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hgullegrogan's reviews
83 reviews
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-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
Through a winding tale of food, murder, love, and journalism, AY illustrates the complexity of human relationships and the chain reaction that small decisions can cause. I thoroughly enjoyed following Rika on her journey of grief, self-discovery, and culinary exploration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, and Death
Spiral by Kōji Suzuki
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-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
4.25
A very unique continuation of the story from the first book of the trilogy (Ring). It feels like something that would occur in the tv series, Fringe.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love this story! I generally expect scifi to be dry, but PHA is anything but dry. There are so many silly, light-hearted moments scattered throughout this time-sensitive, life-ending mission.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Th story is interesting and a bit of a mystery; I appreciate the introspective nature of the novel. I'm happy to see trichotillomania representation (and wish it was included in the movie adaptation). Overall, an interesting read that I plan to read again.
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
All the stories are entertaining, but a handful are great stories. I find it strange that 3 of the short stories seemingly exist in the same universe with the same cast of characters but which are packaged as separate entities. I like the author's writing style, but I feel that the short story format isn't the best presentation of these ideas.
Oh Honey by Emily Austin
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I like the writing style and the flow of short scenes bound together. But, the story itself was lackluster. I tend to quite enjoy EA's writing, so I'm a bit disappointed with this one.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed the story. Annie's voice is illuminating, and the ideas woven into this story are interesting to ponder. I have mixed feelings about the ending, which is why I didn't rate it higher.
I like that Annie earned her freedom, but I feel that Doug and Cody's characters did a complete 180 without the supporting proof of their character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
I appreciate the message of the book, but I found the story a bit bland. While some of the translation is a bit confusing, I enjoyed the read and light-hearted feel.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Edit: After taking a few weeks to process this novel, my feelings have changed a bit. I feel that Jude's traumatic backstory is unnecessarily graphic and absurd. The abuse he endured at the monastery would have been sufficient in providing context to his mindset, while sparing the reader. Some other reviewers feel that this novel panders to trauma-porn, and I have to agree. The sexual abuse described in graphic detail was troubling for me, and had a massive, negative impact on my mental health for days after reading this book. And, again, I don't feel that it was necessary. I do still feel that this book has had a significant impact on how I view my interpersonal relationships; and the voice of the novel shines in this respect. I appreciate how Yanagihara writes an unconventional relationship Jude and Willem's platonic-leaning, non-sexual relationship which serves as realistic representation of alternative relationship dynamics.
Unfortunately, due to the graphic nature of this novel, I feel that many will lose out on the interesting analysis of interpersonal relationships. But, ultimately, I feel that a potential reader should err on the side of caution with this book.
Original Review:
A Little Life is both genius--in the dimensionality of its characters and universe --and absolutely heartbreaking. This story emotionally destroyed me, but I believe that it will be one of the most impactful pieces I will ever read.
I'd first like to say that this book is extremely challenging to read due to the shocking, graphic content it contains. I would not recommend this story to anyone sensitive to graphic discussions of abuse, sexual violence, self mutilation, and suicide.
Despite the difficult content, Yanagihara has created a world and characters that are so authentic and believable that I feel that I have both known the characters and lived their lives--much like recalling my own memories.
Each of the primary 5 characters are governed by the false truths they learned as children. Jude's story is extreme, but the delineated parts of his life accentuate this idea.
A Little Life grants the reader both hope and desolation; that they have the power to instill goodness and happiness in others
'to an extent'. As much as we see the best in our loved ones, we cannot force them to see and believe it. We have the power to do our best for others, but it is ultimately their choice how they live.
The despair I felt when I realized the meaning behind this book's title broke my heart. I feel as if I have mourned myself through Jude (though our lives couldn't be more dissimilar). Jude's sense of self is mauled and disfigured by his past--a past that he knows to be horrendous--yet he cannot untangle himself from it.
Although Jude eventually dies by suicide, his time with Willem during "the happy years" instills the importance of deep connection that we build with others. Willem is both a secondary character and the primary protagonist with how he inspires kindness and compassion.
Despite the initially slow pace, Yanagihara's writing is so poetic and beautiful that I was immediately transfixed by the story. If you can handle the graphic content, you will feel joy, hope, grief, inspiration, heart break, pride, contentment, and sorrow.
You will feel as if you've lived a whole life within your own and grieved the loss of those you've never known. You will smile, laugh, and cry. You will likely see yourself or someone you know within these pages, and you will wonder what you can do better for those you love.
Unfortunately, due to the graphic nature of this novel, I feel that many will lose out on the interesting analysis of interpersonal relationships. But, ultimately, I feel that a potential reader should err on the side of caution with this book.
Original Review:
A Little Life is both genius--in the dimensionality of its characters and universe --and absolutely heartbreaking. This story emotionally destroyed me, but I believe that it will be one of the most impactful pieces I will ever read.
I'd first like to say that this book is extremely challenging to read due to the shocking, graphic content it contains. I would not recommend this story to anyone sensitive to graphic discussions of abuse, sexual violence, self mutilation, and suicide.
Despite the difficult content, Yanagihara has created a world and characters that are so authentic and believable that I feel that I have both known the characters and lived their lives--much like recalling my own memories.
Each of the primary 5 characters are governed by the false truths they learned as children. Jude's story is extreme, but the delineated parts of his life accentuate this idea.
A Little Life grants the reader both hope and desolation; that they have the power to instill goodness and happiness in others
'to an extent'. As much as we see the best in our loved ones, we cannot force them to see and believe it. We have the power to do our best for others, but it is ultimately their choice how they live.
The despair I felt when I realized the meaning behind this book's title broke my heart. I feel as if I have mourned myself through Jude (though our lives couldn't be more dissimilar). Jude's sense of self is mauled and disfigured by his past--a past that he knows to be horrendous--yet he cannot untangle himself from it.
Although Jude eventually dies by suicide, his time with Willem during "the happy years" instills the importance of deep connection that we build with others. Willem is both a secondary character and the primary protagonist with how he inspires kindness and compassion.
Despite the initially slow pace, Yanagihara's writing is so poetic and beautiful that I was immediately transfixed by the story. If you can handle the graphic content, you will feel joy, hope, grief, inspiration, heart break, pride, contentment, and sorrow.
You will feel as if you've lived a whole life within your own and grieved the loss of those you've never known. You will smile, laugh, and cry. You will likely see yourself or someone you know within these pages, and you will wonder what you can do better for those you love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
Minor: Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Vomit
The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm sure the point of this book is supposed to be more than, "work is strange and meaningless," but that's the gist of what I got from it. The main characters are uninteresting and 1 dimensional. The plot is boring. The most interesting stylistic choice was naming the main trio very similarly and not distinguishing their narratives; this made the surrealism of their workplace more concrete. Overall, this story gives a glimpse into the boring lives of people who work meaningless jobs.