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anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Starling, a nineteen year old raised on the road and in the forests of England, suddenly finds herself alone after her mother, Mar, leaves without a word. Left by herself, Starling embarks on a journey of self-discovery and truth as she tries to find where she belongs, and with whom.
This book is beautiful, it almost reads more like poetry than prose. Butler is a lyrical writer, and Starling's journey is a long and winding journey. This is not a tale of a survivalist living off the land, but instead of a woman (who feels more like a girl) thrust into the world with no pretense or guide. There are those who care for her, despite her mother's cruel goodbyes, and Starling's story is one of accepting a home.
Starling, a nineteen year old raised on the road and in the forests of England, suddenly finds herself alone after her mother, Mar, leaves without a word. Left by herself, Starling embarks on a journey of self-discovery and truth as she tries to find where she belongs, and with whom.
This book is beautiful, it almost reads more like poetry than prose. Butler is a lyrical writer, and Starling's journey is a long and winding journey. This is not a tale of a survivalist living off the land, but instead of a woman (who feels more like a girl) thrust into the world with no pretense or guide. There are those who care for her, despite her mother's cruel goodbyes, and Starling's story is one of accepting a home.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
The second in Misha Popp's Pies Before Guys Mystery Series, A GOOD DAY TO PIE follows Daisy Ellery as she competes in a new American verision of the Great British Bake Off (which was never actually named, just refered to as 'the popular British baking series'). Able to infuse her bakes with deadly magic, when one of Daisy's future targets ends up as a judge- and then deceased- she has to solve the mystery before it gets pinned on the wrong person.
This book is easily one of the best cozy mysteries I've read in a long time. Similiar to Bailey Cates' Magical Bakery Series, Popp's infuses so much warmth into her writing, making GOOD DAY was an utter delight to read. While I haven't read the first in the series at this time, it was easy enough to jump straight into the book without feeling confused about who certain characters were and what previously happened. The story is light and enjoyable, with the baking competition taking center stage and the magical element mostly in play at the end. The mystery itself was clever, and I enjoyed how realisticly the investigation played out-- sometimes, in the cozy mystery genre, the main character's ability to dedicate time to investigations or connections can feel unrealistic.
Perfect for longtime (or new) cozy mystery fans, A GOOD DAY TO PIE is sure to please!
The second in Misha Popp's Pies Before Guys Mystery Series, A GOOD DAY TO PIE follows Daisy Ellery as she competes in a new American verision of the Great British Bake Off (which was never actually named, just refered to as 'the popular British baking series'). Able to infuse her bakes with deadly magic, when one of Daisy's future targets ends up as a judge- and then deceased- she has to solve the mystery before it gets pinned on the wrong person.
This book is easily one of the best cozy mysteries I've read in a long time. Similiar to Bailey Cates' Magical Bakery Series, Popp's infuses so much warmth into her writing, making GOOD DAY was an utter delight to read. While I haven't read the first in the series at this time, it was easy enough to jump straight into the book without feeling confused about who certain characters were and what previously happened. The story is light and enjoyable, with the baking competition taking center stage and the magical element mostly in play at the end. The mystery itself was clever, and I enjoyed how realisticly the investigation played out-- sometimes, in the cozy mystery genre, the main character's ability to dedicate time to investigations or connections can feel unrealistic.
Perfect for longtime (or new) cozy mystery fans, A GOOD DAY TO PIE is sure to please!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In LOST LUGGAGE-- a quintessential, feel-good read-- Dolly is struggling to grapple with the loss of her beloved sister, Greta. After continuing to struggle with depression for a year, Dolly decides to honor her sister and partake in their Christmas tradition of attending a lost luggage auction. Drawn to a bright steamer, Dolly finds a journal inside with a "Year of Firsts" challenge. With the help of her neighbors, 11-year old Flo and retired Leroy, Dolly embarks on the adventure of her lifetime.
LOST LUGGAGE is everything you could hope for in a cozy book; it emphasizes the importance of found family and acceptance of love, even if you don't feel like you deserve it. While the plot twists are predictable for the genre, they feel appropriate and add depth to the characters.
In LOST LUGGAGE-- a quintessential, feel-good read-- Dolly is struggling to grapple with the loss of her beloved sister, Greta. After continuing to struggle with depression for a year, Dolly decides to honor her sister and partake in their Christmas tradition of attending a lost luggage auction. Drawn to a bright steamer, Dolly finds a journal inside with a "Year of Firsts" challenge. With the help of her neighbors, 11-year old Flo and retired Leroy, Dolly embarks on the adventure of her lifetime.
LOST LUGGAGE is everything you could hope for in a cozy book; it emphasizes the importance of found family and acceptance of love, even if you don't feel like you deserve it. While the plot twists are predictable for the genre, they feel appropriate and add depth to the characters.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In JUST MY TYPE, Lana Parker has been stuck on the Dating and Romance column for eight years-- which is eight years too long in her opinion. However, it's obvious to even her that her romance life has been great source material. After pulling a Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (thinking her boyfriend was going to propose and then being dumped instead) for the fourth time, Lana is suddenly thrust into a work competition with her ex-boyfriend. THE ex-boyfriend. Thus follows a modern How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Devil Wears Prada mash-up.
This book. While I had some minor problems with the main character herself (mostly the "Oh my Loki's" and the classic trope of hot-girl-into-nerdy-stuff) this book was overall delightful. It's classic, cute, and is a true rom-com read!
In JUST MY TYPE, Lana Parker has been stuck on the Dating and Romance column for eight years-- which is eight years too long in her opinion. However, it's obvious to even her that her romance life has been great source material. After pulling a Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (thinking her boyfriend was going to propose and then being dumped instead) for the fourth time, Lana is suddenly thrust into a work competition with her ex-boyfriend. THE ex-boyfriend. Thus follows a modern How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Devil Wears Prada mash-up.
This book. While I had some minor problems with the main character herself (mostly the "Oh my Loki's" and the classic trope of hot-girl-into-nerdy-stuff) this book was overall delightful. It's classic, cute, and is a true rom-com read!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
This book contains discussions on: disordered eating, bullying, cheating (emotional and physical)
Ellie, former fat girl and current high-profile influencer, makes her living by promoting her wellness and fitness tips to over 500,000 followers (on instagram). She has achieved everything she could hope for-- massive weight loss, a perfect singer boyfriend, parternships and deals with companies she believes in. However, beneath the glossy surface, things are falling apart in her life. She begins to fall in love with someone NOT her boyfriend and Ellie is slowly realizing that everyone in her life have hidden agendas.
I wanted to love this book. I think it was written and translated at an important time-- when influencers are at their peak. Getting a 'behind the scenes' look into what goes into making an influencer was very eyes opening, and it really reminded me (and I'm sure other readers) that most of it is fabricated.
However, SUCK IT IN AND SMILE fell flat for me. Ellie never really developed as a person, instead deciding to take her emotional affair to the physical level in some of the last chapter. She began developing disordered eating, and any attempts at acknowledging fatphobia or the issues with perpetrating an ideal body type were talked about in long, rambling paragraphs but never really translated to action by the characters. Ellie also began working with her former friend (and bully), but no confrontation ever happened between the two-- there was this constant back and forth of 'I think I can trust her' to 'This is why I can't trust her'. This story, overall, felt like only half of a full book.
This book contains discussions on: disordered eating, bullying, cheating (emotional and physical)
Ellie, former fat girl and current high-profile influencer, makes her living by promoting her wellness and fitness tips to over 500,000 followers (on instagram). She has achieved everything she could hope for-- massive weight loss, a perfect singer boyfriend, parternships and deals with companies she believes in. However, beneath the glossy surface, things are falling apart in her life. She begins to fall in love with someone NOT her boyfriend and Ellie is slowly realizing that everyone in her life have hidden agendas.
I wanted to love this book. I think it was written and translated at an important time-- when influencers are at their peak. Getting a 'behind the scenes' look into what goes into making an influencer was very eyes opening, and it really reminded me (and I'm sure other readers) that most of it is fabricated.
However, SUCK IT IN AND SMILE fell flat for me. Ellie never really developed as a person, instead deciding to take her emotional affair to the physical level in some of the last chapter. She began developing disordered eating, and any attempts at acknowledging fatphobia or the issues with perpetrating an ideal body type were talked about in long, rambling paragraphs but never really translated to action by the characters. Ellie also began working with her former friend (and bully), but no confrontation ever happened between the two-- there was this constant back and forth of 'I think I can trust her' to 'This is why I can't trust her'. This story, overall, felt like only half of a full book.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY is a conversational deep-dive into American history and it's relation to pies. This book is not just about pies (although they obviously power the whole book)-- Anastopoulo discusses Native American and Pilgrim relations (and the subsequent treatment of Native Americans), slavery, black nationalism, toxic masculinity, capitalism, and more. It features small chapters discussing more outlier pies, such as my beloved Derby Pie and Indiana Sugar Pie, and the Hawaiian Chocolate Haupia Pie, without the deeper dive in its history and relation to the USA.
This book is fun, incredibly well researched, and is a great option for someone looking for a casual non-fiction read! It was easy to put down and return to, and I did end up learning quite a bit!
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY is a conversational deep-dive into American history and it's relation to pies. This book is not just about pies (although they obviously power the whole book)-- Anastopoulo discusses Native American and Pilgrim relations (and the subsequent treatment of Native Americans), slavery, black nationalism, toxic masculinity, capitalism, and more. It features small chapters discussing more outlier pies, such as my beloved Derby Pie and Indiana Sugar Pie, and the Hawaiian Chocolate Haupia Pie, without the deeper dive in its history and relation to the USA.
This book is fun, incredibly well researched, and is a great option for someone looking for a casual non-fiction read! It was easy to put down and return to, and I did end up learning quite a bit!