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nolawords's reviews
18 reviews
True Biz by Sara Nović
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Dear True Biz: 🤟
This novel tells the story from various character perspectives, each representing a different lived experience related to the Deaf community. We come to know each character (primarily Charlie, February, and Austin), gradually watching their lives draw closer & intertwine. This is a story about friendship, community, disability representation, & cultural preservation.
I found each of the characters likable and enjoyed the varied backgrounds each brought to the narrative (while all sharing the thread of being intimately part of Deaf culture). What I loved most about this book was how Nović takes on a remarkable educational journey: without feeling too direct or information-driven, the reader learns so much about Deaf history, legacy, and personal, lived experiences. I listened to this book partially on audiobook and I loved how when the deaf characters spoke, you can hear the gentle whispers of ASL on their hands; this detail was fantastic!
I really have no critiques or notes on this novel. It was one of the most unique books I have read, and I deeply appreciate Nović for sharing this world with us.
4.5 / 5 stars
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book: a comet – a brief, bright, delightful arc.
Flowers for Algernon tells the story of Charlie, an intellectually disabled adult who is selected as the first human to undergo the interventions of a clinical trial aimed at increasing a species’ IQ. What transpires is an overwhelming journey for Charlie who, in a flash, confronts and must wrestle with the human experience. The novel is told from the point of view of Charlie’s own writings (called “progress notes”) that he dictates throughout the course of his contact with the experiment.
This book provides a rollercoaster of emotions - from sympathy, grief and anger to love, tenderness, and acceptance. Feeling the full range of human emotion, through the lens of Charlie’s experiences, was sharp, poignant, and insightful. I thought that Keyes provided great depth into larger questions of life and existence, impressively achieving this through a very narrow perspective and time frame.
I believe reflective of the times this book was published, some of the language and terminology around persons with disabilities seemed antiquated. I craved more drawn out development of Charlie’s transformations, but I understand the style choice to create a short timeline which made this book a punchy read.
I enjoyed this very much. 4 / 5 stars.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Wow. This novel is an absolute treasure.
Demon Copperhead was on my TBR for some time, thanks to reading other works by Kingsolver and always being left very impressed. My timing for finally picking up this book serendipitously coincided with renewed buzz around it, thanks to the release of the NYT Best Books list of the 21st century.
This book took me around 2 weeks to get through, and I savored every minute of it. Kingsolver created such a rich story that was aching, heartbreaking, hopeful, and informative. The centers of these characters are their flaws, but they are developed with such nuance and humanity you cannot help but love them, root for them, and grieve with them deeply. I cannot say enough good things about this book - of every accolade it is most definitely deserving.
5+ stars.
Demon Copperhead was on my TBR for some time, thanks to reading other works by Kingsolver and always being left very impressed. My timing for finally picking up this book serendipitously coincided with renewed buzz around it, thanks to the release of the NYT Best Books list of the 21st century.
This book took me around 2 weeks to get through, and I savored every minute of it. Kingsolver created such a rich story that was aching, heartbreaking, hopeful, and informative. The centers of these characters are their flaws, but they are developed with such nuance and humanity you cannot help but love them, root for them, and grieve with them deeply. I cannot say enough good things about this book - of every accolade it is most definitely deserving.
5+ stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Abandonment
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
The Martian by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a fun ride this was - and thank goodness for the ending we all wanted , ha! The standout aspect of this book was Weir's undeniable, deep knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and how these apply in a space setting. The environment design was so detailed, down to each equipment component and maneuver, I couldn't help but ogle at the complexity. This was balanced nicely by the voice of Mark Watney, whose prose was clipped, succinct, witty, and irreverent.
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and being stuck on Mars sounds absolutely terrible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and being stuck on Mars sounds absolutely terrible.
The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
This is one of the most unique storylines I have read for some time. Chana Porter creates a dystopian world (one that is almost frighteningly clear to imagine) that entwines the extremes of capitalism, climate crisis, socioeconomic inequity, and religious fervor based around physical form (i.e. thinness).
I enjoyed the parallel stories that followed Beatrice and Reiko - two women born in the "lower" tiers of this world, who each ascend (literally) in attempt to find themselves and their own lives of success. The way their stories progressed and closed in paradoxical ways - and the satisfying way they actually cross paths - was a lovely way to lay out this narrative. This book is layered and complex; I will be thinking about it for a long while to come.
I enjoyed the parallel stories that followed Beatrice and Reiko - two women born in the "lower" tiers of this world, who each ascend (literally) in attempt to find themselves and their own lives of success. The way their stories progressed and closed in paradoxical ways - and the satisfying way they actually cross paths - was a lovely way to lay out this narrative. This book is layered and complex; I will be thinking about it for a long while to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, this book has me gushing. McConaghy has a knack for creating a gorgeous world of dichotomy - gentle but violent, beautiful but dark, quiet but complex. I love her themes of naturalism and conservation. I felt plunged into the same world of Migrations, yet I enjoyed this one more due to the suspense building of the story. This checked so many boxes for what I love in a book. I would recommend noting the trigger warnings for this one, as there are lie some intense themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Does anyone else feel that this genre has so many titles being released, that the storylines tend to blur together and the twists get harder and harder to make pop? Admittedly, I do...
Nevertheless, I thought this book re-ignited my excitement and delivered exactly what one looks for in a read like this! I was guessing and second-guessing the next steps throughout the entire book, and I love good twists that keep you on your toes until (literally) the last sentence.
Well done, Ashley Elston! I look forward to the screen adaptation of this!
Nevertheless, I thought this book re-ignited my excitement and delivered exactly what one looks for in a read like this! I was guessing and second-guessing the next steps throughout the entire book, and I love good twists that keep you on your toes until (literally) the last sentence.
Well done, Ashley Elston! I look forward to the screen adaptation of this!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury