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snugglor's reviews
656 reviews
Severance: The Lexington Letter by Anonymous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Okay, I actually really enjoyed this one. The narration was really good (even though I initially didn't think I liked the reader's voice) and I got really lost in the story.
Catherine was such a loveable protagonist, innocent of the ways of the world (due to being a bit sheltered), but firm in her sense of right and wrong and determined to do her best for her friends and family. Yes, other individualsdo take advantage of her naivety, but that is a display of their character rather than hers.
I was also surprised that this book was funny as fuck. Henry ripping the absolute piss out of Catherine on their trip to the Abbey, or Catherine working herself into such a tizzy that she becomes perhaps literature's firstcrime-junkie fake murder inventor are moments that will remain dear to my heart.
Catherine was such a loveable protagonist, innocent of the ways of the world (due to being a bit sheltered), but firm in her sense of right and wrong and determined to do her best for her friends and family. Yes, other individuals
I was also surprised that this book was funny as fuck. Henry ripping the absolute piss out of Catherine on their trip to the Abbey, or Catherine working herself into such a tizzy that she becomes perhaps literature's first
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Suspension of disbelief is required for this one because I did have fun reading this as a fluffy sapphic romance, but realistically if a couple had gone through what Charlotte and Brighton had gone through, the idea of them possibly rekindling their relationship would horrify me.
I Really Do by Emily K. Hardy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun and easy read with one of my favourite tropes (fake relationship).
A very tiny gripe is that it could have used another pass by an editor for minor grammar issues, and perhaps a UK-based reader for some things that read as extremely American and don't work in a UK context, but they don't detract from the story at all.
Overall, I enjoyed that the story made it clear to us early on that both women were into each other (even if one remained a bit clueless for longer) rather than keeping us in suspense as so many of these stories do, and instead built up the tension between the characters.
A very tiny gripe is that it could have used another pass by an editor for minor grammar issues, and perhaps a UK-based reader for some things that read as extremely American and don't work in a UK context, but they don't detract from the story at all.
Overall, I enjoyed that the story made it clear to us early on that both women were into each other (even if one remained a bit clueless for longer) rather than keeping us in suspense as so many of these stories do, and instead built up the tension between the characters.
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
I love seeing the witches at work, and seeing Granny Weatherwax at a low ebb because when Granny doesn't know what to do it does seem like problems are insurmountable.
The difference between the old guard and the new guard of vampires is important, and I think it says a lot about capitalism today as well.
The difference between the old guard and the new guard of vampires is important, and I think it says a lot about capitalism today as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed the mystery of this story even though it never gets solved (we never find out more information that our narrator has) , and I thought that the narrator's question of how many formative experiences can you miss and still be human is an interesting one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Kidnapping
Moderate: Cancer
The Sense of an Ending: The classic Booker Prize-winning novel by Julian Barnes
mysterious
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
2.0
This was not for me.
The prose is really beautiful at times, but the book comes across as an old man wallowing in his past, borderline harassing someone and thinking it's funny,admiring his friend's decision to commit suicide , and one character acting completely obtusely for no reason other than to maintain suspense, I guess.
The prose is really beautiful at times, but the book comes across as an old man wallowing in his past, borderline harassing someone and thinking it's funny,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Experienced by Kate Young
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A fun sapphic romcom with a great cast of supporting characters. Really enjoyable to read and disconnect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Maskerade by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A fun adventure as the beloved witches of Lancre discover the joys of opera.
I loved the lampooning of established musicals and the introduction of Agnes/Perdita as a potential new coven member.
I loved the lampooning of established musicals and the introduction of Agnes/Perdita as a potential new coven member.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
An interesting story from a sci-fi perspective, but also deeply frustrating from a feminist perspective.
It seems like a great concept, to have a planet of humans who are androgenous for three weeks of the month and who then spontaneously develop male or female genitals for their sexual cycle, and to look at the impact it has when anyone can become pregnant, when no one is particularly stronger than anyone else, when sexual assault is a non-issue. But this wasn't really explored as much as I thought it would be, and every single character defaulted to referring to everyone as "he" rather than "they", which was really annoying. I know LeGuin has since said she regretted this decision and I agree with her on this. It was a missed opportunity and colours how we imagine every character.
It seems like a great concept, to have a planet of humans who are androgenous for three weeks of the month and who then spontaneously develop male or female genitals for their sexual cycle, and to look at the impact it has when anyone can become pregnant, when no one is particularly stronger than anyone else, when sexual assault is a non-issue. But this wasn't really explored as much as I thought it would be, and every single character defaulted to referring to everyone as "he" rather than "they", which was really annoying. I know LeGuin has since said she regretted this decision and I agree with her on this. It was a missed opportunity and colours how we imagine every character.