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adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.75 stars.
One of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and fantastic follow up to Anatomy: A Love Story (thank goodness for that because the ending was a total killer of a cliffhanger), but I am truly saddened to find that this is listed as a duology rather than a trilogy. I'm just plainly in love with Dana Schwartz's world and I could honestly have this just continue on as an infinite series at this point. Once again, a gorgeous cover that is truly brilliantly matched to the subject material. And a great blend of historical fiction with a touch of sci-fi.
The characters in this second of the duology were just as lovely as the first. The plot wasn't quite a seamless and did have some waffling moments, but I enjoyed the journey all the same. The tale is gripping and entertaining with a mixture of so many genres peppered in to the narrative. I very much enjoyed the read and how quickly the story moved. The historical content was lovely and both imaginative and intriguing. Yes...I am that nerd who looks up the characters after the fact to discover the real histories.
Dana Schwartz is a fantastic writer who delivers the goods in her novels. Great story, wonderful characters, and atmospheric writing. Loved this. Dana...please write more. :)
One of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and fantastic follow up to Anatomy: A Love Story (thank goodness for that because the ending was a total killer of a cliffhanger), but I am truly saddened to find that this is listed as a duology rather than a trilogy. I'm just plainly in love with Dana Schwartz's world and I could honestly have this just continue on as an infinite series at this point. Once again, a gorgeous cover that is truly brilliantly matched to the subject material. And a great blend of historical fiction with a touch of sci-fi.
The characters in this second of the duology were just as lovely as the first. The plot wasn't quite a seamless and did have some waffling moments, but I enjoyed the journey all the same. The tale is gripping and entertaining with a mixture of so many genres peppered in to the narrative. I very much enjoyed the read and how quickly the story moved. The historical content was lovely and both imaginative and intriguing. Yes...I am that nerd who looks up the characters after the fact to discover the real histories.
Dana Schwartz is a fantastic writer who delivers the goods in her novels. Great story, wonderful characters, and atmospheric writing. Loved this. Dana...please write more. :)
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Lauren Graham is always entertaining. This short collection of anecdotes is just as much fun as her other essay collections and I enjoyed my quick read. It's always best to listen to her books as I just love how her personality comes shining through so well in her narration. I'm not typically one who loves random little stories about random celebrity lives, but I'll always make an exception for her.
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
A fairly quick moving sci-fi thriller with a LOT of scientific research packed into the plot. The sheer detail of the information presented had me wowed. The plot is interesting and reads like a blockbuster movie.
The plot is where the heart of this story is. There is a lot of action and things are fairly high stakes from beginning to end. While the protagonist is well-written, the other characters aren't quite as interesting as I would've liked. They're mostly placeholders.
Because of the amount of scientific detail, there are pieces of the plot where the information was well above my understanding, but hey...it sounded legit. Though I can't vouch for 100% accuracy, I will assume that the majority of the scientific basis is solid and that Crouch did his research before writing. There is a lot of thought-provoking material contained in the pages. There is exploration of climate change, human impact, and the basic foundations of humanity.
This story kept my attention from beginning to end and was really a lot of fun to read. It's not an uplifting read...instead more of a thought piece...but it is a good one.
A fairly quick moving sci-fi thriller with a LOT of scientific research packed into the plot. The sheer detail of the information presented had me wowed. The plot is interesting and reads like a blockbuster movie.
The plot is where the heart of this story is. There is a lot of action and things are fairly high stakes from beginning to end. While the protagonist is well-written, the other characters aren't quite as interesting as I would've liked. They're mostly placeholders.
Because of the amount of scientific detail, there are pieces of the plot where the information was well above my understanding, but hey...it sounded legit. Though I can't vouch for 100% accuracy, I will assume that the majority of the scientific basis is solid and that Crouch did his research before writing. There is a lot of thought-provoking material contained in the pages. There is exploration of climate change, human impact, and the basic foundations of humanity.
This story kept my attention from beginning to end and was really a lot of fun to read. It's not an uplifting read...instead more of a thought piece...but it is a good one.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Becky Chambers is just amazing. I love her writing so much. Her books create a kind of calming effect, comfortable and cozy. The scenes she creates are rich with detail and nearly tangible, yet everything she puts to the page feels as if it just flows effortlessly.
The discussion of identity in this book is so well done. There were a lot of points I was made to consider and the information was delivered in an intriguing and wonderful, yet gentle way. I love how seamless her inclusion is and her characters not only feel real, I get beyond attached to them.
The discussion of identity in this book is so well done. There were a lot of points I was made to consider and the information was delivered in an intriguing and wonderful, yet gentle way. I love how seamless her inclusion is and her characters not only feel real, I get beyond attached to them.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars.
A fantastical read that also turned into an emotional one. A beautifully written metaphor/allegory that celebrates oneness and acceptance of self in a highly feminist telling. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the premise at first (I'm not a huge fan of dragon literature), but this captured my attention. The writing is gorgeous and lyrical and Barnhill creates amazing interpersonal relationships between her female characters. There is a lot of inclusivity and intersectionality in this book and I just really enjoyed how it captured the need to be accepting of individuals despite their differences but presented it in what was for me a totally unique way.
The plot does get a little repetitive and the pace slows on occasion, but it feels as if it is simply a way to "circle back" so to speak and reinforce the ideas as the story progresses. As a reader, my understanding of the themes and messages evolved as I read, so this made sense to me on a certain level.
This was my second read from Kelly Barnhill and I feel like she did a really great job with a difficult topic. As a cis-white woman she still remained inclusive, yet I didn't feel as if she was projecting. Her intentions felt as if they came from a very wholesome and welcoming place. The emotional impact of this book is high and I very much felt it. A lovely read.
A fantastical read that also turned into an emotional one. A beautifully written metaphor/allegory that celebrates oneness and acceptance of self in a highly feminist telling. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the premise at first (I'm not a huge fan of dragon literature), but this captured my attention. The writing is gorgeous and lyrical and Barnhill creates amazing interpersonal relationships between her female characters. There is a lot of inclusivity and intersectionality in this book and I just really enjoyed how it captured the need to be accepting of individuals despite their differences but presented it in what was for me a totally unique way.
The plot does get a little repetitive and the pace slows on occasion, but it feels as if it is simply a way to "circle back" so to speak and reinforce the ideas as the story progresses. As a reader, my understanding of the themes and messages evolved as I read, so this made sense to me on a certain level.
This was my second read from Kelly Barnhill and I feel like she did a really great job with a difficult topic. As a cis-white woman she still remained inclusive, yet I didn't feel as if she was projecting. Her intentions felt as if they came from a very wholesome and welcoming place. The emotional impact of this book is high and I very much felt it. A lovely read.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A cute Shakespearean inspired YA contemporary with a neurodivergent female protagonist, Serena Kaylor's Long Story Short is a light and fun debut. There is some distinct hyperbole in the plot that creates a bit of over-the-top drama on occasion, but it leads to a quirky and entertaining read.
The characters are well-written and the story arc moves well, with a good slow burn teen romance. The only character I didn't care for was Shelby. She felt a bit overly flat and caricatured, turning her into a villain with little substance. The relationships that develop for Beatrice over the course of the book are lovely and I particularly enjoyed how welcoming and encouraging Nolan and Mia were for her. There may be a few small missteps in how Bea is encouraged to grow and change (by both her parents and her friends), but the story overall is a good in its demonstration of coming-of-age and the adjustments of preparing to leave the nest, so to speak.
This will likely read better for the younger YA set, but is an enjoyable read regardless of age. A well-written and lovely debut.
The characters are well-written and the story arc moves well, with a good slow burn teen romance. The only character I didn't care for was Shelby. She felt a bit overly flat and caricatured, turning her into a villain with little substance. The relationships that develop for Beatrice over the course of the book are lovely and I particularly enjoyed how welcoming and encouraging Nolan and Mia were for her. There may be a few small missteps in how Bea is encouraged to grow and change (by both her parents and her friends), but the story overall is a good in its demonstration of coming-of-age and the adjustments of preparing to leave the nest, so to speak.
This will likely read better for the younger YA set, but is an enjoyable read regardless of age. A well-written and lovely debut.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a difficult book to review. The concept for the book is good and the twist is fantastic, but the pathway to get there caused me some issues as a reader. I enjoyed Hamdy's writing and felt that he did a good job setting the scene and describing his characters. He weaves a good story and includes some great introspective information. But the nature of the book requires a lot of information to be held hush hush. Unfortunately, this leads to a plot that runs a little slow and is occasionally confusing. The end of the book made it worth the read and was quite clever, but the mix of genre and the way things come about will just not be for every reader. This is a niche book and a unique one. I enjoyed my read, but wouldn't recommend it to just anyone.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Two things sold me on needing to read this book: the hype and the cover. The title is a shocker the first time you hear it and the accompanying cover photo just sells this as a curiosity. Beyond that, I just kept hearing about this book everywhere I turned. And with good reason.
I was not a fan of Jennette McCurdy going into this book. In fact, I barely knew who she was. I was familiar with iCarly and the character she played, but only in a cursory manner. I'm beyond that age set. And typically, I wouldn't pick up a memoir of someone I've never watched/heard/etc. But the things I was hearing just had my curiosity piqued.
The relationship between Jennette and her mother is unbelievable. I mean that in a shocking way, not a "she obviously isn't telling the truth" way. Jennette's writing is visceral and real. She doesn't shy away from being blunt and she is candid about how she was naive to the goings on and assumed them to be "normal" and just her mother looking out for her best interests. The journey she went on to reclaim her own life and begin the work through her decades of trauma is nothing short of shocking.
The book is told in short vignettes that highlight moments in McCurdy's history from the time she is a child up until present day. The construction is well done and gives enough information without being overly drawn out. The pacing is sharp and the way things are told just sucked me right in. The audio narration is done incredibly well and I highly recommend listening to McCurdy tell her own story. It's quite the firecracker and I can absolutely see why there has been so much talk. This book deserves to be read.
I was not a fan of Jennette McCurdy going into this book. In fact, I barely knew who she was. I was familiar with iCarly and the character she played, but only in a cursory manner. I'm beyond that age set. And typically, I wouldn't pick up a memoir of someone I've never watched/heard/etc. But the things I was hearing just had my curiosity piqued.
The relationship between Jennette and her mother is unbelievable. I mean that in a shocking way, not a "she obviously isn't telling the truth" way. Jennette's writing is visceral and real. She doesn't shy away from being blunt and she is candid about how she was naive to the goings on and assumed them to be "normal" and just her mother looking out for her best interests. The journey she went on to reclaim her own life and begin the work through her decades of trauma is nothing short of shocking.
The book is told in short vignettes that highlight moments in McCurdy's history from the time she is a child up until present day. The construction is well done and gives enough information without being overly drawn out. The pacing is sharp and the way things are told just sucked me right in. The audio narration is done incredibly well and I highly recommend listening to McCurdy tell her own story. It's quite the firecracker and I can absolutely see why there has been so much talk. This book deserves to be read.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am very confused about my feelings for this book. My insides have been completely ravaged. There is a slow, almost monotonous pace to the narrative and yet it had me feeling things. All the things. They weren't necessarily intense feelings, but enough to stir me up and affect me. It's something visceral and inexplicable.
The realism in this novel is on point. It feels like real people, real relationships, a real progression of skill and life events. Maybe that was part of why I'm so confused. There wasn't anything fantastical about it...it all felt completely tangible. Can you be lost in something because it feels too believable?
It's absolutely a good read. I'd say I didn't really like or feel attached to any of the characters, but I'm finding that's kind of a lie as I write this. I did care about them. When did that happen? I'm not big on gaming, and yet pieces of that also drew me in so well. Who even am I?
It's a slow burn kind of read with a literary flavor. It won't be for everyone. I honestly didn't think it was going to be for me. But there are also some fantastic moments of brilliance that had me in deep contemplation. It's a completely different kind of read and I've definitely been affected by it in a meaningful way.
The realism in this novel is on point. It feels like real people, real relationships, a real progression of skill and life events. Maybe that was part of why I'm so confused. There wasn't anything fantastical about it...it all felt completely tangible. Can you be lost in something because it feels too believable?
It's absolutely a good read. I'd say I didn't really like or feel attached to any of the characters, but I'm finding that's kind of a lie as I write this. I did care about them. When did that happen? I'm not big on gaming, and yet pieces of that also drew me in so well. Who even am I?
It's a slow burn kind of read with a literary flavor. It won't be for everyone. I honestly didn't think it was going to be for me. But there are also some fantastic moments of brilliance that had me in deep contemplation. It's a completely different kind of read and I've definitely been affected by it in a meaningful way.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Emma Lord is excellent at writing cute YA contemporaries and her 4th novel is no exception. This cozy college set read is fun and entertaining. It's a fairly quick read with just enough drama. It does have a good amount of predictability and there was some lapse in logic and believability around one of the major "twists", but it was still enjoyable.
Lord's characters are cute and have a decent dollop of diversity without feeling forced. Excellent roommate/best friend set up and a good surrounding friend group. Milo is the most adorable thing on the planet and I definitely would read more about him. Andie is a decent protagonist with some past trauma that she works out in an age-appropriate manner. She is a little quirky and occasionally overly cutesy, but I liked her all the same.
However, everything surrounding her relationship with Connor fell flat for me. For all the commentary on how he was such a great boyfriend and their relationship and friendship were so good, there was ZERO to demonstrate that for me as a reader. He felt like a chump from page one and their relationship did not feel like anything of the sort. I've had a better relationship with my toaster.
Still...despite it's flaws, I enjoyed the storyline and I will revisit the fact that Milo is magnificent. We could all do with a Milo.
Lord's characters are cute and have a decent dollop of diversity without feeling forced. Excellent roommate/best friend set up and a good surrounding friend group. Milo is the most adorable thing on the planet and I definitely would read more about him. Andie is a decent protagonist with some past trauma that she works out in an age-appropriate manner. She is a little quirky and occasionally overly cutesy, but I liked her all the same.
However, everything surrounding her relationship with Connor fell flat for me. For all the commentary on how he was such a great boyfriend and their relationship and friendship were so good, there was ZERO to demonstrate that for me as a reader. He felt like a chump from page one and their relationship did not feel like anything of the sort. I've had a better relationship with my toaster.
Still...despite it's flaws, I enjoyed the storyline and I will revisit the fact that Milo is magnificent. We could all do with a Milo.