"The Wedding People" is a delightful summer read about finding yourself and living happily after a depressive episode. I really loved the main charact"The Wedding People" is a delightful summer read about finding yourself and living happily after a depressive episode. I really loved the main character and found her relatable and engaging. The other characters were interesting but a little less developed. The story was fun and bittersweet at times, and the author did a great job with the setting....more
"No Two Persons" was an interesting set of connected stories about the power of stories. I really enjoyed the author's writing. I liked the individual"No Two Persons" was an interesting set of connected stories about the power of stories. I really enjoyed the author's writing. I liked the individual stories, but I felt like once I was excited and wanted to know more, the perspective switched. Overall, it's an engaging read....more
I liked this premise, and it was an enjoyable enough read. I didn't care for any of the characters in particular. They were going through things and lI liked this premise, and it was an enjoyable enough read. I didn't care for any of the characters in particular. They were going through things and learning, but they weren't well rounded....more
"Nobody Gets Out Alive" is a collection of loosely connected short stories about living in or moving to Alaska. It's an odd collection based on strang"Nobody Gets Out Alive" is a collection of loosely connected short stories about living in or moving to Alaska. It's an odd collection based on strange characters. It was compelling because of its oddness, and the author's writing was pretty good. It wasn't really my thing, and I wouldn't seek out more work from the author....more
I didn't like this book at all. It's a stream of consciousness slog of a mentally ill character. If you want to read about someone spiraling, enjoy? TI didn't like this book at all. It's a stream of consciousness slog of a mentally ill character. If you want to read about someone spiraling, enjoy? There was no art here, and it was repetitive. The book has been called hilarious repeatedly, but it's just sad. ...more
I've been trying to read this book for 15 days and feel like I'm still reading the same setup. This book is billed as humor, but the only funny part wI've been trying to read this book for 15 days and feel like I'm still reading the same setup. This book is billed as humor, but the only funny part was the penises being compared to Pokemon. The rest of it was just sad. The main character doesn't seem to care about her misfortune, so I can't either.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review....more
"Warrior Girl" is a wonderful novel in verse for young readers. Tafolla tackles the immigrant experience, COVID, Black Lives Matter movement, and the "Warrior Girl" is a wonderful novel in verse for young readers. Tafolla tackles the immigrant experience, COVID, Black Lives Matter movement, and the importance of friendship in this book. The voice in these poems is strong, and the emotions are portrayed well. I would read more from this author because she explores difficult but important topics while sticking to her character's voice consistently. I highly recommend this novel....more
Based on the description and taglines, I expected this book to be funny, but I didn't find any part of it funny. The book reads like a contemporary trBased on the description and taglines, I expected this book to be funny, but I didn't find any part of it funny. The book reads like a contemporary tragedy to me. Jolene is confused and average, and she makes a lot of mistakes. The characters were interesting, and I like how the author slowly revealed the sad stories behind their bad behavior. The book was good, and I'd likely look into more from this author....more
I was pleasantly surprised by "Tom Lake." I haven't liked Patchett's last few books, but this one was a compelling story. I liked that we're listeningI was pleasantly surprised by "Tom Lake." I haven't liked Patchett's last few books, but this one was a compelling story. I liked that we're listening to a mother tell her daughters the story of one of her early loves, but we're seeing what the mother chooses to tell and what she chooses to keep to herself. Their family dynamic is sweet and fun. I enjoyed this novel, and Meryl Streep was phenomenal as the audiobook narrator (of course)....more
The beginning of this book was iffy for me, but once the shenanigans started, the pace evened out and started to make me chuckle. The Baumgartners andThe beginning of this book was iffy for me, but once the shenanigans started, the pace evened out and started to make me chuckle. The Baumgartners and their closest friends are an interesting, strange bunch, and it was entertaining to watch them interact. Overall, it's a fun book. If you're looking for something for the Christmas season that isn't a romance, this one is a good choice....more
I understand the hype on this one. I found it funny and relevant to the current book/publishing culture. This book does a good job of showing why extrI understand the hype on this one. I found it funny and relevant to the current book/publishing culture. This book does a good job of showing why extremes are wrong. I found this book very entertaining because of the content, and the author did a good job of making me feel disgusted by everyone's behavior. I don't know that I would read a different subject matter from this author though. This voice and subject matter paired very well, but I don't know how I would feel about it with a different subject....more
"Grown-Up Pose" was a heartwarming contemporary story of a woman trying to find her identity outside of being a daughter, wife, and mother. There is a"Grown-Up Pose" was a heartwarming contemporary story of a woman trying to find her identity outside of being a daughter, wife, and mother. There is a romance aspect, but the main point of the story is Anu's journey. Anu does a lot of soul searching and trying new things, and it was interesting to watch her thought process through it all. It's an emotional journey, and Lalli captured that pressure valve feeling after listening to everyone else for so long. I liked the characters and writing style. I'm excited to read more from Lalli....more
Swamp Story is a wild ride. The shenanigans in this story were funny, but there was so much going on. I'm not sure what the point of the government ofSwamp Story is a wild ride. The shenanigans in this story were funny, but there was so much going on. I'm not sure what the point of the government official storyline was, for example. The characters were all so similar that I had the men mixed up for half of the novel. If you're interested in a roller coaster of a story, check this book out....more
I try not to give stars to books I DNF, but this book is too creepy to not rate. The relationship between Lucy and Christopher is wildly inappropriateI try not to give stars to books I DNF, but this book is too creepy to not rate. The relationship between Lucy and Christopher is wildly inappropriate. If I saw a TA treating a student that way, I would report them so fast. The other relationships here are also weird in their own ways, and I regret meeting any of these characters. The writing is juvenile, and I'm not sure what the author was going for with any of this. I got this through BOTM because it was the only okay seeming option that month, but I'm probably going to throw out the whole subscription now....more
"Lifetime Passes" is a diverse graphic novel about being different and learning to accept true friendship. There are a lot of characters for a short b"Lifetime Passes" is a diverse graphic novel about being different and learning to accept true friendship. There are a lot of characters for a short book, but their individual stories are fleshed out and beautiful. I liked the different experiences that are explored in here and how the characters learn from each other. The art is busy and colorful and perfectly captures that theme park feel....more
I'm not sure what to say about "Turtles All the Way Down," but I do know it will be a comfort book for me from now on. I don't feel understood a lot, I'm not sure what to say about "Turtles All the Way Down," but I do know it will be a comfort book for me from now on. I don't feel understood a lot, but I know I can pick up this book and know that at least Aza and John Green understand me. ...more
I was really surprised by this book. As it turn out, this book is not a romance. This book dives deep into the messiness that is dating in your early I was really surprised by this book. As it turn out, this book is not a romance. This book dives deep into the messiness that is dating in your early twenties and finding the right career for you. I liked Sasha, even though my early 30s self was screaming "NOOOOOO RUN" for a lot of her choices. This novel is about making mistakes though. It's entertaining and fast-paced....more