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fannystory's reviews
96 reviews
Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A lover's suicide or murder?
What could have happened, and why?
This shows some questionable views and societal norms of Japan of the past (and some that still persist). The views on women, relationships, suicide and work hierarchy to name the most prominent.
Some in order to solve the mystery, but most are simpl there because the book is older and it used to be like this.
The mystery relies heavily on the trains being punctual. Couldn't happen here but is fascinating.
This did result in a lot of times and dates being continuously described, which made it a bit tedious to read at times.
The investigators were interesting, though I believe the way they went about the investigation would not be possible today. This does open an interesting view into the past.
I disliked the ending being a letter. It ook away from the Momentum and felt like the author just wanted to finish the book.
Overall an okay mystery with interesting views into past (and some still present) issues and aspects of the Japanese society. Also, into their train system.
-----
Downgraded to 2.5⭐️ after thinking back and realizing i didn't enjoy it.
Additionally to the negatives stated before, it was somewhat boring and a hassle to read due to all the times and dates. Especially in the later part.
What could have happened, and why?
This shows some questionable views and societal norms of Japan of the past (and some that still persist). The views on women, relationships, suicide and work hierarchy to name the most prominent.
Some in order to solve the mystery, but most are simpl there because the book is older and it used to be like this.
The mystery relies heavily on the trains being punctual. Couldn't happen here but is fascinating.
This did result in a lot of times and dates being continuously described, which made it a bit tedious to read at times.
The investigators were interesting, though I believe the way they went about the investigation would not be possible today. This does open an interesting view into the past.
I disliked the ending being a letter. It ook away from the Momentum and felt like the author just wanted to finish the book.
Overall an okay mystery with interesting views into past (and some still present) issues and aspects of the Japanese society. Also, into their train system.
-----
Downgraded to 2.5⭐️ after thinking back and realizing i didn't enjoy it.
Additionally to the negatives stated before, it was somewhat boring and a hassle to read due to all the times and dates. Especially in the later part.
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Lemon is a mystery book unlike any other.
While a murder is an integral part, the story focuses more on an exploration of the people left behind, than on who did it or what exactly happened.
While the search for who, how and why is present throughout the story, the questions are not being clearly answered. You can still piece together what might have happened, but it is not 100% clear.
It is more important to see what impact the murder had on people around the victim (some close, some not) and how they continued with their lives.
The story consists of multiple POVs, which I found somewhat confusing especially in the beginning chapters, as it was not clear who we were following.
The time skips between chapters felt kind of inconsequential most of the time, as the passage of time is not really felt. If the year was not written down, I would not have noticed that multiple years had passed since the last chapter.
This book was overall quite good, although it reminded me at times why I do not normally like literary fiction.
It had nice short chapters which read rather quickly.
An interesting story about the reality of life.
While a murder is an integral part, the story focuses more on an exploration of the people left behind, than on who did it or what exactly happened.
While the search for who, how and why is present throughout the story, the questions are not being clearly answered. You can still piece together what might have happened, but it is not 100% clear.
It is more important to see what impact the murder had on people around the victim (some close, some not) and how they continued with their lives.
The story consists of multiple POVs, which I found somewhat confusing especially in the beginning chapters, as it was not clear who we were following.
The time skips between chapters felt kind of inconsequential most of the time, as the passage of time is not really felt. If the year was not written down, I would not have noticed that multiple years had passed since the last chapter.
This book was overall quite good, although it reminded me at times why I do not normally like literary fiction.
It had nice short chapters which read rather quickly.
An interesting story about the reality of life.
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Book 4 in the 'Before The Coffee Gets Cold' series.
While, I still like the series and also did enjoy this book, it is starting to get a little repetitive. It started to feel repetitive in the last book, but this one really made that obvious.
I honestly do not understand why we need to repeat the rules over and over in all the details. In about every chapter the rules are being explained again, sometimes multiple times...
●Story 1
Didn't start great but the ending was good.
●Story 2
Best story of this book. Emotional and shows that grief is not just reserved for other humans. [animal death]
●Story 3
Most forgettable of the stories and I think we had a similar one before.
●Story 4
Historically interesting and overall not bad.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, even though this was the weakest in the series for me so far.
I will be reading book 5 when it comes out but I hope that it gets over the repetitiveness.
And even if not, these are still overall enjoyable little reads.
While, I still like the series and also did enjoy this book, it is starting to get a little repetitive. It started to feel repetitive in the last book, but this one really made that obvious.
I honestly do not understand why we need to repeat the rules over and over in all the details. In about every chapter the rules are being explained again, sometimes multiple times...
●Story 1
Didn't start great but the ending was good.
●Story 2
Best story of this book. Emotional and shows that grief is not just reserved for other humans. [animal death]
●Story 3
Most forgettable of the stories and I think we had a similar one before.
●Story 4
Historically interesting and overall not bad.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, even though this was the weakest in the series for me so far.
I will be reading book 5 when it comes out but I hope that it gets over the repetitiveness.
And even if not, these are still overall enjoyable little reads.
Paris Daillencourt Is about to Crumble by Alexis Hall
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
(Didn't enjoy and don't feel like formulating my thoughts into more than bullet points rn.)
Start was already rough and was, in hindsight, a clear sign.
All characters are in some way extreme.
Noone feels real but more like stereotypes & tropes.
Unconsensual tiggering by Tariq. Which kind of makes little sense the way Tariq is otherwise portrayed.
Some funny parts.
Paris is insufferable.
Don't know what know what Tariq sees in Paris. Except for his looks. Which he keeps on mentioning.
Start was already rough and was, in hindsight, a clear sign.
All characters are in some way extreme.
Noone feels real but more like stereotypes & tropes.
Unconsensual tiggering by Tariq. Which kind of makes little sense the way Tariq is otherwise portrayed.
Some funny parts.
Paris is insufferable.
Don't know what know what Tariq sees in Paris. Except for his looks. Which he keeps on mentioning.
Of Knights and Books and Falling In Love by Rita A. Rubin
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was a lovely read.
Jumping right in to the world, without much fuss, gets you hooked right away. While I did wish there was a bit more exposition/world building in the beginning, it gets the job done.
I really enjoyed the story and Jayce's struggles with his new freedom and the guilt of his actions felt real and overall well done.
I liked how Alexius tried to give Jayce the best chances possible while tumbling over his feelings.
The bookshop was a nice story point.
It was kinda weird when in one chapter something specific got said but when it was said again in a later chapter it was handled as if it had not been said before. That was the one part that tripped me up a bit.
I kinda like that Jayce never got his powers back. I had expected that some form of magic would return to him in the end, but it didn't.
The ending was nice and shows that the story is over for us but not them. Jayce has plans for the future and his growth. We know Alexius will support him but is also not planning to give up his own established life.
I liked that.
All in all a very good and quick read. Perfect for getting out of a reading slump. 👍🏻
I would also be interested to see what Josephine was up to after the fight. 👀
Jumping right in to the world, without much fuss, gets you hooked right away. While I did wish there was a bit more exposition/world building in the beginning, it gets the job done.
I really enjoyed the story and Jayce's struggles with his new freedom and the guilt of his actions felt real and overall well done.
I liked how Alexius tried to give Jayce the best chances possible while tumbling over his feelings.
The bookshop was a nice story point.
It was kinda weird when in one chapter something specific got said but when it was said again in a later chapter it was handled as if it had not been said before. That was the one part that tripped me up a bit.
The ending was nice and shows that the story is over for us but not them. Jayce has plans for the future and his growth. We know Alexius will support him but is also not planning to give up his own established life.
I liked that.
All in all a very good and quick read. Perfect for getting out of a reading slump. 👍🏻
I would also be interested to see what Josephine was up to after the fight. 👀
The House Plant by Jeremy Ray
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Cute but also somewhat emotional short story about a fern plant and its connection to the humans around it.
Learning to love and appreciate the beings around, grief over loss, ebb and flow of life
Also why some plants just don't seem to want to be taken care of. Let me love you!
Learning to love and appreciate the beings around, grief over loss, ebb and flow of life
Also why some plants just don't seem to want to be taken care of. Let me love you!
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I've been following Chris on YouTube for a few years and as I have lived in Japan for two Years of my life this book was very much exciting to me.
I loved reading about Chris' experiences over the years and the different people he encountered and formed bonds with.
There were some things and places I had never heard of and would like to see or experience now. Also some I will avoid.
It was also great to see someone having some similar experiences to me.
A lot of humor but also depth can be found in this book and this makes it friendly and approachable.
Reading about someone's life really can be quite enjoyable.
Rating biographies feels weird and I planned on giving 5 stars, but there were just a few too many editorial things I disliked.
E.g. repeated words and phrases, misspellings and chapters that would have benefited from an editor overall.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any fan of Abtoad in Japan (Chris) or anyone who is interested in Japan and seeing it from a different perspective.
I loved reading about Chris' experiences over the years and the different people he encountered and formed bonds with.
There were some things and places I had never heard of and would like to see or experience now. Also some I will avoid.
It was also great to see someone having some similar experiences to me.
A lot of humor but also depth can be found in this book and this makes it friendly and approachable.
Reading about someone's life really can be quite enjoyable.
Rating biographies feels weird and I planned on giving 5 stars, but there were just a few too many editorial things I disliked.
E.g. repeated words and phrases, misspellings and chapters that would have benefited from an editor overall.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any fan of Abtoad in Japan (Chris) or anyone who is interested in Japan and seeing it from a different perspective.
CREMA (comiXology Originals) by Johnnie Christmas, Dante Luiz
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Wasn't bad but also not great.
Things seemed to happen randomly and there was no good structure.
The art was good and the idea interesting.
Sadly overall rather forgettable.
Things seemed to happen randomly and there was no good structure.
The art was good and the idea interesting.
Sadly overall rather forgettable.
Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0