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bandysbooks's reviews
180 reviews
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
As a child of the 90s and having grown up in area well known for punk and grunge, I was excited to dive into The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. It was honestly exactly what I was hoping for. Dave tells us the story of his life with lots of stories about notable musicians and musical moments.
One thing I particularly loved about this book is the way that Dave narrates it. His voice and personality comes across very clearly through his words. It's like he's almost standing there telling it to you himself in that moment. In some ways, his writing style even reminds me a bit of Anthony Bourdain...in that reverence to rock and roll, bits of snark, and out-pouring of facts for subjects he's passionate about.
Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so thoroughly was that it was just a lot of fun. Dave seems like such a kind and humble man and that makes him all the more likeable as a narrator. Even in the bleak moments, like when he talks about Kurt Cobain's suicide, he has an ability to reflect on things in a way that makes them understandable.
All in all, this is definitely being added to my top 5 favorite autobiographies. If you like music, you should have this on your TBR. (Pro Tip: Audiobook is great as Dave narrates it himself.)
One thing I particularly loved about this book is the way that Dave narrates it. His voice and personality comes across very clearly through his words. It's like he's almost standing there telling it to you himself in that moment. In some ways, his writing style even reminds me a bit of Anthony Bourdain...in that reverence to rock and roll, bits of snark, and out-pouring of facts for subjects he's passionate about.
Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so thoroughly was that it was just a lot of fun. Dave seems like such a kind and humble man and that makes him all the more likeable as a narrator. Even in the bleak moments, like when he talks about Kurt Cobain's suicide, he has an ability to reflect on things in a way that makes them understandable.
All in all, this is definitely being added to my top 5 favorite autobiographies. If you like music, you should have this on your TBR. (Pro Tip: Audiobook is great as Dave narrates it himself.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Alcohol
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I think one of the reasons that it took so long for there to be a follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale is just that it’s such a difficult story to do justice to. I tried to go into The Testaments with tempered expectations and I think that was helpful. This book is definitely solid, but definitely not as haunting as the original.
The story follows three different POV characters as we learn what happens after Offred’s testimony. I thought this was an effective way to show a lot of progression in a lot of different places without making the book 1000 pages.
I will say that while it did provide closure, it didn’t have the same emotional impact as HT. I did appreciate the resolution with some of the older characters like Aunt Lydia.
If you’re considering this series, I’d suggest:
Read Handmaid’s Tale
Watch The Handmaid’s Tale tv series
Finish with The Testaments
The story follows three different POV characters as we learn what happens after Offred’s testimony. I thought this was an effective way to show a lot of progression in a lot of different places without making the book 1000 pages.
I will say that while it did provide closure, it didn’t have the same emotional impact as HT. I did appreciate the resolution with some of the older characters like Aunt Lydia.
If you’re considering this series, I’d suggest:
Read Handmaid’s Tale
Watch The Handmaid’s Tale tv series
Finish with The Testaments
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
In Every Mirror She's Black by Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the story of three Black women, each from a different background, living in Sweden and tied together by one unique man. I loved that we get a POV for each of the three women so that we get a chance to really know them. We learn their hopes, fears, and struggles. I felt like I had a good idea of who each of them was by the end of the book.
I really liked the author’s dedication to portraying characters with diverse backgrounds. The main three characters are each Black women, but their backgrounds are varied. Kemi is Nigerian-American, Muna is a refugee to Sweden from Somalia, and Brittney-Rae is African American. The main male character, Johnny, is neuro divergent and portrayed thoughtfully. We also see supporting characters who are refugees from Eritrea and Syria and two of Kemi’s friends are a gay couple. All of the diversity makes the story so much richer and realistic.
My only real critique of this story is that the ending was a bit open ended. I didn’t necessarily want it to be neatly wrapped up, but I wish there was just a bit more.
All in all, I would definitely recommend it for contemporary fiction readers, particularly readers with an interest in prejudice, xenophobia, fetishism, ableism, and racism.
I really liked the author’s dedication to portraying characters with diverse backgrounds. The main three characters are each Black women, but their backgrounds are varied. Kemi is Nigerian-American, Muna is a refugee to Sweden from Somalia, and Brittney-Rae is African American. The main male character, Johnny, is neuro divergent and portrayed thoughtfully. We also see supporting characters who are refugees from Eritrea and Syria and two of Kemi’s friends are a gay couple. All of the diversity makes the story so much richer and realistic.
My only real critique of this story is that the ending was a bit open ended. I didn’t necessarily want it to be neatly wrapped up, but I wish there was just a bit more.
All in all, I would definitely recommend it for contemporary fiction readers, particularly readers with an interest in prejudice, xenophobia, fetishism, ableism, and racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, Grief, Stalking, and Classism
Fetishism
Recursion by Blake Crouch
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After the Fire by Will Hill
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moonbeam has recently escaped what was a bloody massacre on the compound of the cult she grew up in. She’s haunted not only by the deaths, but some deeply buried secrets as well. This book explores her experiences within the cult and her trauma after the cult has been broken up.
I liked how this book utilized flashbacks as the character narrating her story to her doctor. It flowed pretty well and was easy to keep track of.
I also like how we see the progression of thoughts in Moonbeams mind as different things occur. She doesn’t wake up one morning and simply feel a certain way. She develops thoughts and feelings over periods of time. It made her come across as thoughtful instead of impulsive.
Also, this cult was so creepy! I know it was based off of the Branch Davidians and Waco Texas, but i thought the author did a good job of distinguishing the cult in his writing from its inspiration.
All in all, an interesting and moving read. A bit predictable at points, but still good.
I liked how this book utilized flashbacks as the character narrating her story to her doctor. It flowed pretty well and was easy to keep track of.
I also like how we see the progression of thoughts in Moonbeams mind as different things occur. She doesn’t wake up one morning and simply feel a certain way. She develops thoughts and feelings over periods of time. It made her come across as thoughtful instead of impulsive.
Also, this cult was so creepy! I know it was based off of the Branch Davidians and Waco Texas, but i thought the author did a good job of distinguishing the cult in his writing from its inspiration.
All in all, an interesting and moving read. A bit predictable at points, but still good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
challenging
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Cultish is a non-fiction book that discusses the language of fanaticism and when it veers into dangerous territory. This was very insightful and informative.
I appreciate that the author’s tone is thoughtful. She doesn’t demean or insult people who have been taken in by cults. She only explains how it happens.
I also really liked how she discussed fanaticism for workout programs, multi-level marketing, and more versus the traditional religious cult. There was a lot of nuance provided.
All in all, a great book to help you analyze your thinking and understanding toxic group think.
I appreciate that the author’s tone is thoughtful. She doesn’t demean or insult people who have been taken in by cults. She only explains how it happens.
I also really liked how she discussed fanaticism for workout programs, multi-level marketing, and more versus the traditional religious cult. There was a lot of nuance provided.
All in all, a great book to help you analyze your thinking and understanding toxic group think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Classism
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Khaled Hosseini is an incredibly talented author, so it's pretty much a given for me that I'm always going to like his books. That being said, I didn't love And The Mountains Echoed in the same way that I've loved some of his other books. It is definitely good and I don't want to put anyone off reading it. It just was slightly less impactful for me.
Some of the things that I did love about this particular story was the way that Hosseini uses traditional Middle Eastern storytelling as a reference point for the majority of the book. The story of the Djinn at the beginning really sets the expectations of what is to come.
What follows is the story of Abdullah and Pari as they grow apart over the years. Abdullah is a loving older brother, one who dutifully protects his younger sister. Though he loves her deeply, he isn't able to protect her from the poverty they both live in. The story that follows is sad, reflective, and shows how love can stay strong over decades.
All in all, if you've liked Hosseini's previous books, you should absolutely read this one as well.
Some of the things that I did love about this particular story was the way that Hosseini uses traditional Middle Eastern storytelling as a reference point for the majority of the book. The story of the Djinn at the beginning really sets the expectations of what is to come.
What follows is the story of Abdullah and Pari as they grow apart over the years. Abdullah is a loving older brother, one who dutifully protects his younger sister. Though he loves her deeply, he isn't able to protect her from the poverty they both live in. The story that follows is sad, reflective, and shows how love can stay strong over decades.
All in all, if you've liked Hosseini's previous books, you should absolutely read this one as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A couple months back, I found The Stationery Shop on the shelves of my local used bookstore. The cover was so stunningly beautiful that I picked it up without really knowing what it was about. Lucky for me, it is mostly a historical fiction set in Iran with some romance mixed in. The book follows Roya and Bahman as they witness political protests, attempted coups, and eventually fall in love with each other.
First of all, I really loved the way the author brought Iran to life. The setting is almost a character of its own as it is so present and involved in the plotline. I could fully imagine the stationery shop, the markets, and everything in between. It reminded me a lot of some of my own travels in the Middle East and I absolutely loved that sense of nostalgia from the reading.
Additionally, I loved Roya as a main character. She is clever, opinionated, and knows what she wants. She is a good daughter to her family and a loyal partner to Bahman when they fall in love. I felt a rapport with her immediately and continued to feel it throughout.
I also enjoyed the way the story was split between past and present. Sometimes when there is a split timeline in stories, one timeline is stronger than the other. That is not the case here. I loved both timelines and love the way the two timelines eventually come together.
My only real critique of the book is that the main source of conflict could've been so easily resolved. I won't give details here as I don't want to spoil the book, but suffice it to say, that you can't think about the conflict too deeply or it creates a bit of a hole in the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes historical fiction and romance.
First of all, I really loved the way the author brought Iran to life. The setting is almost a character of its own as it is so present and involved in the plotline. I could fully imagine the stationery shop, the markets, and everything in between. It reminded me a lot of some of my own travels in the Middle East and I absolutely loved that sense of nostalgia from the reading.
Additionally, I loved Roya as a main character. She is clever, opinionated, and knows what she wants. She is a good daughter to her family and a loyal partner to Bahman when they fall in love. I felt a rapport with her immediately and continued to feel it throughout.
I also enjoyed the way the story was split between past and present. Sometimes when there is a split timeline in stories, one timeline is stronger than the other. That is not the case here. I loved both timelines and love the way the two timelines eventually come together.
My only real critique of the book is that the main source of conflict could've been so easily resolved. I won't give details here as I don't want to spoil the book, but suffice it to say, that you can't think about the conflict too deeply or it creates a bit of a hole in the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes historical fiction and romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Fable by Adrienne Young
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fable is a young woman who was abandoned on an island by her father. She’s survived by dredging the ocean floor and trading the things she finds. It’s been a cruel existence and she’s determined to find her father to claim her inheritance. She escapes on a ship and eventually befriends the crew and adventure ensues.
I really loved the main character of this story. She’s scared and wary, but also strong and self-sufficient. She’s survived on her own and developed a lot of useful skills. I appreciated that she isn’t just naturally gifted at everything. She’s actually had to develop all of the talents she has. That was super refreshing.
The world she lives in is also quite interesting. I loved the pirate vibes and the sense of adventure. I enjoyed how each island seemed to have its own culture. It kept things exciting.
My only complaint is that I felt like this book just cut off right in the middle of the story and that some of the details toward the ending were a bit rushed to accomplish this. It was minor though.
All in all, if you like fantasy, strong female characters, and adventure, you should check this one out!
I really loved the main character of this story. She’s scared and wary, but also strong and self-sufficient. She’s survived on her own and developed a lot of useful skills. I appreciated that she isn’t just naturally gifted at everything. She’s actually had to develop all of the talents she has. That was super refreshing.
The world she lives in is also quite interesting. I loved the pirate vibes and the sense of adventure. I enjoyed how each island seemed to have its own culture. It kept things exciting.
My only complaint is that I felt like this book just cut off right in the middle of the story and that some of the details toward the ending were a bit rushed to accomplish this. It was minor though.
All in all, if you like fantasy, strong female characters, and adventure, you should check this one out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a story that follows the members of one family over the course of roughly a year. Each family member is relatively dysfunctional and has made mistakes. Now, with things changing they are each forced to grow and change.
I thought this book was pretty interesting. All of the characters are highly dysfunctional, but still relatable. I personally felt frustrated with them on many occasions, but ultimately couldn’t help but root for them.
I did find the pacing a little bit slow. At times the story did drag a bit or get a little redundant, but it was a minor thing.
All in all, if you really like deep explorations of characters and their motivations, this is for you!
I thought this book was pretty interesting. All of the characters are highly dysfunctional, but still relatable. I personally felt frustrated with them on many occasions, but ultimately couldn’t help but root for them.
I did find the pacing a little bit slow. At times the story did drag a bit or get a little redundant, but it was a minor thing.
All in all, if you really like deep explorations of characters and their motivations, this is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail