amsswim's reviews
238 reviews

The Troop by Nick Cutter

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If you are into horror I highly recommend this one. Atmosphere and story were there for me even listening to the audiobook, gave me chills a few times lol. Def go through the trigger warnings though as needed, the descriptions were detailed. Alternating POVs were really good here too.

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The Giver by Lois Lowry

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

 I'm surprised I didn't read this earlier or I was not required to in school. I absolutely loved this read, I haven't read Lois Lowry since middle school, but now I think I'd like to return to her books. Her world building and descriptions are perfect for a dystopian story. This was an easy read while still being meaningful and thought provoking.

The audiobook on Libby was only 5 hours, so this was a great weekend/day ready. Highly recommend to everyone. 

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I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.5

I did a one day read with this one, or listen I guess. It went by super quick and she reads the audiobook. As a former watcher of her shows and someone who experiences/experienced some of her struggles, it was super validating that other people have these issues too. It also helps that she is a very good writer, or I felt her narrative in the book was very compelling and easy to follow. I'd love to read more of her work if she writes anything else.

Would definitely recommend this, even to people who aren't familiar with her work, for a look into narcissistic abuse paired with the child star industry. 

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If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adored this read. Read it! Very similar feel to The Secret History. There a many major differences, but I feel if you like one you'll like the other.

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The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

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dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I'm so glad I finally read this, it has been on my TBR for years now.

I am already a big fan of non-fiction literature and historical reads, this combines the best of them both. This non-fiction book read like fiction in my opinion, making it quick to go by. The many intertwining stories were not difficult to keep track of and all interesting. This is for sure one of those reads that leaves you with a greater understanding of the time period (e.g. 1890s) as a whole, and puts into context the overlap of inventions, important figures, and other legendary events.

If you like historical fiction or non-fiction, true crime, or well written books, I recommend this read.

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Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. Devastating look into a family torn apart by a missing sister. While I was able to predict some of the twists, the details and other parts kept me very interested and caught me off guard. My final listening session (today), I started at 60% and listened to the rest. Really picked up in the end, despite the beginning not really even dragging. The actions of the main characters felt believable and detailed. Overall a good read.

This was incredibly violent and graphic, so I'd recommend reading warnings before starting. 

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My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

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dark emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was the first book of her that I have read, and I think this author probably one you just like or don't. I enjoyed this read but could see where people have issues with it.

If you're into reading about completely unhinged women doing unhinged and borderline horrifying things, do read. If you're worried definitely leaf through the trigger warnings to get an idea at least. 

I think I'll read from this author again, would recommend to some (definitely not everyone)!

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How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I very much encourage everyone to read or listen to this book. Follow the author to important heritage sites to the legacy of slavery through the US and beyond; plantations, prisons, confederate cemeteries.  Made me very reflective on random interactions I have had over the years and how the people in my family history may have interacted. The content is graphic and unflinching, which is entirely necessary. It is also one of the best written non-fiction books I have read, I believe because you are going on a journey with the author. I am unable to summarize so much of one amazing book, so I am just going to say again read it.

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My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I think a lot of people could benefit from reading this (not to get political, ahem) , but I'm afraid they would only see what they want to see in Vanessa's character and take her for exactly what she says they will in the book. I thought this book had not only an important story to tell, but it was told incredibly well. The time jumps of Vanessa's high school experience to her "modern day", #MeToo era day-to-day gave the reader a large perspective of the stages of trauma and stages of abuse. 

As a someone who has experienced different kinds of abuse and trauma, I very much related with many themes. I would recommend looking through warnings and triggers contained here if you'd like to read, some themes may be upsetting for other survivors of similar experiences. I recommend to all however. 

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Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

More of a 3.75 to me but I still enjoyed this book a lot. For people looking for a cult story this is for you. Warnings for SA and pregnancy horror though because it is heavy in that.

Predictable I'd say but not in the worst way, almost a sad and pitying way. The main character being blinded by so much.

Not fir everyone but a good horror read

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