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iridescentjemz's reviews
65 reviews
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m something of a foreign object myself.
Keiko has been a convenience store worker since she was 18 and now at 36 the friends and family she does have are concerned about her as she is unmarried, childless and has been in the same part time job for all her adult life.
I think, although it’s not explicitly mentioned, that Keiko is clearly neurodiverse. She isn’t comfortable in typical social scenarios and copies her friends and co-workers to appear more “normal”. Her safety is her convenience store and she’s as much a part of it as it is of her. Keiko doesn’t understand the need to conform to social norms and tries to resist. Even when outside forces are urging her to leave her safety zone.
I really loved this, I loved Sayaka Murata’s writing and as a nearly 35 year old who also doesn’t feel the need to conform I could understand some of Keiko’s logic, although I can categorically say my job is not my life 😂. I can’t wait to read more of Sayaka Murata’s work.
Keiko has been a convenience store worker since she was 18 and now at 36 the friends and family she does have are concerned about her as she is unmarried, childless and has been in the same part time job for all her adult life.
I think, although it’s not explicitly mentioned, that Keiko is clearly neurodiverse. She isn’t comfortable in typical social scenarios and copies her friends and co-workers to appear more “normal”. Her safety is her convenience store and she’s as much a part of it as it is of her. Keiko doesn’t understand the need to conform to social norms and tries to resist. Even when outside forces are urging her to leave her safety zone.
I really loved this, I loved Sayaka Murata’s writing and as a nearly 35 year old who also doesn’t feel the need to conform I could understand some of Keiko’s logic, although I can categorically say my job is not my life 😂. I can’t wait to read more of Sayaka Murata’s work.
Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.75
Really liked the writing and enjoyed the story.
(Was that a Doctor Who reference I spotted? Anyway..)
Not sure what to make of the ending but it overall it was fast paced and I read it in one sitting because I wanted to know what was going to happen to Abe. Makes me want to read more by Nat Cassidy.
(Was that a Doctor Who reference I spotted? Anyway..)
Not sure what to make of the ending but it overall it was fast paced and I read it in one sitting because I wanted to know what was going to happen to Abe. Makes me want to read more by Nat Cassidy.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim Newman
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I’m conflicted. I’m not sure if I liked this or not, although I stayed up till 2am to finish it so it was engrossing enough.
I thought the three parts were more like standalone stories at first but they did come together well enough.
I don’t like that the only character who is identified specifically as Black (I think she’s the only character who is specified to be Black) is killed off for no real reason.She wasn’t the only medical character, Savannah could have found any number of doctors (which she apparently did “off screen” as it was) but she has to kill Nurse Tesfaye and then have some weird conversation with her ghost to justify it. Really doesn’t sit right.
Another thing I didn’t like was, not only that there was at least two references to Dahmer, but a reference by name of one of his victims (a child at that) and the vile things that happened to him. It was totally unnecessary and disrespectful given that he still has relatives alive now.
I liked the writing well enough other than those few gripes and the plot was interesting but it felt a bit flat by the end. So much happened in a rush at the end with not much explained.
I thought the three parts were more like standalone stories at first but they did come together well enough.
I don’t like that the only character who is identified specifically as Black (I think she’s the only character who is specified to be Black) is killed off for no real reason.
Another thing I didn’t like was, not only that there was at least two references to Dahmer, but a reference by name of one of his victims (a child at that) and the vile things that happened to him. It was totally unnecessary and disrespectful given that he still has relatives alive now.
I liked the writing well enough other than those few gripes and the plot was interesting but it felt a bit flat by the end. So much happened in a rush at the end with not much explained.
Eating to Extinction: The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them by Dan Saladino
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Uncommon People by Miranda Sawyer
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Really enjoyable read, packed full of nostalgia. I might have been way too young for gigs and parties and clubbing in the 90s but I certainly adored the music. Could happily read another volume with 20 more songs.
The Haar by David Sodergren
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I absolutely loved this, such a great story and so well written.
Apparently older women not giving an f and getting things done is my thing because this and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead are two of my favourite reads of the year.
Eat the rich. Literally.
Apparently older women not giving an f and getting things done is my thing because this and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead are two of my favourite reads of the year.
Eat the rich. Literally.