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challenging
emotional
medium-paced
My Dad recommended this book to me before he died, so it had a lot of emotional significance to me, particularly as Liesel's relationships with Papa and Max were so fatherly and loving. I have tried to be objective in my review nonetheless, and this story deserves credit outside of this personal sphere as a genuinely fantastic novel.
I loved Liesel's passion and enthusiasm for language throughout. Her artistic mind would mirror that of any bookworm reader, and her friendships detailed their character development. The plot was both informative and interesting - understanding of how WWII may have affected the German people. There were so many beautiful quotes in this story that my entire copy is now stained with pencil underlines and tears.
My only criticism is the time it took for me to become absorbed in this tale, as Death's narrative POV and writing style took a while to get used to.
I loved Liesel's passion and enthusiasm for language throughout. Her artistic mind would mirror that of any bookworm reader, and her friendships detailed their character development. The plot was both informative and interesting - understanding of how WWII may have affected the German people. There were so many beautiful quotes in this story that my entire copy is now stained with pencil underlines and tears.
My only criticism is the time it took for me to become absorbed in this tale, as Death's narrative POV and writing style took a while to get used to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, War
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I was recommended this book as "one to read in the sun" by a close friend who shares my interest in emotional, reflective reads. Miranda Cowley Heller writes a powerful monologue on motherhood and living with multiple forms of trauma. This novel is a difficult read, but one which inspires the importance of the people around us, and encourages us to question who we love and what we would do for them.
Knowledge can be power, but it can also be poison.
There is no such thing as unforgivable between people who love each other. But even as I'm thinking it, I know it's not really true.
Although the ending of this book was a little underwhelming, this captures the nature of this book, demonstrating that whatever we do (or do not do), life continues. Set in a cycle of summers and the Paper Palace, we follow our protagonist as she describes her family, their flaws and losses; as she reflects on her traumatic past.
I wonder if he would love me if he could see inside my head - the pettiness, the dirty linen of my thoughts, the terrible things I have done.
I did not find this book as gripping, powerful, or 'lifechanging' as I had hoped, but would recommend to someone who enjoys a similar writing style.
The passage of time bought only a messy tangle of branches, marking my failure to heal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I read this book as part of a summer romance reading challenge, having heard a lot of positive reviews online for Tessa Bailey's writing style. I am going to warn anyone who does not like a smutty or steamy books to AVOID; I got way more than I bargained for with this one. Although this did impact my enjoyment of this story (I like to read the sexual tension not the graphic detail), the narrative arc and the writing style do deserve praise.
Danger in a man can be exciting to a woman, until it's not anymore, then it's shattering.
Bailey constructed a gripping narrative, with predictable but breath-taking twists where our characters are forced to make tough decisions which as readers we would not want to make. Bailey's world-building and setting descriptions were beautiful, naturally talented, and engaged a reader's imagination.
There was a ghost between them, and a ring on his finger, and all of it needed resolving first.
[...] making her close her eyes, press her forehead to the tile wall, and ask God, very politely, to bring this stubborn man home safely.
Overall, this story had a good level of tension and tellability, but the sexual content was too severe for me to enjoy, the characterisation was a little uncomfortable, and the plot predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
funny
fast-paced
I read this book as a buddy read with someone new to reading, who wanted a short and bizarre book to keep them engaged. I don't really think this novel met the criteria, with a slightly difficult writing style for a beginner and an exaggerated title/blurb. Although I found this book witty and certain lines striking; I was fairly bored and did not feel compelled to finish it (the ending was not greatly worth the effort anyway.) I want to give this book the benefit of the doubt and the conditions I read it in, crediting the hilarious anecdotes and comical female gaze, but I cannot say more for it than that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A beautiful fable about a beautiful mother hen. Sprout's character shines through each decision she makes throughout her tale creating a sweet and heart-warming reaction from the reader. I loved the humble and soothing context of the story, which still contained powerful discourse on motherhood. With sweet illustrations and characterisation, this was the perfect read for a weekend in nature.
"That's all there is to it. We look different, so we don't understand each other's inner thoughts, but we cherish each other in our own way. I respect you."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I chose this book to read during pride month, which turned out perfectly as the narrative time frame of this novel. This coming-of-age story encapsulates the experience of being a teen perfectly; questioning the world around us, our bodies, our friendships, our identities, and our first loves.
"I want to fall in love, and be broken up with, and get pissed, and grieve, and fall in love all over again."
The narrative voice was so brilliantly portrayed as a teen that I (as an adult) often felt uncomfortable reading, having learnt the lessons Felix is still learning. I would have enjoyed this much more when I was younger, and I am grateful young people have stories such as these, discussing the topics foregrounded in this book. I am sure many young people would feel less alone.
"Instead of excitement at the thought of doing anything I want, I am filled with anxiety. There's too many options, too many opportunities."
Overall, a very fun and educational read, but clearly targeted for a younger audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing
Moderate: Homophobia
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
I chose this book as a short read to pass the time and relax between exams today, and TJR has once again taken my breath away. I have never become so attached to characters in such a short space of time, reading this short story. I have never cried at a short story before, but TJR's words work fantastically in epistolary fiction and dialogue. I would recommend as an introduction to TJR's emotive writing style, because I cannot imagine reading this and remaining objective. It is truly beautiful.
"It is funny the crazy things our brains make up to save us from the truth."
"I’m not quite the man I pretend to be, and she’s certainly not the woman I thought she was."
"I feel like the girl at the party nobody wants to dance with. There I am, hoping someone might choose me, while the rest of the world goes on dancing."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy