dylanlouise's reviews
182 reviews

Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad

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5.0

Necessary disabled/chronically ill reading. I still think about this book all the time 
Normal People by Sally Rooney

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

4.5

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

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emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

I mean, it's Rupi Kaur. These poems were exactly what I needed at this point, as the themes in this book include adoration, immigration, and assault. The illustrations were stunning, as always, and I appreciated the rawness. 
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Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

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challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.0

I really liked this one! It's definitely part memoir, part expose, and I appreciated how much of the author was in it. It does get a bit gory, as most vegan theory books do, but the sections of that in this book were all to illustrate an experience, rather than just prove a point. Would recommend to anyone who wants to understand the farming industry argument for veganism, and anyone looking for a change of pace from the usual theory-driven volumes. 
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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I can't say anything that hasn't been said before. This is probably my favorite "classic" I've read, and I liked the kinda gay, anti-rich subplot and the setting. Having said that, it's still an oooooooold book written by a dead cishet white guy, so it gets boring at parts, lacks representation, and is a bit too gray for my liking. 
Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve

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adventurous dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.25

This book wasn't bad, and was a really cool October read. It had me feeling fired up for the characters, and I thought the found family and protectiveness was really cute. Having said that, the body gore got a bit much for me sometimes, and I still question the decision to make all queer characters monsters, even if it is to prove a point about society. Allegories and YA have been crossing over a lot lately (think Ace of Spades) and it's not my favorite. Not because I don't think they carry important messages, but it catches me off guard and especially here, with the demonization of queer people in society, feels almost counterproductive. I don't know, maybe that's a bad take, but that was my main gripe with this one. 
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The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

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emotional inspiring 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

4.25

Such an awesome book about the power of writing. It's in verse, and deals with familial religious pressures, catcalling/objectification, and teenagehood beautifully. Another great thought provoking read from Acevedo, worth the hype.
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Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Wonderful- I laughed, almost cried, and it had a good sex scene that wasn't icky. You learn about four different cities and really see the familial and found familial bonds that get broken and reformed. Stunning characters and cute podcast scenes. Would wholeheartedly recommend. 
City of Light, City of Dark by Avi

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

3.25

This wasn't bad, but I also didn't get the hype. The illustration style was cool, the plot was interesting, but it didn't feel connected to a bigger idea, and it wasn't that groundbreaking in my opinion. 
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

This book was adorable. Such a cute and fluffy wlw romance with awesome discussion about life after death and sacrifices. I underlined A LOT. So glad I found this book :)
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