A vibrant setting is offset by a generally incoherent story that I didn’t really care for.
Otto and Xavier (and their pet mongoose) are taking a honeyA vibrant setting is offset by a generally incoherent story that I didn’t really care for.
Otto and Xavier (and their pet mongoose) are taking a honeymoon on Xavier’s Aunt’s friend’s private train, but kooky characters and a possible haunting complicate things immediately. I read this for a book club and was unimpressed. The story wants to be wacky and surrealist, but either it seems like a pretty straightforward ghost book (but since it doesn’t acknowledge it enough it doesn’t adequately discuss the themes/repercussions) or its just incoherent and without resolution. If you generally like lit fics, then take my review with a grain of salt, because I don’t really have the patience for them. They often, as this seems to, want to use fantastical elements without really committing to them or thinking them through and then gesturing to them and saying “Look! Art! You don’t get it because you aren’t thinking hard enough!’, but I think I don’t get it because it’s sloppy writing. I will say that the vibes are like if Wes Anderson made Snowpiercer, which was fun! And the discrete scenes and dialogues have a wacky humor that I really enjoyed. But especially in a book club where everyone is arguing about the meaning and the metaphor I felt that it was some combination of incoherent, not inventive, and unable to commit to its themes. If it is a ghost story the plot clearly seems: (view spoiler)[ The father of Prem had his wife die and he then summoned (either intentionally or unintentionally) a desire spirit that granted his wish for his dead son to come back. Ava is so sure in her own reality (radically sane or whatever the psychologist said) that she can’t perceive the supernatural. Her attitude eventually leads the father to reject his false son, but the spirit persists after father’s death, instead bopping around the city, trying to fulfill people’s desires, such as being the “perfect” boyfriends for both Otto and Xavier, but the spirit’s lack of agency/humanity makes the relationships eventually feel false and they end again and again until Xavier and Otto find each other and a real, imperfect human relationship. On some level, I find this compelling, but the story obfuscated everything so much that I don’t think it deserves recognition for a compelling metaphor. I also have no idea what Ava’s ability to Unsee people means and I don’t think the narrative does either. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, I don’t recommend this book. But if you think you “get it”, please tell me what I missed....more
While parts of the book were interesting and compelling, it ultimately fell flat for me.
A society on an island has objects randomly disappear from botWhile parts of the book were interesting and compelling, it ultimately fell flat for me.
A society on an island has objects randomly disappear from both memory and reality, with the disappearances increasingly enforced by an authorization memory police. The protagonist is a novelist who must hide her editor, one of the few people who's memory is not affected. I had a lot of problems with this book and I didn't really enjoy it (which is a bit unfair as I read this for a book club and I suspected I wouldn't enjoy it). The root of my problem is how this book uses its fantastical elements. Pretty clearly this book isn't using fantastical elements for fun/wonder (like one might insert a dragon), but instead as a tool to make a point. As a tool, the "disappearances" are both inconsistent in mechanism and ham-handed in execution. I don't need a clearly explained magic system, but the how things disappear constantly change (the MC can't spell a perfume that has disappeared but can hear a disappeared music box), and the characters don't seem to react to them realistically.
Additionally, while the eldritch disappearances that are seemingly enacted by the island itself have the potential to be a compelling metaphor for authoritarianism, it is diluted when the brutal memory police also enforce the disappearances (to what end? The island seems to do a good enough job). This oppression without context really rubbed me the wrong way as it felt like Anne Frank for just the vibes without wanting to wrestle with the actual source. It was only towards the end when it started to get really weird that I got more out of the story. It seems to transition from exploring authoritarianism to grief/hospice (or the balance of the two shifted) and then the world and mechanics felt a lot more satisfying. I will say that this book certainly sparked a lot of interesting discussions in a book club, which is a point in its favor, but my personal opinion is that the discussion comes from the book's failures, not its intentional construction. It is also difficult, as it is a translated book, so perhaps it flows a bit better in the original, but my overarching critiques remain.
I don't recommend this book, but a lot of people really like this book in a way I don't quite understand so take my review with a grain of salt. ...more
A sad, meditative slice of life in a dystopia future with small bit of paranormal. I ultimately quite enjoyed this, although I don’t know if I quite uA sad, meditative slice of life in a dystopia future with small bit of paranormal. I ultimately quite enjoyed this, although I don’t know if I quite understand what its getting at.
Kris has a double shadow, the marker the fascist government gives to criminals, and is a recent mother after the death of her wife. She must navigate the treacherous world with her child and all the other outcasts. I listened to this as an audiobook, which worked quite well for me. Hearing Kris’s meandering thoughts interspaced with life events was enjoyable. I may have had more trouble with the meandering plot if I was physically reading it. Be warned, there are some pretty brutal parts (sad) and I had to take a break halfway through because I couldn’t handle it.
Recommended if you want a meditative sad lesbian book. This seems to be a bit of a sub-genre its own, and to its credit, this is the only one I’ve enjoyed so far. ...more
A very thorough look at generally miserable people that had a few high points but was overall not very enjoyable for me.
Sam and Sadie bonded over videA very thorough look at generally miserable people that had a few high points but was overall not very enjoyable for me.
Sam and Sadie bonded over video games as children and then reconnect in college to design a breakout success. A lot of really banal, sad things happen and the characters have to live through it while being miserable. I’m being really harsh, it wasn’t bad, I just didn’t enjoy it or see much of a point. I liked the 60-90% when it became more of an ensemble cast and got kind of weird by telling a lot of the story through video games. But the first half is a really tight story about Sadie and Sam’s endless angst. This book is clearly just not for me, but I do want to know what I'm missing from a book that is so dearly loved by so many.
I certainly don’t recommend it, but a lot of people love this book, so take it with a grain of salt. If you don’t like angst, this probably isn’t for you....more
There’s a story I would have really enjoyed hidden in the book, but choices made by the author make it fall really flat for me.
A would be bank robber There’s a story I would have really enjoyed hidden in the book, but choices made by the author make it fall really flat for me.
A would be bank robber runs into an apartment viewing and holds everyone hostage and heartfelt shenanigans ensue. This formula sounded like a lot of fun—and it is, when you finally get to it at the 50% mark. The first half of the book is taken up with, in my opinion, ham-fisted and saccharine exposition backstories for several characters interspersed with extremely frustrating police interviews. Everyone in this story is the absolute worst, which is fun when they’re all locked in a room together, but really drags the story at other points. Also, they’re all different levels of bad which make for a disjointed reading: the old people are crotchety (forgivable) and one woman wants to kill her spouse’s pets (not forgivable). While by the end of the story I did find it to be touching and heartfelt, a lot of the story felt like a very slow walk to the idea that other people experience rich internal lives and their circumstances sometimes push them to make difficult and immoral decisions. Which is a great concept, except it was delivered in such a slow, exhaustive way that I found it insufferably saccharine and patronizing. Also, the story is delivered through a very active omniscient narrator who lies about the story to the reader multiple times seemingly only for the joy of a reveal, which I found very frustrating.
I don’t recommend this book, although the handle of the author’s craft make me think I might enjoy another of his books where he makes different story choices....more
A really fun cozy murder mystery with a slow-burn gay romance. I don’t usually like mystery books, so this was a pleasant surprise.
Addison is called tA really fun cozy murder mystery with a slow-burn gay romance. I don’t usually like mystery books, so this was a pleasant surprise.
Addison is called to picturesque Milverton to settle an unexpected inheritance. However, the prickly lawyer who called him is murdered on the first day and Addison must (clumsily) clear his name to intimidating police sergeant Jake Murphy. I just really enjoyed the vibes of this book - the cute town, the nosy locals, the bumbling Addison catching the eye of sergeant Jake. To be clear, the romance is a real slow burn, but the second book is out sometime this year, which I can’t wait to read. One critique is that I’m not sure if Addison did a very good job of solving the mystery, he was just kind of annoying enough to get involved with the right people, but it fit with his character. I look forward to the second book adding depth to the characters and relationships introduced in book one.
Highly recommended to anyone who wants a cozy mystery. Again, I tend to struggle with mystery books, but this one broke through....more
I didn’t really get what, if anything, this book was trying to say, nor did I really enjoy reading it at any point. I struggled to understand the bookI didn’t really get what, if anything, this book was trying to say, nor did I really enjoy reading it at any point. I struggled to understand the book’s inspiration, its POV, and its conclusion. It felt like a lot of flash without substance, or at the very least, I really don’t know what the substance was trying to say.
A very thoughtful children’s book which is perhaps a bit too dry and didactic to thoroughly enjoy.
The story follows Copper, a fifteen year old boy whoA very thoughtful children’s book which is perhaps a bit too dry and didactic to thoroughly enjoy.
The story follows Copper, a fifteen year old boy who is navigating the struggles of adolescences. Copper is an exceedingly thoughtful child, a trait encouraged by his mother and uncle. I thought that all of the life lessons explored are solid and well executed, it is just a bit dry. Also, Copper and his friends reads a bit younger than 15 for me, but that could also just be different generational differences. The book is very interesting and compelling within the context it is written, in 1930s Japan as a response to the author’s lived experiences.
I certainly wouldn’t not recommend it, but it’s not exactly a gripping book overall. Some children might really like it, but it would have been too boring and preachy for me....more
A generally satisfying story with engaging characters that stumbles at the end due to typical miscommunication/grand gesture trope.
Every Word You NeveA generally satisfying story with engaging characters that stumbles at the end due to typical miscommunication/grand gesture trope.
Every Word You Never Said is a dual pov gay high school romance set in a small town with some very conservative politics. Skylar is a recent transfer to the school and is nonverbal (he either has to sign or use his phone to talk) and he is gender non-conforming in that he sometimes likes to wear skirts/dresses/makeup. Jacob is the son of the town’s conservative politician who is desperate to get away. For the most part, I think the book accomplished what was intended, a fairly fluffy romance with some darker moments exploring homophobia and insecurities. However, some of the representation is not flawlessly executed and the pop-culture references are a little cringe. I see a lot of reviews bashing this for not being serious enough exploration of issues, but I don’t think this was trying to do that. It moved quickly enough for me and the dual plot of the romance and Skylar’s fight with the school/town over the dress code was compelling. I did have some problems with the final sequence where there is a classic miscommunication trope, although I don’t think was unrealistic (teenagers are allowed to be stupid/have baggage), I just didn’t enjoy it. Then the issue is solved through a grand romantic gesture that could have been fine, but was so over the top and saccharine it was kind of obnoxious. I don't generally like fiction without some fantasy/sci-fi elements but I did enjoy this and I had no trouble finishing it.
Recommended to those who like gay high school romances, although there is a fair amount of bullying/homophobia, which I didn’t find unrealistic, but if that’s not your cup of tea, then this isn’t for you....more
A fantastic sapphic romance that is a step up in writing from Red, White, and Royal Blue, while also toning down some of the excesses.
Set in New YorkA fantastic sapphic romance that is a step up in writing from Red, White, and Royal Blue, while also toning down some of the excesses.
Set in New York, One Last Stop follows August, recent college transfer student who is trying to escape a heavy family history. A daily subway commute has August encounter a mysterious, captivating girl who always seems to be present. I thought the book did a great job of setting up a cast of distinct, memorable characters and a compelling mystery/romance right from the start (view spoiler)[ I want Jane Su to step on me (hide spoiler)]. I thought August was a great character with sympathetic and compelling motivations (and more fleshed out than Alex of Red, White, and Royal Blue). The perhaps excessive scenes/prose from Red, White, and Royal Blue were also fewer/better executed, although they are still present, which I didn’t mind (McQuiston does seem to love a decadent bar scene).
Recommend to those who love romance, especially those with small magic involved. ...more
While Toni Morrison’s skill with language is undeniable, I did not enjoy this book.
Milkman Dead is born to a relatively prosperous landlord and is raiWhile Toni Morrison’s skill with language is undeniable, I did not enjoy this book.
Milkman Dead is born to a relatively prosperous landlord and is raised in a confusion of strange and contentious family members. Events, for the most part, happen around him as he has no goals or interests.
The one thing I did enjoy was Morrison’s prose. It can be dense, deep, and delightful. But that was really about the only thing I liked. Almost all of the characters are somewhere on the spectrum of mean and sad, and usually in a boring, banal sort of way rather than something interesting. No one really has a goal or is working towards anything and at several points the plot seems to grind to a halt and then grudgingly restart itself. The book feels like it should be deep and symbolic, but it just kinda missed me. I don’t think this book was for me. Overall, I don’t think it was a bad book or without value, it just really wasn’t for me and I really didn’t enjoy it....more
A satisfying romance that is executed with a sparkling wit and light charm.
Pride and Prejudice doesn’t need much introduction and for good reason. It A satisfying romance that is executed with a sparkling wit and light charm.
Pride and Prejudice doesn’t need much introduction and for good reason. It is a regency romance following the Bennet sisters as they try to find husbands. Even if this doesn’t sound like something you would generally like or you are wary of some dusty, boring “classic”, I would recommend giving it a try. Jane Austen’s dialogue and characterization is phenomenal and extremely entertaining. ...more
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