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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
Different Seasons by Stephen King
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
A great collection of novellas. I enjoyed the variety, evoking everything from scary tension to childhood nostalgia! It was really interesting to read the Shawshank Redemption story and now I wanna rewatch the film!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really thought this was gonna be my second 5-star read of the year, and my 33rd across all-time. I was obsessed with this book when I started it, reading it for the first ever official StoryGraph readalong.
I was here for the mystery and intrigue...but then it unfolded in a way that I wasn't expecting and couldn't get on board with. And I was disappointed.
On top of that, some explanations for things, or where things were left, felt unsatisfactory given the build-up. I don't need everything laid out to me, not at all, but given the slow build-up and anticipation, I expected a little more here.
However, the vibes were immaculate and I loved the writing, the setting, the atmosphere, and the cast of characters on the whole, but when I try and give this book a 4.5-star rating, it feels too generous given how disappointed I was with what turned out to be a key element of the book.
I wasn't looking forward to giving The Starless Sea a go given the little I'd heard about it, but now I'm excited to check it out, even if it ultimately ends up not being for me.
I was here for the mystery and intrigue...but then it unfolded in a way that I wasn't expecting and couldn't get on board with. And I was disappointed.
On top of that, some explanations for things, or where things were left, felt unsatisfactory given the build-up. I don't need everything laid out to me, not at all, but given the slow build-up and anticipation, I expected a little more here.
However, the vibes were immaculate and I loved the writing, the setting, the atmosphere, and the cast of characters on the whole, but when I try and give this book a 4.5-star rating, it feels too generous given how disappointed I was with what turned out to be a key element of the book.
I wasn't looking forward to giving The Starless Sea a go given the little I'd heard about it, but now I'm excited to check it out, even if it ultimately ends up not being for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Pregnancy
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
I really appreciated just how mature this romance was. It was a breath of fresh air in that regard. I really loved how the characters were consistent and it didn't feel like there was any random plot points shoved in for the sake of mess/drama. The disability representation and the handling of it, I'm guessing especially because the author identifies with her main character, was handled expertly.
However, the book was missing a lil' summin' summin' for me. I'm not sure what form that would taken but I didn't get swept up in this love story or get as emotionally invested as I would have liked. I got to the end and thought: "Well, I knew that would happen and that was nice" and that was that!
However, the book was missing a lil' summin' summin' for me. I'm not sure what form that would taken but I didn't get swept up in this love story or get as emotionally invested as I would have liked. I got to the end and thought: "Well, I knew that would happen and that was nice" and that was that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Hemlock by Kiersten Modglin
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to this on audio and was very intrigued at the beginning, curious as to where it was all going...
Ultimately, I got frustrated with the main character and her decisions and the key romance thread/theme in the book got rather repetitive. On top of that, based on what we'd been told about the characters, some of their actions at different times felt farfetched/unbelievable.
I wasn't as emotionally invested come the end as I thought I'd be given the beginning.
Ultimately, I got frustrated with the main character and her decisions and the key romance thread/theme in the book got rather repetitive. On top of that, based on what we'd been told about the characters, some of their actions at different times felt farfetched/unbelievable.
I wasn't as emotionally invested come the end as I thought I'd be given the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Mental illness
Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked this book! I knew the sound of a novel in interconnected short stories set in a fictional town would be right up my alley. I love how all of the stories fit together but can be enjoyed standalone and I appreciated the variety of perspectives on the same characters and the different scenarios each story presented. I got a little confused with some of the relationships between the characters and also got a little confused with one of the plot points but overall I had a great time with this book. It got me tense and on edge quite a few times too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Murder
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A really good collection! I'm definitely a fan of Jhumpa Lahiri's writing and it's doubly cool that she wrote this in Italian and then translated most of it into English herself.
Some of the stories lacked a little something for me, but I loved Part II — The Steps! Such a cool idea.
Some of the stories lacked a little something for me, but I loved Part II — The Steps! Such a cool idea.
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Sonny Assu, katherena vermette, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Jen Storm, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Brandon Mitchell, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Richard Van Camp, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, Chelsea Vowel
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A great short story anthology! The graphics were beautiful and I learnt so much about this part of history.
It's more vignettes into different parts of the Indigieous peoples history in Canada as opposed to your more traditional short story, and though I was hoping for the latter, I very much appreciated what I got!
It's more vignettes into different parts of the Indigieous peoples history in Canada as opposed to your more traditional short story, and though I was hoping for the latter, I very much appreciated what I got!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism
#CrimeTime by Jeneva Rose
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was very cringe and one of the characters was sooo annoying, too annoying — and it didn't help that I listened to this on audio and he was the second main character always talking to the main character called....Nadia... — but the full cast audio with sound effects was fun, they got a couple chuckles out of me, and I was intrigued to see what was going on. The authors' voice note at the end was fun too, though nearly as cringe as the book at times! 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Death of parent
Losers by Michael Lewis
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I love Michael Lewis so was surprised at how boring this one got sometimes. It didn't really have a structure or arc at all, so kept jumping around but, if you're like me, a fascination with US politics and a BTS look at anything will keep you intrigued.
It's also especially interesting reading this now, knowing what's to come for some of the characters, e.g. John McCain.
It is tough to follow and keep track of all of the characters if you're not already familiar with the 1996 US Presidential Election, so keep that in mind!
It's also especially interesting reading this now, knowing what's to come for some of the characters, e.g. John McCain.
It is tough to follow and keep track of all of the characters if you're not already familiar with the 1996 US Presidential Election, so keep that in mind!
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A super solid collection! I really enjoyed it. I don't remember feeling too much like: "What?? That's it? I want/expected more!" with there, which is my number one pain point with short stories.