dimeryrene's reviews
118 reviews

Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw by Eddie Ndopu

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challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

3.5

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The Employees by Olga Ravn

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dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a really cool book in which an entity is interviewing employees on a spaceship, but human and humanoid. It was a little confusing, but I loved it nonetheless. The answers to interview questions are relayed in employee statements, but we don't know which ones are human or humanoid unless the employee mentions it. There are objects on this ship which make the employees feel happy/sad, but we don't necessarily know what they are. At some point, the productivity on the ship takes a hit and the powers that be have to decide if it's because of the humans or the humanoids. It's not really an us vs. them story, but something is definitely off. 
Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo

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dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has a lot to say about parenthood, and especially motherhood, and the division of labor inside the home. We follow four couples in a new government-run apartment complex. Each couple was chosen to move in and they've all sworn to have three children in ten years and raise them communally with the other couples. Of course, opinions vary on how to rear children, how to be the best wife/husband/neighbor. There's a clear lack of boundaries and no one minds their own business, all by design. 
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wolf, Willow, Witch by Freydís Moon

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Unfortunately this author led readers to believe they were a Latine and Trans. This is not the case. This author is a white woman. I liked this book and her previous works, but will not be reading anymore. 
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

The World Record Book of Racist Stories by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar

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challenging emotional funny fast-paced

4.25

I loved this book! The sisters tell stories wonderfully and with such fun tones despite how absolutely horrible they are. I really feel for them and how stupid, rude, and racists people can be. I hate it for them, but I'm thankful they shared so many stories. There's so many stories, they just all fly by so fast, so I think this is worth a re-read or a re-listen. I loved the extra audiobook things. Worth the format for sure! 
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Really liked this re-telling! There were a few updated moments and a few fierce moments which gave the characters more depth. I liked a lot of the history built into this story since it takes place a few hundred years after the Cinderella we know. 
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

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challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Need to reread. Very confusing. Did love the ending though, so there's that!