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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
Wish I Was Here by Jackie Kay
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
A solid collection. I just really liked it. The characters felt so real and fleshed out and I did enjoy reading a collection with stories on the longer side. I also like the theme of love and relationships around middle-aged queer characters. It was more on the emotional, sad side, but lots of touches of humour sprinkled throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity
Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone by Sequoia Nagamatsu
adventurous
emotional
3.75
A fun collection...with regards to the ideas, rather than the main subject matter and themes, which were heavy! I found most of the concepts in this book super interesting. But, for even my favourites, a lot of them felt like they were missing a little something for me come the ending, especially with the emotional impact. I did really appreciate that there was a clear, consistent theme, approached by the author in a variety of creative ways and I loved the use of mixed media throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, and Grief
Doom Guy: Life in First Person by John Romero
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is such a great memoir! I'm a huge fan of the detail and it makes such a wonderful companion read to Masters of Doom, which I read earlier this year.
If I had been a proper fan/follower of id and Doom and Quake, and the games that followed, and I remembered all the little details of them, this would have probably been a 5⭐️ read. Given that I'm not, I did lose focus sometimes but I can see how a true fan would be obsessed with the whole thing.
A must-read for anyone into video games, especially how one is produced or the history of the industry! Excellent for general enthusiasts and lovers of memoirs!
I listened to this on audio and it's so fantastic hearing Romero tell you his story himself!
If I had been a proper fan/follower of id and Doom and Quake, and the games that followed, and I remembered all the little details of them, this would have probably been a 5⭐️ read. Given that I'm not, I did lose focus sometimes but I can see how a true fan would be obsessed with the whole thing.
A must-read for anyone into video games, especially how one is produced or the history of the industry! Excellent for general enthusiasts and lovers of memoirs!
I listened to this on audio and it's so fantastic hearing Romero tell you his story himself!
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
I was definitely intrigued to start but at some point I got a little bored and distracted and lost my way a little bit — I was also reading this a lot while tired, but you could also argue that the book didn't capture my attention — so then by the end I wasn't sure I'd understood everything I was supposed to! I think it'll all make more sense as I work my way through the rest of the series, which I am definitely keen to do!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Edge of Here by Kelechi Okafor
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
3.5
Probably the best collection I've ever read in terms of concepts/scenarios but I wanted more from the execution. It felt like there was too much "tell" and not enough "show", too much hand-holding for my liking!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Slavery
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
I went into this (audio)book (from Libro.fm's ALC Program) with very low expectations and I guess that helped because I ended up really enjoying it.
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia and Stalking
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The Haunting Season: Nine Ghostly Tales for Long Winter Nights by Bridget Collins
adventurous
dark
mysterious
4.0
A solid collection of spooky, eerie stories. I had a lot of fun with this collection. Looking back at the contents page I remember each of the stories from the title, which is a great sign!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape
Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love by Huma Qureshi
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I really really liked this collection of stories. I just really connected with the writing and found some of the scenarios relatable or...is there a word for "you've not necessarily experienced the thing but you grok it hard"...? That.
I loved how accessible, and yet lovely, the writing was, I enjoyed the theme of love and relationships, especially cross-cultural romantic ones and those centred around motherhood, and I didn't often feel like: "I need more of this story!!" which is a common short story con for me.
My favourites were Too Much and Summer.
I loved how accessible, and yet lovely, the writing was, I enjoyed the theme of love and relationships, especially cross-cultural romantic ones and those centred around motherhood, and I didn't often feel like: "I need more of this story!!" which is a common short story con for me.
My favourites were Too Much and Summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault
The Running Man by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I spent a lot of this book bored and not caring about the main character at all...I still didn't really care about him come the end but I was more intrigued and curious to see how it all unfolded!
Also, obviously not a fan of the racial slurs used at all!
Also, obviously not a fan of the racial slurs used at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
Tar Baby by Toni Morrison
challenging
emotional
slow-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
A really solid read! I didn't know anything about Tar Baby going in, avoiding the blurb on the TSG page and the back of my book, and found myself quickly immersed, with the characters coming to life. As always when I get back to Morrison I'm like: "okkkkkurrr, now this is writing. Wow."
I didn't fully get the significance of everything, especially some of the more magical realism elements (I think that's what you'd call them), including the ending, but I was able to mostly follow everything and appreciated all of the main themes of the book.
I think my current Toni Morrison ranking is:
1. Song of Solomon
2. Sula
3. Tar Baby
4. The Bluest Eye
My Beloved reread — the only Morrison I'd read before starting this chronological read — is next!
I didn't fully get the significance of everything, especially some of the more magical realism elements (I think that's what you'd call them), including the ending, but I was able to mostly follow everything and appreciated all of the main themes of the book.
I think my current Toni Morrison ranking is:
1. Song of Solomon
2. Sula
3. Tar Baby
4. The Bluest Eye
My Beloved reread — the only Morrison I'd read before starting this chronological read — is next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury