lines that are so true and clear within themselves that you have to read them over and over again. Because you can relate and it echoes with the understanding of the world and a clearity that is disarming. But that is only my criteria for a 5 star rating. Very cool book still!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Murder, and War
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Sexual content and Sexism
Six Crimson Cranes, by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It was a bit too cliche for my liking and the main character had no real agency/personality besides the plot.
Wished there was more time for characters displaying actual personality besides enjoying different foods.
But overall it was okay fun entertainment.
Wished there was more time for characters displaying actual personality besides enjoying different foods.
But overall it was okay fun entertainment.
Tentacle, by Rita Indiana
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Afterlives, by Abdulrazak Gurnah
informative
sad
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
2.0
I don't understand this style of writing winning the the nobel prize.
Learned a bit about colonialism and its consequences but other than that boring.
Learned a bit about colonialism and its consequences but other than that boring.
Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0