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sarahthegaymer's Reviews (305)
Ah..Daisy Jones & The Six. Sorry not sorry but this was only a three-star read for me.
This is totally 1970's rock-n-roll, sex, drugs, alcohol, and everything in between. The Six is a band that while they're popular, their agent feels they need some additional to take them to the next level when it comes to their new album and upcoming tour. Enter Daisy Jones, a Hollywood girl that grew up doing basically whatever she wants, when she wants. Together, they are a hit, until they're not.
First and foremost, I think one of the hardest things about this book was that it is written in Oral History format. Therefore, I definitely recommend the audiobook if you even *think* you might have a hard time reading it. Reading it for me was definitely difficult and sometimes even though I knew who was talking, I forgot who they were and what their significance to the storyline/band was. I think this was the biggest reason for my less than perfect star rating for this book.
My second reason for the lower star rating here is because overall I just think the story was flat and predictable. I mean, a pretty young woman joins a band full of men and everything is going to be 'a-ok'. -insert sarcasm- Again, maybe because of the oral history format it was meant to be more slice of life and not really have a purpose. IDK.
Overall, I didn't *hate* the book, I just wasn't a super fan of it. I think that there was a lot of hype around this book and it was just more than disappointing when it fell flat for me. I would recommend this book if you love historical books about bands, but again I would recommend listening to the audiobook, not reading it. I also be excited when the show adaptation comes out and I can compare.
I don't have much more to say because of my indifferent feelings towards it.
This is totally 1970's rock-n-roll, sex, drugs, alcohol, and everything in between. The Six is a band that while they're popular, their agent feels they need some additional to take them to the next level when it comes to their new album and upcoming tour. Enter Daisy Jones, a Hollywood girl that grew up doing basically whatever she wants, when she wants. Together, they are a hit, until they're not.
First and foremost, I think one of the hardest things about this book was that it is written in Oral History format. Therefore, I definitely recommend the audiobook if you even *think* you might have a hard time reading it. Reading it for me was definitely difficult and sometimes even though I knew who was talking, I forgot who they were and what their significance to the storyline/band was. I think this was the biggest reason for my less than perfect star rating for this book.
My second reason for the lower star rating here is because overall I just think the story was flat and predictable. I mean, a pretty young woman joins a band full of men and everything is going to be 'a-ok'. -insert sarcasm- Again, maybe because of the oral history format it was meant to be more slice of life and not really have a purpose. IDK.
Overall, I didn't *hate* the book, I just wasn't a super fan of it. I think that there was a lot of hype around this book and it was just more than disappointing when it fell flat for me. I would recommend this book if you love historical books about bands, but again I would recommend listening to the audiobook, not reading it. I also be excited when the show adaptation comes out and I can compare.
I don't have much more to say because of my indifferent feelings towards it.
My first five-star read of 2023 (and so early-on, too)!
Let me tell how you how I decided to read this: I was at Barnes & Noble for their day after Christmas sale to spend some of my gift cards - I'm walking through the store minding my own business when this book with its bright pink cover and sprayed turquoise pages literally jumps off the table at me! There's a sign that says "B&N Book of the Year pick" & I pause, picking it up. (Do they know how to advertise or what?!) I 'assumed' it was a romance because of the cover, but when I opened the flap and saw in the first few lines its about a Female Chemist and 1960s..I decided we were reading this!
**This book does have TW for Rape, Homophobia, Suicide** There may be others but those are the three prominent ones that stick out to me. There is also a strong presence of Atheism and putting down Christianity.
This story follows Elizabeth Zott who is Chemist during the 1950's & 60s - though her co-workers don't really treat her as such. She's always seen as beneath them, being asked to do secretarial work and having the hard work that she has done, stolen from her. That is, until she meets Calvin and together they become quite the chemical bond. (Sorry, I had to.) She has a dog named 6:30, a best friend named Harriet, and a daughter named Mad (though she goes by Madeline). After the birth of her daughter, she's forced out of science and finds herself on a television show centered around cooking, called 'Supper at Six'; though Elizabeth always mentions that she's a Chemist, using Chemistry to Cook, not a Chef. But being controlled doesn't stop there as she's often told how to act, what to wear, what to say, etc. Basically, she starts to just do whatever she wants - pushing back against the societal norms and teaching women that there is more to life than being a housewife and cooking dinner!
BUT, is the fame that comes with the show what Elizabeth wants? Follow along to find out!
So, for me personally; the book started off strong and I was eagerly diving in at every chance I got. Towards the middle, it did slow down a bit and there were a few parts that I found boring but not boring enough that I wanted to put it aside and not pick it back up. Then, in probably the last 1/4 of the book, or less, it really took off again and solidified my reasoning for giving it 5 stars.
I think that overall, the story behind this book is really, really powerful. Women CAN and SHOULD do whatever it is that they want; despite societal 'norms' or what's considered to be 'appropriate'. There is something about this book that just really made me feel empowered! Maybe it's because I've reached a point in my life where I'm finally making changes that suite me and are changes that I BELIEVE in and WANT for myself. Or maybe it's just because as a woman I'm so sick and tired of old, white, crusty men running the world and deciding what's best for people they know nothing about.
If you're in STEM, you're a woman, or overall just want to read a real coming of age story, I highly recommend Lesson's in Chemistry for you!
Finally; here are a few (because there are many) of my favorite quotes:
'As humans, we’re by-products of our upbringings, victims of our lackluster educational systems, and choosers of our behaviors. In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological: it’s cultural. And it starts with two words: pink and blue. Everything skyrockets out of control from there.'
- Uh, absolutely! Pink and blue are just simply colors; that is literally it. They should not define who we are or what we do. But some person, likely a man, many moons ago decided they did and since we've been fighting the fight to overcome it! Women have only ever been in positions of lesser power or been seen as a certain way because again somewhere down the line that's how it started and woman of earlier times just accepted it as status quo. Women of today are not. NEVER AGAIN. And it started with Feminists such as Elizabeth Zott.
'Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun.'
- Yes, your days are numbered! Are you going to become a victim of nature and let life pass you by without taking the chances that are yours? Do you want to look back some day and know that you did everything you wanted and what made you happy OR do you want to look back and wish you could have or should have or would have?
And at last, this one. This one brought actual tears to my eyes:
'Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we're chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.'
- *Mic drop*. That's all.
Happy Reading, friends!
Let me tell how you how I decided to read this: I was at Barnes & Noble for their day after Christmas sale to spend some of my gift cards - I'm walking through the store minding my own business when this book with its bright pink cover and sprayed turquoise pages literally jumps off the table at me! There's a sign that says "B&N Book of the Year pick" & I pause, picking it up. (Do they know how to advertise or what?!) I 'assumed' it was a romance because of the cover, but when I opened the flap and saw in the first few lines its about a Female Chemist and 1960s..I decided we were reading this!
**This book does have TW for Rape, Homophobia, Suicide** There may be others but those are the three prominent ones that stick out to me. There is also a strong presence of Atheism and putting down Christianity.
This story follows Elizabeth Zott who is Chemist during the 1950's & 60s - though her co-workers don't really treat her as such. She's always seen as beneath them, being asked to do secretarial work and having the hard work that she has done, stolen from her. That is, until she meets Calvin and together they become quite the chemical bond. (Sorry, I had to.) She has a dog named 6:30, a best friend named Harriet, and a daughter named Mad (though she goes by Madeline). After the birth of her daughter, she's forced out of science and finds herself on a television show centered around cooking, called 'Supper at Six'; though Elizabeth always mentions that she's a Chemist, using Chemistry to Cook, not a Chef. But being controlled doesn't stop there as she's often told how to act, what to wear, what to say, etc. Basically, she starts to just do whatever she wants - pushing back against the societal norms and teaching women that there is more to life than being a housewife and cooking dinner!
BUT, is the fame that comes with the show what Elizabeth wants? Follow along to find out!
So, for me personally; the book started off strong and I was eagerly diving in at every chance I got. Towards the middle, it did slow down a bit and there were a few parts that I found boring but not boring enough that I wanted to put it aside and not pick it back up. Then, in probably the last 1/4 of the book, or less, it really took off again and solidified my reasoning for giving it 5 stars.
I think that overall, the story behind this book is really, really powerful. Women CAN and SHOULD do whatever it is that they want; despite societal 'norms' or what's considered to be 'appropriate'. There is something about this book that just really made me feel empowered! Maybe it's because I've reached a point in my life where I'm finally making changes that suite me and are changes that I BELIEVE in and WANT for myself. Or maybe it's just because as a woman I'm so sick and tired of old, white, crusty men running the world and deciding what's best for people they know nothing about.
If you're in STEM, you're a woman, or overall just want to read a real coming of age story, I highly recommend Lesson's in Chemistry for you!
Finally; here are a few (because there are many) of my favorite quotes:
'As humans, we’re by-products of our upbringings, victims of our lackluster educational systems, and choosers of our behaviors. In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological: it’s cultural. And it starts with two words: pink and blue. Everything skyrockets out of control from there.'
- Uh, absolutely! Pink and blue are just simply colors; that is literally it. They should not define who we are or what we do. But some person, likely a man, many moons ago decided they did and since we've been fighting the fight to overcome it! Women have only ever been in positions of lesser power or been seen as a certain way because again somewhere down the line that's how it started and woman of earlier times just accepted it as status quo. Women of today are not. NEVER AGAIN. And it started with Feminists such as Elizabeth Zott.
'Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun.'
- Yes, your days are numbered! Are you going to become a victim of nature and let life pass you by without taking the chances that are yours? Do you want to look back some day and know that you did everything you wanted and what made you happy OR do you want to look back and wish you could have or should have or would have?
And at last, this one. This one brought actual tears to my eyes:
'Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we're chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.'
- *Mic drop*. That's all.
Happy Reading, friends!
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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 may or not be spoiler-y. So I'm warning just to be sure.*
This. Goodness does this give me some feels I wasn't ready for!
I'm finally at a break within my job where I can take the time to listen to some audiobooks again while I'm working. My goal: usually something short, sweet, and to the point or something that's highly, highly anticipated. I'd had this short story saved for awhile on Libby and was super excited when I saw that it came available right around the beginning of the month and figured it would be a good short little thing to get the new juices flowing. I am not sure what genre this is actually considered.
Meet Calliope June: the new girl at school that has some difficulty making friends for two reasons: she moves a lot & she has Tourette Syndrome.
[Insert Calli's neighbor who at first tries to fit in and joins in on making fun of Calli and her TS but then decides as Student Council President he has a duty to be friends with everyone and to be kind.]
A friendship blossoms.
Calli moves again.
They promise never to forget each other. :)
I really recommend this short listen to truthfully anyone, but as it's based to middle-grade readers, I definitely recommend if you have a child that you're trying to make understand the importance of people being 'different' but still being human. It's written in a way that is poetic and beautiful; but is still easily understandable to even the youngest of minds.
Thought I don't personally know anyone with Tourette Syndrome, I do feel that this has good representation of how it might be portrayed and how it can make a person feel - if I'm out of line here, please; let me know.
If you're looking for a short and cute read that will tug at the heart strings, I highly recommend this. Forget It, You WILL NOT. <3
This. Goodness does this give me some feels I wasn't ready for!
I'm finally at a break within my job where I can take the time to listen to some audiobooks again while I'm working. My goal: usually something short, sweet, and to the point or something that's highly, highly anticipated. I'd had this short story saved for awhile on Libby and was super excited when I saw that it came available right around the beginning of the month and figured it would be a good short little thing to get the new juices flowing. I am not sure what genre this is actually considered.
Meet Calliope June: the new girl at school that has some difficulty making friends for two reasons: she moves a lot & she has Tourette Syndrome.
[Insert Calli's neighbor who at first tries to fit in and joins in on making fun of Calli and her TS but then decides as Student Council President he has a duty to be friends with everyone and to be kind.]
A friendship blossoms.
Calli moves again.
They promise never to forget each other. :)
I really recommend this short listen to truthfully anyone, but as it's based to middle-grade readers, I definitely recommend if you have a child that you're trying to make understand the importance of people being 'different' but still being human. It's written in a way that is poetic and beautiful; but is still easily understandable to even the youngest of minds.
Thought I don't personally know anyone with Tourette Syndrome, I do feel that this has good representation of how it might be portrayed and how it can make a person feel - if I'm out of line here, please; let me know.
If you're looking for a short and cute read that will tug at the heart strings, I highly recommend this. Forget It, You WILL NOT. <3
fast-paced
This is the second book in the The Arrangement Series by Kiersten Modglin.
If you want to know about the first book in this series - see my review on that! :)
We're following the same couple who now after an arrangement that goes astray; is suffering the consequences of that said arrangement. There are truly no secrets between this couple now..or so you thought!! ;) You'll find the pair back in a web of disaster as they try to sort through it together and discover who each of them truly is. Then, add into the mix that now their children are struggling with issues and are worried about the future of their parents relationships...buckle up for a wild ride!
For me, this book was not necessary as good as the first. But, I tend to find that the second book in a trilogy always seems to fall a bit flat - there just seemed to be a lot of dead space to fill. Toward the end, however; I do feel that things began to pick up and I was really involved in listening around the clock to see where things ended up leading into book three. It DEFINITELY did not end the way I anticipated, but I like the direction it's headed, once it finally got there!
I give this book 4 stars because it did keep me entertained and there were some definitely plot twists that I didn't see coming - which is always a bonus. The dead space that I mentioned before is really the only thing that kept it from being a 5 star read.
All in all, a good start to 2023!
If you want to know about the first book in this series - see my review on that! :)
We're following the same couple who now after an arrangement that goes astray; is suffering the consequences of that said arrangement. There are truly no secrets between this couple now..or so you thought!! ;) You'll find the pair back in a web of disaster as they try to sort through it together and discover who each of them truly is. Then, add into the mix that now their children are struggling with issues and are worried about the future of their parents relationships...buckle up for a wild ride!
For me, this book was not necessary as good as the first. But, I tend to find that the second book in a trilogy always seems to fall a bit flat - there just seemed to be a lot of dead space to fill. Toward the end, however; I do feel that things began to pick up and I was really involved in listening around the clock to see where things ended up leading into book three. It DEFINITELY did not end the way I anticipated, but I like the direction it's headed, once it finally got there!
I give this book 4 stars because it did keep me entertained and there were some definitely plot twists that I didn't see coming - which is always a bonus. The dead space that I mentioned before is really the only thing that kept it from being a 5 star read.
All in all, a good start to 2023!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Can we take a second to talk about how excited I was to read a five-star thriller? It has been so long since a book grabbed my attention like this one did and I was sorry that I put off reading it for as long as I did!!
This is following Daisy Darker as she returns to her Grandmother's beach house for the reading of her will around Halloween. One the tide comes in, no one can leave...except there is something fishy going on! The plot twist in the end totally blew my mind and I can 100% say I did not see it coming. Obviously, I don't want to tell too much more as it will spoil things.
From my understanding, this is a take/twist on one of Agatha Christie's books; so if you're a fan of her writing, I definitely suggest checking this one out!
This is following Daisy Darker as she returns to her Grandmother's beach house for the reading of her will around Halloween. One the tide comes in, no one can leave...except there is something fishy going on! The plot twist in the end totally blew my mind and I can 100% say I did not see it coming. Obviously, I don't want to tell too much more as it will spoil things.
From my understanding, this is a take/twist on one of Agatha Christie's books; so if you're a fan of her writing, I definitely suggest checking this one out!