janson's reviews
300 reviews

Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte

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dark funny sad fast-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

2.0

The darkness turned and twisted, darkening ever still... too much and too long, which is surely the point but, while recognizable, isn't for me.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

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funny reflective sad fast-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

4.0

The conceit was simple, but executed well — my only wish was for more of her wishes, beyond reported pull quotes. 
My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist by Mark Leyner

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Fever dream word salad siphoned through gastronomic LSD, not for me.
The Book of George by Kate Greathead

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funny sad fast-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

4.0

Unnerving, I couldn't put it down despite the gnawing distaste intertwined with growing recognition. Now cough, and exhale.
Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans

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emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.0

Naturally less polished, the first one, but no less grounded.
Exhibit by R.O. Kwon

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challenging emotional tense slow-paced
  • 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? Yes

3.0

Stinting. Clear there was much going on behind the page, but with no access, this reader was left wanting.
Pomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

3.0

Begun deep in the muck, heartfelt and baring, but stayed stuck in there... squatted in the interior, which is perhaps the point, but felt long and drawn out. Which is also, perhaps, likely, the point.
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

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funny reflective tense fast-paced
  • 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

5.0

Deliciously smart, with a burnt edge prescient and too familiar in this nearly-there Trumpian redux.
Dearborn by Ghassan Zeineddine

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emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • 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

5.0

Achingly relevant wrought iron windows into another world so close and yet so far.
Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? by Kathleen Collins

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

There's something there, but not enough. Precise word choice but nothing to grab a hold of, the stories less stories mostly fleeting vignettes and impressions.