spongebobbiii's reviews
659 reviews

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Just not for me.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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

"The Husbands" was selected by my partner in a double-blind survey where he only knew the genres of the books. Somehow, the universe guided him to pick the perfect read for my mood—lighthearted, fun, and utterly delightful!

The premise is as quirky as it sounds: a magical attic that produces a new "husband" every time Lauren’s current one goes up there. With each new husband, Lauren’s world shifts, and only she remembers the previous realities. Weird, right? But in the best possible way!
I didn’t fall head over heels for the characters, especially Lauren, but they were developed enough to keep the story moving smoothly. The novelty of the plot is where this book truly shines. The concept is fascinating, and the humor sprinkled throughout made it even more enjoyable. The pacing was spot on—it never dragged, and it was an easy, breezy read. The world-building was minimal but sufficient; we’re mostly confined to Lauren’s flat in London, and honestly, that’s all we needed. Now, about that ending—it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It left me wanting more.


Ratings: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Enjoyment: 4.5/5 
  • Plot: 4
  • Characters: 3
  • Writing Style: 4
  • Pace: 5
  • Emotional Impact: 2
  • World Building: 4
  • Ease of Reading: 5
  • Ending: 2.5

Overall, "The Husbands" was a super fun read, and I’m so glad it ended up on my list. If you’re in the mood for something light with a twist of magical realism, this might just be your perfect pick too!
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

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4.0

2023:  ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
2024: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love by Amanda E. White

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fast-paced

5.0

I was really impressed with Not Drinking Tonight. As someone with years of experience in substance use treatment, I appreciated how accessible and easy to understand this book is. What sets it apart is the use of three composite 'clients'—characters drawn from the shared experiences of hundreds of real clients—who vividly illustrate the challenges and concerns people face when they begin to question their relationship with alcohol. The book also provides practical tools, including reflective questions, worksheets, and a step-by-step guide to emotional regulation. I’ll definitely be recommending this to both clients and friends, and I’m eager to explore the companion workbook as well.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

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adventurous sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The Manicurist's Daughter by Susan Lieu

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Really not interested in reading or listening to this. I found the very beginning pretty annoying. After reading other reviews, others shared concerns about the whole book being annoying and not really focusing on what the synopsis said.