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.
When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New …
Great concept, lacking story
2 stars
Something about knowing this was tied to Huckleberry Finn made this much less interesting.It's well written, but the plotline was desigend for Huck, not Jim. Trying to squeeze something out of that side of the story leaves it lacking. Again, good writing, and Jame's internal monologue and perception of the world is very powerful. But the lasting impact was very low given high expectations going in.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a 2020 fantasy fiction standalone novel written by …
A familiar but unique story
5 stars
It's a fun fantasy-ish alternate universe version of Groundhog Day. Has a twisting plot line that never gets to far afield and that encourages introspection. Good stuff all around.
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to …
It's like 3 books in one, somewhat uneven.
4 stars
This book was long! It felt like the author painted themselves in a corner and then decided to take the circuitous route out. It's a unique world, kinda standard fantasy/magic story, lots of unexpected complications. Good book, but it's a lot. Planning on reading the next one in a year or so.
'Vivid, enigmatic, enchanting' M. L. Rio
'Irresistible' Sunday Times
Some people think foxes go around …
Excellent story
5 stars
A unique and well written revenge-ish story of a very unique life. Dealing with crushing sadness and how life is lived when you feel you have nothing to lose. Though the book is more heist-y than sad.
Don't ask questions or think to hard about things, just enjoy the ride. It's a fun and unique "magic is real" story with a good (and needed) twist about halfway through.
What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so …
Fun murder mystery twist
4 stars
Solid summer reading book. An interesting twist on a cold case story. Told from the perspective of someone who's case is being investigated by a true crime podcaster. I'm not into podcasts, so if those chapters were overly done, I have no idea.
At the heart of this, there's a a potential indiana jones sci-fi caper kinda thing going on. It's lost in a lot of generic space travel mega war mumbo jumbo. Would have been better to keep things smaller and focused on the main characters. I almost put it down halfway, but it juuuust changed enough in the second half.
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.
