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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
Masters of Doom by David Kushner
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book has been on my to-read list for years and years now, and it turned out to be a solid, interesting read!
It wasn't as consistently intriguing or riveting as I hoped it would be, but I still stayed pretty much engaged the whole way! I just wanted a little bit more perhaps from the storytelling aspect though, of course, Kushner was limited by actual events.
If you love startup/founders stories and video games, especially around the history and development of the personal computer, this is a must-read!
It wasn't as consistently intriguing or riveting as I hoped it would be, but I still stayed pretty much engaged the whole way! I just wanted a little bit more perhaps from the storytelling aspect though, of course, Kushner was limited by actual events.
If you love startup/founders stories and video games, especially around the history and development of the personal computer, this is a must-read!
A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. Well, as much as you can enjoy a book on such tough subject matter. Set in modern-day Nigeria and covering themes of mental health, toxic relationships, abuse, corruption, death, grief, poverty and so much more, this is no easy read. It's been a while that I've read a book that is so purely 'sad' as it says on the (StoryGraph) tin!
Following on from Stay With Me, I remain a fan of Adébáyọ̀'s writing. I could tell I was reading the words of a skilful writer, and yet it was all so easily digestible. Nothing is overdone.
I can't decide how I felt about the change in pace towards the end of the book. On one hand I appreciated the switch-up; on the other, it felt a little rushed!
All in all, an incredibly worthwhile read, and I especially appreciated how the ending of the book accurately reflects the harsh realities of real life for a lot of people.
Following on from Stay With Me, I remain a fan of Adébáyọ̀'s writing. I could tell I was reading the words of a skilful writer, and yet it was all so easily digestible. Nothing is overdone.
I can't decide how I felt about the change in pace towards the end of the book. On one hand I appreciated the switch-up; on the other, it felt a little rushed!
All in all, an incredibly worthwhile read, and I especially appreciated how the ending of the book accurately reflects the harsh realities of real life for a lot of people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
While I was generally intrigued by the individual stories shared in this book — ranging from the 16th Century to the present day and spanning a wide variety of cultures — and I appreciated the new perspective that Heyam was trying to bring to how we look at trans people and gender nonconformity throughout history, I really struggled to stay focused while listening to this.
I was hoping for much more of a structured argument that introduced the case studies as a means to support points made, as opposed to them being used as a range of examples of the experiences of trans people throughout history. Because of the way the book jumped around in history, having finished it a couple days ago, I'm left with rough memories of snatches of stories, but the details and timeline are all jumbled up in my head. I'm also left with a few high-level points of how we might want to think about trans history going forward, but was hoping to have taken away a more solid thesis.
Still, if you're interested in learning more about trans history, I'd class this as a must-read! My rating mainly reflects how my personal enjoyment was hampered by mismatched expectations!
(I also skipped a few minutes towards the end [around the 97% mark] after Heyam says: "At the climax of [Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness]..." — a book I've wanted to read for a long time. I don't know how spoiler-y this comment ended up being but I'm not a fan of fictional novel plot points being referenced in nonfiction/academic work in general and will do my best to avoid them in case!)
I was hoping for much more of a structured argument that introduced the case studies as a means to support points made, as opposed to them being used as a range of examples of the experiences of trans people throughout history. Because of the way the book jumped around in history, having finished it a couple days ago, I'm left with rough memories of snatches of stories, but the details and timeline are all jumbled up in my head. I'm also left with a few high-level points of how we might want to think about trans history going forward, but was hoping to have taken away a more solid thesis.
Still, if you're interested in learning more about trans history, I'd class this as a must-read! My rating mainly reflects how my personal enjoyment was hampered by mismatched expectations!
(I also skipped a few minutes towards the end [around the 97% mark] after Heyam says: "At the climax of [Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness]..." — a book I've wanted to read for a long time. I don't know how spoiler-y this comment ended up being but I'm not a fan of fictional novel plot points being referenced in nonfiction/academic work in general and will do my best to avoid them in case!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Transphobia
If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I always knew I liked the sound of "interconnected short stories" and this collection proved me correct!
Normally with short stories, I'm left wanting, but I thought this collection was a really great blend of a regular novel and a short story collection, and, by the end of If I Survive You, I found myself satisfied with the range of perspectives Escoffery chose to share with us — I didn't think I would be! I just love the way interconnected stories can provide so many additional layers to the chapters before and after, especially where the stories individually stand strong on their own.
There were a couple of cases, especially in one story, where I was a little confused as to what was meant to have happened, but those were minor frustrations only.
If you love reading about themes of identity, race and racism, familial relationships, especially fatherhood or brotherhood, and classism then this is definitely a collection for you.
This was Escoffery's debut and I'm looking forward to reading whatever he publishes next!
Normally with short stories, I'm left wanting, but I thought this collection was a really great blend of a regular novel and a short story collection, and, by the end of If I Survive You, I found myself satisfied with the range of perspectives Escoffery chose to share with us — I didn't think I would be! I just love the way interconnected stories can provide so many additional layers to the chapters before and after, especially where the stories individually stand strong on their own.
There were a couple of cases, especially in one story, where I was a little confused as to what was meant to have happened, but those were minor frustrations only.
If you love reading about themes of identity, race and racism, familial relationships, especially fatherhood or brotherhood, and classism then this is definitely a collection for you.
This was Escoffery's debut and I'm looking forward to reading whatever he publishes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Classism
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This started off real strong for me! I thought it was going to get at least 4⭐️.
But, somewhere along the way, it fell a little bit flat, some of the spark was lost, and it seemed to drag a little. Some parts felt a little too contrived, especially with regards to trying to create tension. I was rooting for the central relationship, but just didn't end up feeling as emotionally invested or as excited for it as I thought I'd be given the first third of the book.
Still, the cast of characters was super fun, heavy topics are dealt with incredibly well, there's a real clever "meta" nature to this book, and, especially given that, this is definitely one to go for on audio if that's a format you consume books in!
But, somewhere along the way, it fell a little bit flat, some of the spark was lost, and it seemed to drag a little. Some parts felt a little too contrived, especially with regards to trying to create tension. I was rooting for the central relationship, but just didn't end up feeling as emotionally invested or as excited for it as I thought I'd be given the first third of the book.
Still, the cast of characters was super fun, heavy topics are dealt with incredibly well, there's a real clever "meta" nature to this book, and, especially given that, this is definitely one to go for on audio if that's a format you consume books in!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Things We Say in the Dark by Kirsty Logan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
These stories were a lot more accessible than I was expecting, and I was drawn into pretty much each one relatively quickly. I was a fan of the writing for sure!
However, one too many times a story ended and I thought to myself: "Wait, is that it? What was I meant to take away from that story? Hmm, I didn't quite get it. I wanted a little bit more! Just a tad!"
I really enjoyed the interludes between the story. A short horror tale in its own right!
However, one too many times a story ended and I thought to myself: "Wait, is that it? What was I meant to take away from that story? Hmm, I didn't quite get it. I wanted a little bit more! Just a tad!"
I really enjoyed the interludes between the story. A short horror tale in its own right!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really liked this book! As someone who avoids reading the blurbs, I had no idea where it was going to take me, but I was drawn in from the opening pages, immediately transported to a 1960s Nigeria.
I struggled a little with the time jumps and what had already happened or not, and I also struggled to keep the politics straight, but I think the latter is on me a little! I've read two books back-to-back, unintentionally (but fortunately!) featuring the Biafran War and I already feel like I've learned a fair amount about it. I also felt like my intrigue dipped a little at some point in the middle, but it picked back up again.
The writing and character depictions were great!
I'm reading Adichie's novels in chronological order, so this is the second, and my current fave, over Purple Hibiscus!
I struggled a little with the time jumps and what had already happened or not, and I also struggled to keep the politics straight, but I think the latter is on me a little! I've read two books back-to-back, unintentionally (but fortunately!) featuring the Biafran War and I already feel like I've learned a fair amount about it. I also felt like my intrigue dipped a little at some point in the middle, but it picked back up again.
The writing and character depictions were great!
I'm reading Adichie's novels in chronological order, so this is the second, and my current fave, over Purple Hibiscus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Rape, Violence, and War
Black Edge: Inside Information, Dirty Money, and the Quest to Bring Down the Most Wanted Man on Wall Street by Sheelah Kolhatkar
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A solid, and engaging read on insider trading and the quest to bring down Steve Cohen.
I didn't know much about this case and this book is so well researched, but never feels bogged down in the detail.
It was a little tricky keeping track of all of the different characters and organisations involved, especially towards the latter half of the book, but Kolhatkar did a pretty great job.
Perfect read if you're interested in financial fraud and corruption, insider trading, hedge funds, or the history of Wall Street!
I didn't know much about this case and this book is so well researched, but never feels bogged down in the detail.
It was a little tricky keeping track of all of the different characters and organisations involved, especially towards the latter half of the book, but Kolhatkar did a pretty great job.
Perfect read if you're interested in financial fraud and corruption, insider trading, hedge funds, or the history of Wall Street!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
Tomorrow I Become a Woman by Aiwanose Odafen
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For a book about such heavy subject matter, Tomorrow I Become a Woman was incredibly readable! It was so easy to keep turning the pages, but this book did make me frustrated and angry to no end!
The heaviness was relentless, especially as you come to terms with the fact that the characters and stories in the book are based on true ones and people are living such lives today.
This was a brilliant debut from Odafen — the writing was great, her research was excellent, and she managed to sprinkle in some great moments of humour.
A great read if you're interested in the plight of women in Western Africa, especially Nigeria, and themes of motherhood, manhood and masculinity, patriarchy, family, and identity.
(I'm looking forward to Odafen's next book — I was on a Book Club Zoom meeting with her last night and was very excited to hear about its focus...!)
The heaviness was relentless, especially as you come to terms with the fact that the characters and stories in the book are based on true ones and people are living such lives today.
This was a brilliant debut from Odafen — the writing was great, her research was excellent, and she managed to sprinkle in some great moments of humour.
A great read if you're interested in the plight of women in Western Africa, especially Nigeria, and themes of motherhood, manhood and masculinity, patriarchy, family, and identity.
(I'm looking forward to Odafen's next book — I was on a Book Club Zoom meeting with her last night and was very excited to hear about its focus...!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Alcoholism
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind behind the Silk Road Drugs Empire by Nick Bilton
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Such a gripping story, my gosh!
I'd read about Silk Road at the time that everything was unfolding, but I couldn't remember any of the details so I was able to enjoy this fully.
I'm a big fan of narrative non-fiction, and I really enjoyed Hatching Twitter by this author, but I do think some of the narrative elements in this one — suspense, foreboding, cliffhangers, etc. — were a tad overdone and distracted from the story (because I would find myself thinking: "well, just how did you know that? " or "stop hinting at what's to come so much — surprise me more!")
It probably would have been a 5-star book for me if the same story was written by Patrick Radden Keefe, my new fave nonfiction writer.
Also, one of my biggest book pet peeves — there's a big Breaking Bad spoiler in here, so don't read this before you've watched that, if you plan to. Luckily, I'd seen it all.
All in all, definitely one to read if you love narrative nonfiction, especially about startups or true (cyber)crime, or if you enjoy thriller and crime novels and want to learn more about the whole Silk Road case!
I'd read about Silk Road at the time that everything was unfolding, but I couldn't remember any of the details so I was able to enjoy this fully.
I'm a big fan of narrative non-fiction, and I really enjoyed Hatching Twitter by this author, but I do think some of the narrative elements in this one — suspense, foreboding, cliffhangers, etc. — were a tad overdone and distracted from the story (because I would find myself thinking: "well, just how did you know that? " or "stop hinting at what's to come so much — surprise me more!")
It probably would have been a 5-star book for me if the same story was written by Patrick Radden Keefe, my new fave nonfiction writer.
Also, one of my biggest book pet peeves — there's a big Breaking Bad spoiler in here, so don't read this before you've watched that, if you plan to. Luckily, I'd seen it all.
All in all, definitely one to read if you love narrative nonfiction, especially about startups or true (cyber)crime, or if you enjoy thriller and crime novels and want to learn more about the whole Silk Road case!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Torture, and Murder