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samihami's reviews
97 reviews
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Coco Mellors is genius and you need to read this book.
The characters are so diverse! From a gay Polish man (trans woman?) to a woman who’s best friend is her mom, from British young broke depressed girl to older rich alcoholic. They are all unique and literally jump out through the page.
Mellors write unlikeablility so well—I really hated some of the characters!
The writing also isn’t just in one form but is refreshing and changes throughout out.
I stunned, mindblown, and speechless. I can’t wait to read Blue Sisters (her new book) and will read anything she posts—even her shopping lists.
The characters are so diverse! From a gay Polish man (trans woman?) to a woman who’s best friend is her mom, from British young broke depressed girl to older rich alcoholic. They are all unique and literally jump out through the page.
Mellors write unlikeablility so well—I really hated some of the characters!
The writing also isn’t just in one form but is refreshing and changes throughout out.
I stunned, mindblown, and speechless. I can’t wait to read Blue Sisters (her new book) and will read anything she posts—even her shopping lists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Dear potential readers,
Stop lingering, sit down and read this work of art.
Kath and Lily’s journey in the 1950s America and the exploration of Chinatown, Chinese identity, and familial and societal values in the contrast to white America, McCarthyism, and Lavender Scare is so insightful and rich of emotion and opinion.
It is backed up by research into which Malinda Lo dives into at the end of the work, citing her sources.
LNATTC isn’t just a work of fiction made from the writer’s imagination but a fictitious story based on real stories and experiences from the time, supported by Lo’s family’s experiences.
Truly a charm and gift.
Stop lingering, sit down and read this work of art.
Kath and Lily’s journey in the 1950s America and the exploration of Chinatown, Chinese identity, and familial and societal values in the contrast to white America, McCarthyism, and Lavender Scare is so insightful and rich of emotion and opinion.
It is backed up by research into which Malinda Lo dives into at the end of the work, citing her sources.
LNATTC isn’t just a work of fiction made from the writer’s imagination but a fictitious story based on real stories and experiences from the time, supported by Lo’s family’s experiences.
Truly a charm and gift.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Taylor Jenkins Reid has outdone herself!
I flew through this masterpiece. It’s poetic, romantic, mysterious, real, sad, and emotional. Reid plucked all of my strings and left me craving more.
The romance(s) in this story is messy and chaotic and frankly just human.
Don’t be fooled by the hetero-seeming title of the work because this is packed with queer characters and stories. The parallels between Evelyn and Monique deepen the transition between past and present as Evelyn shares every detail of her career and personal life, something often hidden or altered to the eyes of the public.
I will forever be grateful for this work. And I WILL be rereading this
Reid has a way with words and character design and will just keep you hooked to the pages and never want to put the book down.
Thank you!
I flew through this masterpiece. It’s poetic, romantic, mysterious, real, sad, and emotional. Reid plucked all of my strings and left me craving more.
The romance(s) in this story is messy and chaotic and frankly just human.
Don’t be fooled by the hetero-seeming title of the work because this is packed with queer characters and stories. The parallels between Evelyn and Monique deepen the transition between past and present as Evelyn shares every detail of her career and personal life, something often hidden or altered to the eyes of the public.
I will forever be grateful for this work. And I WILL be rereading this
Reid has a way with words and character design and will just keep you hooked to the pages and never want to put the book down.
Thank you!
Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I understand that Edgar is historically important and was revolutionary in the culture of literature and writing but I just couldn’t wait to finish this collection.
There were stories that I genuinely enjoyed (The Gold Bug, The Premature Burial, The Black Cat-which I have read before individually, and Some Words with a Mummy) but most were boring, confusing, or just off.
He tries to set a scary and dark mood but many times it was flat or straight up sill (an orangutan is the murderer?! Seriously?! ).
I will give him another chance, of course, but I’m not impressed and the charm of his name has disappeared for me.
There were stories that I genuinely enjoyed (The Gold Bug, The Premature Burial, The Black Cat-which I have read before individually, and Some Words with a Mummy) but most were boring, confusing, or just off.
He tries to set a scary and dark mood but many times it was flat or straight up sill (
I will give him another chance, of course, but I’m not impressed and the charm of his name has disappeared for me.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This wasn’t for me.
The idea and message are okay but the writing really set the book back.
It was repetitive, simple and annoying.
At some points in the end it also seemed dismissive of the experience in depression. Basically telling people to change their perspective and cheer up because ‘it’s actually not so bad’.
I didn’t care about Nora or her lives, it was a bit strange and confusing.
I would consider this a children's book dressed as an adult. It really didn’t strike me as adult fiction.
The idea and message are okay but the writing really set the book back.
It was repetitive, simple and annoying.
At some points in the end it also seemed dismissive of the experience in depression. Basically telling people to change their perspective and cheer up because ‘it’s actually not so bad’.
I didn’t care about Nora or her lives, it was a bit strange and confusing.
I would consider this a children's book dressed as an adult. It really didn’t strike me as adult fiction.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
dark
reflective
fast-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
2.75
This surprised but not in a good way.
After reading Rooney’s BWWAY, I simply didn’t think of this one as impressive as it is presented.
I didn’t connect to the characters thus didn’t care for their adversities and joys.
The main relationship felt undeveloped.
The book is sometimes advertised as academia, which I think is false. There’s some of it but not enough for it to be academia to be frank.
The writing was good. However the flashback intermissions were sometimes unrelated and poorly timed that I only got confused and lost track of the plot.
I like that the author has a pattern to certain tropes and characters (eg writers, long email correspondence) so you can compare how they are done throughout the author’s work.
I can see what Rooney is trying to achieve here and I can see why it has gotten so much positive feedback, but I simply don’t think it lives up to its reputation.
If you wish to read Sally Rooney, I wouldn’t start with this.
After reading Rooney’s BWWAY, I simply didn’t think of this one as impressive as it is presented.
I didn’t connect to the characters thus didn’t care for their adversities and joys.
The main relationship felt undeveloped.
The book is sometimes advertised as academia, which I think is false. There’s some of it but not enough for it to be academia to be frank.
The writing was good. However the flashback intermissions were sometimes unrelated and poorly timed that I only got confused and lost track of the plot.
I like that the author has a pattern to certain tropes and characters (eg writers, long email correspondence) so you can compare how they are done throughout the author’s work.
I can see what Rooney is trying to achieve here and I can see why it has gotten so much positive feedback, but I simply don’t think it lives up to its reputation.
If you wish to read Sally Rooney, I wouldn’t start with this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
There’s domestic abuse, SA, alcohol, cigarettes, depression and anxiety, ED, abandonment, bullying, body shaming, toxic relationships, relationship abuse, aggressive behaviour and language
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.75
Zedvin has delivered and served. This book is so well written as it dives into human nature in unique and--to an unsettling extent--realistic ways which I haven't encountered before.
For those who dislike misunderstanding trope, this book might not be your favourite, but I am a strong believer in that it offers something to everyone.
The characters are diverse and complex in ways that I started to wonder if it were a fiction or not.
I also enjoyed the pacing and the time this story considers.
Though, some may argue the ending wasn't good, I felt it was appropriate and true to the nature of the story.
What can I say? I wish I could read it again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.
For those who dislike misunderstanding trope, this book might not be your favourite, but I am a strong believer in that it offers something to everyone.
The characters are diverse and complex in ways that I started to wonder if it were a fiction or not.
I also enjoyed the pacing and the time this story considers.
Though, some may argue the ending wasn't good, I felt it was appropriate and true to the nature of the story.
What can I say? I wish I could read it again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Neil Gaiman has his way with words that has me on my knees. His (our) world is full of mysteries and little adventures. I’m always drawn into his novels and this one truly had me deep down. I loved every second of it and am sorry it had to end. Though, does anything ever really end? (iykyk) Thank you Neil for this masterpiece (especially that sexy alien scene where she “swallows” the guy with her vagina )
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Neil and Terry got together and delivered. No space is wasted and everything comes full circle. Even when in parts with no action, you get world commentary and comedic insights into daily life. This is definitely the book I will reread (multiple times at least).
Orlando by Virginia Woolf
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
I adore this piece of work.
It was for sure a rollercoaster reading it but I enjoyed every bit of it.
At first I thought it's be just a commentary on the transgender experience in late 19th century and early 20th century; however, it never failed to surprise me. The commentary onchange of cultures, specifically the dramtic change that cam ewith Industrialisation of Britain and the various ways of living from rich England to Turkey to humble, almost porr, savages and wanderers .
The symbolism of the Oak Tree is beautiful, definitely keep your attention to it through out.
Woolf is a magician of words and I have fallen for her spells. Immaculate, can't recommend enough.
It was for sure a rollercoaster reading it but I enjoyed every bit of it.
At first I thought it's be just a commentary on the transgender experience in late 19th century and early 20th century; however, it never failed to surprise me. The commentary on
The symbolism of
Woolf is a magician of words and I have fallen for her spells. Immaculate, can't recommend enough.