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srosen930's reviews
81 reviews
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
2.0
- Descriptive, yet too much at a lot of parts. Got distracting from the plot.
-Good Character building
-Seems to examine a lot of EDI topics, but seemed to do it at parts for the sake of looking and being inclusive and diverse while it not adding to the story whatsoever.
-Good with environmental descriptions
-Short chapters, good for breaks
-Good Character building
-Seems to examine a lot of EDI topics, but seemed to do it at parts for the sake of looking and being inclusive and diverse while it not adding to the story whatsoever.
-Good with environmental descriptions
-Short chapters, good for breaks
Fruit Mansion by Sam Herschel Wein
4.0
Im not much of a poetry reader, I would like to clarify; however, I was a creative writing minor and focused on writing poems throughout college. I can say that reading this chapbook was very refreshing. The imagery evoked by these poems are illuminating and inspiring.
The language is imaginative, yet direct. At times, it was a little hard to follow, but that can be because I am out of practice. But, I would definitely make this my "go-to" poem book.
The language is imaginative, yet direct. At times, it was a little hard to follow, but that can be because I am out of practice. But, I would definitely make this my "go-to" poem book.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
4.0
-The most attention grabbing aspect about this book is the language. Very gritty, purposeful, and creative. The author clearly has mastered his tone of voice. (My first S.G.J. book I've read).
-Some scenes are SUPER brutal, and I usually can handle gore and violence. If you're not one to handle extreme gory descriptions, this book may not be for you. But, I always consider it a huge success if an author can evoke any emotion out of their readers successfully, and Jones' very much did that.
-Due to the experimental nature of the prose, it can get a little confusing at times, as the perspective changes from third to second person frequently. But, the use of second person is well executed in this novel, where YOU (the reader) become the creature seeking revenge. However, that starts up half way into the book, abruptly, which threw me off a bit.
-The title is...interesting, as it draws upon a racist saying about Indigenous People, but...it kinda works with the plot of the story?? I'm very conflicted about how I feel about it.
-Some scenes are SUPER brutal, and I usually can handle gore and violence. If you're not one to handle extreme gory descriptions, this book may not be for you. But, I always consider it a huge success if an author can evoke any emotion out of their readers successfully, and Jones' very much did that.
-Due to the experimental nature of the prose, it can get a little confusing at times, as the perspective changes from third to second person frequently. But, the use of second person is well executed in this novel, where YOU (the reader) become the creature seeking revenge. However, that starts up half way into the book, abruptly, which threw me off a bit.
-The title is...interesting, as it draws upon a racist saying about Indigenous People, but...it kinda works with the plot of the story?? I'm very conflicted about how I feel about it.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5.0
Everything about this book was close to perfect for me. I was emotionally invested. The social commentary on how outcasts in society are treated by most is spot on. This book had amazing messages at its core, such as the nuances to one's nature (one isn't born a certain way, it depends on how you act upon your instincts), surviving vs. truly living your life, all people have special abilities no matter limitations, etc.
Storytelling was just insanely perfect. I loved the tone of voice. The character development and descriptions were great.
I will always and forever recommend this book to others. I look forward to reading more of Klune's work.
Storytelling was just insanely perfect. I loved the tone of voice. The character development and descriptions were great.
I will always and forever recommend this book to others. I look forward to reading more of Klune's work.
Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden
5.0
Very down to earth, real and emotional characters. Tillie writes to evoke emotion, and Tillie has succeeded again. The art and colors of the graphic novel is superb (what I love most about the book).
The Echoed Realm by A.J. Vrana
5.0
Thank you A.J. Vrana for reaching out to me and sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
What a fantastic way to sum up this duology. What originally drew me into A.J.'s book was the use of gritty dialogue, suspense, and plot's originality. This book continues using all those elements in great ways.
I really appreciated a more in-depth character development, as well as world building. Particularly in terms of character development, I loved that we not only get to know more about Kai, Mia, and Mason, but we also get to know more about the relationships between them. A lot of the relationships can get convoluted, and if you're like me and forget things super easily, it's best to keep notes.
This book is darker than the first, which I don't mind, but I know that some may appreciate knowing. Scenes can get a bit unsettling, some mention of gore, and sensitive themes.
All in all, great ending to the series. Im sad to see it end, but know that A.J. will create more amazing work in the future. Great work!
What a fantastic way to sum up this duology. What originally drew me into A.J.'s book was the use of gritty dialogue, suspense, and plot's originality. This book continues using all those elements in great ways.
I really appreciated a more in-depth character development, as well as world building. Particularly in terms of character development, I loved that we not only get to know more about Kai, Mia, and Mason, but we also get to know more about the relationships between them. A lot of the relationships can get convoluted, and if you're like me and forget things super easily, it's best to keep notes.
This book is darker than the first, which I don't mind, but I know that some may appreciate knowing. Scenes can get a bit unsettling, some mention of gore, and sensitive themes.
All in all, great ending to the series. Im sad to see it end, but know that A.J. will create more amazing work in the future. Great work!
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
3.0
From what I remember, the book tried to be organized, but I did not find it that way. It was a lot of stream-of-consciousness writing, where I was hoping for more research based back up.
However, there were a lot of points that I related to with this book, especially with excessive use of social media and the causes on someone's mental health. It also touched upon the news cycle, and how we all like to get caught up in it to the point where we start to feel a huge weight on our shoulders.
However, there were a lot of points that I related to with this book, especially with excessive use of social media and the causes on someone's mental health. It also touched upon the news cycle, and how we all like to get caught up in it to the point where we start to feel a huge weight on our shoulders.
Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin
2.0
2.5 stars
I was VERY interested in this topic as a lot of queer spaces are declining as LGBTQ+ people are gaining acceptable in the greater society.
While the author touches on some points related to that topic, it was more of a narrative about all the boys he met in bars and clubs, and his personal experience. I would have liked to hear a lot more about why these bars are going away and what we can do to stop this phenomenon.
The book is split up by chapters that alternate between bars in London and California. I live in Chicago, and often literature overlooks Boystown here, which is a pretty vibrant scene. The biggest gay club (in square footage) is in Kansas (I believe, please don’t quote me...but I know it’s a Bible Belt state). NYC scene?? Hello?? I think the author would have benefited if his scope was broadened elsewhere other than the places where he lived. There are so many great communities that have queer spaces.
I liked the author’s tone of voice, though. He does have a real talent for writing.
I was VERY interested in this topic as a lot of queer spaces are declining as LGBTQ+ people are gaining acceptable in the greater society.
While the author touches on some points related to that topic, it was more of a narrative about all the boys he met in bars and clubs, and his personal experience. I would have liked to hear a lot more about why these bars are going away and what we can do to stop this phenomenon.
The book is split up by chapters that alternate between bars in London and California. I live in Chicago, and often literature overlooks Boystown here, which is a pretty vibrant scene. The biggest gay club (in square footage) is in Kansas (I believe, please don’t quote me...but I know it’s a Bible Belt state). NYC scene?? Hello?? I think the author would have benefited if his scope was broadened elsewhere other than the places where he lived. There are so many great communities that have queer spaces.
I liked the author’s tone of voice, though. He does have a real talent for writing.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
5.0
Close to bringing tears to my eyes, it was a beautiful story about a Vietnamese boy struggling to find a way to come out to his mom. There is a language barrier/cultural expectation that the Main Character has to cross, and he is very nervous and tends to hide in the stories he reads.
This book is extremely imaginative and the illustrations are wonderful. The narrative is wonderful. Can't think of a negative criticism for this book.
This book is extremely imaginative and the illustrations are wonderful. The narrative is wonderful. Can't think of a negative criticism for this book.