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ali1311's reviews
237 reviews
Proof: A Play by David Auburn
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am low key shocked this won a Pulitzer. Maybe it feels cheesy just because it's older and a lot of the tropes in it weren't as tired then. But this has big "the doctor was a woman" energy. Maybe I'd feel differently if I saw it performed, but this didn't really hit for me. The characters weren't too deep and I'm not sure I liked the structure of time in it.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This book is very dense, but all of the information in it is interesting and important. It's also a hard read. While it's interesting to learn about the impact of trauma, it's hard to hear about the horrors people put others through, especially children. The book is hopeful however, in showing the ways to move past these horrible things on an individual level. But the epilogue of this book is what is sticking with me most at this point: the call to action on a systemic level. It's so hard to reconcile the need for these interventions and healing methods for trauma while knowing our government and systems at large need to be better in order for this to be fixed. I learned so much through this book and am grateful for all the work the author has done as a researcher to be able to create such a thorough book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a sweet and fun romance to listen to. It has Ali Hazelwood's classic vibes and is definitely one of her nerdier novels, but it was cute. The ending was wack, and I'm not sure how I felt about the random gun shit but otherwise, it was a pretty solid book. A fun way to spend a Saturday!
Emma by Jane Austen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Soft DNF. Just not in the mood to read this rn and it's boring me. Need something else before I slump.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book is somehow even better the second time around. I love it I love it I love it!!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
GIRL WTF!! I understand why people are feral about this book now. I can't say I liked it. But I can say I read it with the fervor of a thousand suns. I feel so intensely about it and yet I'm not sure I liked any of the characters. How does one create such a book? I'm mystified more than anything. Truly shocked. Not sure what just happened. Will report back after I read more of the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was too sweet! It really is a love letter to romance readers (and also writers). The book started kind of slow for me, but once I was in it, I was in it. I read most of it in one day. The tension and the idea of writing a book like this together was just such a great premise and executed super well. I wanted a little more of Aiden's personality throughout the story, and I wish he had to contend with his trauma a little more on the page and I wish Rosie hadn't decided to give up on her dreams because of a man at the end. But overall, this was such a fun read.
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved this book and especially loved Apollo's short moments of reflection where he banged out one of the most stunning sentences. I think this series is shaping up to be something really special, and I really appreciate how it's so different from Rick's past books but still has that signature charm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was pretty okay if a little bit underdeveloped. But I think that may just be a curse of holiday books in a general sense. Either way, this story was sweet but I didn't feel that invested in the characters. They weren't particularly distinctive other than some things on the surface, so it made the story a little bit boring overall. But still a sweet Christmas read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oooo this is a romance!! Talia Hibbert really never misses for me. This novella was so full of yearning and adoration, I felt whipped reading it! It helped that both these characters were lovely. I love a story of people learning and deciding to be vulnerable and that's what this was. It was also perfectly Christmas-y/wintery and put me in the holiday mood. I was smitten with this story and its characters and the everything. This may just have cemented itself in the annual holiday rotation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse