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book_casey's reviews
394 reviews
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this as part of a book club, and would not otherwise have chosen it, so that colors my review.
The project that this book undertakes—retelling Adventure of Huckleberry Finn and reimagining it from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man—is clever and thought-provoking. As someone who did not love Huck Finn and does not love the Americana of it all, some of this book’s excellence is lost on me.
I appreciated the choices that the author made to differentiate from the source material, and the correctives he makes to the White Savior narrative lurking therein. This book permits Jim and other enslaved people to claim their own liberation, form their own senses of self, and always be in on the joke and the subversion—rather than always the one mocked and humiliated.
The content warnings should not come as a surprise, given the subject matter, but be warned.
The project that this book undertakes—retelling Adventure of Huckleberry Finn and reimagining it from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man—is clever and thought-provoking. As someone who did not love Huck Finn and does not love the Americana of it all, some of this book’s excellence is lost on me.
I appreciated the choices that the author made to differentiate from the source material, and the correctives he makes to the White Savior narrative lurking therein. This book permits Jim and other enslaved people to claim their own liberation, form their own senses of self, and always be in on the joke and the subversion—rather than always the one mocked and humiliated.
The content warnings should not come as a surprise, given the subject matter, but be warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Death and Death of parent
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
I couldn’t take it. Maybe I’ll come back.
The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I am not actually the audience for this book, as I do not need to be convinced by its thesis.
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
I read a digital ARC of this book. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
This book was so charming! I was ready to give it a rave review but then at 90% there was a breakup (which I hate) that felt really melodramatic and unsatisfying.
The premise is cute. MFA classmates become enemies via aggressively critiquing each other’s work; the professor forces them to write their novel together as punishment; it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance novel that very obviously follows their own budding friendship and eventual romantic relationship; it all falls apart.
There were a lot of sweet moments and great snappy dialogue—enemies to lovers is usually good for that. There’s a scene where they are co-writing a sex scene for the book (they have not yet had sex IRL) and the tension is *perfect*. The telegraphing from their novel to their relationship got a little predictable—but it’s a romance novel so knowing what’s coming is not a dealbreaker.
Still, I convinced myself that the signs were wrong, that the breakup wasn’t coming, but I was lying to myself. Being unwilling to listen to him—after all the words they’d exchanged—didn’t ring true to me. So, I liked 90% of this book. :)
Ifa third-act breakup is your favorite, you’ll love this book, lol.
This book was so charming! I was ready to give it a rave review but then at 90%
The premise is cute. MFA classmates become enemies via aggressively critiquing each other’s work; the professor forces them to write their novel together as punishment; it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance novel that very obviously follows their own budding friendship and eventual romantic relationship; it all falls apart.
There were a lot of sweet moments and great snappy dialogue—enemies to lovers is usually good for that. There’s a scene where they are co-writing a sex scene for the book (they have not yet had sex IRL) and the tension is *perfect*. The telegraphing from their novel to their relationship got a little predictable—but it’s a romance novel so knowing what’s coming is not a dealbreaker.
Still, I convinced myself that the signs were wrong, that the
If
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I can’t wait for all my best lady friends to read these poems. We love @maryoliversdrunkcousin so much and we deserve this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyndsay Rush for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyndsay Rush for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot express how charmed I am by this story and by these men. I love baseball, I love love.
More than a Feeling by Lauren Morrill
Absolutely fuck a third-act breakup , but I sure loved every nod to romance novels and we who love them that Lauren Morrill managed to squeeze into this book.
Enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s sister, only one bed, small town, save the [beloved small-town institution], bad boy turns out to be great with kids, grand gestures upon grand gestures. It was delightful!
Except for the aforementionedthird-act breakup , which I detest.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s sister, only one bed, small town, save the [beloved small-town institution], bad boy turns out to be great with kids, grand gestures upon grand gestures. It was delightful!
Except for the aforementioned
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book killed me. It’s Casey McQuiston’s best, by far.
No shade to RWRB, but this book is on another planet.
Thanks, NetGalley and the author, for the ARC.
No shade to RWRB, but this book is on another planet.
Thanks, NetGalley and the author, for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
I cried when they named the river after their possibly-dead colleague 😭
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence