The first half was almost 4 stars but the second have was 2, so I am generously giving this 3 stars. It was too short and instalove-y to really enjoy,The first half was almost 4 stars but the second have was 2, so I am generously giving this 3 stars. It was too short and instalove-y to really enjoy, and the kid veered into the "too much" category....more
Actual rating is 3.5, but I can't round up because it took me so fucking long to get through, which is ridiculous because it's very short and repetitiActual rating is 3.5, but I can't round up because it took me so fucking long to get through, which is ridiculous because it's very short and repetitive.
I have seen a lot about this online, so I'm glad I finally read it because I think there are a lot of useful tactics in it, but it didn't need to be a book....more
This was cute! Maybe more of a 3.5 because I couldn't help comparing the angst to the last book, but the text chain was hilarious and I didn't even miThis was cute! Maybe more of a 3.5 because I couldn't help comparing the angst to the last book, but the text chain was hilarious and I didn't even mind the Lil Sebastian-coded cow, Vermonica....more
When I compare this to some of the recent duds I've picked up, it was good! But the dialogue was so boring...When I compare this to some of the recent duds I've picked up, it was good! But the dialogue was so boring......more
Honestly, this was just really sweet, and I want a goddamn Christmas gnome. I was looking forward to Jem's story, but Murphy was a delightful surpriseHonestly, this was just really sweet, and I want a goddamn Christmas gnome. I was looking forward to Jem's story, but Murphy was a delightful surprise.
That said, I never got around to finishing the author's Charleston Condors series (because I got bored during the first book and felt like I was still missing previous info), so I spent a bit of time trying to look up details....more
Actual rating is 4.5 stars because a LOT of history was crammed in this, but it really drove home that the more things change, the more things stay thActual rating is 4.5 stars because a LOT of history was crammed in this, but it really drove home that the more things change, the more things stay the same. The proliferation of modern day Anthony Comstocks, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the moral panic that we're going to run out of white babies unless women stay home and accept whatever their husbands give them...women always have, and always will have, necessary abortions.
Madame Restell was honestly a fulfillment of the American Dream, by making massive amounts of wealth by doing something seemingly objectionable and yet not giving two shits what people thought about her because her services were still wildly necessary. She certainly had her anti-hero moments, but she was providing a safe medical procedure to her patients because they deserved bodily autonomy.
Also, I'm glad I was finally able to listen to a full audiobook narrated by Mara Wilson....more
What was the point??? It drops you in the middle of the story with no time to build an emotional connection to any of the characters, all of the inforWhat was the point??? It drops you in the middle of the story with no time to build an emotional connection to any of the characters, all of the information you get feels like it's referencing a previous book, and no one acts rationally. The book is seemingly about Jude's grief instead of his cooking competition rival, and then the ending kind of erases that journey ...more
I admit, a lot of this rating is on me. I saw the author's note at the beginning about it being set within a shared world, but I didn't know it was paI admit, a lot of this rating is on me. I saw the author's note at the beginning about it being set within a shared world, but I didn't know it was part of a series until I was way into it. At which point, I spent every other chapter wondering if it was referencing events from other books or if I was just confused because Sebastian's narrative was likable but wildly chaotic.
That said, half my issues could have been resolved if this was a dual POV with Pat....more
This was a FASCINATING (if somewhat chaotically organized) read. I saw this book recommended as a nonfiction companion to that book Lessons in ChemistThis was a FASCINATING (if somewhat chaotically organized) read. I saw this book recommended as a nonfiction companion to that book Lessons in Chemistry that I previously had no interest in, but now I'm reconsidering because the history of this field is so interesting.
Historically, Home Economics became an area of providing women the skills to ease the job of homemaking as well as ways to pursue careers outside the home in fields that allowed them to study science and business. A lot of individual women were able to wield power and control to create very female-centric domains within the system, and they made a lot of contributions during world wars, depressions, and rapidly changing technology. It also developed right alongside racism, sexism, xenophobia, eugenics, imperialism, and segregation, so it was not immune to the ills of society.
Now it has become a little invisible as it has merged and blended into areas like nutrition, consumer protection, fashion, marketing, food engineering, and child development. But there's a lot of potential in the future of the field and education given the upheaval we all lived though during the pandemic lockdowns.
Random bits that have stuck in my head: 1. Betty Crocker was a radio character who basically functioned as a precursor to mommy bloggers and lifestyle influencers 2.. Kellog and Dewey (of cereal and decimal system fame) were kinda shitty! 3. The first laptop cat 4. The appearance of Judeo-Christian principles (my nemesis) and religious fundamentalists tried to ban home ec books and classes 5. This somewhat led to standardized tests and No Child Left Behind trying to stomp out the rest...more
Humbug - 4 stars; Took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this was a play on A Christmas Carol Mr. Perfect's Christmas - 3 stars; I think I wasHumbug - 4 stars; Took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this was a play on A Christmas Carol Mr. Perfect's Christmas - 3 stars; I think I was just annoyed by all of the coworkers Rest and Be Thankful - 3.5 stars; This one just threw me because it was the only dual POV story but the second to have a love interest named Rob...more
This is a 2.5 but I'm rounding up. I liked the characters, but I spent the whole book trying to figure out what wasn't working for me.This is a 2.5 but I'm rounding up. I liked the characters, but I spent the whole book trying to figure out what wasn't working for me....more
Somehow, I enjoyed reading this even more than Clockwork Boys! I could quibble about some of the pacing, and point out that with a couple things trimmSomehow, I enjoyed reading this even more than Clockwork Boys! I could quibble about some of the pacing, and point out that with a couple things trimmed out this would have made more sense as a part two of one big book, but it doesn't even matter. Once the characters were all lined up, the plot really took some turns and I couldn't put it down.
Also, I wasn't even questioning it before, but I now have so many answers about the demon chicken from Nettle & Bone....more
This is a somewhat generous rating because I had a good time overall. Something about the writing felt distant from the emotions, but I'm still lookinThis is a somewhat generous rating because I had a good time overall. Something about the writing felt distant from the emotions, but I'm still looking forward to the next one....more
A bit of a generous rating for me, but Connor and Reid were just cute. Their "caper" wasn't quite as fun as the previous book couples, and yet it nailA bit of a generous rating for me, but Connor and Reid were just cute. Their "caper" wasn't quite as fun as the previous book couples, and yet it nailed the holiday cheer....more
This was sweet! I enjoyed a lot of it because I'm familiar with the author's other series, but I did struggle a bit with the pacing and the instalove.This was sweet! I enjoyed a lot of it because I'm familiar with the author's other series, but I did struggle a bit with the pacing and the instalove....more
Somewhat generous 3 stars, because the pacing didn't work for me and I still hate the title.Somewhat generous 3 stars, because the pacing didn't work for me and I still hate the title....more
I think listening to the audiobook worked against me in this. I had heard the author on a podcast (The Financial Confessions) which led me to this booI think listening to the audiobook worked against me in this. I had heard the author on a podcast (The Financial Confessions) which led me to this book, but the conversational tone that I enjoyed didn't really impact me in the way I was hoping. Also, I kept losing track of the chapters.
Ultimately, I think this is a good intro book, but I've encountered most of this info in other places that worked better for me....more
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