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kylahken's reviews
58 reviews
Elsewhere: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin, Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
Torn between a solid 4 or 4.5 so I’ll split the difference - but overall a lovely read! Quick to get through, I always love Zevin’s writing, and the plot itself was also quite easy to follow and read! Not a life altering must read, but would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Mental illness
Thirsty by Jas Hammonds
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.5
This very quickly turns from a light story of a teenage girl having a fun and idyllic summer with her best friend and girlfriend, to a dark narrative of deep seeded self hatred and insecurity in the world (also fun, right?) I love an unlikable narrator, but i can’t entirely say she was unlikeable, I just think she’s human. I did want to hug (or smack) some sense into her, but that’s entirely the point. As someone who has a healthy relationship with my friends, family, partner, and alcohol, I never found myself truly judging Blake, just rooting for her. Hammonds does a wonderful job of reminding us just how flawed and complex and ultimately wonderful humans are, and how it’s okay to not be okay, to need help, to rely on those around have your best interest at heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory: Stories by Raphael Bob-Waksberg
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Part of me wants to give it 5 stars, but a part of me says 4, so i’ll compromise on 4.5/5. I think a large part of my understanding of the book comes from having watched all of Bojack many times, and while the messages theoretically would be the same, I don’t think I’d have understood or read it in the same way as if I had just picked the book up off the shelf having no knowledge of the author or having watched Bojack.
That being said - would definitely recommend either way. The stories switched from long chapters to then a small chapter after it, alternating between that, which was very refreshing, and the intent of each story is so clear. Many heart wrenching or laughable or existential or all of the above or none of the above or somewhere inbetween. Lovely read, though not one to be read as a casual beach day read, I will definitely sit for a day and process.
That being said - would definitely recommend either way. The stories switched from long chapters to then a small chapter after it, alternating between that, which was very refreshing, and the intent of each story is so clear. Many heart wrenching or laughable or existential or all of the above or none of the above or somewhere inbetween. Lovely read, though not one to be read as a casual beach day read, I will definitely sit for a day and process.
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
3.5- I should’ve seen it coming. but i did not; lesbians and dark academia, fun! Though the mental health portrayal tried to say mental health issues =/= crazy, they didn’t quite get there in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Mental illness
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Phenomenal. Having lost my mother about two years ago, a very hard read, but well worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is definitely not for everyone, and definitely not those who aren’t in a place to contemplate humanity and what it means to be alive. That said, I *loved* it. It’s no sylvia plath, but I think esther greenwood would have been great friends with gilda when she could get out of bed.
Very real, very raw. There was nothing so incredibly deep, but the simplicity of the writing and style was exactly what made the book work. Phenomenal.
Very real, very raw. There was nothing so incredibly deep, but the simplicity of the writing and style was exactly what made the book work. Phenomenal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
slight homophobia, very graphic details of living with depression and mental illness
Passing by Nella Larsen
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
very cute & easy read, and oh the sapphic yearning
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
goodness gracious the slow burn … i adore it. the slight miscommunication trope, that i usually don’t love, done quite well and tastefully here. 10/10.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia