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shetef's reviews
104 reviews
The Martian by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
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? No
4.5
This was a lot of fun! I haven't read a lot of "hard" sci-fi like this before. Feels kind of weird and corny to describe a book like this as "inspiring" but that's honestly the way it made me feel.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Bit of a slow burn but very effective. There are occasional bits of dialogue that don't read to me as authentic. Moreno-Garcia's use of patriarchy and colonialism as driving forces for horror works well here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Harold Schechter, Eric Powell
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Chilling but fascinating. Hard to look away, like most good true crime stories. Powell's art enhances the stark horror of Gein's crimes without feeling lurid or exploitative. Best read while blasting hard rock on a tape deck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
this gave me a lot to reflect on with my own gender journey. a must read.
Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Cullen Bunn
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Can't ask for much more than Godzilla and the Megazord in the same book.
The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
5.0
I almost want to go back and retroactively knock Consider Phlebas down to 4.5 or 4.75 after reading this. An excellent step up from the previous book in the series. This book is marvelously complex and really sucked me in.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A compelling account of one of this country's forgotten evils. I had a little trouble keeping track of who's who at first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Murder
Anansi's Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World by Yepoka Yeebo
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This started a bit slow but once it got going I couldn't put it down. Blay-Miezah's story should be more well-known not just because it's fascinating on its own merits, but because of what it says about the broader colonial systems at play that allowed him to flourish.
The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution by Jonathan Eig
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
I find the subject matter here really interesting but between my unlikeliness to finish this before it returns on Libby and the author's weird choices re: the more pernicious parts of this story (soft apologia for Sanger's racism and eugenics, etc.) I just don't feel that motivated to finish it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Abandonment
Minor: Rape