Scan barcode
sarahweyand's reviews
378 reviews
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
2.25
I am blessed in that I don't remember a lot about this book anymore so I'll certainly be less vitriolic than I was right after I read it. I thought the premise was interesting, obviously, and the pace was fast so nothing ever dragged, but I could not care less about anything that happened in this book. The characters were flat and their relationships were superficial, I didn't feel the our protagonist cared at all about the death of her daughter, and the ending was absurd.
There was one twist early on in the book that I thought was compelling, so I'll give it that much, but even then it didn't seem to have much consequence for the rest of the plot.
Don't waste your time here; at least the book was short so I didn't spend too long on it.
There was one twist early on in the book that I thought was compelling, so I'll give it that much, but even then it didn't seem to have much consequence for the rest of the plot.
Don't waste your time here; at least the book was short so I didn't spend too long on it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse
A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Thanks to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing me a physical ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
When I first started this book, I thought it was just a version of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE that just didn't live up to its predecessor. However, as I look back on it, I'm enjoying it more for its own merits.
I really enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this book, and I'm okay with the fact that we didn't really get an explanation for any of it. I really enjoyed the role that books and libraries played in the plot as well. I thought the premise was unique despite what it's being compared to. I thought the stories that were told and the characters we met were well-executed and interesting to read about. There were a couple of things that weren't my favorite that I'll list real quick:
When I first started this book, I thought it was just a version of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE that just didn't live up to its predecessor. However, as I look back on it, I'm enjoying it more for its own merits.
I really enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this book, and I'm okay with the fact that we didn't really get an explanation for any of it. I really enjoyed the role that books and libraries played in the plot as well. I thought the premise was unique despite what it's being compared to. I thought the stories that were told and the characters we met were well-executed and interesting to read about. There were a couple of things that weren't my favorite that I'll list real quick:
- Even if it was purposeful, the jumping timeline was very confusing to place and organize mentally
- Pacing was a little slow at times and plot points felt repetitive
- Because of the nature of the plot, we don't get a lot of relationship building or depth to the characters we met.
- Most of the plot points covered during Aubrey's journey were based around male love interests, and I find that a little disappointing given that she's travelled the whole world and met countless people.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I'd recommend it to people who find the synopsis interesting. I don't know if I'd recommend it over THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, but it was still a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Blood
Moderate: Body horror and Domestic abuse
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book reminds me a lot of the THE DUMB HOUSE. An interesting but disturbing premise, adequate execution, but no discernable themes? Sometimes I think a book exists just to make you feel kind of gross, and this is one of those books.
I will say, the narrator really kills it here. He get into character and he has a great accent and he really makes the whole story come to life. There were some story elements that I found interesting, but for the most part I just kind of felt overstimulated for the sake of shock. I can understand why some people might like that, but it's not really for me. The more I think back on it, the more I dislike it.
I think it you like books like THE DUMB HOUSE, or EXQUITISTE CORPSE (haven't read but a gut feeling), then maybe pick this one up at it seems to be in a similar vein. Otherwise, steer clear.
I will say, the narrator really kills it here. He get into character and he has a great accent and he really makes the whole story come to life. There were some story elements that I found interesting, but for the most part I just kind of felt overstimulated for the sake of shock. I can understand why some people might like that, but it's not really for me. The more I think back on it, the more I dislike it.
I think it you like books like THE DUMB HOUSE, or EXQUITISTE CORPSE (haven't read but a gut feeling), then maybe pick this one up at it seems to be in a similar vein. Otherwise, steer clear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, and Murder
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.25
I wanted to like this book so badly. I really enjoyed probably the first 40% of the book. Jesmyn Ward has a lovely voice and I really enjoyed her narration of her story. The plot was interesting, I loved our characters, and the prose is really just lyrical and wonderful. I felt the story and momentum start to drop at the halfway point, however, and it had a hard time keeping my attention for the last half of the book. I didn't feel particularly connected to Anise, and I didn't love the magical realism aspects.
This book absolutely has and will continue to find an audience that loves it, and I can certainly appreciate and respect it for what it is. But love it I did not.
This book absolutely has and will continue to find an audience that loves it, and I can certainly appreciate and respect it for what it is. But love it I did not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
It's a rare thing for me to experience real fear while reading a book. Most of the time there's a sense of distance between myself and the events I'm reading (it's not like a book is going to jumpscare me the way a movie might). It turns out all I need to be absolutely terrified while reading is a well-written, horrific man in the 50s. The visceral feelings of claustrophobia and entrapment that plagued me while reading was something I've never gotten form a book before. While there are , of course, some horror supernatural elements to this story, the misogyny and abuse and feelings of helplessness experienced by our protagonist were so real and so possible it made me almost ill (complimentary!).
I liked our characters and the relationships between them (and I loved to hate/fear the bad ones). I thought the plot was interesting and the execution was well-done. I also liked the ending, even if I feel it didn't really macth with the rest of the story.
TLDR; keep an eye on Paulette Kennedy, because this was a real winner.
It's a rare thing for me to experience real fear while reading a book. Most of the time there's a sense of distance between myself and the events I'm reading (it's not like a book is going to jumpscare me the way a movie might). It turns out all I need to be absolutely terrified while reading is a well-written, horrific man in the 50s. The visceral feelings of claustrophobia and entrapment that plagued me while reading was something I've never gotten form a book before. While there are , of course, some horror supernatural elements to this story, the misogyny and abuse and feelings of helplessness experienced by our protagonist were so real and so possible it made me almost ill (complimentary!).
I liked our characters and the relationships between them (and I loved to hate/fear the bad ones). I thought the plot was interesting and the execution was well-done. I also liked the ending, even if I feel it didn't really macth with the rest of the story.
TLDR; keep an eye on Paulette Kennedy, because this was a real winner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Self harm, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Last year, I read a book called NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE, written by FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, in which he essentially tells you how to manipulate people and be an asshole. Not what I was hoping for. So when I heard this book was coming out from the author of THE POWER OF HABIT, it seemed much more in line with what I wanted out of a book about communication. And I was so right!
Duhigg gets into the science behind how we connect with people and how we can do it better. He narrates the audiobook, which I think is a big help in picking up nuances in speech and phrasing the way the author intended, especially for a book on communication. He breaks down conversations into different types and their primary goals, and then gives the reader pointers for how to accomplish these goals in a better, more intentional way. Really helped me to slow down, listen, and put more meaning behind the words I choose.
In a world so polarized and focused on what WE want to do, say, and think, I think everyone should read or listen to this book as a way to learn to communicate better with both those you love and those you disagree with.
Duhigg gets into the science behind how we connect with people and how we can do it better. He narrates the audiobook, which I think is a big help in picking up nuances in speech and phrasing the way the author intended, especially for a book on communication. He breaks down conversations into different types and their primary goals, and then gives the reader pointers for how to accomplish these goals in a better, more intentional way. Really helped me to slow down, listen, and put more meaning behind the words I choose.
In a world so polarized and focused on what WE want to do, say, and think, I think everyone should read or listen to this book as a way to learn to communicate better with both those you love and those you disagree with.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
We read this book for February's Prose and Paperbacks Book Club pick and I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed myself! This book definitely skewed more YA/new adult in its writing style but I didn't mind too much. I though the magic system was unique and compelling and I especially enjoyed the relationships between Elspeth and Ravyn and Elspeth and the Nightmare. Sometimes I feel like fetch-quest plotlines can get to be tedious and repetitive, but that wasn't the case here.
There were a couple aspects of the book that I thought weren't totally ironed out, mainly that some of our secondary characters (Ione, Elm, and the step-family in particular), felt a little one-dimensional. I'm hoping this will be explored more in the sequel, which I'm sure I'll pick up at some point for the completionist in me.
There were a couple aspects of the book that I thought weren't totally ironed out, mainly that some of our secondary characters (Ione, Elm, and the step-family in particular), felt a little one-dimensional. I'm hoping this will be explored more in the sequel, which I'm sure I'll pick up at some point for the completionist in me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
My mom recommended this book to me and I can't believe I was skeptical when I grabbed the audiobook from the library. The plot didn't really speak to me, but I new Meryl Streep was the narrator so I figured she could get me through anything. But I listened to and consumed this book gladly. I think it's the perfect book for winter when you need something to remind you of warmer, brighter times.
It's no surprise Meryl Streep knocks it out of the park when it comes to narration. On top of that, the writing was simple but impactful, and I cared about all of our characters both within the protagonist's family and the story she is telling. There are some emotional and difficult topics that are talked about, but it doesn't really bring down the energy of the story. Ann Patchett is clearly a masterful storyteller and I'm learning that I just need to trust that whatever she writes is going to be a banger.
I really can't say anything more about this book other than that it was wonderful and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Even if the synopsis doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy, give it a go anyways if you like literary fiction.
It's no surprise Meryl Streep knocks it out of the park when it comes to narration. On top of that, the writing was simple but impactful, and I cared about all of our characters both within the protagonist's family and the story she is telling. There are some emotional and difficult topics that are talked about, but it doesn't really bring down the energy of the story. Ann Patchett is clearly a masterful storyteller and I'm learning that I just need to trust that whatever she writes is going to be a banger.
I really can't say anything more about this book other than that it was wonderful and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Even if the synopsis doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy, give it a go anyways if you like literary fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Infidelity
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.25
Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
I love reading translated fiction whenever I can, and queer vampire horror seemed like a really fun place to start this year. I really, really liked the first 50% of this book. I found the atmosphere and characters to be compelling, and I wanted to know more about our protagonist. It felt like a vampire placed into a historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the setting in Buenos Aires as a place I hadn't read a lot of in fiction and I was ready to give this book four or so stars.
And then we get to halfway-ish through the novella, where the time and point of view change drastically and the book becomes much more of a literary drama. Unfortunately, I couldn't really bring myself to care about a new set of characters and their problems when I had been so interested in the other ones. I understand how everything ties together, but it just wasn't my favorite.
I love reading translated fiction whenever I can, and queer vampire horror seemed like a really fun place to start this year. I really, really liked the first 50% of this book. I found the atmosphere and characters to be compelling, and I wanted to know more about our protagonist. It felt like a vampire placed into a historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the setting in Buenos Aires as a place I hadn't read a lot of in fiction and I was ready to give this book four or so stars.
And then we get to halfway-ish through the novella, where the time and point of view change drastically and the book becomes much more of a literary drama. Unfortunately, I couldn't really bring myself to care about a new set of characters and their problems when I had been so interested in the other ones. I understand how everything ties together, but it just wasn't my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement and Suicide attempt
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
The worst part about this book is that I can't consume the sequel immediately. This book has me in a chokehold. This book is my favorite book so far this year and will probably be in my top five in December. I've been looking for this book in stores to buy a physical copy even though I already read an ARC and I don't ever do that with books I've already read. I LOVE.
There is so much about this book that's going to appeal to such a variety of people. There's a mystery at the heart of the plot that is well-thought-out and twisty, a Sherlock Holmes-level detective with a sense of humor to die for, BIG MONSTERS, politics, a very interesting magic/worldbuilding systems, fantastic writing.
I also cannot give enough praise to authors writing a series who keep their plot arcs confined within a single book. Of course, there are overarching plot points and themes that will weave all the books in the series together and compel you to want to read the next book, but the mystery and inciting incident in this book has been solved. I have answers and I can find peace in waiting for the sequel.
Absolutely cannot recommend this one enough - might become a go-to recommendation for me. A real real great time.
The worst part about this book is that I can't consume the sequel immediately. This book has me in a chokehold. This book is my favorite book so far this year and will probably be in my top five in December. I've been looking for this book in stores to buy a physical copy even though I already read an ARC and I don't ever do that with books I've already read. I LOVE.
There is so much about this book that's going to appeal to such a variety of people. There's a mystery at the heart of the plot that is well-thought-out and twisty, a Sherlock Holmes-level detective with a sense of humor to die for, BIG MONSTERS, politics, a very interesting magic/worldbuilding systems, fantastic writing.
I also cannot give enough praise to authors writing a series who keep their plot arcs confined within a single book. Of course, there are overarching plot points and themes that will weave all the books in the series together and compel you to want to read the next book, but the mystery and inciting incident in this book has been solved. I have answers and I can find peace in waiting for the sequel.
Absolutely cannot recommend this one enough - might become a go-to recommendation for me. A real real great time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism and Violence