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varaht's reviews
133 reviews
Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 4 by Gege Akutami
dark
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney, Robyn Smith
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend by Jessica Cage
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book was awful.
Do not recommend.
If you're intending to read this because you saw the Broadway play or the movie, be forewarned: it's absolutely nothing like that.
None of the characters are likeable.
Oz is described incredibly unappealing.
The descriptions of everything and everyone is extremely crass.
A note on the narrator: his line readings and inflections make getting through this 100% more difficult to trudge through. It's a wonder it hasn't been re-recorded since 1995 because he simply does a poor job of writing an already unappealing story.
This book didn't need to be written.
Do not recommend.
If you're intending to read this because you saw the Broadway play or the movie, be forewarned: it's absolutely nothing like that.
None of the characters are likeable.
Oz is described incredibly unappealing.
The descriptions of everything and everyone is extremely crass.
A note on the narrator: his line readings and inflections make getting through this 100% more difficult to trudge through. It's a wonder it hasn't been re-recorded since 1995 because he simply does a poor job of writing an already unappealing story.
This book didn't need to be written.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was way better than I expected!
I originally read it because I started watching the Hulu series. But I didn't realize just how much was adapted from such a short book.
But just because it's short, doesn't mean it's rushed. Yu hits the point on the minute details of the Asian-American experience from multiple backgrounds and POVs and perfectly weaves together the history of Asian immigration in the US. He examines each stereotype and directs why they exist, how they came to be, the obstacles in breaking it, and why they still remain.
The courtroom scene where he has Older Brother and Turner breakdown the relationship of Black and White to Asians and how Willis views himself should be taught. It presents the thesis, examines internalized bias both of the self and the other, provides historical precedent, then strips away the costume while putting the Willis in stage to judge himself.
I'm absolutely going to read this again and further examine the dynamics. Highly recommend reading for all readers of all genres.
I originally read it because I started watching the Hulu series. But I didn't realize just how much was adapted from such a short book.
But just because it's short, doesn't mean it's rushed. Yu hits the point on the minute details of the Asian-American experience from multiple backgrounds and POVs and perfectly weaves together the history of Asian immigration in the US. He examines each stereotype and directs why they exist, how they came to be, the obstacles in breaking it, and why they still remain.
The courtroom scene where he has Older Brother and Turner breakdown the relationship of Black and White to Asians and how Willis views himself should be taught. It presents the thesis, examines internalized bias both of the self and the other, provides historical precedent, then strips away the costume while putting the Willis in stage to judge himself.
I'm absolutely going to read this again and further examine the dynamics. Highly recommend reading for all readers of all genres.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
A good ending