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frances_frances's reviews
286 reviews
Chlorine by Jade Song
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me.
So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men by Claire Keegan
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.0
These stories were less compelling to me than Foster and Small Things Like These. But I love Claire Keegan's writing so much and will gladly read anything she writes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual violence
Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
This book didn't really do it for me. It's an interesting concept and I liked the few gore/horror illustrations.
I wish there was more engagement with disability politics. The book barely scratches the surface and that felt like a missed opportunity. And I think I would have preferred less side plots and stories, as well as less explanation of the medical and scientific processes taking place. I'd rather know less than be bogged down by so many intricate details. Maybe that's perfect for you!
I wish there was more engagement with disability politics. The book barely scratches the surface and that felt like a missed opportunity. And I think I would have preferred less side plots and stories, as well as less explanation of the medical and scientific processes taking place. I'd rather know less than be bogged down by so many intricate details. Maybe that's perfect for you!
The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I appreciate the experimentation and effort but wasn't into the end result. The overlapping timelines and abrupt jumps from scene to scene were interesting techniques but they ultimately had little impact for me. I think the author relied too much on this presentation as a means of conveying the unknown, suffocating vibes of the factory. This book is just not for me.
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have some notes but overall this was a weird, fun little ride. It left me wanting more, which I actually really like.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I feel mixed about this book. The writing is decent and the initial big twist surprised me. The ending felt kinda slapdash and rushed, with some storylines wrapping up in ways that felt too convenient.
I enjoyed Leo's chapters and wish we got to hear more from him. But also, now that I know the ending, I feel a bit like "what's the point" with his storyline.
Not perfect but worth the read overall. This is my first Mary Kubica book and I'll probably try some of her others.
I enjoyed Leo's chapters and wish we got to hear more from him. But also, now that I know the ending, I feel a bit like "what's the point" with his storyline.
Not perfect but worth the read overall. This is my first Mary Kubica book and I'll probably try some of her others.
Grieving While Black: An Antiracist Take on Oppression and Sorrow by Breeshia Wade
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Anyone and everyone one could benefit from this book. I appreciate the accessible language and holistic perspective. Highly recommend the short but impactful book.
Keeping Two by Jordan Crane
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Yeah I really hated this book. There were a few illustrations and lines of dialogue that stood out to me so that's why I gave it 1.5 stars rather than one, but otherwise it sucked. The themes of the book are certainly worth exploring but the actual execution felt totally unoriginal and tired. The result felt juvenile to me - manufactured drama and forced trauma told from an emotionally shallow perspective.
There's also a ton of depictions of violence against women. Yes, Will is spiraling in his anxiety and unable to stop imaging all the ways his partner could be in danger. However, the result for the reader is just having to watch her get robbed, brutalized, and murdered a bunch. Depicting violence against women (or any other marginalized / vulnerable populations) is a slippery slope. At what point does it stop being commentary and become a gross indulgence in gender based violence? This, along with Dan being a total asshole to his partner after a stillbirth left a bad taste in my mouth. And it all feels especially gross since the author is a man.
Also, unhoused people were often perpetrators of violence in Will's fantasies. This was upsetting as it plays into harmful stereotypes about people who are poor and/or experiencing addiction.
There's also a ton of depictions of violence against women. Yes, Will is spiraling in his anxiety and unable to stop imaging all the ways his partner could be in danger. However, the result for the reader is just having to watch her get robbed, brutalized, and murdered a bunch. Depicting violence against women (or any other marginalized / vulnerable populations) is a slippery slope. At what point does it stop being commentary and become a gross indulgence in gender based violence? This, along with Dan being a total asshole to his partner after a stillbirth left a bad taste in my mouth. And it all feels especially gross since the author is a man.
Also, unhoused people were often perpetrators of violence in Will's fantasies. This was upsetting as it plays into harmful stereotypes about people who are poor and/or experiencing addiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Readable but pretty bad. The perspectives shift from paragraph to paragraph making for a clunky and sometimes confusing reading experience. The characters were conveyed in such a heavy handed manner, so much telling rather than showing. The bad guy is especially poorly written. Their psychopathy was so on the nose and just felt cliched. Overall this book felt juvenile in its tone and execution.
One's Company by Ashley Hutson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Strange and emotionally complex. Relatable and confusing and highly engrossing.