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angieoverbooked's reviews
496 reviews
Symptomatic by Danzy Senna
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Where Did You Sleep Last Night?: A Personal History by Danzy Senna
4.0
This is very much a “report” of Senna’s parental relationships and what she learned about her family history while writing this book. It’s not a particularly vulnerable or emotional memoir but provides a great amount of insight into Senna’s view of her identity and the themes and plots that show up in her fiction work.
Exposure by Ava Dellaira
emotional
reflective
tense
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
This story, or really a collage of stories that eventually blend together, completely pulled me in and I could not stop reading it. It’s ideal for readers who like (or don’t mind) several shifts in perspective and timelines.
There is a strong theme of grief, which was clear from the beginning, but this developed to be even more emotional and complex than I expected. It’s a very compelling illustration of how opposing ideas and experiences can be simultaneously true. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
There is a strong theme of grief, which was clear from the beginning, but this developed to be even more emotional and complex than I expected. It’s a very compelling illustration of how opposing ideas and experiences can be simultaneously true. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can count on Senna for unexpected, can’t-look-away stories that consistently center biracial protagonists. I was in the middle of an author study of her when I got this and, wow, did I feel lucky. I’ve read five of her books this year and this upcoming release is the best yet.
Give me a Gen X woman who might quietly unravel at any moment and I will eat it up. (I am a Gen X woman but I’m not implying anything about me personally, I just like to read about this okay.)
Jane is working on her second novel while living in luxury for a year while her family house-sits for a long time friend and tv writer. When her book plans get derailed, she aims for Hollywood and a riveting ride begins.
This book entranced me. I love the meta-ness of a novel about novel writing. It’s commentary on race, class, marriage and parenthood which all sounds so serious…but it’s also a comedy…that merges into a thriller? I don’t know but I’m just telling you, it worked for me.
Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta
5.0
I don't know how I came across this, but I am glad I did because I loved it. As someone who took film studies courses in high school and college, it just really worked for me. It felt very disjointed at first but, it came together eventually. It made me want to be back in one of those classes, talking about movies that I didn't always understand but also couldn't stop thinking about.
And the audio is brilliant.
And the audio is brilliant.
Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood by Jay Ellis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
I really like Jay Ellis so I was excited to check this out.
This is described as a vulnerable memoir... but it's not deeply vulnerable, and Ellis himself says in the first chapter, "This ain't a memoir. I haven't lived enough life for that. This is a book filled with vignettes of childhood."
He shares interesting coming-of-age stories, and the lessons learned from them. But I'll be way more interested in a true memoir that covers more of his life and adulthood and is more vulnerable and insightful.
I did like the '80s and '90s references as an '80s/'90s kid myself and pop culture lover.
This is described as a vulnerable memoir... but it's not deeply vulnerable, and Ellis himself says in the first chapter, "This ain't a memoir. I haven't lived enough life for that. This is a book filled with vignettes of childhood."
He shares interesting coming-of-age stories, and the lessons learned from them. But I'll be way more interested in a true memoir that covers more of his life and adulthood and is more vulnerable and insightful.
I did like the '80s and '90s references as an '80s/'90s kid myself and pop culture lover.
Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I knew from Villavicencio's nonfiction, the Undocumented Americans, that her narrative writing skills were top tier so learning about her upcoming novel thrilled me. It did not disappoint!
This was everything- vulnerable, messy, insightful, funny, unsettling, devastating.
I will remember Catalina for a long, long time.
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
This was everything- vulnerable, messy, insightful, funny, unsettling, devastating.
I will remember Catalina for a long, long time.
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green
5.0
This is an excellent, compelling, and memorable collection. Quite ordinary characters living ordinary lives, but extraordinary and fascinating things happen to them. I definitely recommend this for fans of short stories. I plan to re-read several of them.