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nprtotebag's reviews
166 reviews
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
4.0
An unforgettable read from high school. Filled me with utter dread. I'd say it's time for a reread!
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2.0
Parts of this stood out to me - her comments on female anger and aggressiveness in particular. However, to me, Adichie doesn’t really say anything new (although perhaps she did when this was published in 2012). In fact, there’s a distinctly cisnormative tone to this book (“Men and women...have different hormones and different sexual organs and different biological abilities”), and my recently learned knowledge that Adichie defended J.K Rowling’s transphobia tainted this entire reading experience.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
4.0
I am a simple gal. Movie Howl attractive. Therefore, Movie better.
I'll admit, I think the book did a better job with making both characters more complex, especially Sophie. I absolutely loved how in the book, Sophie has an affinity for doing magic. I also appreciated how Howl was a massive womanizer in the books (rather than it just being a false reputation, as it is in the movie). I think it made him a bit more interesting. Unfortunately, it made him a lot less charming. The writing itself was also well done, though it was hard to keep track of the characters (there are many more in the book than in the movie).
That being said, I just love the movie too much. Even though Miyazaki did remove some of the plot details and complexity from the characters in the book, the beauty of the movie and its simplicity is what I love about it. I will also forever be obsessed with the romance between Sophie and Howl and how the movie portrayed it.
I'll admit, I think the book did a better job with making both characters more complex, especially Sophie. I absolutely loved how in the book, Sophie has an affinity for doing magic. I also appreciated how Howl was a massive womanizer in the books (rather than it just being a false reputation, as it is in the movie). I think it made him a bit more interesting. Unfortunately, it made him a lot less charming. The writing itself was also well done, though it was hard to keep track of the characters (there are many more in the book than in the movie).
That being said, I just love the movie too much. Even though Miyazaki did remove some of the plot details and complexity from the characters in the book, the beauty of the movie and its simplicity is what I love about it. I will also forever be obsessed with the romance between Sophie and Howl and how the movie portrayed it.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
5.0
I can tell when I like a book because I can’t put it down. That being said...I read this in a day. OOPS
Adichie does an amazing job in conveying the sense of otherness Ifemelu and Obinze feel in the US and London, respectively. It was incredibly enlightening to get to see the US through the eyes of Ifemelu, as she made observations and struggled with cultural aspects I had (obviously) never thought about. Ifemelu and Obinze’s romance was understated - it didn’t really feel like the main focus of the book - yet powerful, and I rooted for them throughout the book.
My only complaint is that the frequent flashbacks were often a bit hard to keep track of. Otherwise, fantastic read.
Adichie does an amazing job in conveying the sense of otherness Ifemelu and Obinze feel in the US and London, respectively. It was incredibly enlightening to get to see the US through the eyes of Ifemelu, as she made observations and struggled with cultural aspects I had (obviously) never thought about. Ifemelu and Obinze’s romance was understated - it didn’t really feel like the main focus of the book - yet powerful, and I rooted for them throughout the book.
My only complaint is that the frequent flashbacks were often a bit hard to keep track of. Otherwise, fantastic read.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
5.0
YES! I love a good epic, and this was no exception!
With a story filled with characters and events that span such a long period of time, Lee’s to-the-point writing gave much needed clarity. She managed to include time jumps in a way that maintained some suspense after big events, while quickly following up on those events.
There are a LOT of characters in this book, and while I certainly connected to some more than others, I still rooted for all of them.
With a story filled with characters and events that span such a long period of time, Lee’s to-the-point writing gave much needed clarity. She managed to include time jumps in a way that maintained some suspense after big events, while quickly following up on those events.
There are a LOT of characters in this book, and while I certainly connected to some more than others, I still rooted for all of them.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
5.0
Gave me everything I want from a fantasy book - a richly detailed world, incredible female characters, and a story so immersive I could hardly pull myself from it. This book starts slow, it eases you in, but before you know it your eyes are glued to the pages and its completion feels like coming out of a particularly realistic dream. So glad I got around to reading this one.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
5.0
thoughts:
the lighthouse section >>> (brought the entire book to another level)
I love Lily Briscoe
father/daughter, father/son relationships, the fine line between loving and hating a parent
james' and cam's silent sibling pact (because relatable)
the dinner party
the death reveals....
this book gets easier to read as you get into it and get used to the writing style. stream of consciousness takes practice, i guess. i intend to read more of woolf's works in the future and i think, knowing her style now, i'll be better prepared from the beginning
at times during reading this it feels like the characters blend together, becoming vessels for woolf's messages. this highlights the sort of dissociative, dream-like feeling i get from the book, and how the thoughts and actions and feelings of each person all blend together to create relationships
the lighthouse section >>> (brought the entire book to another level)
I love Lily Briscoe
father/daughter, father/son relationships, the fine line between loving and hating a parent
james' and cam's silent sibling pact (because relatable)
the dinner party
the death reveals....
this book gets easier to read as you get into it and get used to the writing style. stream of consciousness takes practice, i guess. i intend to read more of woolf's works in the future and i think, knowing her style now, i'll be better prepared from the beginning
at times during reading this it feels like the characters blend together, becoming vessels for woolf's messages. this highlights the sort of dissociative, dream-like feeling i get from the book, and how the thoughts and actions and feelings of each person all blend together to create relationships