graywild's reviews
657 reviews

Cults: Inside the World's Most Notorious Groups and Understanding the People Who Joined Them by Max Cutler

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challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.5

Maybe half of the people I was semi-familiar with and the rest I had not heard of. Decent job of giving background to each person and talking about what psychological problems drove the behavior. Still fascinated about why people would choose to follow people to their deaths.  Common thread seems to be struggles in life, lack of self-esteem, etc. 
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the '60s Girl Groups by Emily Sieu Liebowitz, Laura Flam

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challenging dark inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

Tells the story of the early girl groups from the 60s in interview format.  Many of the group names and songs are recognizable although some I didn't know.  Shocking how young many of the performers were (early teens for many) and as a result many were exploited.  Most didn't get the money they were promised.  Half the book covers the rise of the genre.  The back half covers the time when groups broke up, people were fired, companies moved or were sold.  The last chapter covers in more detail the terrible way Phil Spector treated Ronnie Spector and how that resulted her not singing anymore. 
The Mermaid by Christina Henry

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-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

3.0

This was an audiobook which I do rarely.  Fictionalized story of the Fiji Mermaid.  It covers her time in rural Maine and her employment by PT Barnum.  Interesting concept but at times I felt the characters were flat.  Might have been the narration but I just had a hard time connecting to some of them.  In particular Levi (Barnum's lawyer and Emilia's protector) seemed to clearly care for Emilia but then there was a whole passage where he treated her like property.  Maybe this was trying to reflect the historical period but seemed out of place.  Vacation read.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

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emotional inspiring 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? No

3.75

Connected short stories about people who are struggling with their mental health and visit a clinic.  The clinic is hard to find and only staffed by a nurse and a doctor.  The doctor listens to their problems and then prescribes a cat for a few weeks to help them.  The experiences with the cats are different with each person but it allows them to see solutions to their issues.  A feel good book with a hint of magical realism implied. 
The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures by Sarah Clegg

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dark informative fast-paced

2.0

Short book covering the darker side of Christmas traditions.  Most are monsters that seek to punish children who are bad.  Alot of the stories involve murder and beatings.  I knew Krampus but the others I was not familiar with.  Interesting topic but I felt like it was a bit disjointed to read.  Within the chapters, at times, it seemed to go off into topics that were loosely related.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.0

I knew who Ina Garten is but I never really watched her show.  Although her parents were very controlling (or perhaps because of this), Ina certainly learned how to take some chances that ultimately ended up being successful for her.  When she bought Barefoot Contessa store in the Hamptons she definitely had to figure out how to be successful in a seasonal business.  Some luck.  Some business savvy.  Alot of hard work.  Its a relatively short book so she doesn't go into depth in TV show and cookbook success but I think you get the overall idea of what she did.  I would recommend as a good vacation read. 
The Deluge by Stephen Markley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
DNF. I  got through 200+ pages of this almost 900 page book and felt like nothing had really happened yet.  Lots of character introduction but no connecting story. 
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I like Mitch Albom's writing style.  This is a story set in WWII with 4 characters - 2 Jewish brother, a Jewish girl from their town and a Nazi officer.  The story intertwines nicely though I feel like some of the characters are stereotypically and not fleshed out well. Vacation read recommendation. 
The Moorings of Mackerel Sky by MZ

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? No

3.0

Mackerel Sky is a lobster town in Maine that has a rich history of mermaids and fishing.  The book splits between the towns founding and modern day.  There are essentially 3 stories in the modern part - a trouble boy being helped by an older woman, a high school student becoming aware of his sexuality and a depressed school teacher missing her husband and daughter.  The characters are interesting but at times the story stalls and at the end I thought alot happened very quickly to resolve some of the questions.  It was just okay and would recommend as a vacation read. 
Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

I am a fan of mythology.  This book tells the story of the immortal Gorgons and their mortal sister Medusa.  Parts are taking from clues in written mythology and parts are fictionalized relationships.  The 3 sisters all have their own faults and egos.  Initially they appeared like humans but when Athena gets crossed she turns all three into monsters.  They all have variation of snakes for hair and they all turn mortals into stone.  I felt like each sister was brought forward as a more interesting character as the book progressed.  Recommend.