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adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5 stars.
This was my first read from Casey McQuiston. Her name was all over the place last year with Red, White, and Royal Blue, but I wasn't super into the idea of the royalty trope, so I never grabbed that one. However...I now see the hype about her writing. This book was fantastic and so much fun.
The premise was intriguing by itself (because I'm a sucker for a time travel kind of trope), but the execution was just so well done. The plot moved seamlessly and just kept me turning page after page, slowly falling in love with McQuiston's fabulous cast of characters. They are all so unique, quirky, and enjoyable. I love the diversity in her writing and how it comes so smoothly, no inclusion feels forced and none of her diversity feels like it's just there for the checkmark. Her characters blend, feel realistic, and interact with one another in ways that just make sense.
I had so much fun with this book. I loved the friend group, I loved the romantic aspect (and I'm not that much of a romance reader), and I loved the fun of the plot. The hype was right...Casey McQuiston has got it going on. She's a must read from here on out.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This was my first read from Casey McQuiston. Her name was all over the place last year with Red, White, and Royal Blue, but I wasn't super into the idea of the royalty trope, so I never grabbed that one. However...I now see the hype about her writing. This book was fantastic and so much fun.
The premise was intriguing by itself (because I'm a sucker for a time travel kind of trope), but the execution was just so well done. The plot moved seamlessly and just kept me turning page after page, slowly falling in love with McQuiston's fabulous cast of characters. They are all so unique, quirky, and enjoyable. I love the diversity in her writing and how it comes so smoothly, no inclusion feels forced and none of her diversity feels like it's just there for the checkmark. Her characters blend, feel realistic, and interact with one another in ways that just make sense.
I had so much fun with this book. I loved the friend group, I loved the romantic aspect (and I'm not that much of a romance reader), and I loved the fun of the plot. The hype was right...Casey McQuiston has got it going on. She's a must read from here on out.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Puritan tale of the first divorce proceedings in the American colonies. This was a bit of a slow-paced read, but does well to demonstrate the difficulties behind domestic violence and the way it often becomes a he said/she said situation.
The writing is very authentic to the time, which will likely grate on some readers, but that built a very strong sense of atmosphere for me. There wasn't anything particularly hard-hitting in it from my perspective, but it was still well-crafted and worth the reading time. I found it enjoyable and moderately compelling with a good structure to the narrative.
Though the pacing was slow, it didn't feel plodding. It was simply one of those quietly building plots. The intensity does increase in the second half and this pushes the pace up a slight notch.
I quite enjoyed my read and found the ending satisfying. It wasn't necessarily gripping enough to be a thriller, but it was a book I kept wanting to get back to and the mystery element to it was definitely entertaining. The writing style worked great for me and the atmosphere may have been my favorite part. Colonial America was 100% evoked in every way.
The writing is very authentic to the time, which will likely grate on some readers, but that built a very strong sense of atmosphere for me. There wasn't anything particularly hard-hitting in it from my perspective, but it was still well-crafted and worth the reading time. I found it enjoyable and moderately compelling with a good structure to the narrative.
Though the pacing was slow, it didn't feel plodding. It was simply one of those quietly building plots. The intensity does increase in the second half and this pushes the pace up a slight notch.
I quite enjoyed my read and found the ending satisfying. It wasn't necessarily gripping enough to be a thriller, but it was a book I kept wanting to get back to and the mystery element to it was definitely entertaining. The writing style worked great for me and the atmosphere may have been my favorite part. Colonial America was 100% evoked in every way.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 stars.
Cute middle grade fantasy graphic novel. Very quick paced with a vibrant art style. The art feels mildly unpolished, but the colors used make it quite inviting all the same. The plot is quick moving and there are large movements to the narrative. There are some issues with transition between the two converging storylines, but it is completed in a way that will pass with the intended audience. Speaking of which, this is definitely a younger middle grade read. This is not meant to disparage it any. It is cute and entertaining, but does not have a higher complexity to it that would indicate it needing the higher reading levels.
Cute middle grade fantasy graphic novel. Very quick paced with a vibrant art style. The art feels mildly unpolished, but the colors used make it quite inviting all the same. The plot is quick moving and there are large movements to the narrative. There are some issues with transition between the two converging storylines, but it is completed in a way that will pass with the intended audience. Speaking of which, this is definitely a younger middle grade read. This is not meant to disparage it any. It is cute and entertaining, but does not have a higher complexity to it that would indicate it needing the higher reading levels.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
This is the cutest graphic novel! Heartstopper meets hockey. I loved this story so much. The first volume was good, but this was even better. The characters are fun and Bitty is just a super sweet cinnamon roll character. I really didn't want this story to end, but it was done so well. I hope Ukazu comes out with more fun things soon! I need more of this kind of heartwarming fun!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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.
The premise for this book was awesome. It was pitched as Orphan Black meets Margaret Atwood, and that is what you get.
In the 70s, Dr. Joseph Bellanger worked with his group of nine isolated women at the Homestead to create babies via parthenogenesis, not requiring a male's genetic contribution. This resulted in nine girls, numbered by their arrivals. Josie, is Girl One. When her mother goes missing, the past begins to surface, and Josie is pulled back into the controversy of her own birth. As she works to find her mother, the past she knew begins to unravel in a dark and intriguing way.
The writing in this story was incredibly fun and the tension was really well-crafted. Things moved at a good clip and the introduction of new characters just kept adding fun layers to the tale. I somewhat knew what was going on, but it did take a few turns along the way and was just a good time to read. There was plenty of creep factor and I was definitely interested in the cult-like feel of the Homestead. I'm a sucker for that kind of atmosphere. There's just so much at play. A good, gripping read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The premise for this book was awesome. It was pitched as Orphan Black meets Margaret Atwood, and that is what you get.
In the 70s, Dr. Joseph Bellanger worked with his group of nine isolated women at the Homestead to create babies via parthenogenesis, not requiring a male's genetic contribution. This resulted in nine girls, numbered by their arrivals. Josie, is Girl One. When her mother goes missing, the past begins to surface, and Josie is pulled back into the controversy of her own birth. As she works to find her mother, the past she knew begins to unravel in a dark and intriguing way.
The writing in this story was incredibly fun and the tension was really well-crafted. Things moved at a good clip and the introduction of new characters just kept adding fun layers to the tale. I somewhat knew what was going on, but it did take a few turns along the way and was just a good time to read. There was plenty of creep factor and I was definitely interested in the cult-like feel of the Homestead. I'm a sucker for that kind of atmosphere. There's just so much at play. A good, gripping read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5 stars.
Let me start by saying that I am not the best audience for this book. That absolutely played a part in my ability to connect with it. Bechdel strips bare the hardships of her childhood, an abusive yet absent father, and discovering her own sexual identity. It is definitely a poignant piece with plenty of emotional currency. The writing is good, but is a little overly academic...this makes sense given the context, but does make the story slightly less accessible. This is not a linear timeline piece, but it does weave together the storylines well and draws several connections between past and present, father and daughter. It can be a difficult and overwhelming read at times. For me this was just an okay read, but I can see immense value in it and the potential for it to connect with other readers.
Let me start by saying that I am not the best audience for this book. That absolutely played a part in my ability to connect with it. Bechdel strips bare the hardships of her childhood, an abusive yet absent father, and discovering her own sexual identity. It is definitely a poignant piece with plenty of emotional currency. The writing is good, but is a little overly academic...this makes sense given the context, but does make the story slightly less accessible. This is not a linear timeline piece, but it does weave together the storylines well and draws several connections between past and present, father and daughter. It can be a difficult and overwhelming read at times. For me this was just an okay read, but I can see immense value in it and the potential for it to connect with other readers.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
Kristin Hannah is just my jam. I love her writing style and the brutal honesty of her narratives. This book is fantastic, but oh boy does it rip your heart into pieces.
The plot sucked me right in from the beginning and I loved Elsa as a character, even when I wanted to smack her upside the head. Same for Loreda. That girl is one heck of a troublesome, headstrong teenager. She is written brilliantly. I love the way Hannah's characters become so incredibly realistic. There are often times when I forget that I am reading fiction, everything is super tangible and reads like a biography.
I love the female-focused plot and the centering of the story on the dust bowl era. This was incredibly unique and interesting to read. I knew about the event in a peripheral historical way, but it was engrossing to read about the details of the hardships and to examine the ways that life then does incredibly parallel some of the issues we struggle with today. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and the narrative was immensely emotional. I ran the gamut with emotions on this one: disbelief, anger, frustration, love, fear, heartsickness, grief, pain, relief...the list goes on. This story is a gut-puncher.
I realize that I'm rambling about it, but really this is just a great book. It is hard-hitting and painful...don't go in expecting sunshine and roses...but it is beautiful too. One of my best reads of the year so far.
The plot sucked me right in from the beginning and I loved Elsa as a character, even when I wanted to smack her upside the head. Same for Loreda. That girl is one heck of a troublesome, headstrong teenager. She is written brilliantly. I love the way Hannah's characters become so incredibly realistic. There are often times when I forget that I am reading fiction, everything is super tangible and reads like a biography.
I love the female-focused plot and the centering of the story on the dust bowl era. This was incredibly unique and interesting to read. I knew about the event in a peripheral historical way, but it was engrossing to read about the details of the hardships and to examine the ways that life then does incredibly parallel some of the issues we struggle with today. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and the narrative was immensely emotional. I ran the gamut with emotions on this one: disbelief, anger, frustration, love, fear, heartsickness, grief, pain, relief...the list goes on. This story is a gut-puncher.
I realize that I'm rambling about it, but really this is just a great book. It is hard-hitting and painful...don't go in expecting sunshine and roses...but it is beautiful too. One of my best reads of the year so far.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Mayflies is a dual timeline literary fiction novel about friendship, grief, and coming of age in Scotland during the 1980s. Told from a single perspective, it follows a male friend group during their raucous journey to a music festival in Manchester and then follows the narrator and his closest friend when disaster strikes a few decades later.
This is primarily a character-driven plot, focusing on Noodles (Jimmy) and Tully and their friendship over the years, as well as what it meant to both of them. There is a lot of poignancy in the novel and there are some wonderful emotional moments captured through the narrative.
The writing is good and captures the capriciousness of youth, as well as the atmosphere of post-punk era Britain. However, I did struggle with some of the wording as my grasp on Scottish vernacular is not that great. There is a lot of local terminology used and that often went over my head. Someone familiar with the dialect and the slang would likely glean much more enjoyment from the writing.
The structure of the novel was easy to follow, but didn't grab my attention as much as I wanted. Though there were absolutely some powerful scenes, the separation of the novel into two very clear eras made it feel a bit disjointed and didn't pull me as tightly into Jimmy and Tully's relationship as I would have liked. The suddenness of the break between the two parts and the longevity between the two time periods made it a little less than smooth in terms of transition and this may have caused me the biggest struggle with becoming immersed in the story.
I can't deny the talent of the writing and the fact that the emotions conveyed do come through the pages. The flow of the novel just didn't work for me as well as I wish it would have.
This will be a good read for those who love literary fiction as well as those who grew up during the 80s and took part in the punk rock scene. It should be able to create an even deeper connection with those who grew up in Great Britain and those with Scottish backgrounds.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This is primarily a character-driven plot, focusing on Noodles (Jimmy) and Tully and their friendship over the years, as well as what it meant to both of them. There is a lot of poignancy in the novel and there are some wonderful emotional moments captured through the narrative.
The writing is good and captures the capriciousness of youth, as well as the atmosphere of post-punk era Britain. However, I did struggle with some of the wording as my grasp on Scottish vernacular is not that great. There is a lot of local terminology used and that often went over my head. Someone familiar with the dialect and the slang would likely glean much more enjoyment from the writing.
The structure of the novel was easy to follow, but didn't grab my attention as much as I wanted. Though there were absolutely some powerful scenes, the separation of the novel into two very clear eras made it feel a bit disjointed and didn't pull me as tightly into Jimmy and Tully's relationship as I would have liked. The suddenness of the break between the two parts and the longevity between the two time periods made it a little less than smooth in terms of transition and this may have caused me the biggest struggle with becoming immersed in the story.
I can't deny the talent of the writing and the fact that the emotions conveyed do come through the pages. The flow of the novel just didn't work for me as well as I wish it would have.
This will be a good read for those who love literary fiction as well as those who grew up during the 80s and took part in the punk rock scene. It should be able to create an even deeper connection with those who grew up in Great Britain and those with Scottish backgrounds.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
John Green has a way with words. He is a quiet, thoughtful voice of reason and he looks at the world from both the academic and the pragmatic views. I have enjoyed his fiction in the past, but was slightly reluctant to read a book of nonfiction. This was a silly notion. I have listened to his YouTube videos and discussions with his brother, Hank. I should have realized that I would be getting something wonderful.
This book is both fun and informative. It is uplifting and also painful to read. The topics discussed force the reader to consider life beyond themselves, to see the world as a whole, both from a past and future tense. It is a great contemplative piece and I thoroughly enjoyed my read. There is a lot to glean from this information and it is delivered in a way that just feels like a cozy conversation or an honest journal read. It is not overly academic, pretentious, or accusatory. It is simply like having a talk with a friend.
John Green is a very brilliant man with a wonderful grasp on things that are important in life and to life. I may not always 100% agree with his views (we all live differing lives in some ways), but I value his input into every topic and appreciate the way he helps me to consider things from different angles.
This book is both fun and informative. It is uplifting and also painful to read. The topics discussed force the reader to consider life beyond themselves, to see the world as a whole, both from a past and future tense. It is a great contemplative piece and I thoroughly enjoyed my read. There is a lot to glean from this information and it is delivered in a way that just feels like a cozy conversation or an honest journal read. It is not overly academic, pretentious, or accusatory. It is simply like having a talk with a friend.
John Green is a very brilliant man with a wonderful grasp on things that are important in life and to life. I may not always 100% agree with his views (we all live differing lives in some ways), but I value his input into every topic and appreciate the way he helps me to consider things from different angles.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There are so many things to say about this book. When I first finished it, I was disappointed and confused in the outcome, but then sat for over an hour picking the narrative apart and rethinking it in pieces until I began to see so much more. I am utterly overwhelmed. In fact, I have not stopped thinking about this novel since I finished it around twelve hours ago. It is sitting hard, like a lump in my chest. It is highly impactful, immobilizing, terrifying, and poignant. There is so much to consider and analyze.
In college, I read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I was instantly transported to that experience upon reading Little Bandaged Days. The novel is a gripping account of postpartum depression and psychosis in the scope of modern day life. It is based lightly on the author's actual experience and it reads immensely authentically. I struggle to say everything I want to about this book without creating spoilers, so let me just say that this book could also be used as a college read for analysis. It is brilliantly crafted with a protagonist whose every action has meaning and even though you follow the read thinking you're understanding what is going on and all the pieces are falling together, you are left at the end questioning EVERYTHING you knew. It's an amazing read. But it is so incredibly painful.
The trauma gripped me hard. The pace moved from something I could handle and evaluate to something that tore the breath from me and left my heart beating anxiously with worry and concern. I am still not over that feeling.
I am a mother of two young children. I can identify with much of the early thoughts and feelings that the protagonist voices. (I don't recall her being named anywhere in the narrative, but the synopsis identifies her as Erika.) I know what it is like to become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of motherhood and the loss of self that comes along with that responsibility. I am all too keen on the feelings of absolute love and devotion for your children alongside an internal desire to have a moment of peace, a bit of time alone. Due to circumstances of my own life, I also understand her feelings of loneliness and solitude.
There are a lot of things to question about the construction of this novel and the individual characters within it, but I have to assert that I feel this is all purposeful. It makes sense looking backwards. It also does not make sense. Because that's how mental illness is.
I will need to read this again. I have no doubt. It bruised my motherly heart and tore me in pieces at times, but I need to relive it to see it deeper. Just writing through this has made me appreciate it even more.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. *
In college, I read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I was instantly transported to that experience upon reading Little Bandaged Days. The novel is a gripping account of postpartum depression and psychosis in the scope of modern day life. It is based lightly on the author's actual experience and it reads immensely authentically. I struggle to say everything I want to about this book without creating spoilers, so let me just say that this book could also be used as a college read for analysis. It is brilliantly crafted with a protagonist whose every action has meaning and even though you follow the read thinking you're understanding what is going on and all the pieces are falling together, you are left at the end questioning EVERYTHING you knew. It's an amazing read. But it is so incredibly painful.
The trauma gripped me hard. The pace moved from something I could handle and evaluate to something that tore the breath from me and left my heart beating anxiously with worry and concern. I am still not over that feeling.
I am a mother of two young children. I can identify with much of the early thoughts and feelings that the protagonist voices. (I don't recall her being named anywhere in the narrative, but the synopsis identifies her as Erika.) I know what it is like to become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of motherhood and the loss of self that comes along with that responsibility. I am all too keen on the feelings of absolute love and devotion for your children alongside an internal desire to have a moment of peace, a bit of time alone. Due to circumstances of my own life, I also understand her feelings of loneliness and solitude.
There are a lot of things to question about the construction of this novel and the individual characters within it, but I have to assert that I feel this is all purposeful. It makes sense looking backwards. It also does not make sense. Because that's how mental illness is.
I will need to read this again. I have no doubt. It bruised my motherly heart and tore me in pieces at times, but I need to relive it to see it deeper. Just writing through this has made me appreciate it even more.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. *