Scan barcode
squil's reviews
34 reviews
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Good book with well written and diverse characters.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The most beautiful book I have ever read. The writing is breathtakingly beautiful and the characters feel so human and real.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
Beautiful writing: this is what stood out the most to me from the book.
Of course, I came away reflecting on censorship and I can’t see the world becoming this Fahrenheit 451 world. I guess there is some fragility in books though; they can be burnt, but then again so can almost anything else.
What I found confusing was the blaming of minorities for censorship. This was both in the book world and in the real world through Bradbury’s perspective. Maybe I misunderstand Bradbury, but if I do not then I must disagree. Majorities are much better at silencing than minorities. In fact, I think minorities push for more words, books, and knowledge. History shouldn’t be changed to mirror the inclusion we hope for today, however. And maybe this is what Bradbury meant. Old books are often not inclusive and are prejudiced and discriminatory; and to change these would be a disservice. These books and history show us how the world was: how people thought, acted, spoke, and wrote. And now we wish for an inclusive world, but we can’t forget the past because we can learn from it. Especially from its ugly. <\spoiler>
What I found confusing was the blaming of minorities for censorship. This was both in the book world and in the real world through Bradbury’s perspective. Maybe I misunderstand Bradbury, but if I do not then I must disagree. Majorities are much better at silencing than minorities. In fact, I think minorities push for more words, books, and knowledge. History shouldn’t be changed to mirror the inclusion we hope for today, however. And maybe this is what Bradbury meant. Old books are often not inclusive and are prejudiced and discriminatory; and to change these would be a disservice. These books and history show us how the world was: how people thought, acted, spoke, and wrote. And now we wish for an inclusive world, but we can’t forget the past because we can learn from it. Especially from its ugly. <\spoiler>
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Very interesting! I enjoyed how the author’s personality and humor came through in his writing.
New note: I reopen this book ever once in a while just because the subject matter is so cool!
New note: I reopen this book ever once in a while just because the subject matter is so cool!
A Closed Eye by Anita Brookner
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful book. When I started, the chronology of time was confusing but the order of the story made the end more poignant. The book is slow paced, but it reflects the pace at which Harriet feels her life moves. When Harriet feels her life is slow, the book is as well. When Harriet has a moment of excitement in her life, the speed of the book increases even if it is just for a page.
I reread the letter at the beginning after finishing the book. The letter contains mention of much of Harriet’s life in some way or another. My first impression of Harriet through the letter was not the true Harriet which I found throughout the book. In a second read of the letter, I noticed that Harriet mentions her husband only to explain the place in which she lives. This is the way Freddie is described throughout the whole book actually.
I think Imogen and Lizzie paralleled with Jack and Harriet, respectively. (Imogen was difficult for me to understand.) Lizzie and Harriet paired well. They shared similar qualities, but Harriet was too distracted by Imogen to see this when Lizzie was younger.
My biggest question of the book was Imogen. I couldn’t fully understand her. I am not good with reading between the lines and the encounter Lizzie and Imogen had when the cardigan was given confuses me. Was Imogen happy?
The questions I am left with are: Who is happy? What is happy? What does it mean? Is a happy life a good life or does something else create a well lived life?
I think Imogen and Lizzie paralleled with Jack and Harriet, respectively. (Imogen was difficult for me to understand.) Lizzie and Harriet paired well. They shared similar qualities, but Harriet was too distracted by Imogen to see this when Lizzie was younger.
My biggest question of the book was Imogen. I couldn’t fully understand her. I am not good with reading between the lines and the encounter Lizzie and Imogen had when the cardigan was given confuses me. Was Imogen happy?
The questions I am left with are: Who is happy? What is happy? What does it mean? Is a happy life a good life or does something else create a well lived life?