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zenzi2read's reviews
675 reviews
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The most compelling part of this novel is the creative process and how identity affects what’s produced. I would’ve enjoyed more of the book spent on research development and brainstorming sessions. I think that the authors inclusion of some of this was highly successful and added a bit of levity to a melancholy read.
What keeps this book from five star territory for me is the character development and pacing. This book takes more than 30% of its time to get to the problem that really kickstart the plot. Before that we get a lot of character development for what is a fairly shallow character, she wasn’t given enough depth or plot points that affected her personality deserving of that much time before our main plot started.
And in a story this grounded there was so much about her That was unbelievable. She making the mistakes of a much younger woman. She had far too much life experience to ignore calendar or betrayal, lifelong friend or lie in a way that she would certainly be found out. I felt the same way about her husband. They were perplexing.
What keeps this book from five star territory for me is the character development and pacing. This book takes more than 30% of its time to get to the problem that really kickstart the plot. Before that we get a lot of character development for what is a fairly shallow character, she wasn’t given enough depth or plot points that affected her personality deserving of that much time before our main plot started.
And in a story this grounded there was so much about her That was unbelievable. She making the mistakes of a much younger woman. She had far too much life experience to ignore calendar or betrayal, lifelong friend or lie in a way that she would certainly be found out. I felt the same way about her husband. They were perplexing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Racism
A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book read like a celebratory wake. The authors, unique form of storytelling – a mix of verse and prose– made this book feel less like a dry encyclopedia of black entertainment.
Although it was exciting and often times humorous, it’s obvious that it is painstakingly researched.Hanif added nuance to even the most celebrated and well-known entertainers. He he added historical context, and relevancy to entertainers that I’ve never heard of.
I found myself, pausing my read to listen to snippets of music mentioned or to watch a bit of YouTube performance. This book is an experience in itself.
This book is an excellent exploration of the labor and exhaustive nature of racism, but also of The act of resistance through Joy creativity and swagger.
Although it was exciting and often times humorous, it’s obvious that it is painstakingly researched.Hanif added nuance to even the most celebrated and well-known entertainers. He he added historical context, and relevancy to entertainers that I’ve never heard of.
I found myself, pausing my read to listen to snippets of music mentioned or to watch a bit of YouTube performance. This book is an experience in itself.
This book is an excellent exploration of the labor and exhaustive nature of racism, but also of The act of resistance through Joy creativity and swagger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
Woodworm by Layla Martínez
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Atmospheric fast paced and mysterious. Martinez describes a setting that feels at least 100 years in the past, but this is set in the present.
It could be that that anachronistic feeling is due to the fact that our main characters are ruled by the past. Is it a curse or is it generational trauma? That answer is up to interpretation, but I loved the mystery and unreliable narrators for the story.
Although the pacing could have been tighter, the story and the play on the haunted House Trope was enjoyable.
It could be that that anachronistic feeling is due to the fact that our main characters are ruled by the past. Is it a curse or is it generational trauma? That answer is up to interpretation, but I loved the mystery and unreliable narrators for the story.
Although the pacing could have been tighter, the story and the play on the haunted House Trope was enjoyable.
Red Pill by Hari Kunzru
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.5
I didn’t expect such a compelling intense narrative from this short novel. Our main characters journey from a man who is anxious about his personal future to a man who is obsessed with the state of the Western world is interesting to observe. Is it paranoia if it’s true? In some ways this feels like a thriller, but it is so deeply grounded in reality, I could believe that this was somebody’s memoir
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, and Xenophobia
You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
The last half held a lot of tension but for me the first half had almost none. It was still an interesting character study.
I enjoyed this mix of folk horror and haunted house.
I enjoyed this mix of folk horror and haunted house.
The Sequel: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Anna is a protagonist worth following! She is an impulsive agent of chaos that lets know slight go unpunished.
A mystery novel that takes place in the literary world can be a bit dry, but Anna brings excitement and tension to every interaction with the public and conversation with her team.
This was a real page Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and I wondered if Anna could imagine to evade detection with her risky behavior.
I was initially hesitant to read this because I felt that the first book did not need a sequel, but this lived up to its predecessor. There was a portion of the middle that felt overly long, but ultimately the book gathered steam after the midpoint.
A mystery novel that takes place in the literary world can be a bit dry, but Anna brings excitement and tension to every interaction with the public and conversation with her team.
This was a real page Turner. I couldn’t put it down, and I wondered if Anna could imagine to evade detection with her risky behavior.
I was initially hesitant to read this because I felt that the first book did not need a sequel, but this lived up to its predecessor. There was a portion of the middle that felt overly long, but ultimately the book gathered steam after the midpoint.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Felt like a lifetime movie.
He'll Come Knocking at Your Door by Robert R. McCammon
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was a straightforward folk horror that I really enjoyed. It’s extremely traditional and it’s delivery and writing. This was my first time reading this author, and it was very enjoyable.
I prefer more character development in my horror and would’ve liked some additional information here
I prefer more character development in my horror and would’ve liked some additional information here
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
The secondary characters in the story felt vibrant and complex. Unfortunately, our nameless character felt you did end and left enough introspection to give weight to her plot.
I spent much at the book waiting for a personal revelation or internal breakthrough. But in the end, it seems like I was supposed to buy into her Lifeless and passionless relationship with a married man
This is the terrible book, but it’s not one that I would recommend. Publishing blurb says that this book reads like a thriller, and I don’t feel that that is true..
The best part of this book was the time we spent with her as a translator. The sessions were really well done.
I spent much at the book waiting for a personal revelation or internal breakthrough. But in the end, it seems like I was supposed to buy into her Lifeless and passionless relationship with a married man
This is the terrible book, but it’s not one that I would recommend. Publishing blurb says that this book reads like a thriller, and I don’t feel that that is true..
The best part of this book was the time we spent with her as a translator. The sessions were really well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Infidelity and Violence
The Ex by Alafair Burke
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This book strength lies in its character development and adherence to grounded, legal procedure more than any twist of the plot.
I figured out the mystery of this book very early on, but I remain entertained throughout. Unfolding of the relationship between the characters and the procedural nature of the defense investigation maintained the Tension.
The characters were complex, but still likable. The defendant was passive and not entirely trustworthy, but still had some like ability. The defense attorney was career driven and prone to infidelity, but still maintained a trustworthiness at her core.
I figured out the mystery of this book very early on, but I remain entertained throughout. Unfolding of the relationship between the characters and the procedural nature of the defense investigation maintained the Tension.
The characters were complex, but still likable. The defendant was passive and not entirely trustworthy, but still had some like ability. The defense attorney was career driven and prone to infidelity, but still maintained a trustworthiness at her core.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Mass/school shootings