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futurama's reviews
316 reviews
Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan's #metoo Movement by Shiori Ito
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I read this book in three hours. The whole time I was sweating and frustrated and sad and angry. Ito painstakingly details her assault in chronological order along with notes from the present day. It's an intense read but a necessary one. I still need more time to process. I do hope more of Ito's investigative work gets translated. Not only is this an expose on Japan's legal system and treatment of sexual assault in culture and law, it's also a fine work of investigative journalism. Ito mentions other projects she worked on in the book and hopefully we can read that as well.
Ito's case started and finished the entire time I lived in Japan and I remember seeing the original Japanese book selling out at bookstores. Thank you Shiori for your bravery.
On another note, the translation by Allison Markin Powell was seamless. Powell also translates Hiromi Kawakami's books (The Nakano Thrift Shop and others) amongst other themmy Japanese authors.
This is one of those rare books I think is a true 5/5
Ito's case started and finished the entire time I lived in Japan and I remember seeing the original Japanese book selling out at bookstores. Thank you Shiori for your bravery.
On another note, the translation by Allison Markin Powell was seamless. Powell also translates Hiromi Kawakami's books (The Nakano Thrift Shop and others) amongst other themmy Japanese authors.
This is one of those rare books I think is a true 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
many things i loved - the interconnected stories, the character's true and raw voices, the inability to hold back. one of my top reads of this year
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun, Janet Hong
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
A whodunnit told from the perspective of three women some sort of proximity to the deceased.
Wow! I didn't expect to enjoy this so much. Pitched like a thriller, most reviews said to expect more of a literary novella rather than a crime novel. However, Kwon balanced genres like an expert. It's still a murder mysterythere are subtle hints throughout the book to know who the murderer is and what someone does for revenge but it's also an experimental form.
Before reading, I didn't know the novel was narrated by three different people. I enjoyed getting to know the three perspectives and trying to figure out who each person was. I wish it was longer, there were some societal and cultural elements that could have been fleshed out with more words, but I enjoyed the small amount of time I had with Da-on and others.
I guessed who the culprits were but I'm not one hundred percent on it. I'd love to discuss with someone else.
Wow! I didn't expect to enjoy this so much. Pitched like a thriller, most reviews said to expect more of a literary novella rather than a crime novel. However, Kwon balanced genres like an expert. It's still a murder mystery
Before reading, I didn't know the novel was narrated by three different people. I enjoyed getting to know the three perspectives and trying to figure out who each person was. I wish it was longer, there were some societal and cultural elements that could have been fleshed out with more words, but I enjoyed the small amount of time I had with Da-on and others.
I guessed who the culprits were but I'm not one hundred percent on it. I'd love to discuss with someone else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Eating disorder
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
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? No
2.25
ugh. did I DNF this?
Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.75
Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Kendall covered a wide selection of topics relating to feminism for all and calls out yt feminism in a satisfying manner. I do wish the essays were more in depth, though this is my main complaint for all non-fiction essay collections. I'll definitely pick up another book she writes. The topics were broad so this should be essential feminist reading (before going into more specific books)
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Petersen
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.5