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samihami's reviews
97 reviews
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I didn’t really enjoy this one, but I might’ve just read it at a wrong time in my life.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Baldwin just doesn’t miss.
The writing? Spectacular.
The story? Emotional rollercoaster.
The characters? Deep and heartbreaking.
I love this piece.
I enjoyed his nonfiction a little more but it still didn’t stop me from covering the pages in pen marks. Must-read for everyone, at least once in your life.
The writing? Spectacular.
The story? Emotional rollercoaster.
The characters? Deep and heartbreaking.
I love this piece.
I enjoyed his nonfiction a little more but it still didn’t stop me from covering the pages in pen marks. Must-read for everyone, at least once in your life.
Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast by Oscar Wilde
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
I expected a short story of some kind or poetry or anything and it really is just my fault not reading the blurb.
This is simply just a collection of thoughts and quotes either from Wilde himself or his works. Having read The Picture of Dorian Gray right before, I recognised many of the quotes.
Sometimes they’re insightful and of value but often times it felt taken out of context or with something missing. Most times they seemed thematically categorised but sometimes there was a mess in the system and the categories became really blurry and it all turned into a mush of unrelated quotes and thoughts.
This is simply just a collection of thoughts and quotes either from Wilde himself or his works. Having read The Picture of Dorian Gray right before, I recognised many of the quotes.
Sometimes they’re insightful and of value but often times it felt taken out of context or with something missing. Most times they seemed thematically categorised but sometimes there was a mess in the system and the categories became really blurry and it all turned into a mush of unrelated quotes and thoughts.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Baldwin’s commentary and personal insight into religion, race and family is truly spectacular.
His pen writes magical words and will cast a spell on you.
It is a necessity to read this at least once in a lifetime.
His pen writes magical words and will cast a spell on you.
It is a necessity to read this at least once in a lifetime.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.0
I liked it but from what I heard, I had high expectations which weren’t met.
It’s cute and easy to read but the repetition of, for example, information about the characters was annoying to me.
I thought I was going to underline everything and will immediately buy the next books but no. I’m okay having read this one and no more.
I don’t regret it and I enjoyed reading it, but I won’t necessarily read the next ones or reread it.
I recommend it to someone who wants a quick and easy read that still conveys characters with complex stories in a world full of mysteries.
It’s cute and easy to read but the repetition of, for example, information about the characters was annoying to me.
I thought I was going to underline everything and will immediately buy the next books but no. I’m okay having read this one and no more.
I don’t regret it and I enjoyed reading it, but I won’t necessarily read the next ones or reread it.
I recommend it to someone who wants a quick and easy read that still conveys characters with complex stories in a world full of mysteries.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kazuo Ishiguro has a way with words that will draw you into the story and you never want to let go.
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Dustin Thao is a word magician.
Exploring grief from the perspective of a graduating teenager whose boyfriend died is so unique and yet it feels like anyone can relate.
It is about the fear of letting go and staying. It is about loss of love and what good can come out of it. The cycle of love and relationships, letting people go and inviting new in.
Truly a masterpiece. Can’t wait to read the new book.
Exploring grief from the perspective of a graduating teenager whose boyfriend died is so unique and yet it feels like anyone can relate.
It is about the fear of letting go and staying. It is about loss of love and what good can come out of it. The cycle of love and relationships, letting people go and inviting new in.
Truly a masterpiece. Can’t wait to read the new book.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wilde really went out of his way and bravely published this provocative piece about immorality, murder, sin, and homosexuality.
The transition from innocent and naive to paranoid and selfish is masterful and well portrayed. And the last paragraph is EPIC.
Dorian’s personality is peculiar and I still can’t decide whether I root for him or wish he received his punishment earlier. Lord Henry (also known as Harry) is annoying self-centered controlling misogynist and I hated him every time he opened his mouth (kudos to Wilde for writing him so well). And poor Basil will forever stay in my hear.
This revised 1891 version includes academic introduction (read after reading the story), which gives so much insight into the background of the work and author, and notes throughout the story to provide cultural, historical, and editorial context. So buy this one if you wish to read the story, because you will be more immersed in the story and view the bigger picture of it all.
The transition from innocent and naive to paranoid and selfish is masterful and well portrayed. And the last paragraph is EPIC.
Dorian’s personality is peculiar and I still can’t decide whether I root for him or wish he received his punishment earlier. Lord Henry (also known as Harry) is annoying self-centered controlling misogynist and I hated him every time he opened his mouth (kudos to Wilde for writing him so well). And poor Basil will forever stay in my hear.
This revised 1891 version includes academic introduction (read after reading the story), which gives so much insight into the background of the work and author, and notes throughout the story to provide cultural, historical, and editorial context. So buy this one if you wish to read the story, because you will be more immersed in the story and view the bigger picture of it all.