yaizacanopoli's reviews
224 reviews

A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir by Daisy Hernández

Go to review page

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

Go to review page

adventurous dark inspiring sad tense fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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

The plotting in this book is marvellous. There are plot twists upon plot twists and all of the secrets come together to be revealed in a really satisfying way. The exploration of women's mental health and lesbian desire in the 19th Century also felt valuable and kept me hooked. However, I do want to point out that the characters make a lot of offensive statements throughout the novel. The statements and sentiments are historically accurate, so I believe the author was trying to be realistic, but it was still uncomfortable to read. These statements include homophobia, racism, sexism and a whole lot of ableism, particularly regarding mental illnesses and physical disabilities. I am not sure if I admire that the author didn't shy away from the horrible things people said and did in Victorian England or if I'm disgusted that she chose to include them to such an extent.
Eating Chilli Crab in the Anthropocene by Matthew Schneider-Mayerson

Go to review page

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

This book is offers a great overview of different ways the environment is impacted in Singapore and the many industries that contribute to climate change. What I loved is that it doesn't just discuss the problems we face, but hones in on and emphasises possible solutions too. Even if you're not based in Singapore, this is a really good book to read if you're curious about the world's future in a heating climate and how we can avoid catastrophe.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Go to review page

Did not finish book.
The writing is way too cringy.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Actual perfection.
The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The best thing about this book is the island setting, paired with the absolutely magical writing style. I wasn't always a huge fan of the characters, particularly in the middle section of the book, but I can see why the author chose to develop them a certain way. This is ultimately a really engrossing tale of family, grief, love and home, which completely transports you to a world as real as it is fantastical.