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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
While I wish certain sections divulged more of Curtis Chin's experiences and feelings, I appreciate his vulnerability in the events of his life that he does share with his readers. He effectively captures his family dynamics and explores his discovery of his sexuality and cultural identity with bemusement, creating some laugh-out-loud moments. I honestly could have kept reading about his family's restaurant because of the atmosphere Chin creates.
While I wish certain sections divulged more of Curtis Chin's experiences and feelings, I appreciate his vulnerability in the events of his life that he does share with his readers. He effectively captures his family dynamics and explores his discovery of his sexuality and cultural identity with bemusement, creating some laugh-out-loud moments. I honestly could have kept reading about his family's restaurant because of the atmosphere Chin creates.
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In addition to her powerful observations about racism, Jhumpa Lahiri has a masterful way of coaxing beauty and awe out of mundane, slice-of-life moments; this collection is no exception, and the translations are done well throughout. I think I'm still chasing the high of Interpreter of Maladies, though, so this collection doesn't feel as consistent. Some of my favorites, though, are "The Boundary," "P's Parties," and "The Delivery."
In addition to her powerful observations about racism, Jhumpa Lahiri has a masterful way of coaxing beauty and awe out of mundane, slice-of-life moments; this collection is no exception, and the translations are done well throughout. I think I'm still chasing the high of Interpreter of Maladies, though, so this collection doesn't feel as consistent. Some of my favorites, though, are "The Boundary," "P's Parties," and "The Delivery."
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-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? Yes
4.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I missed the pure coziness of Legends & Lattes, but there’s plenty of camaraderie here—and it was nice to read more of Viv’s story.
I missed the pure coziness of Legends & Lattes, but there’s plenty of camaraderie here—and it was nice to read more of Viv’s story.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
The found family, coziness, and fantastical elements (and, of course, the Britishness of it all) remind me of The House in the Cerulean Sea—chances are, if you’re a fan of that one, you’ll enjoy this.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
The first third of this is tough to follow via audiobook, but once I got used to the nonlinear format and got to know the characters the events of the book start to make sense. I'm also grateful that they REALLY pick up in the second half.
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridge
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Child death and Death
Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The art is visceral, and the stories are definitely spooky...but the fifth star is for the ending, which I did NOT expect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Gore
You Should Have Left by Daniel Kehlmann
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a short and (not-so) sweet listen for Halloween. The narrator's voice lulled me into complacency, making the eerie moments all the more terrifying. I am glad this leans more House of Leaves than Amityville Horror, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was put off by the last Alexis Hall I attempted to read--Mortal Follies--but I thought this looked similar enough to Boyfriend Material (a book I very much enjoyed, even though its sequel didn't work for me) that I figured I'd enjoy it. And I did.
I adore Sam's gently self-deprecating sense of humor. He also so clearly cares about not only Jonathan, but also the cast of characters working at the Sheffield shop. (Hall writes such entertaining side characters.) It endeared him to me, and it gives him some depth that I think is lacking in some of Hall's other main characters. The romance is sweet and more subtle than that of Luc and Oliver, which I appreciated, though I would have loved even more banter. Waiting for Sam's family reveal drove me nuts, but the emotional payoff is worth it.
I was put off by the last Alexis Hall I attempted to read--Mortal Follies--but I thought this looked similar enough to Boyfriend Material (a book I very much enjoyed, even though its sequel didn't work for me) that I figured I'd enjoy it. And I did.
I adore Sam's gently self-deprecating sense of humor. He also so clearly cares about not only Jonathan, but also the cast of characters working at the Sheffield shop. (Hall writes such entertaining side characters.) It endeared him to me, and it gives him some depth that I think is lacking in some of Hall's other main characters. The romance is sweet and more subtle than that of Luc and Oliver, which I appreciated, though I would have loved even more banter. Waiting for Sam's family reveal drove me nuts, but the emotional payoff is worth it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Death of parent
Plague-Busters!: Medicine's Battles with History's Deadliest Diseases by Lindsey Fitzharris
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As a precocious middle-grade reader, I would have sat down and devoured this book in one sitting. It's a gruesome-yet-fun, informative examination of six of the deadliest diseases in history (the bubonic plague, smallpox, rabies, cholera, tuberculosis, and scurvy); the illustrations add to the lighthearted nature of the narrative. I wish Lindsey Fitzharris had been more consistent in the pronunciations she chose to include (they dwindle halfway through the book), but otherwise the content is both concise and accessible.
As a precocious middle-grade reader, I would have sat down and devoured this book in one sitting. It's a gruesome-yet-fun, informative examination of six of the deadliest diseases in history (the bubonic plague, smallpox, rabies, cholera, tuberculosis, and scurvy); the illustrations add to the lighthearted nature of the narrative. I wish Lindsey Fitzharris had been more consistent in the pronunciations she chose to include (they dwindle halfway through the book), but otherwise the content is both concise and accessible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, and Medical content