Though sweet spots are Science Fiction and Fantasy and humorous Young Adult stuff. I generally read in bed, so my preference is for less stressful stories. My favorite stories that ones that are both Quirky and Unexpected.
Due to book experiences being very dependent on the reader, I belive that reviews should be short.
Digital web comic compiled. "A detective story set in 2076, when everyone in the United …
Fun Future LA Noir
5 stars
It's topical for sure - still works in 2024, maybe even moreso than in 2015 when it came out. Good main characters, twisty plotline, never gets too bogged down in the details. The art is spectacular, character design really helps the story, and nice layouts that its "widescreen" format enables. Also a bonus point of sorts because it's not a series - I like a single book adventure.
I went in dubious, I'm wary of self help-y kinda books that are likely gonna quote from questionable research. But I've been dealing with anxiety around the house and am really trying to find small ways to bring joy into life.
This book was great-ish. It covers a lot of good ideas and unexpected ways to think about what brings us joy. The "ish" comes from the author performatively inserting themselves into every single scenario, there's some questionable "science", and the book loses a bit of steam in the second half. So it's not a joyful book overall. But! Very much worth the read for inspiration creating joy and thinking about what sort of environments and experiences bring joy.
A bold, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartwarming story about one young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, …
Perfect summer reading
4 stars
A hilarious and unexpected story with some tension to keep things interesting. And a good reminder as to the power of hustle. It's very much a book of it's era socially - lots of current events and online situations.
The book opens on Earth, eleven thousand years from now. The Anth met their end …
The Punumbraverse continues to be a joy
5 stars
I think I chuckled out loud more with this book than any recent book I've read. It's not a comedy, but it's got humor. It's not really an apocalypse book but, it is about the end of humanity. It's not an action book, but there are twists and tense moments.
It many ways this book reminded me of the Robot & Monk series but in a quirkier world with more surprises. I don't think it will stick with me for long, but it was an absolute joy to read.
To be clear right away: The story is very much about the three hard-working women and their perspectives. The subtitle "a story of love and war" had me worried it might veer into a extrapolated romance novel of sorts. It is not that.
The writing is informed mostly by a trove of letters written by the three women. All three were not common political participants, so their letters have "human" observations about the conference. The author doesn't elaborate or add anything more than what is known, which is great, but also means that the writing is dry at times. The overall setup isn't a great read.
The part that that got me thinking the most, was everything that happened after the conference as the war ended. Seeing the brutal mental impact that a long hard war had on the people who were involved, and this is only at the highest …
To be clear right away: The story is very much about the three hard-working women and their perspectives. The subtitle "a story of love and war" had me worried it might veer into a extrapolated romance novel of sorts. It is not that.
The writing is informed mostly by a trove of letters written by the three women. All three were not common political participants, so their letters have "human" observations about the conference. The author doesn't elaborate or add anything more than what is known, which is great, but also means that the writing is dry at times. The overall setup isn't a great read.
The part that that got me thinking the most, was everything that happened after the conference as the war ended. Seeing the brutal mental impact that a long hard war had on the people who were involved, and this is only at the highest levels -- not soldiers , was shocking. There were numerous affairs, divorces, and suicides. People who were critical to supporting the cause were left without support after the war was over and the new administrations were in place. It seemed like much less of the "honorary positions" that support these people I'd expect to see today. War is hell in all the ways.
It's a darker overall story than the cover presents.
I enjoy running because it is one of the few things that gets me outside (disconnected!) and lets my mind wander within itself. The pacing of the story and the quality of the writing brought me a similar experience. There are moments of action, but there are also stretches where development is slow and the nuance of life comes to the front. The time for reflection within the story is what gives the unique story heart, and, for me, personal meaning.
Over her decades as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke has routinely counseled distraught parents …
Awful book
1 star
It might have a good point or two in it, but the whole book is spent talking about the successes of the author as they implement their techniques. It's like some magic fairy tale where every technique has a happy ending, and not the reality of raising kids who have challenges. Just awful for any struggling parent's mindset.
The latest novel from the Women’s Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Power, The Future is …
Great characters and a big plotline
4 stars
The main plot isn't as unexpected as I'd like (pending earth apocalypse due to capitalism), but the characters are certainly quirky, and the story eventually goes to unexpected places and has some great twists. Good mix of local action and a longer timeframe view.
Destry's life is dedicated to terraforming Sask-E. As part of the Environmental Rescue Team, she …
Fun world building, light on plot
3 stars
A fun world, with a story that unfolds across eras, that could have used a stronger plotline.
This felt similar to the Monk & Robot series by Becky Chalmers: Some sort of apocalypse came for humanity, and things worked out for the better (genderfluid, democratic socialism, respected personhood). But then there's still some capitalists around so they don't, kinda. But they also kinda do in the end? I like that it's one book, but it coulda used a couple more chapters.
Not as quirky, given I'd previously read a similar series, and some unexpected, but not much.
The core plotline is pretty rote at this point: Something has gone wrong with earth, etc etc. ButI like the way this story is told, good characters, unique world, keeps you in the dark but not too much. Good moments of action and excitement as well as reflection. I said "whoa, this is a good book" out loud while reading. And extra points for it not being a trilogy or something that'd take a month to read through.
After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) …
Soothing, but I'm losing interest
3 stars
Similar to the first book, things happen without much tension. Which is a fascinating feeling! But this book doesn't push as hard on the introspection side -- or maybe I missed it? Felt much less quirky and unexpected compared to the first.
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; …
More philosophy than anything
5 stars
In reading more about this book after I finished it, which is a hint to it's unexpectedness, I learned the author is known for a genre called "Hopeful Science Fiction." The setup, roughly speaking, is that humanity has succeeded in it's transformation rather than entering a dystopian/post-apocalyptic phase.
That mindset makes this book a joy to read. It offers up a very rich and peaceful world to explore, with introspective characters who encourage reflection on the human condition.
Wool introduced the world of the silo. Shift told the story of its creation. Dust …
Ends the series wonderfully
5 stars
This book jumps right back into the action and keeps the plot-twist-heavy formula cooking. It was so good that I kind of ignored my family for a couple of evenings as I tore through it. But the real joy is that the conclusion was perfectly satisfying - a rare final book that gracefully wraps up a big idea.
