Lauren
I feel like the there was a missed opportunity to dive further into the dark academia side with the Maidens. Would have definitely liked to see that aspect explored further.
As someone who reads (and usually figures out) a lot of mysteries, the goal for me is to always feel a little unsure of my hypothesis. This book certainly achieved that. While I had guessed the ending, the ride to the reveal was intriguing and kept me on edge waiting to see what would happen next.
One of my favorite tropes is the dual narrative that features the killer. Listening to the audiobook version of this was a great, atmospheric experience. It built a lot of tension, and definitely had me wondering if there was anything lurking in the shadows while I listened.
***Thank you to Macmillan audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.
3.5 and rounding up
I found the book to very be a fairly candid account of Ms. Rice's life and career. It was an interesting, if long, read. What I found most compelling is how it helped me shape an opinion of her I was not expecting. I hadn't realized she was such a moderate/centrist, and I find that quite disappointing, though not surprising after learning more about her upbringing and the trajectory of her career.
Worth the read if you'd like some insight into the different roles within government i.e. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, United States ambassador to the United Nations, United States National Security Advisor, etc, and if you're into political tea.
I didn't know what to expect going into this so discover a surreal sci-fi/fantasy sapphic love story was quite the surprise. This short tale weaves through time as two opponents try to best one another. An abstract, epic, story that at the heart of it is about how love can be the most powerful weapon of all.
I never got around to reading this during all the hype, and knew very little going in.
Finally jumped in after reading THE MAIDENS earlier this summer.
MINOR SPOILER
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Living for the crossover elements. Need to do a deep dive on this now.
Wow, wow, wow! The tension in this book is non-stop. I loved the dual narrative, was totally enthralled with the mystery and both of the audiobook narrators were fantastic. Loved seeing the LGBTQ+ rep.
Gossip Girl meets Get Out is an apt description for this, and I would highly recommend checking it out.
***Thank you to Macmillan audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Super cute middle grade, paranormal graphic novel about a young Bi girl feeling nervous about leaving behind her childhood and transitioning into becoming a teen.
I think my favorite thing about this book is how the main character is Bi and it's a complete non-issue.
For me this is a 3.5 star read because as an adult I'd prefer something a bit longer and fleshed out, but for a middle grade reader definitely a 4-4.5 star read.
I don't typically reach for historical fiction, but this was recommended to me back in Feb 2020 and I didn't finish it before I hard time return it to the library. What started off slow, hooked me enough to return to it 2 years later.
3.5. Would have loved a deeper exploration of Ben's anxiety outside of just his description of it. The therapy sessions would have been a great opportunity to really work through it.
“People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster.”
James Baldwin always leaves me thinking about the words he strings together. If you haven't read anyone of his work before, please, please take this as a sign to start.
If I was reading this when it was published, or even 20 years ago I feel very confident this would be a 5 star read for me.
The misogyny was one of things I really struggled with reading this in 2021. And the cruel, self preservation that David exhibited over and over.
However the heart wrenching story of these gay men struggling to exist in a world that does all it can to make it impossible for them to be themselves strikes you right to the core.
Definitely an important piece of literature and looking forward to reading more of Baldwin's work.
As a history lover, this was thoroughly entertaining to me.
It's the perfect book to listen together to as a family on a long car ride or even as a resource for homeschooling.
The chapters are short enough to consume quickly, but long enough to give a well rounded synopsis of the topic. I can see it as a great jumping off point for further discussions with kids and a great way to discover different areas of history that might interest them to dive further into.
The audiobook is a perfect example of when an author is a great choice for the narrator. Christopher Lloyd was very engaging, like many great teachers are.
***Thank you to Publisher Spotlight Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
A powerful narrative of a Two Spirit/2SQ who leaves the Rez to start a new life.
Jonny has always lived in abject poverty and continues to even after moving to the city where they make just enough money to get by day to day as a sex worker. We hear about the few close and meaningful relationships that have carried them through their young life so far. This will be one that will stick with me for awhile. I will always be wonder about how the rest of Jonny's life would have played out.
Looking forward to reading more from Joshua Whitehead.
***Thank you to ECW Press Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.
For anyone who loves a good dual timeline mystery/thriller and a good ghost story, this is the book for you.
Overall a good thriller. I would have rated 4 stars, but the n-slur that was thrown in really felt unnecessary.
Super fun read. If you're into retellings/imaginings I think you like this one!
Wasn't sure at first if the writing style (a manuscript with notes inserted from different characters) would translate well to audio, but it grew on me quickly!
Kate Reading did a great job narrating.
I loved EAT & RUN and listened to the audiobook multiple times while training for a half marathon.
For well over a decade I've been interested in hiking the AT and followed Scott's journey back in 2015.
As excited as I was to read this, I ended up putting it down for a few years because it just wasn't gripping me the same as the first book.
It was interesting to hear the dual narration between Scott and Jenny. I hadn't realized that at the time of tackling the speed record that they were both processing a lot of grief and how impactful this journey was to both of them individually and as a couple.
While this one didn't capture my heart as much as his first book, this is a powerful, intense read about the endurance and capacity of the human body and spirit.
3.5 I feel like this really should have been a novella and then it would have been a 5 star read. Spending so much time in Louis’s head really didn’t serve the book. You could have cut a 1/3 of his inner monologue and had a much more compelling and terrifying story. It wasn’t until 75% that I was finally into what was happening. A disappointing reading experience because of all the hype surrounding the book.
