scruffie's reviews
111 reviews

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I could hear John's voice in my head while reading this book. Simultaneously sad and anxious and hopeful, it felt very comforting to me; exactly what I needed right now. Medium-paced most of the time, but also slow-paced, on occasion.

Probably like others before me, I give the Anthropocene Reviewed five stars.
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Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I found this one very slow paced and reading it was quite the grind. Exceptionally dark though, so I naturally loved it.
Say what you will about the villain but I was impressed by his perseverance and how he uses the very same systemic techniques that oppressed him to oppress others, effectively perpetuating the misery.
Made me think of Philip Larkin's words:

"Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don't have any kids yourself."

Sidenote: I'd generously say that I understood about 30% of what Joseph says in the book. Didn't make a difference, really.
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Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I found this one surprisingly tense for a (mainly) character-driven book. Loved the complexity and the depth of the characters which made them feel so real to me. Quite messy, but ain't life always?
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Beowulf: A New Translation by Unknown

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is a truly epic poem indeed. More God-fearing than I anticipated, but then again I'd never discussed it with anyone before reading it. Some parts of it are rooted in folklore I am not familiar with, but thankfully this did not get in the way of following the story. No surprise that Tolkien has translated this one too.

NOTE: I actually read this poem in "The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 1" (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/cf5708d6-6ebd-4188-a445-a44df25509a1), but that one is 2904 pages long and contains other works too, so I am adding this review against a standalone version of the poem. However, I found the editor's notes in the anthology very helpful when trying to understand the poem's historical context.
A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.

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challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Exceptionally bleak and dark. Miller is absolutely ruthless to his protagonists, so try to not get too attached.
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

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challenging 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

4.5

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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

I didn't know I'd like it so much when I first picked it up. Loved every bit of it. 5 stars from me.
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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I actually enjoyed reading this book. I've seen people compare it to Gone Girl but I haven't read that one so I can't say anything about that debate. Two things bothered me the most: (a) all women in the book seem to be defined by the men in their lives and/or their feelings towards motherhood, and (b) the end was somewhat out of character, given what you've learnt about the characters throughout the book. I liked the plot overall though, but then again I have very little experience with the crime/thriller genre so I don't know how novel it really is. (3.75/5.00)
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The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

Such a wholesome read. Lovely lyricism, beautiful imagery, and a heartwarming perspective. I feel peaceful.
1984 by George Orwell

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It was 12 years ago, the last time I read this book. I remember feeling empty and hopeless after finishing it. Now, the second time, was a little different. I was able to appreciate the quality and precision of the writing. Dark, brutal, relentless.
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