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bethsreading's reviews
71 reviews
Summer Spirit by Elizabeth Holleville
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Overall I enjoyed the tone and direction of this graphic novel. The art style is gorgeous, the colour palette is lovely and it does a great job of blending summer vibes with spooky cosy ones. Sometimes, however, I did find it hard to distinguish between the characters. The story had some promising elements: the mystery of befriending a ghost, ageing and forgetfulness/potential dementia, growing up and changing bodies, as well as some queer self discovery. However, I was left feeling like most of these elements were underdeveloped. Some of the characters felt a bit one dimensional, and plot lines didn’t really go anyway. I didn’t need it all perfect wrapped up in a bow since it is a ‘summer snapshot’ story, but I just wanted a bit more.
A fun, pretty, and quick read, but not an all time favourite sadly.
A fun, pretty, and quick read, but not an all time favourite sadly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book, to me, feels like the sea. It is enchanting, mesmerising, soothing, grounding, and largely defined by what you don’t see. It reads like a cool breeze on a hot day and tastes of salty air. Tove Jansson’s prose never ceases to amaze and call to me. With the small fragments of everyday life offered in this story, what shines through is an overwhelming sense of awe towards the mundane, and a determination to feel. I could say more, but I think the book should be approached with as few expectations as possible. The Summer Book is truly gorgeous, and I beg you to read it.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Police brutality
Takeaway: Stories From a Childhood Behind the Counter by Angela Hui
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I find it uncomfortable to rate books that are purely someone else’s life experience. While I acknowledge that part of the rating would be based on the writing style and formatting of the book, it feels wrong to give a number to someone’s life and traumas. So this is a review without a star rating attached.
This book is a fascinating and important view behind the counter of a place nearly every person living in Britain will have visited: the Chinese takeaway. It is very easy for many people to frequent shops, and not understand that real people work there, particularly within hospitality. This is clearly even more prevalent for businesses run by anyone who is not white. This book was enlightening to the reality of growing up in a family takeaway, working hard every night as a child, and dealing with the social repercussions of being asian in a very white area of Wales.
Hui paints the picture of the difficult family dynamics and cultural complexities that make up her childhood. One of the most standout elements is her description of food and all the emotional baggage — good and bad — that comes along with it. The addition recipes at the end of each chapter was particularly wonderful.
I do not feel there is much I can say as, like I said before, this is someone else’s life experience, and one that was very different to mine. All I can do is recommend the book, as it is one that I think anyone would have something to gain from reading.
This book is a fascinating and important view behind the counter of a place nearly every person living in Britain will have visited: the Chinese takeaway. It is very easy for many people to frequent shops, and not understand that real people work there, particularly within hospitality. This is clearly even more prevalent for businesses run by anyone who is not white. This book was enlightening to the reality of growing up in a family takeaway, working hard every night as a child, and dealing with the social repercussions of being asian in a very white area of Wales.
Hui paints the picture of the difficult family dynamics and cultural complexities that make up her childhood. One of the most standout elements is her description of food and all the emotional baggage — good and bad — that comes along with it. The addition recipes at the end of each chapter was particularly wonderful.
I do not feel there is much I can say as, like I said before, this is someone else’s life experience, and one that was very different to mine. All I can do is recommend the book, as it is one that I think anyone would have something to gain from reading.