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sandro_reads's reviews
84 reviews
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I do not create a monthly TBR, leaving it a bit to chance what my next read will be but often find the universe groups similar reads together.
The Wedding People in some ways felt like a sister to All Fours by Miranda July - albeit the shinier, Hollywood romcomesque sibling. It takes similar dark themes of depression and infertility, throws in sarcastic humor (which always makes me feel like hone) and somehow leaves you with a feeling of hope.
The Wedding People in some ways felt like a sister to All Fours by Miranda July - albeit the shinier, Hollywood romcomesque sibling. It takes similar dark themes of depression and infertility, throws in sarcastic humor (which always makes me feel like hone) and somehow leaves you with a feeling of hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
I chose this memoir for my Genre Diversification Challenge as I do not often read nonfiction. I found Michelle Zauner’s exploration of grief and identity as they relate to food and family tradition compelling and relatable.
Having also lost my mother to cancer, it brought up so many of my own memories and feelings of guilt - which transcends cultures.
Having also lost my mother to cancer, it brought up so many of my own memories and feelings of guilt - which transcends cultures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
The Possession by Annie Ernaux
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The Possession, translated from French, is a short memoir by Annie Ernaux and brutally honest about the depths in which love and jealousy can take over one’s life.
Oddly, it reminded me of My Husband by Maud Ventura, a work of fiction - also French, in the way that book dealt with love and obsession. Maybe they really do love differently in France?
Oddly, it reminded me of My Husband by Maud Ventura, a work of fiction - also French, in the way that book dealt with love and obsession. Maybe they really do love differently in France?
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
After a heavy read, I decided to shift gears to a romance pick for my Genre Diversification Challenge. It is my first romance ever. And, my first 🌶️🌶️🌶️ M|M read.
Though much of the novel is repetitive with these two rival hockey players meeting up again and again for sex. It does the job even if, as a gay man, it doesn’t always ring true. The last 20% sees more heartfelt character development - enough to make me curious about its sequel.
Though much of the novel is repetitive with these two rival hockey players meeting up again and again for sex. It does the job even if, as a gay man, it doesn’t always ring true. The last 20% sees more heartfelt character development - enough to make me curious about its sequel.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Beloved is a difficult read, not just in subject matter but also in the way it deliberately disorients the reader from the onset. I’m not too embarrassed to admit that, after about 50 pages in, I needed to watch a summery series on YouTube to get my bearings (thank you Course Hero).
I’m glad I stuck with it because Morrison’s language is beautiful with the weight of her words capturing not only the brutalities of slavery but the visceral effects of shame and guilt.
I’m glad I stuck with it because Morrison’s language is beautiful with the weight of her words capturing not only the brutalities of slavery but the visceral effects of shame and guilt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Murder
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Yellowface begins as a biting satire of the Publishing industry, tokenism, cancel culture - where no one comes out looking good. Seriously, every character is so unlikable.
But, as it goes on, the message gets heavy-handed and repetitive with the story falling apart in the last quarter.
But, as it goes on, the message gets heavy-handed and repetitive with the story falling apart in the last quarter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
All Fours by Miranda July
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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
I am not a woman, nor a parent, but being of a certain age, I found myself instantly connecting with the games one’s brain will play as it struggles to adjust to the physical changes and realities of midlife.
I can see why All Fours is so polarizing. It’s absurd and explicit and grotesque. But, it’s also funny and insightful and touching. It makes you feel even if you don’t like all of its parts.
I can see why All Fours is so polarizing. It’s absurd and explicit and grotesque. But, it’s also funny and insightful and touching. It makes you feel even if you don’t like all of its parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Sexual content, Excrement, and Medical trauma
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Liz Moore created a beautiful world in The God Of The Woods that is filled with a wide cast of relatable characters and captures camp life perfectly.
Unlike a traditional thriller that hits you with twist after twist, the multiple POVs and timelines here serve to create a subtler tension that reeled me in and kept me interested throughout the nearly 500 pages.
Beyond a whodunit, it touches on classism and sexism in an honest way while bringing everything together in the end.
Unlike a traditional thriller that hits you with twist after twist, the multiple POVs and timelines here serve to create a subtler tension that reeled me in and kept me interested throughout the nearly 500 pages.
Beyond a whodunit, it touches on classism and sexism in an honest way while bringing everything together in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Classism
Stoner by John Williams
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
4.75
Williams’ simple, clean prose is beautiful from the start but, for the first quarter of Stoner, I could not understand the Booktok hype. But then…
We are told from the onset that this is the tale of an unremarkable life and therein lies its strength. As it progresses, it’s a book about nothing - and everything - the little triumphs and tragedies that make up a life.
It’s also a love letter to literature and academia - near perfect but for Edith being so broadly painted, alternating between shrill and whore.
We are told from the onset that this is the tale of an unremarkable life and therein lies its strength. As it progresses, it’s a book about nothing - and everything - the little triumphs and tragedies that make up a life.
It’s also a love letter to literature and academia - near perfect but for Edith being so broadly painted, alternating between shrill and whore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This book hit hard. I would have been 14 in the summer of ‘86 when The Prettiest Star takes place, not yet sure what being gay even meant but acutely aware of the hysteria surrounding AIDS and the judgement that came with it.
In many ways, this story was a very real vision I had for my future back then - returning home to die being shunned by everyone around you.
Powerful. Emotional. Infuriating - a reflection on how even today LGBTQIA+ are villainized and ostracized.
PS thank God for grandmothers
In many ways, this story was a very real vision I had for my future back then - returning home to die being shunned by everyone around you.
Powerful. Emotional. Infuriating - a reflection on how even today LGBTQIA+ are villainized and ostracized.
PS thank God for grandmothers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, and Terminal illness