75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2021 GR Completed)
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Katie's 2021 challenge (100 books)
1. The Betrayals by Bridget CollinsSource: Scribd audio
Rating: 9/10 - not quite an all-time-favourite, but this book was really good, so compelling to read, with a twisty plot. Will definitely reread, and will buy the hard copy.
Review: here
2. My Darling from the Lions by Rachel LongSource: Library audio
Rating: 8/10 - really impressive debut poetry collection that has strong messages about racism, sexual assault (content warnings particularly for this), friendship, motherhood, identity, and so much more, but it wasn't a book that was dear to my heart. Admired rather than loved.
Review: here
Mod
3. The Midnight Library by Matt HaigSource: Library
Rating: I actually decided not to rate this. It was a tricky one, in that I didn't think the execution was brilliant, but I did think that what Haig was trying to do was really important. I think this is a book that will really help a lot of people, and that's bigger than a Goodreads rating.
Review: here
4. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-JooFrom: Library audio
Rating: 8/10 - an interesting, informative, infuriating story, but wasn't one that touched my heart.
Review: here
5. Strange Hotel by Eimear McBrideFrom: Library ebook
Rating: 7/10 - the narrative style is difficult to get to grips with, but the story is interesting and deep.
Review
6. A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney MilanFrom: Scribd ebook
Rating: 7/10 - I enjoyed this. Would have liked better character development for the heroine, but it was enjoyable.
Review
7. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica BrodyFrom: Library
Rating: 5/10 - I thought it just made the process of structuring a novel more complicated than it needed to be. I didn't really get along with the terminology.
Review
8. Muse of Nightmares by Laini TaylorFrom: My shelves
Rating: 7/10 - enjoyable, but not as good as the first book. It wasn't as satisfactory a resolution as I hoped it would be.
Review
9. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. KendiSource: Scribd audio
Rating: 9/10 - a phenomenal history. So detailed and well researched, but easy to follow.
Review
10. The Rain Heron by Robbie ArnottSource: Scribd audio
Rating: 9/10 - beautifully written eco fable. Quite brutal at times, but such an interesting story.
Review
11. Like Lovers Do by Tracey LivesaySource: Scribd audio
Rating: 7/10 - fairly enjoyable romance, but not a favourite.
Review
12. Raybearer by Jordan IfuekoSource: Library ebook
Rating: 8/10 - very enjoyable, unique YA fantasy. Great world building. Impressive debut.
Review
13. Blonde Roots by Bernardine EvaristoSource: Library audio
Rating: 7/10 - very thought provoking satire. I thought some aspects worked better than others. Content warnings for everything you can think of in relation to slavery. Some of this is very brutal.
Review
14. The Duke and I by Julia QuinnSource: Scribd audio
Rating: 6/10 - I liked the writing and the family, but had issues with some of the things the characters did. Content warning for marital rape/dubious consent.
Review
15. Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean VuongSource: Library ebook
Rating: 7/10 - enjoyable, but I liked his novel better.
Review
16. The Flatshare by Beth O'LearySource: Library audio
Rating; 8/10 - wasn't sure after the first couple of chapters, but it grew on me. A lovely, warm story.
Review
17. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia QuinnSource: Scribd audio
Rating: 9/10 - I really enjoyed this one. It was funny and the love story was sweet and steamy. Anthony is a bit of an ass to start with, but he's a good guy really, and Kate is more than a match for him.
Review
Mod
Elyse wrote: "I loved The Flatshare! Her follow-up, The Switch, was not as good but still an enjoyable read."Good to know! I'll have to check it out. Glad I stuck with this one.
18. Mr Salary by Sally RooneyFrom: My shelves (new, not included in RYS challenge)
Rating: 8/10 - enjoyable, nuanced story.
Review
19. Call Them by Their True Names by Rebecca SolnitFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 8/10 - interesting, readable essays focusing on gentrification, racism, and activism in the US.
Review
20. Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuireFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 5/10 - found this one repetitive and didn't really enjoy the world.
Review
21. Rogue Protocol by Martha WellsFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 8/10 - really enjoying this series of novellas.
Review
22. Firefly Lane by Kristin HannahFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 3/10 - really disliked this intensely. Supposedly about female friendship, but is actually very anti-female friendship in its plot.
Review
23. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabFrom: Scribd Iaudio)
Rating: 5/10 - this just wasn't as profound as I was expecting. I was bored by Henry and thought the entire story was kind of dull.
Review
24. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'EngleFrom: My Kindle
Rating: 5/10 - this was interesting, but I felt quite indifferent about it.
Review
Mod
From: My Kindle
Rating: 5/10 - this was interesting, but I felt quite indifferent about it.
Review"
I still want to re-read this series. I remember it being read to the class in 4th grade and I think I read it myself in maybe 6th grade and really not getting it. lol. I have not seen the latest movie and do not plan to.
I haven't seen the movie either, Elyse. I haven't heard great things about it, but wouldn't mind comparing it to the book at some point.
25. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia QuinnFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 7/10 - some problematic stuff in this book, but, unlike book one, it is actually discussed and resolved here. I mostly enjoyed this for Violet Bridgerton, to be honest.
Review
26. Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuireFrom: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 8/10 - I enjoyed this a lot more than book two. I really like the quest stories in this series.
Review
27. A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. HarrowFrom: Apex Magazine online
Rating: 9/10 - Harrow is fast becoming an author who can do no wrong for me. I've loved everything I've read from her.
Review
28. Mr. Death by Alix E. HarrowFrom: Apex Magazine online
Rating: 9/10 - again, I loved it. That ending was amazing.
Review
29. The Autobiography of a Traitor and a Half-Savage by Alix E. HarrowFrom: Tor.com
Rating: 9/10 - another fabulous story from Harrow. I really hope she collects her stories into a volume some day.
Review
30. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidFrom: Library (audio)
Rating: 5/10 (my review says 6, but I need to change that). I just didn't think this was all that great.
Review
31. The Humans by Matt HaigFrom: Library (audio)
Rating: 7/10 - enjoyed this quite a bit. Haig is good at writing optimism.
Review
32. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi KleinFrom: My Kindle
Rating: 9/10 - quite long, but I thought this was excellent at showing the roadblocks capitalism presents to climate activism.
Review
33. Don't Touch My Hair by Emma DabiriFrom: Library (audio)
Rating: 9/10 - an incredibly interesting exploration of the history of black hair told in a readable style.
Review
34. The Art of the Glimpse selected by Sinéad GleesonFrom: My shelves
Rating: 8/10 - a wide variety of stories. There are 100 of them, so, inevitably, some will be better than others.
Review
35. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní GhríofaFrom: My Kindle (new this year, so not included in RYS challenge)
Rating: 7/10 - very unusual style and some great stuff on how women's lives are hidden. Not a favourite read, though.
Review
36. What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition by Emma DabiriFrom: ARC from NetGalley
Rating: 10/10 - excellent practical advice for white people seeking to fight injustice. Brings in so many things that made me think.
Review
37. Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia QuinnFrom: Scribd
Rating: 9/10 - really enjoyed this one. The series is up and down, but this one was great.
Review
38. The Dream and the Muse by Jake BurnettSource: ARC from NetGalley
Rating: 8/10 - really fun, quirky fantasy adventure.
Review
39. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina LewyckaSource: Library (audio)
Rating: 6/10 - quite funny at times, but I wanted more on the historical timeline.
Review
40. Cinderella Liberator by Rebecca SolnitSource: Library (ebook)
Rating: 4/10 - I found this really dry, quite unlike everything else I've read by Solnit.
Review
41. The Midnight Bargain by C.L. PolkSource: ARC from NetGalley
Rating: 8/10 - really enjoyable Regency-inspired fantasy.
Review
Mod
From: Scribd
Rating: 9/10 - really enjoyed this one. The series is up and down, but this one was great.
Review"
It really is up and down! lol. But overall, it was a fun ride with the Bridgertons.
42. The Lioness Awakens: Poems by Lauren EdenSource: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 5/10 - these poems were ok, but not my favourite.
Review
75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Thing About December (other topics)Woman on the Edge of Time (other topics)
A Holiday by Gaslight (other topics)
The Fated Sky (other topics)
The Snow Song (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Donal Ryan (other topics)Marge Piercy (other topics)
Mimi Matthews (other topics)
Mary Robinette Kowal (other topics)
Sally Gardner (other topics)
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Here are the books I read in 2021, with links to reviews.
Ratings will be different this year, because I'm not using the Goodreads ratings any more. Ratings will be out of 10. 10 is a favourite of all time, and I will give an explanation for the lower ratings when they come up.