When I started this, I really had no idea where this book was headed. There was a lot happening - a woman was murdered; the main character is working for her ex in an interesting (albeit somewhat confusing) industry; several characters were introduced in close succession. Despite this, once I got about a third of the way into the book, I was fully invested. The ending was both predictable and unexpected (two very different plot lines are wrapped up in two very different ways). 

It took me a long time to read this. The first half of the book dragged. Things were happening, but it didn't really feel like anything was happening. The second half of the book was much better; I am definitely invested enough to read the third book when it is published.

This seems like the type of book I should have loved, but for some reason it felt flat to me. The premise, a list of books working to connect people who most need connection, was great. The various storylines that interconnected worked. The exploration into grief, loss, relationships, etc., which made the book much heavier than anticipated, was well done. Despite all of this, for whatever reason, I just largely didn't care about these characters.

While this was entertaining, I just wasn't wowed by it. It seemed familiar to me, but I'm not sure why because I don't know what I would compare it to. The story is interesting, but I felt let down by the ending. None of the characters are likable; I genuinely didn't care what happened to any of them. The setting is moody, but I feel like more could have been done with it. The writing was a redeeming factor here.

This was quirky, funny, quippy, bizarre, gross at times, well-written, and character driven. The story explores grief, loss, trauma, relationships, friendship, and more in a sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, sometimes graphic manner. At times this was entirely relatable. Other times it felt totally surreal.

I felt a bit let down by the end; it was too anticlimactic for me and almost didn't feel finished. Or maybe I just wanted to spend more time with these characters.

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, it is conceptually interesting. The story has various perspectives including a man on death row and several women with whom he interacted with during his life. This was really well done. 

The storyline was intriguing, but I felt like something was missing...something I cannot name.

Additionally, I really didn't like any of the characters (maybe with the exception of Blue). They all made bad choices (some worse than others) due to their circumstances, they all were flawed humans, and yet...it made everyone unlikeable to me. 

This was hard to read because the main character is so awful and unlikeable. By design. An interesting choice by the author to use his perspective to tell this story, a choice that created suspense and tension. 

Moody, slow-paced, mysterious, beautifully written, dual timelines, and full of wolves. What more can I ask for in a book? This was very good.

[There are several very graphic/gruesome parts in this book. You may want to check the warnings before going into this one.]

This was an interesting mix of memoir, literary criticism, history, and more. Each section focuses on a theme, in which she discusses her family, authors, literature, and history. While I understand why the author organized the book as she did, there were a lot of times that I got lost. I don't know if it was because I was listening to the book or what. Regardless, she writes beautifully about personal and universal topics alike.

Okay...so....I'll say it: I liked this, but I really don't understand why everyone is so crazy about this book.

Found family? Love it. Overcoming major obstacles? Love it. Obsessed with coffee? Love it.

There wasn't a lot of character development.
I have no real understanding of the setting, as there wasn't a lot of world building.
A lot of time was spent on gathering supplies, which was, I'm sorry to say, rather boring.

Overall a very cozy story that missed the mark for me.