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nadia's reviews
520 reviews
Chasing the Panther: Adventures and Misadventures of a Cinematic Life by Carolyn Pfeiffer
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
I really liked this memoir, which I listened to on audio! I didn't recognise the name Carolyn Pfeiffer at all — I just saw this book in the Libro.fm Advanced Lending Copy library and thought it sounded up my street. Goes to show how far I've come from a few years back where I thought to enjoy a memoir I had to be very familiar with the author's work.
Well, it was fun to hear all of the famous names Carolyn has come across/worked with during her career. I had no clue the story would be so star-studded. It was also super interesting learning about the development of the film industry in the 60s.
Not sure if this was my fault or the fault of the book, but I started to get distracted at points, couldn't remember who was who in some cases, and ultimately didn't fully connect emotionally with the story.
But it was all still very interesting. I wasn't really ever bored at all!
Well, it was fun to hear all of the famous names Carolyn has come across/worked with during her career. I had no clue the story would be so star-studded. It was also super interesting learning about the development of the film industry in the 60s.
Not sure if this was my fault or the fault of the book, but I started to get distracted at points, couldn't remember who was who in some cases, and ultimately didn't fully connect emotionally with the story.
But it was all still very interesting. I wasn't really ever bored at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infertility
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
emotional
reflective
4.0
A super solid collection of stories. I liked every single one...well...at least most of every single one. A fair few left me thinking: "What — it's over already? That's it? Really?" with respect to the ending...but on the whole, these characters and settings were great and I loved the writing. Looking forward to getting to one of Lahiri's novels.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A decent listen! Some things were a bit awkward/contrived, but that can sometimes be hard to avoid with a thriller of this sort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Infertility, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder
The Dragon Republic 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
So, I enjoyed this more than The Poppy War, but it was still a lil' struggle to keep on top of all of the different characters' histories, loyalties, motives, motivations, etc. But it felt like this one had a better pace on the whole and if I sat and thought through most of things I was presented with I could piece them together enough.
Much more intrigued to continue on to the next book!
Much more intrigued to continue on to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Rape, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Self harm
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A super quick, solid read, filled with great anecdotes and tidbits of business wisdom. A super easy-to-read informal, conversational tone!
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A really great collection! I was intrigued by all of the stories and I think this collection wins for the most unique series of concepts that I've encountered out of all of the collections I've read.
I loved the undercurrent of creepiness/eeriness and foreboding throughout. There was just something unsettling — in a good way — about it all. The writing was fab too.
Still, far too often a story ended rather too abruptly for me, especially after such slow, delicious build-up. I was left wanting more. My age-old problem with short stories, frankly!
I loved the undercurrent of creepiness/eeriness and foreboding throughout. There was just something unsettling — in a good way — about it all. The writing was fab too.
Still, far too often a story ended rather too abruptly for me, especially after such slow, delicious build-up. I was left wanting more. My age-old problem with short stories, frankly!
Shoko's Smile by Choi Eunyoung
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A super solid collection. Not a single story bored me though...I did hope for more from some!
I loved the focus on women and also themes of family, motherhood, culture, grief, and politics that were weaved throughout.
A couple of the stories I think didn't have as much emotional impact as I would have thought, or left me a little confused as to what I was meant to leave the story thinking, but I think it's because I read them distractedly/while tired, so I don't want to penalise the book for that! After all, reading reviews of others, it looks like nobody else was confused. 😅
I loved the focus on women and also themes of family, motherhood, culture, grief, and politics that were weaved throughout.
A couple of the stories I think didn't have as much emotional impact as I would have thought, or left me a little confused as to what I was meant to leave the story thinking, but I think it's because I read them distractedly/while tired, so I don't want to penalise the book for that! After all, reading reviews of others, it looks like nobody else was confused. 😅
The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron by Bethany McLean, Peter Elkind
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Very very good account of the Enron scandal. The definitive book on it, I'd say (having not read any others). (I watched the eponymous documentary almost a decade ago but didn't remember anything about it.)
At times, it got a little too slow or confusing (so many people!!), but I'm not sure if I can really blame the authors for this, as it was a complex thing! Given that, they did do so well to break it all down and overall I loved the detail.
Also, just wild what went on! Absolutely wild!
At times, it got a little too slow or confusing (so many people!!), but I'm not sure if I can really blame the authors for this, as it was a complex thing! Given that, they did do so well to break it all down and overall I loved the detail.
Also, just wild what went on! Absolutely wild!
Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe
informative
slow-paced
4.5
PRK is such a good writer. Even though some stories in this collection didn't hit as well, I was never bored! Even the Preface was gripping!
The variety and level of detail — all while remaining accessible and engaging — is so impressive. This was the nonfiction version of short stories and I loved it.
Looking forward to PRK's next book! The topic won't matter!
The variety and level of detail — all while remaining accessible and engaging — is so impressive. This was the nonfiction version of short stories and I loved it.
Looking forward to PRK's next book! The topic won't matter!
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
I loved this book, but it looks like I didn't mark it as 'read'/leave a rating on GR when I read it and I don't remember now to know what to put, but it'd be a 4-5 star read for sure!