theelliad's reviews
221 reviews

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

3.0

Genuinely forgot how deeply I love this series. This book felt like coming home in a way- an odd mix of cost and terrifying, peaceful and stressful, and known and unknown. The descriptions are beautifully written and I am surprised this series wasn’t more of a social reset! Anyways I’m excited for the next one 🕺

Constellations: A Play by Nick Payne

3.0

There is something quiet and profoundly beautiful with this story, it looks at love across the multiverse, grief and deterioration. Its a simple story and I cannot wait to see how it is brought to life

The Deadly Spark by Roxie Key

This is an excellent murder mystery exploring grief, family, love and revenge, with many twists. 

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

3.5

I’ve fluctuated greatly in my opinion of this book. While I completely agree that the concept of it is eternally clever and important, I’m just not a fan of the romance element. I thought the relationship was toxic and made uncomfortable (partially on purpose and partially not). I really do not like the whole pregnancy trope and I think parts of this book felt like they were written for a younger audience while others were rather horrific and adult! I really appreciate the unhappy ending as that felt more realistic and the dystopian esc setting is terrifyingly close to real racism which was interesting to explore. All in all this book was well written but not my favourite 

Cold Fish Soup by Adam Farrer

2.5

As far as course reads go this is was enjoyable. The narration is witty, sarcastic and full of moments that quite literally made me laugh out loud.   In terms of plot, there is none and yet this was still somehow engaging and clever. 

A Light Song of Light by Kei Miller

3.0

This is pretty poetry and has some really lovely moments. I think I will love it even more once I study it! 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

4.0

This book itself was a 3.5*, it beautifully addresses inequalities within the 60s interweaving a romance, grief, trust, parenthood and identity. My main complaint is it didn’t do any of these things enough- it almost did too much in that sense. Elizabeth is powerful and annoying just as I hoped and I really love her, though at times I must admit her naivety was frustrating. What really made this book something special was the interview with the author at the end of this audio version m. I love her confident and inclusive/intersectional approach to the issues of the boom as well as the clear personal experience and research she pours into the art of writing! 

Angels in America by Tony Kushner

5.0

I truly experienced every emotion through this play, hating parts of every character and yet praying for them, understanding the fundamental horror and yet finding the beauty. Kushners exploration of AIDS goes beyond just homophobia of the time; commenting upon race, religion, politics and gender and including simplistically poetic social commentaries which will stay with me for a long time. Watching the NT performance alongside this was also such a good idea- Andrew Garfield truly brings everything to Prior and the cast, set and costuming is all so perfect 

The Things We Do to Our Friends by Heather Darwent

4.0

A perfect start to dark academia season! This book is a perfect middle ground of the dislikable elite of the secret history and the drama and ya dynamics of if we were villains! The audiobook for this was so wacky which fed the obsession massively. This follows Clare a history of art student in edinburgh (YES I KNOW SCOTLAND) as her past and present mistakes are revealed, immersing the reader in scottish landscape/culture, teenage girlhood, violence, revenge and betrayal! My main complaint is the lack of any academia structuring- the university serves as the setting but not much more, there aren’t the clever references of TSH and IWWV hence the lower rating 

American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes

4.5

This is a stunning collection of poetry even more relevant in the wake of Trump's second attempt at presidency. I am OBSESSED with Hayes writing style and am so excited to study this one