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1.16k reviews by:
anabel_unker
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
*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*
Oh Linda Holmes, you've done it again.
Cecily Foster has been the supporting character in her own life. A talented podcast producer, she works tirelessly for her boss (and for his company) as the catch all worker-- filling in the gaps wherever the team may need her. The only podcast she's worked on that's reached any amount of fame was stolen by her ex-boyfriend after their split. Her life, while not unhappy, is decidedly not what she had hoped for herself.
When her boss dangles the promise of her own show (finally!) and threatens the job of her mentee in exchange for her participation in a new show-- Twenty Dates. Cecily has no interest in going on twenty first dates, nor collaborating with an influencer to promote her dating coach services; but she isn't given much of a choice.
Witty and heartwarming, Linda Holmes once again proves why she's on my always-read list. Her characters are always original and unique, and while BACK AFTER THIS is a romance (and an incredibly sweet one at that #teamwaiter) Cecily's journey is one of self-love and finally voicing (and finding) her desires.
Oh Linda Holmes, you've done it again.
Cecily Foster has been the supporting character in her own life. A talented podcast producer, she works tirelessly for her boss (and for his company) as the catch all worker-- filling in the gaps wherever the team may need her. The only podcast she's worked on that's reached any amount of fame was stolen by her ex-boyfriend after their split. Her life, while not unhappy, is decidedly not what she had hoped for herself.
When her boss dangles the promise of her own show (finally!) and threatens the job of her mentee in exchange for her participation in a new show-- Twenty Dates. Cecily has no interest in going on twenty first dates, nor collaborating with an influencer to promote her dating coach services; but she isn't given much of a choice.
Witty and heartwarming, Linda Holmes once again proves why she's on my always-read list. Her characters are always original and unique, and while BACK AFTER THIS is a romance (and an incredibly sweet one at that #teamwaiter) Cecily's journey is one of self-love and finally voicing (and finding) her desires.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
*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 next in their Greek myth series, author Serge Le Tendre and artist Frédéric Peynet, breath life into the classic tale of Pygmalion and his statue that comes to life.
The tale itself is straightforward, with the rather clever explanation for how Aphrodite brought the statue to life, and tackles the slippery ideas of loving and being loved in return. The artwork is stunning, Peynet did a wonderful job of characterization and bringing life (pun intended) to the story outside of just the script. The addition of characters outside the best known version of the myth, specifically Agape and Ephebe, make the story more authentic as well as drive the plot forward.
However, I didn't love the representation of people outside the Greek population-- specifically the almost animalistic depiction of the Egyptian slave.
PYGMALION is a great graphic novel, sure to be enjoyed by many!
The next in their Greek myth series, author Serge Le Tendre and artist Frédéric Peynet, breath life into the classic tale of Pygmalion and his statue that comes to life.
The tale itself is straightforward, with the rather clever explanation for how Aphrodite brought the statue to life, and tackles the slippery ideas of loving and being loved in return. The artwork is stunning, Peynet did a wonderful job of characterization and bringing life (pun intended) to the story outside of just the script. The addition of characters outside the best known version of the myth, specifically Agape and Ephebe, make the story more authentic as well as drive the plot forward.
However, I didn't love the representation of people outside the Greek population-- specifically the almost animalistic depiction of the Egyptian slave.
PYGMALION is a great graphic novel, sure to be enjoyed by many!
*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.*
WARNING: mentions of abortion and death in this review
As a nurse myself, I'm always excited to read memoirs of other RN's-- I especially enjoy comparing modern hospitals to those in the past (even if the past is only twenty years ago, a lot changes!). ZERO TO TEN was no exception. Set primarily from the 1970s to 1990s (if I did my math correctly), Patricia Taylor is able to give the viewer a broken-down version of what working in a hospital was like as a nurse. She does a wonderful job of simplifying complex medical jargon, making this book perfect for someone not in the medical field, but interested in the subject.
However, I have several fundamental problems with this book. The writing was very simplistic, almost juvenile at times-- a grown woman reflecting on her professional career should not use "like" as frequently as Taylor did. The language made me lose a lot of respect for a woman who very obviously had a successful career as a RN, even if this writing style was an attempt to hark back on her younger years.
The author also made me, as both a reader and fellow nurse, incredibly uncomfortable with how many patients and doctors she described as handsome or attractive (even going as far as assuring the readers she was not in a sexual relationship with a gay man dying of AIDS).
And, on a more personal note, it bothered me that Taylor did not take the time to explain why the outdated medical treatments she describes are dangerous by today's standards-- it felt as though, upon reflection, she simply shrugged her shoulders and said "oh well" after describing a terrible event. It's important to explain to readers why the third-trimester abortion described is now illegal (and WAS illegal at the time) and horrific by any health care standard. ZERO TO TEN touched on topics such as palliative care, cancer patients, a sudden and violent patient death, a possible murder (?), and the abuse of a psychiatric patient; but all of these incredibly difficult topics were barely discussed and treated with a disturbing laissiez-faire attitude.
On a closing note, I applaud Taylor for writing this book-- it's not an easy feat, and it's certainly not easy to look back at often painful memories as a bedside nurse. But as a reader and nurse, I cannot recommend this book.
WARNING: mentions of abortion and death in this review
As a nurse myself, I'm always excited to read memoirs of other RN's-- I especially enjoy comparing modern hospitals to those in the past (even if the past is only twenty years ago, a lot changes!). ZERO TO TEN was no exception. Set primarily from the 1970s to 1990s (if I did my math correctly), Patricia Taylor is able to give the viewer a broken-down version of what working in a hospital was like as a nurse. She does a wonderful job of simplifying complex medical jargon, making this book perfect for someone not in the medical field, but interested in the subject.
However, I have several fundamental problems with this book. The writing was very simplistic, almost juvenile at times-- a grown woman reflecting on her professional career should not use "like" as frequently as Taylor did. The language made me lose a lot of respect for a woman who very obviously had a successful career as a RN, even if this writing style was an attempt to hark back on her younger years.
The author also made me, as both a reader and fellow nurse, incredibly uncomfortable with how many patients and doctors she described as handsome or attractive (even going as far as assuring the readers she was not in a sexual relationship with a gay man dying of AIDS).
And, on a more personal note, it bothered me that Taylor did not take the time to explain why the outdated medical treatments she describes are dangerous by today's standards-- it felt as though, upon reflection, she simply shrugged her shoulders and said "oh well" after describing a terrible event. It's important to explain to readers why the third-trimester abortion described is now illegal (and WAS illegal at the time) and horrific by any health care standard. ZERO TO TEN touched on topics such as palliative care, cancer patients, a sudden and violent patient death, a possible murder (?), and the abuse of a psychiatric patient; but all of these incredibly difficult topics were barely discussed and treated with a disturbing laissiez-faire attitude.
On a closing note, I applaud Taylor for writing this book-- it's not an easy feat, and it's certainly not easy to look back at often painful memories as a bedside nurse. But as a reader and nurse, I cannot recommend this 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*
A refreshing and fun twist on the time loop trope, THE DEJA GLITCH is a perfect mix of Groundhog Day and 50 First Dates (shout out to fellow reviewer Nilufer Ozmekik for that perfect comparison). I loved that the story is from the point of view of the person who can't remember rather than the person that is stuck-- it was such a good twist on a classic idea. I also personally loved how imperfect Gemma was; she was frustrating and a little selfish, but it made her feel real and her reactions seem genuine.
GLITCH was a super quick and charming read, perfect for anyone looking to satisfy their rom-com needs!
A refreshing and fun twist on the time loop trope, THE DEJA GLITCH is a perfect mix of Groundhog Day and 50 First Dates (shout out to fellow reviewer Nilufer Ozmekik for that perfect comparison). I loved that the story is from the point of view of the person who can't remember rather than the person that is stuck-- it was such a good twist on a classic idea. I also personally loved how imperfect Gemma was; she was frustrating and a little selfish, but it made her feel real and her reactions seem genuine.
GLITCH was a super quick and charming read, perfect for anyone looking to satisfy their rom-com needs!
*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*
WORN OUT is an "Insider's Look" into the world behind the glossy magazines and mindless online shopping. This book, not exactly a hard-hitting expose but definitely eye opening for anyone not intimately involved in the fashion industry.
Most cosumers are aware of the issues with fast-fashion: including, but not limited to: worker explotation, waste creation, diversity inclusion/exclusion, counterfiets, greenwashing, and slave use. All of these topics (and more) are explored in WORN OUT-- mostly through personal commentary and anecdotes, interview material collected by the author, and examples found in popular culture.
This book is not meant to, in my opinion, offer any previously unknown facts-- but instead acts as a looking glass to which the common western consumer can look at the mess their consumption has caused. But it's not all doom and gloom, Alyssa Harding provides some options for the everyday person, as well as the corporation and designers, to improving our practices.
WORN OUT is an "Insider's Look" into the world behind the glossy magazines and mindless online shopping. This book, not exactly a hard-hitting expose but definitely eye opening for anyone not intimately involved in the fashion industry.
Most cosumers are aware of the issues with fast-fashion: including, but not limited to: worker explotation, waste creation, diversity inclusion/exclusion, counterfiets, greenwashing, and slave use. All of these topics (and more) are explored in WORN OUT-- mostly through personal commentary and anecdotes, interview material collected by the author, and examples found in popular culture.
This book is not meant to, in my opinion, offer any previously unknown facts-- but instead acts as a looking glass to which the common western consumer can look at the mess their consumption has caused. But it's not all doom and gloom, Alyssa Harding provides some options for the everyday person, as well as the corporation and designers, to improving our practices.
*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*
Short and sweet, THE BABY PLAN has everything you want and nothing you don’t. This was a good, mindless, clean romance story that provided just the right amount of the feel goods ◡̈
Short and sweet, THE BABY PLAN has everything you want and nothing you don’t. This was a good, mindless, clean romance story that provided just the right amount of the feel goods ◡̈
This book was written in a different time (a VERY different time). As a modern reader, there was more sexism and racism than I would normally ever put up with– but, if you’re able to put aside the blatant issues with the treatment of women and local natives/immigrants, this is an action packed survivalist novel that kept me on my toes until the last pages.
*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*
Super cute, super scary, super fun young adult thriller for the end of this year's spooky season!
Jessa has always played the role of the Perfect Girl. She's known as the teacher's pet, the suck up, and (to her trouble-making older brother) 'Judge Jessa'. But someone has to be the unobtrusive, untroubled, put together daughter, someone has to make the plans and execute them, someone has to keep everything (and everyone) together... and no one else is stepping up to the plate.
When faced with the possibility of being left home alone during a string of kidnappings in the next town over, Jessa petitions her parents to let her have a sleep over with her friends. However, things start to unravel and Jessa's perfect reputation may mean the difference between life and death for them all.
I had such a good time listening to this book! The narrator did an amazing job of capturing each character's individual voice as well as maintaining an incredible level of suspense. PERFECT GIRL felt like the young adult version of a Criminal Minds episode (there was no explicit violence or gore, but it was definitely implied), and maybe that's why I loved it so much!
Super cute, super scary, super fun young adult thriller for the end of this year's spooky season!
Jessa has always played the role of the Perfect Girl. She's known as the teacher's pet, the suck up, and (to her trouble-making older brother) 'Judge Jessa'. But someone has to be the unobtrusive, untroubled, put together daughter, someone has to make the plans and execute them, someone has to keep everything (and everyone) together... and no one else is stepping up to the plate.
When faced with the possibility of being left home alone during a string of kidnappings in the next town over, Jessa petitions her parents to let her have a sleep over with her friends. However, things start to unravel and Jessa's perfect reputation may mean the difference between life and death for them all.
I had such a good time listening to this book! The narrator did an amazing job of capturing each character's individual voice as well as maintaining an incredible level of suspense. PERFECT GIRL felt like the young adult version of a Criminal Minds episode (there was no explicit violence or gore, but it was definitely implied), and maybe that's why I loved it so much!
