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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this book, but I expected to LOVE it!
It started off super strong for me as well. But at some point, the pace slowed down, things got a teeny bit confusing, and I found that I wasn't always convinced of everyone's motivations, reasoning, and choices. Some things just didn't add up for me.
Maybe by the end of the trilogy everything will fit into place and I'll be like "ahhh okay, it all makes sense now", but I do know that this book is raved about in its own right.
And it was really good — but just didn't wow me, or have me fully invested, the way I thought I would be. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the trilogy, but I thought I wouldn't be able to wait!
It started off super strong for me as well. But at some point, the pace slowed down, things got a teeny bit confusing, and I found that I wasn't always convinced of everyone's motivations, reasoning, and choices. Some things just didn't add up for me.
Maybe by the end of the trilogy everything will fit into place and I'll be like "ahhh okay, it all makes sense now", but I do know that this book is raved about in its own right.
And it was really good — but just didn't wow me, or have me fully invested, the way I thought I would be. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the trilogy, but I thought I wouldn't be able to wait!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Torture, and Vomit
I Am Debra Lee: A Memoir by Debra Lee
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I went into this knowing nothing about Debra Lee and the history of BET and I was very much into this memoir! I listened to it, and it's always great having the author narrate their story themselves.
What I especially liked about this book was the variety of stories told — from things relating to decisions made at BET to Debra Lee's life outside of work and Black culture. It's also always fascinating hearing about encounters with celebrities.
What I especially liked about this book was the variety of stories told — from things relating to decisions made at BET to Debra Lee's life outside of work and Black culture. It's also always fascinating hearing about encounters with celebrities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
There was something refreshing about this romance! It had a more mature, realistic feel to others I've read, not that I've ready many!
I really liked the different structures Sittenfeld played with — it felt like three different novels in one, in a good way, to me — and I thought a lot of the dialogue between the characters just felt very real and raw.
With some of the characters' actions/decisions, especially the main character, I was torn between thinking "well, this exactly how real-life humans behave!!" and "this is kinda frustrating, c'mon now!", but overall, I think I was more with the former, and for that Sittenfeld did do a great job.
There were some times were I did get a little bored and wanted the action to hurry up a little. And it was a little tough to read, mainly because of a personal relationship thing I'm working through at the moment (Romantic Comedy was recommended to me after someone I'd just met heard about what I was going through and thought this would be a great comfort read. It was, on the whole, I think...but there were some real triggering things/things that coincidentally hit too close to home. They couldn't have known!), but ultimately the book left me feeling hopeful and I'm glad I read it!
I really liked the different structures Sittenfeld played with — it felt like three different novels in one, in a good way, to me — and I thought a lot of the dialogue between the characters just felt very real and raw.
With some of the characters' actions/decisions, especially the main character, I was torn between thinking "well, this exactly how real-life humans behave!!" and "this is kinda frustrating, c'mon now!", but overall, I think I was more with the former, and for that Sittenfeld did do a great job.
There were some times were I did get a little bored and wanted the action to hurry up a little. And it was a little tough to read, mainly because of a personal relationship thing I'm working through at the moment (Romantic Comedy was recommended to me after someone I'd just met heard about what I was going through and thought this would be a great comfort read. It was, on the whole, I think...but there were some real triggering things/things that coincidentally hit too close to home. They couldn't have known!), but ultimately the book left me feeling hopeful and I'm glad I read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Pandemic/Epidemic
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi, Keisha N. Blain
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
I'm a little conflicted with my rating here because I definitely think this a book I would like everyone to make time for, but I struggled to get through it, for a handful of reasons.
I listened to the audiobook, and while I've heard others praise this edition highly — and it was awesome to hear so many different Black voices — I just don't think this format was the right one for me to take in this material. Admittedly, I wasn't in the best mood while listening to most of it — which definitely didn't help given the subject matter — but I struggled to focus and gel with some of the chapters, especially a lot of the earlier ones.
I go back and forth between thinking the book was incredible because of its breadth and variety and thinking it was trying to pack in almost too much that I've left it not really remembering any details, which is what I went into the book hoping for. Again, this could be because I listened to the book as opposed to reading the words from a page.
I was a big fan of the structure — 10 parts spanning 40 years and each chapter spanning 5 — and it was fascinating travelling bit by bit from the 17th Century all the way to the present day. I also appreciated the occasional poems mixed in with the essays!
I think I might have preferred a series of books in a very similar style, but with some of the essays going more in depth, and perhaps them having a little bit more of a narrative thread through them.
All in all, a book that's definitely worth your time! My rating is heavily based on my personal enjoyment in the moment.
Note: Around 75% in, there's a chapter on Zora Neale Hurston. I skipped most of it for fear of spoilers of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
I listened to the audiobook, and while I've heard others praise this edition highly — and it was awesome to hear so many different Black voices — I just don't think this format was the right one for me to take in this material. Admittedly, I wasn't in the best mood while listening to most of it — which definitely didn't help given the subject matter — but I struggled to focus and gel with some of the chapters, especially a lot of the earlier ones.
I go back and forth between thinking the book was incredible because of its breadth and variety and thinking it was trying to pack in almost too much that I've left it not really remembering any details, which is what I went into the book hoping for. Again, this could be because I listened to the book as opposed to reading the words from a page.
I was a big fan of the structure — 10 parts spanning 40 years and each chapter spanning 5 — and it was fascinating travelling bit by bit from the 17th Century all the way to the present day. I also appreciated the occasional poems mixed in with the essays!
I think I might have preferred a series of books in a very similar style, but with some of the essays going more in depth, and perhaps them having a little bit more of a narrative thread through them.
All in all, a book that's definitely worth your time! My rating is heavily based on my personal enjoyment in the moment.
Note: Around 75% in, there's a chapter on Zora Neale Hurston. I skipped most of it for fear of spoilers of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and War
The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life by Ann Patchett
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was great! A super short memoir that goes behind the scenes of Ann Patchett's writing journey and process.
Definitely a must-read for any aspiring writer or any writer who feels stuck in a rut and is questioning their career path. Also a must-read for Ann Patchett fans — I'm not really an aspiring writer but I find books like this fascinating and it was cool to learn more about Ann's life and work.
Loved the mix of practical advice and personal stories. Some of the advice is applicable to being productive in general and with any creative endeavour.
At 45 pages, it's perfect if you're looking for a "read in one sitting" book! Not sure how easy it is to get your hands on it these days though.
Definitely a must-read for any aspiring writer or any writer who feels stuck in a rut and is questioning their career path. Also a must-read for Ann Patchett fans — I'm not really an aspiring writer but I find books like this fascinating and it was cool to learn more about Ann's life and work.
Loved the mix of practical advice and personal stories. Some of the advice is applicable to being productive in general and with any creative endeavour.
At 45 pages, it's perfect if you're looking for a "read in one sitting" book! Not sure how easy it is to get your hands on it these days though.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Given the subject matter and plot points, I expected this book to have a lot more of an emotional impact on me, but something wasn't quite landing. Still, it felt oh so close! I'm not sure what was missing for me. Maybe the writing wasn't popping off the page for me, or I wanted more exploration of certain topics, or I wanted more from the ending....I'm not sure!
On the whole, this was a moving, emotional story, and not one to read if you're not feeling on top form. I was going through a tough time emotionally while reading it and maybe that impacted my eagerness to pick it up and make progress with it!
On the whole, this was a moving, emotional story, and not one to read if you're not feeling on top form. I was going through a tough time emotionally while reading it and maybe that impacted my eagerness to pick it up and make progress with it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape
Red Notice: A True Story of Corruption, Murder and One Man's Fight for Justice by Bill Browder
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I found this so gripping at the start. I was hooked on Bill Browder's story! I was getting all of the aspects of my favourite sorts of nonfiction books including a drama-filled narrative story that reads like fiction and a history lesson, with the focus here being the economics and politics behind Soviet Russia.
I kinda lost focus with the book in the latter half and I'm not sure whether I felt like the book could have been trimmed down or whether it was my personal life getting in the way and making me not feel like reading, but I did lose a little bit of steam with it.
Still, a brilliant read, ultimately focused on one incredibly brave man. More people should know his story!
If you've heard scary things about Russia's political regime, but don't know any details and you're curious to know more, this is a must read.
I kinda lost focus with the book in the latter half and I'm not sure whether I felt like the book could have been trimmed down or whether it was my personal life getting in the way and making me not feel like reading, but I did lose a little bit of steam with it.
Still, a brilliant read, ultimately focused on one incredibly brave man. More people should know his story!
If you've heard scary things about Russia's political regime, but don't know any details and you're curious to know more, this is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Torture and Police brutality
The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I'm loving the concept of this series — books tied not by characters but by a fictional place! You get a little bit of a history lesson it too, with this one taking me back to the Dark Ages.
I read The Pillars of the Earth at the end of last year and decided to go for the prequel next (not in publication order, which is normally my jam, but I'm sure that's fine, given it's a prequel of what I just read!).
The Evening and the Morning was great! I very quickly became invested in the different characters' stories, and I love me a lot of political intrigue. Well done Ken Follett for making me care about bishops, monks, and Catholic churches!
There were moments where I felt the pace lagged a little and the plot points felt a little bit repetitive. I also wasn't as emotionally invested as I thought I would be come the later sections given how it all started.
But all in all, a great read! Love getting immersed in a chunky book!
I read The Pillars of the Earth at the end of last year and decided to go for the prequel next (not in publication order, which is normally my jam, but I'm sure that's fine, given it's a prequel of what I just read!).
The Evening and the Morning was great! I very quickly became invested in the different characters' stories, and I love me a lot of political intrigue. Well done Ken Follett for making me care about bishops, monks, and Catholic churches!
There were moments where I felt the pace lagged a little and the plot points felt a little bit repetitive. I also wasn't as emotionally invested as I thought I would be come the later sections given how it all started.
But all in all, a great read! Love getting immersed in a chunky book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
If you're curious in cults at all — how they come to be, how to spot them, how anyone ever gets sucked into them ("They must not be smart, could never be me...")... — then this is a must-read!
I really liked how Cultish was packed with research but also featured a lot of personal anecdotes, both from the author and people she interviewed. I also loved how we spanned many different types of "cult", including instances that several of us experience day-to-day, and the focus on language was fascinating.
I've got lots to go away and think about, and look out for (👀), now!
I really liked how Cultish was packed with research but also featured a lot of personal anecdotes, both from the author and people she interviewed. I also loved how we spanned many different types of "cult", including instances that several of us experience day-to-day, and the focus on language was fascinating.
I've got lots to go away and think about, and look out for (👀), now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A real solid collection of stories, heavily focused on the themes of race in America, especially the experiences of black women, correcting past mistakes, apologies, and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed the variety and the themes explored and was intrigued by the setup of pretty much all of the stories. However, I'm left feeling like a little something was missing when thinking of the collection as a whole. I can't help but feel like I was on the verge of "wow" for a lot of the stories but then they fell short a little bit. I guess it's the common "I wanted more!" that I typically have with short stories.
I'm also wondering whether this would have been a better one for me to read in print. I listened to the audio and I think jumping in and out that way made it harder for me to remember salient details, especially with the novella at the end.
However, the writing is great and there were some real standout moments, especially in the titular novella. It's also incredibly thought-provoking on several layers. I was going to give this book a 3.75, but I think I want to round it up to a 4!
I really enjoyed the variety and the themes explored and was intrigued by the setup of pretty much all of the stories. However, I'm left feeling like a little something was missing when thinking of the collection as a whole. I can't help but feel like I was on the verge of "wow" for a lot of the stories but then they fell short a little bit. I guess it's the common "I wanted more!" that I typically have with short stories.
I'm also wondering whether this would have been a better one for me to read in print. I listened to the audio and I think jumping in and out that way made it harder for me to remember salient details, especially with the novella at the end.
However, the writing is great and there were some real standout moments, especially in the titular novella. It's also incredibly thought-provoking on several layers. I was going to give this book a 3.75, but I think I want to round it up to a 4!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, and Car accident
Moderate: Cancer