I really appreciated this book for leaning into its concept. It may not be for everyone, but I appreciated that Dunn really leaned into the full spirit of the freak show. I would recommend this book for people who want to read about dysfunctional who are terrible to one another.

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I’d watched the movie that was based on this play before and I enjoyed it. As a play, it was a short read but it was action packed and I really enjoyed it.

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This was Sarah Waters’ debut novel, and the second of hers that I’ve read after the Fingersmith. I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as the Fingersmith as I enjoyed the thriller aspects of the Fingersmith. As well, I found the narrator character in Tipping the Velvet somewhat unlikeable at times. But I can see why people would like this novel. It was about a woman exploring her sexuality, and had a big happy ending with all the closure. It just didn’t draw me in, specifically because I am not lesbian and so the sexuality journey did not speak to me, but again I just felt the main character hard to sympathize with at times. But still, I know some people will love this novel so please read it if you like novels about lesbian characters that are happy!

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This was a data heavy book with a simple thesis but it was still interesting.

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An interesting novella. A nice quick read.

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I’d say this was a short experimental novel. I feel like the purpose of the novel was to experiment with writing a story in this way. This novel was more of an experience rather than a story, and it definitely is not for everyone because of its extremely graphic sexual content.

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This was an interesting story, I understand why it would be well-received. There’s drama, there’s politics. Unfortunately as always is the case with older books, I felt that I didn’t absorb the story in full and I know tons of references went over my head. However, I did still feel that the story had substance. I’d recommend this book to those who want a bit of drama.

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I listened to this book as read by what seems to be a generated voice on this Youtube playlist. It felt a very comprehensive introduction to the recent history of Palestine and the attitudes of the world towards Arab nations. Definitely give it a read/listen.

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This was a science fiction novel focused on civilizations. Actually, I found a lot of similarities in themes between this novel and that of the Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy (i.e. The Three Body Problem Trilogy) but this novel took a more focused approach. I think this novel would be enjoyed by people who enjoy those themes of big questions regarding civilization.

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Another interesting short story from Liu Cixin, about a civilization of elderly folks who had created Earth, coming home to have someone to take care of them in old age.

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This was a memoir about the author’s abusive relationship. It was written in a way that pulled in references from stories, history, etc. to mirror her own experience. The chapters are very short and so this was a fairly quick read. I would recommend this book as a well-written memoir.

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This was a really good book, I thought it was fascinating and well-written. I understand why this book would have been very controversial at the time of its publishing, as this style would have been rather novel. I am of the opinion that this was a fascinating and thrilling book that also goes deep into the brain of a criminal. Definitely recommend this book!

Spoilers.

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Very interesting book that was not at all what I expected. This was not a crime novel as I had expected. Rather, it was an exploration of people and personalities who were connected by crime. I would recommend this book to people who want a psychological read. But be warned that this book can be dark.

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Another very compelling mystery from Keigo Higashino. I was going to call it a fun little mystery but I feel a bit weird calling murders fun lol. This was the third book in the Professor Galileo series that was translated into English, and also the third one of this series that I’ve read. I felt that it had a different tone from the Devotion of Suspect X and Salvation of Saint. It felt more like a police mystery. But overall still a good mystery.

Spoilers for a Midsummer’s Equation, the Devotion of Suspect X, and Salvation of a Saint.

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This book was alright. It was a little too cheesy and fairy tale-like for me to fully enjoy. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was younger, but I couldn't really take it seriously. It did have some interesting plots and themes as a mystery/adventure, but the way it was written was too perfect and too morally black and white for me to enjoy.

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This was a nice little story. Not complicated, just the story of a woman finding her path in life. It reminded me a bit of Passage to India, though I've only watched the film adaptation of that. I'd recommend this book as a nice short novel.

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This was a terrific set of short stories. Varied in nature, from the freaky and unexplainable horror, to detective crime. Having read some Japanese crime novels, it was pretty cool to see how they drew influence from Edogawa Ranpo's early works.

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This was a children's novel and it read as such, very wholesome, very hopeful. I'd recommend it if you want something light and easy.

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Interesting story. It's an easy read and I can see why this book would be an easier gateway to classical Greek plays. I would recommend this for people who want to read a short but tragic play.

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What an epic and dramatic set of novels.

I've done separate write ups on the individual of the four novels and then summarized my thoughts in one huge section.

Overall, this was a good book as Ferrante expressed very interesting relationships and themes. However, I will say this book was rage inducing on account of the characters acting in very dramatic ways.

Spoilers abound!!

My Brilliant Friend

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The Story of a New Name

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Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

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The Story of the Lost Child & The Story of Bad Blood

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Overall Thoughts

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