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loischanel's reviews
312 reviews
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
4.0
I found the perverseness of this read to be enticing. The author establishes a unique writing style that is distinctive but also a bit monotone and prosaic at times. The book primarily deals with the affair between Frances and Nick and their growing affection for each other despite the romantic feelings they possess for others. The book has a very unambiguously political aesthetic, that of anarchist non-traditionalism... More to come in my upcoming review! See my profile for the link to my blog. For now, what I will say is that I wholly recommend this book. It was gripping throughout and articulated itself very well in terms of describing thoughts and emotions.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
2.0
Kafka On The Shore is synonymous of Murakami's writing in that it is deeply symbolic, abstract and perverse.
I felt like the novel was built up really well and even had some light comedic moments but ultimately disillusioned by the over philosophical rhetoric that felt too saccharine for me almost as though it was trying to be too deep.
I also felt it lacked a sense of tonal cohesion in the way it switched genres from contemporary to sci-fi/fantasy and an unsatisfying ending that felt too ambiguous and vague.
I love the way Murakami explores sexuality and eroticism in his novels but in Kafka On The Shore it just felt incongruous and unrelatable. An altogether disappointing read that I was glad to finish.
I felt like the novel was built up really well and even had some light comedic moments but ultimately disillusioned by the over philosophical rhetoric that felt too saccharine for me almost as though it was trying to be too deep.
I also felt it lacked a sense of tonal cohesion in the way it switched genres from contemporary to sci-fi/fantasy and an unsatisfying ending that felt too ambiguous and vague.
I love the way Murakami explores sexuality and eroticism in his novels but in Kafka On The Shore it just felt incongruous and unrelatable. An altogether disappointing read that I was glad to finish.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
3.0
A very well written, accessible thriller with all the fundamental ingredients of a classic whodunit including giving several characters a motive for the murder and creating a general of suspense, however it was a bit too easy for me to guess some of the outcomes and certain story arcs felt like they had loose ends. I nonetheless loved this book particularly the way the plot was revealed in drips and drabs thereby giving you an incentive to remain invested in the story.
Wellmania: Extreme Misadventures in the Search for Wellness by Brigid Delaney
5.0
Loved it !! This whole idea of wellness was expanded upon in a very well-rounded, multi-faceted way that was extremely relatable for me and very funny!
The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments by Meik Wiking
4.0
Heartening, practical and personable. Of the many positive takeaways I got from this book was the fact that I really need to quit my job and start working for Meik Wiking at the Happiness Research Institute!
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
3.0
Aciman knows how to capture the essence of human emotion and sentiment and does so perfectly in this novel as with us very poetic use of symbolism.
On paper Call Me By Your Name is an exceptional read and I would recommend it as I'm sure it will strike the emotional chord with others it ultimately failed to strike in me.
I unfortunately didn't feel any emotional connection from this book even though it was written from a place of vulnerability and certain sections I thought were in poor taste but altogether what I would term an adequate read.
On paper Call Me By Your Name is an exceptional read and I would recommend it as I'm sure it will strike the emotional chord with others it ultimately failed to strike in me.
I unfortunately didn't feel any emotional connection from this book even though it was written from a place of vulnerability and certain sections I thought were in poor taste but altogether what I would term an adequate read.
Orange Is the New Black: My Year In a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman
4.0
I thought this read was an eye-opening and inciteful look into how shared adversity connects people. Some bits were cumbersome and banal in their feeling of normalcy and made me think about how most tv shows and movies focus more on the chase and the lead-up to prison rather than actual life on the inside. However I loved the way it ended albeit with mixed feelings..