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renlheffernan's reviews
707 reviews
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
dark
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me sob after finishing it, and I wasn't expecting to! I kind of knew what generally happens to Holden but I did not think it would affect me that greatly.
Holden Caulfield is one of those characters that really sticks with you, due to his strong narrative voice. You can't help but to root for the guy, even though he seems like a total prick.
Although he doesn't seem to change by the end, and there's none too much of an action packed plot to speak of, and the theme gets sort of muddled at the end, it was a great book and I understand why it became a classic.
I found that also some of the things did not age super well, which is kind of a given from books like this-- but if you look at in the context of it's time, and point out the issues of how it portrays certain groups of people, you can still have meaningful experience with the novel.
Holden Caulfield is one of those characters that really sticks with you, due to his strong narrative voice. You can't help but to root for the guy, even though he seems like a total prick.
Although he doesn't seem to change by the end, and there's none too much of an action packed plot to speak of, and the theme gets sort of muddled at the end, it was a great book and I understand why it became a classic.
I found that also some of the things did not age super well, which is kind of a given from books like this-- but if you look at in the context of it's time, and point out the issues of how it portrays certain groups of people, you can still have meaningful experience with the novel.
Disappear Doppelgänger Disappear by Matthew Salesses
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was one of the weirdest books I have ever read. Not necessarily weird in a bad way, or a problematic way, but just weird in general. I read it in about three to four sittings.
I gave it 3.5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it didn’t really blow me away.
Matt Kim was way too nonsensical for me. He seemed to make sense in his inner thoughts, but whenever he spoke it was just strangeness. I guess that was sort of the point? He was kind of unlikable; a cheater, a drunk, an inconsiderate guy.
I found the doppelgänger and disappearing stuff to be the most interesting. The way it was described had be invested in unraveling the mystery of it. Throughout the course of the novel, it became more and more apparent that disappearing had many meanings. It wasn’t explained why there were doppelgängers or why some people were disappearing, but it was fascinating!
I gave it 3.5 stars because I enjoyed it, but it didn’t really blow me away.
Matt Kim was way too nonsensical for me. He seemed to make sense in his inner thoughts, but whenever he spoke it was just strangeness. I guess that was sort of the point? He was kind of unlikable; a cheater, a drunk, an inconsiderate guy.
I found the doppelgänger and disappearing stuff to be the most interesting. The way it was described had be invested in unraveling the mystery of it. Throughout the course of the novel, it became more and more apparent that disappearing had many meanings. It wasn’t explained why there were doppelgängers or why some people were disappearing, but it was fascinating!
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor Detail was a riveting, short novella that I read in one sitting.
I found it fascinating reading something from slightly out of my comfort zone and outside my race/nationality. The two parts to this book were different, yet they had similarities if you looked closely.
I honestly wish it had delved more deeply into part two as the ending was very abrupt.
I found it fascinating reading something from slightly out of my comfort zone and outside my race/nationality. The two parts to this book were different, yet they had similarities if you looked closely.
I honestly wish it had delved more deeply into part two as the ending was very abrupt.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect with Cinder. I knew it was sci-fi and that Cinderella was a cyborg but that’s about it. I didn’t think I’d get so invested in the futuristic setting and the twist and turns it took from the fairytale version. I loved the characters and was rooting for Cinder the entire time.
Hirayasumi, Vol. 1 by Keigo Shinzo
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
dark
emotional
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
4.5
The Road was full of short, linear vignettes about a father and his son travelling through the wasteland in a dystopian future. Dark, bleak and haunting.
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0