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judyylino's reviews
81 reviews
Luster by Raven Leilani
2.0
Luster is a novel that follows the life of a young black woman in her early 20s and involved herself with a a white man in an open marriage, and as a result she ended up meeting his wife and their black adopted daughter.
I was looking forward to reading and enjoying this as the synopsis of this novel seemed really interesting and promising to delve into her life and her character. To learn about the hell that is being a woman in her 20s. It started out really strong, and I was really into this messy character who's not so pristine and perfect, who's not written to be idolized.
However, I really struggled to connect with the characters, and I believe it's because this was written mostly like an essay, too matter-of-factly and devoid of emotions, although it touches on really important and sensitive subjects.
This had such an intriguing and unique premise. It's a shame that it wasn't executed in the way that fit it.
I was looking forward to reading and enjoying this as the synopsis of this novel seemed really interesting and promising to delve into her life and her character. To learn about the hell that is being a woman in her 20s. It started out really strong, and I was really into this messy character who's not so pristine and perfect, who's not written to be idolized.
However, I really struggled to connect with the characters, and I believe it's because this was written mostly like an essay, too matter-of-factly and devoid of emotions, although it touches on really important and sensitive subjects.
This had such an intriguing and unique premise. It's a shame that it wasn't executed in the way that fit it.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Waking them up to make change. A word that was so often mentioned, that the author wanted to drill into her readers minds. Change and taking actions because your rights are not taken but rather given, change to educate oneself and continue seeking knowledge, change to help one another rather than "mind your business" mentality, change to learn a new skill that will make you useful to yourself and society in order to survive and to continue seeking change to adapt to this ever changing planet.
Change, because the good old days aren't going to coke back if you continue to sit idly.
This was such a eye opening read that will continue to haunt me as long a live. Octavia E. Butler, what a brilliant woman you are
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
The Parable of the Sower is a post apocalyptic book that is set between 2024 and 2027 in a world that not that much different that ours. What drew me to this book is when a lot of people said that Butler predicted the LA fires that happened a few months ago and I found that really intriguing. Turns out that wasn't the only thing that she has predicted, impressively so, since this was written in the 90s.
We get to see the events through Lauren Olamina's eyes who has hyperempathy, a condition that makes her prone to feeling others pains and pleasure whether on not she was responsible for it and lived in a neighborhood who was only protected by its walls and its residents because of the lack of trust they have in the police and high crimes rate. We get to know different people who have different backgrounds, ethnicity, race, political stance, skills and education. And together they formed a unison and a community where they can rely on each other and learn from one another.
We get to see the events through Lauren Olamina's eyes who has hyperempathy, a condition that makes her prone to feeling others pains and pleasure whether on not she was responsible for it and lived in a neighborhood who was only protected by its walls and its residents because of the lack of trust they have in the police and high crimes rate. We get to know different people who have different backgrounds, ethnicity, race, political stance, skills and education. And together they formed a unison and a community where they can rely on each other and learn from one another.
"When civilization fails to serve, it must disintegrate unless it is acted upon by unifying internal or external forces."
Climate change, modern day slavery, arson, poverty, high crime rate, water and food scarcity, rape, domestic abuse, child marriage and more are all subjects that were so heavily discussed through events that are so brutal and painful and were recounted in a simple yet unfiltered manner and I think that was in hopes of waking people up.
"Some middle class men prove they’re men by having a lot of wives in temporary or permanent relationships. Some upper class men prove they’re men by having one wife and a lot of beautiful, disposable young servant girls. Nasty. When the girls get pregnant, if their rich employers won’t protect them, the employers’ wives throw them out to starve."
Waking them up to make change. A word that was so often mentioned, that the author wanted to drill into her readers minds. Change and taking actions because your rights are not taken but rather given, change to educate oneself and continue seeking knowledge, change to help one another rather than "mind your business" mentality, change to learn a new skill that will make you useful to yourself and society in order to survive and to continue seeking change to adapt to this ever changing planet.
Change, because the good old days aren't going to coke back if you continue to sit idly.
This was such a eye opening read that will continue to haunt me as long a live. Octavia E. Butler, what a brilliant woman you are
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
2.25
What was supposed to be a short trip of a couple ended up being a murder case surrounding a white woman who was missing for some days.
I was hooked by the premise of the story but unfortunately ended up being unremarkable. The characters were not as developed as I'd hoped, and neither was the plot. I feel like this story has so many plot holes while also making everything so easy to figure out, foreshadowing something only for it to be revealed in the next chapter.
However, I love how the author wanted to raise awareness of the antagonization of black people in the justice system and the many issues the American police treat black people and people of color as a whole. Also, the influence that social media seems to hold especially in the last two decades, which could either hinder the investigation or help solve the case but in this story it was only to solidify white people's racist prejudice against black people, which I wish it was developed better.
This had such great potential that I really hoped I'd like it
I was hooked by the premise of the story but unfortunately ended up being unremarkable. The characters were not as developed as I'd hoped, and neither was the plot. I feel like this story has so many plot holes while also making everything so easy to figure out, foreshadowing something only for it to be revealed in the next chapter.
However, I love how the author wanted to raise awareness of the antagonization of black people in the justice system and the many issues the American police treat black people and people of color as a whole. Also, the influence that social media seems to hold especially in the last two decades, which could either hinder the investigation or help solve the case but in this story it was only to solidify white people's racist prejudice against black people, which I wish it was developed better.
This had such great potential that I really hoped I'd like it
Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's a bit like a cat-café, isn't it? Petting them without being responsible for them, and when you've had enough you can just go home"
Set in a parallel world where marital intercourse is seen as an act of incest and having relationships outside of marriage is "normal" and the only way one can bear children is through artificial insemination which has reminded me a lot of Brave New World by Alex Huxley in terms of concept but Sayaka Murata's execution is completely unique to her. uncomfortable, unpredictable, and funny with few elements of horror.
This story is, to me, a perfect blend between Open-relationships and obsessive Otakus which had served as a tool to discuss a variety of topics such as the notion of family, the purpose of having children and to what extent is the government willing to go just to keep producing children.
Divided into three parts in which we see Amane's life since childhood until adulthood where she explored her sexuality, her relationships with her lovers, her relationship with her mother and the struggle of understanding what is deemed normal and acceptable by society. Unable to discern between sanity and insanity.
One thing that was occurred often is the meaning her Amane's name and coincidentally her lovers and husband name, with the common theme being water, and after some digging, I realized that her fate was so cruel. she wasn't able to have the thing she wanted the most and ended up doing the thing she was so afraid of.
Thank you Netgalley for providing the ARC!!
This story is, to me, a perfect blend between Open-relationships and obsessive Otakus which had served as a tool to discuss a variety of topics such as the notion of family, the purpose of having children and to what extent is the government willing to go just to keep producing children.
Divided into three parts in which we see Amane's life since childhood until adulthood where she explored her sexuality, her relationships with her lovers, her relationship with her mother and the struggle of understanding what is deemed normal and acceptable by society. Unable to discern between sanity and insanity.
One thing that was occurred often is the meaning her Amane's name and coincidentally her lovers and husband name, with the common theme being water, and after some digging, I realized that her fate was so cruel. she wasn't able to have the thing she wanted the most and ended up doing the thing she was so afraid of.
Thank you Netgalley for providing the ARC!!
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
"Now, more than ever, I wished desperately for a way to transfer pain, wished I could prove to my mother just how much I loved her, that I could just crawl into her hospital cot and press my body close enough to absorb her burden."
This is a memoir about loss, grief and what's it's like to be an Asian-American struggling to find where you belong, and even force your way through it and perhaps going as far as suppressing huge elements about yourself to make yourself fit into one box .Most importantly, this book is about Chongmi, what an extraordinary woman she was. Of her hobbies and interest of her memories in Korea and the memories she cherished with her loved ones and the special bond that food has created between her and her daughter Michelle. Which also served as a connecting bridge for Michelle to her Korean heritage and family and to keep her most precious memories with her mother.
Michelle's memoir has reminded me of my myself so unexpectedly it shook me to my core. Of those painful teenage years when you're still struggling to understand yourself to a deeper level, and your parents even more. To be completely blunt, it has reminded me of how much of a little shit I was while also reminding me of how much I have overcome in terms of personal issues and blood-tied relationships.
I genuinely had to stop myself from surrendering to my tears and just sob, because everything was written to transmit how grief, another form of love, felt like to Michelle and the many hurdles she had to overcome
Michelle's memoir has reminded me of my myself so unexpectedly it shook me to my core. Of those painful teenage years when you're still struggling to understand yourself to a deeper level, and your parents even more. To be completely blunt, it has reminded me of how much of a little shit I was while also reminding me of how much I have overcome in terms of personal issues and blood-tied relationships.
I genuinely had to stop myself from surrendering to my tears and just sob, because everything was written to transmit how grief, another form of love, felt like to Michelle and the many hurdles she had to overcome
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
"Unbelief is a terrible thing. And so is the hurt we cause others unknowingly."
The Color Purple may be one of the most emotionally devastating books I have read in a long time.
This novel demanded my utmost attention from the very first page, and I found it really difficult not to think about it.
This recounts the story of two sisters Celie and Nettie, where we get to read the letters that are written between each other and God. Reading the most vulnerable thoughts and beliefs while also telling us about the people in their lives and what they all go through.
This novel tackles blackness, black beauty and feminity, and sisterhood, the importance of having a community. It also discussed sexual assault, domestic violence, Racism and misogynistic men and religion. All the characters were fully fleshed out, we get the chance to learn about their upbringing and personality and what it's like to be an African American in the USA and I was still left with the need to know more about them, how incredible, emotional and inspiring they are. I also loved the discussion of African culture and African American culture. There are so many things I want to talk about, but to sum it up, this was perfect, gut-wrenching and beautiful
This novel demanded my utmost attention from the very first page, and I found it really difficult not to think about it.
This recounts the story of two sisters Celie and Nettie, where we get to read the letters that are written between each other and God. Reading the most vulnerable thoughts and beliefs while also telling us about the people in their lives and what they all go through.
This novel tackles blackness, black beauty and feminity, and sisterhood, the importance of having a community. It also discussed sexual assault, domestic violence, Racism and misogynistic men and religion. All the characters were fully fleshed out, we get the chance to learn about their upbringing and personality and what it's like to be an African American in the USA and I was still left with the need to know more about them, how incredible, emotional and inspiring they are. I also loved the discussion of African culture and African American culture. There are so many things I want to talk about, but to sum it up, this was perfect, gut-wrenching and beautiful
Lakewood by Megan Giddings
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
"I am a thousand percent sure there are plenty of white women who think America is great to them. But America is only routinely good to women, especially black women, when it wants something from them.”"
Lakewood is a novel that is mainly centered around our three main characters, which are from three different generations: Lena, Lena's mother's Diziree, and her grandmother Toni, who continues to haunt the story. After her grandmother passing and because of her mother's health conditions, Lena feels the need to step up, take some time off from university and support her mom financially and clear up their debt and out of nowhere she gets sent this letter from a hospital to conduct some research studies in Lakewood.
The premise of the novel sounded so good, and it had such a strong start, but I was let down a little bit by the execution later on. It felt like it would fit the dystopian genre rather than horror (I'm no expert).
However, I did like how the author incorporated a lot of themes and elements like the issues with the American health care system and the exploitation of people of colour in the USA which was done, in this novel, by conducting experiments that is stripping them down from their humanity and sanity by calling them Subjects and asking to rate every experience on a scale from 1 to 10 as if the things they went through are simply some data to collect and statistics. Also, trying to get them to fit into white beauty standards by starving them and giving them pills instead of actual food and turning our main character's eyes blue for "research"
All in all, I believe this has such an interesting plot and concept, but the writing style isn't for me.
The premise of the novel sounded so good, and it had such a strong start, but I was let down a little bit by the execution later on. It felt like it would fit the dystopian genre rather than horror (I'm no expert).
However, I did like how the author incorporated a lot of themes and elements like the issues with the American health care system and the exploitation of people of colour in the USA which was done, in this novel, by conducting experiments that is stripping them down from their humanity and sanity by calling them Subjects and asking to rate every experience on a scale from 1 to 10 as if the things they went through are simply some data to collect and statistics. Also, trying to get them to fit into white beauty standards by starving them and giving them pills instead of actual food and turning our main character's eyes blue for "research"
All in all, I believe this has such an interesting plot and concept, but the writing style isn't for me.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
"if flexing is being able to say the most in the fewest number of words, is there a greater flex than love? Nowhere to hide, nowhere to go. A direct gaze."
Reading open water was both pleasurable and painful. As if there's a force that is slowly squeezing your chest, in results of either a warm hug or suffocation.
Open Water is a novel that is about two people who appreciate various forms of art like music, dancing, photography, and writing, and yet they struggle to freely express themselves freely without feeling guilt. The author touches on so many important subjects like race, injustice, police brutality, mental health issues, grief and complicated family relationships while also navigating the blossoming relationship between our characters where the author the male main character described it
Open Water is a novel that is about two people who appreciate various forms of art like music, dancing, photography, and writing, and yet they struggle to freely express themselves freely without feeling guilt. The author touches on so many important subjects like race, injustice, police brutality, mental health issues, grief and complicated family relationships while also navigating the blossoming relationship between our characters where the author the male main character described it
"the seed you pushed deep into the ground has blossomed in the wrong season."
The infatuation was immediate, but coming in terms with their feelings and making sense of them didn't come easily. They took pleasur in the slow mundane life, simple activities, and each others company. To me, this book is also about forgiveness and self-discovery, and I am beyond happy that I got the read it
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
2.5
I was really hooked when I read the synopsis at first and my expectations were really high, however I disappointed.
Such a fun read is a story involves three characters mainly, and we see the point of view of two. which are Emira, the babysitter and Alix her very rich and privileged white employee. The third character is Kelly, your athlete white dude who is "so tall", and I included him because I feel he had a great influence on the story.
Kelly and Alix are both really odd individuals who were doing THE most just to avoid being called racist and be seen as "cool and progressive". They definitely have a lot of issues to work on. Alix was borderline obsessed with Emira but both wanted to be her "savior" so bad I was cringing for most of the story. My girl Emira deserved so much better than that. I suppose the author's intention when she was writing this novel was to touch on social classism and race, but I felt like those topics weren't really as fleshed out as I would like them to be, since I feel like it's what the author wanted to highlight. Forming a connection with the characters was really hard too since most of them felt flat and one-dimensional (with the exception of Zara).
I believe this novel had such a great potential but the execution wasn't really it unfortunately
Such a fun read is a story involves three characters mainly, and we see the point of view of two. which are Emira, the babysitter and Alix her very rich and privileged white employee. The third character is Kelly, your athlete white dude who is "so tall", and I included him because I feel he had a great influence on the story.
Kelly and Alix are both really odd individuals who were doing THE most just to avoid being called racist and be seen as "cool and progressive". They definitely have a lot of issues to work on. Alix was borderline obsessed with Emira but both wanted to be her "savior" so bad I was cringing for most of the story. My girl Emira deserved so much better than that. I suppose the author's intention when she was writing this novel was to touch on social classism and race, but I felt like those topics weren't really as fleshed out as I would like them to be, since I feel like it's what the author wanted to highlight. Forming a connection with the characters was really hard too since most of them felt flat and one-dimensional (with the exception of Zara).
I believe this novel had such a great potential but the execution wasn't really it unfortunately
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
"The glorification of one race and the consequent debasement of another—or others—always has been and always will be a recipe for murder. "
One of most beautiful and poignant essays I've read in my life so far. Love seems to be the aspect that James Baldwin promoted the most in his essays, for he wrote to his nephew:
"We have not stopped trembling yet, but if we had not loved each other none of us would have survived. And now you must survive because we love you, and for the sake of your children and your children’s children."
To love oneself and to love others, regardless of their skin color, or religion. In his second essay he questioned the values of both Christianity in which he was raised in, and Islam in which he heard about it from the rallies of Elijah Muhammad. James Baldwin seems to be discussing the impact of religion and how it shapes one's view on politics and race and criticizes the hatred one hold for a specific race, which I fully agree with because just as he said "perseverance has no color".
However, I wish that anyone who is curious about Islam and it values to not take what Elijah said as a fact. Because Islam forbids racism of all kinds and there's is no difference between one race or another, and there's no such thing as calling white people the devils.
However, I wish that anyone who is curious about Islam and it values to not take what Elijah said as a fact. Because Islam forbids racism of all kinds and there's is no difference between one race or another, and there's no such thing as calling white people the devils.