purplepenning's Reviews (1.72k)

Concise, understandable, highly recommended! Applebaum's Autocracy Inc peels back the curtain on the increasingly invasive and relevant global network of corrupt leaders who care little about ideology and all about personal enrichment at the expense of their own people and people around the world. Many of their tactics, including massive money laundering, disinformation, smear campaigns, and the subtle and not-so-subtle erosion of human rights and any faith in democracy, will be all too familiar. The scale of interconnectedness among these odd allies, however, and both the naive and the purposeful participation of democracies, may be more eye opening. This is not a dystopian future. It's a current snapshot. But all hope is not quite lost. Applebaum dedicates her book to "the Optimists" and concludes it with ways to dismantle the power and influence of these autocratic, kleptocratic collaborators. One in particular, the courageous legislation of greater transparency in financial transactions, seems long overdue. 

The audiobook is narrated by the author, who does a very serviceable job. My personal preference would be a professional narrator skilled at lifting info-heavy texts. I had to rewind a few times when I realized I had tuned out (due to the cadence more than the information).

I could've used more baby dragons, but my new little friend Pill Bug got a hero moment so I'm satisfied. In non-dragon matters, this series continues to be a very solid, very sapphic, inclusive cozy fantasy with enough political intrigue to enliven the plot. 

Beautifully written middle grade animal fantasy that's a delightful blend of the cozy and the macabre, with a lovely core of kindness. A little too predictable for adult readers but it would've absolutely fed my soul in fourth grade. Another reviewer calls it Under the Whispering Door (by TJ Klune) for middle graders, and that's exactly what I was thinking as I was reading. 

This is someone's perfect comfort read. But not quite mine. 

Very simple, straightforward writing style and plot. Modern world integrated with dragons, new cafe owner from the lower/middle class, gardener-landscaper from the upper class, training a baby dragon together, past griefs, mutual respect and support. Tensions were low and very easily resolved. Classism wasn't really explored. 

Could be super cozy for the right reader but it was too much repetitive telling instead of showing to pull off the cozy vibes for me. 

From the dreamlike cover to the Ghibli vibes and the dark fairytale quest inside, Water Moon fills the brief of a book that takes you right out of this world. At its core, though, it's about choices, regrets, legacy, fate, self-discovery and self-determination — which brings you right back into this world, but maybe a little wiser for having made the trip. 

I loved the Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic Schools but this one didn't quite hit for me. The story itself was good! And I love seeing physically affectionate "bros" (and the cringe and callout about hiding behind that "bro" label!) and the development of trust and vulnerability. But the writing didn't seem to support the story as well as I would have liked. And I wouldn't consider it a romcom — definitely more of a romdram with sprinkles of cute character-based humor (

Thornelius 4 Eva!

).  I'm admittedly bad at liking angsty* romances, though, so your mileage may vary! 

*Not meant to downplay the emotional stress and distress of the situations discussed in the book, which were represented very well.