3.5 stars. A bit of Crazy Rich Asians mixed with Succession vibes. Fun, but didn't sit with me very long. Had to sit and think for a second what the p3.5 stars. A bit of Crazy Rich Asians mixed with Succession vibes. Fun, but didn't sit with me very long. Had to sit and think for a second what the plot was about, even just 1.5 weeks after reading this. ...more
Shaggy, pulpy, queer horror. I had a good time with this one and its messy characters, but it was darker than I expected from the cover. It was more hShaggy, pulpy, queer horror. I had a good time with this one and its messy characters, but it was darker than I expected from the cover. It was more horror with a touch of comedy than comedy with a touch of horror. Worth reading if you're into queer genre fiction....more
4.5 stars. This was so much fun. Loved the main family and watching the main character grow in confidence. Highly recommend, but have plans to acquire4.5 stars. This was so much fun. Loved the main family and watching the main character grow in confidence. Highly recommend, but have plans to acquire book 2 because you're going to want it immediately....more
3.5 stars. I didn't plan on reading this until the UK media as a whole started hyperventilating over it in unison. The US has its own media issues, bu3.5 stars. I didn't plan on reading this until the UK media as a whole started hyperventilating over it in unison. The US has its own media issues, but good lord, the UK tabloid culture seems to have gobbled many people's good sense and logical reasoning over there. Anyway, I wanted to see what the hysteria was all about for myself.
As far as I can tell, the UK rags are just offended that Scobie's harshest criticisms are reserved for the UK media. There's nothing truly shocking in this book if you've been paying attention, but I did find the section on the media and courtiers to be the most enlightening and horrifying.
The book is (sadly) not anti-monarchy, but it is a solid synthesis of information that speaks to where the British monarchy is headed. Scobie only sugarcoats one person in the book, the late queen (annoying to me because although she was loved by many, she was also rightly criticized by many). Everyone else is fair game for criticism, as they should be. As public figures receiving public money, this family should be scrutinized as much as any politician. More even! It just came out recently that the family has been profiting off the deaths of ordinary citizens. How many people actually heard that story over the constant churn of tabloid nonsense? The symbiotic relationship between the tabloids and the monarchy is truly vile....more
3.75 stars. A nice variation on a fairly traditional vampire story.
The audiobook narrator, Abby Craden, was good but soft spoken so I found myself cra3.75 stars. A nice variation on a fairly traditional vampire story.
The audiobook narrator, Abby Craden, was good but soft spoken so I found myself cranking the volume throughout. Headphones probably would have been a better way to go....more
4.5 stars. Nobody writes grumpy/sunshine romcoms as well as Hall. Literal LOLs throughout this book, while also having depth. Listen to the audio if y4.5 stars. Nobody writes grumpy/sunshine romcoms as well as Hall. Literal LOLs throughout this book, while also having depth. Listen to the audio if you can, Will Watt elevates the material with a pitch perfect narration....more
3.5 stars. I love that this series keeps circling back to characters we met a few books ago and building on the town lore. It really reminds me of Gil3.5 stars. I love that this series keeps circling back to characters we met a few books ago and building on the town lore. It really reminds me of Gilmore girls with its small town feel and letting bit players each have time to shine. Soon, I'm going to need a Thistle Grove wiki to remind myself who is related and who has dated!...more
3.5 stars. No matter your beliefs and personal ethos, this book will contain ideas you agree with and ideas you don't, but if you're open, you'll also3.5 stars. No matter your beliefs and personal ethos, this book will contain ideas you agree with and ideas you don't, but if you're open, you'll also be introduced to some history/ideas that will make you think. I started following Kennedy for her nuanced, non-colonial ways of talking about food and her book follows through on the same kinds of ideas.
I think the biggest thing this book opened my mind to is vegan cheese. I assumed vegan cheese was all weird chemicals, but was pleasantly surprised to find out a lot of it these days is made with the same method as regular cheese. It's just the starting proteins and catalyst that are different. I will definitely give it a try the next time I encounter it....more
I've loved the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast for a long time and the show only got better when Aisha joined the crew full time so I was excited to heI've loved the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast for a long time and the show only got better when Aisha joined the crew full time so I was excited to hear this book was coming out. I really enjoyed this deep dive into pop culture through the lens of Aisha's life. We're similar ages so I related to quite a few of her experiences, but the ones I didn't relate to were just as interesting. Read this if you like Lindy West's movie essays. Harris narrates the audiobook and it is fantastic....more
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