Scan barcode
alysereadsbooks's reviews
367 reviews
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook of this - and the narrator did an amazing job of capturing the unhinged behavior of the main character. I found its themes to be similar to Disorientation. It sparks an interesting discussion about voices of AAPI and POC, specifically in the literary realm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Absolutely loved this one and plan to reread it. I don’t normally read nonfiction, but it was compelling and insightful- I especially loved the essay on internet culture.
Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother by Peggy O'Donnell Heffington
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
Listened to the audiobook and very much enjoyed it! I loved the magical realism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook and I enjoyed the dual narration. Some of the tropes were a bit annoying 'fake dating,' 'I don't think he/she is really in love with me,' but still cute and lighthearted. I enjoyed the representation of anxiety, divorcee, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Death
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
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? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook and throughly enjoyed it. The author knows how to create a thoroughly hateable villain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Had fun with this one! Was a quick, rom com type of read, but in general really like the author’s voice. Was a bit cheesy and trope-y at times, but found myself really immersed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! The world is so captivating and I love the characters. This particular book was fun because it felt like the triwizard tournament
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
I liked the premise and the idea for this book and agreed with the author on most points (the value in spending time in nature, getting to know your community, and paying attention). I really enjoyed the chapter on what happens to groups who try to leave society and go live in the woods. Certain parts of the writing was unnecessarily pretentious and hard to follow, and overall came across as waxing philosophical without a point. Still compelling though.