4.0 Stars Fangirl is still my favourite by this author but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit. Rowell is just so good at writing romantic nostalgia i4.0 Stars Fangirl is still my favourite by this author but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit. Rowell is just so good at writing romantic nostalgia in such a poetic way. As always, Rebecca Lowman is a fantastic narrator....more
4.0 Stars I follow the author on YouTube and was interested enough to check out his book. As far as self help goes, I found this one pretty solid. The 4.0 Stars I follow the author on YouTube and was interested enough to check out his book. As far as self help goes, I found this one pretty solid. The advice wasn't particularly revolutionary but honestly I found it sound. There were some good reminders and ideas I could apply to my life and work.
I would recommend it to other readers looking to improve aspects of their life. These ideas will be most fresh to people who don't read a lot of this subgenre....more
3.5 Stars I enjoyed that this science fiction novel explored themes surrounding privilege and class in the age of space travel. So much of this story d3.5 Stars I enjoyed that this science fiction novel explored themes surrounding privilege and class in the age of space travel. So much of this story discussed who would be seen as valuable (and who would not).
The story eventually moved into more of a fast paced action story. Personally I didn't need those aspects and would have been happy to just explore the complexities of these characters and their futures.
Overall I enjoyed this one, but felt the narrative could have been better focused to make the story more impactful. I would recommend this to readers looking for a new science fiction novel....more
4.5 Stars This was such an adorable middle grade fantasy novel. I love the Ghibli adaptation already and so I was thrilled to find the same cozy magic 4.5 Stars This was such an adorable middle grade fantasy novel. I love the Ghibli adaptation already and so I was thrilled to find the same cozy magic story in the original book. I will definitely reread this one when I need a feel-good story....more
4.0 Stars This was a fantastic sequel that expands the world introduced in the first book. One of my favourite aspect was the reliance on a morally gra4.0 Stars This was a fantastic sequel that expands the world introduced in the first book. One of my favourite aspect was the reliance on a morally gray character that created a wonderful moral dilemma for our protagonist....more
4.0 Stars I really enjoyed this volume but not quite as much as the last one. I think it was a mistake to read this one immediately right after because4.0 Stars I really enjoyed this volume but not quite as much as the last one. I think it was a mistake to read this one immediately right after because I think that slightly affected my enjoyment. Still a great time....more
3.5 Stars This is my first time reading Agatha Christie and perhaps not the best place to start. I enjoyed the Halloween setting but I did not find the3.5 Stars This is my first time reading Agatha Christie and perhaps not the best place to start. I enjoyed the Halloween setting but I did not find the mystery to be quite as compelling as the setting itself. I really enjoyed the coziness of this mystery novel....more
4.0 Stars A good conclusion to this trilogy and my favourite book of the three. It worked because of all the character work built in the previous books4.0 Stars A good conclusion to this trilogy and my favourite book of the three. It worked because of all the character work built in the previous books. Plot is still a bystander but I liked spending time with the characters....more
4.0 Stars This is a strong sequel that is helping me see why this series is so beloved. Compared to the first book, this one had more plot. I am also f4.0 Stars This is a strong sequel that is helping me see why this series is so beloved. Compared to the first book, this one had more plot. I am also finding myself more attached to the characters....more
3.5 Stars A funny light hearted self help novel that offers some simple but sometimes helpful tips for living with ADHD (or living for someone with ADH3.5 Stars A funny light hearted self help novel that offers some simple but sometimes helpful tips for living with ADHD (or living for someone with ADHD. It took me a minute to recognize that this was the same couple I occasionally watch on YouTube. A fun positive book....more
4.0 Stars As someone who has a “hit or miss” relationship with Stephen King, I am delighted to say that I loved Cujo. I enjoyed the blend of creepy det4.0 Stars As someone who has a “hit or miss” relationship with Stephen King, I am delighted to say that I loved Cujo. I enjoyed the blend of creepy details and nostalgic references.
I do credit that narrator who gave a performance that was reminiscent of NOS4A2. I understand this book was published first but I could certainly see the comparisons between father and son.
I found this one a bit longer than necessary but overall enjoyed this one. This encourages me to keep reading King....more
3.5 Stars I have read all of this author's productivity books and regularly listen to their podcast. This one had some obvious recommendations (like ge3.5 Stars I have read all of this author's productivity books and regularly listen to their podcast. This one had some obvious recommendations (like getting enough sleep etc) but also some more inspiring ideas (like planning big and small adventures). I am not a fan of the “workbook” sections in self help books but that could have been an editing choice so I just won't reread those sections. I found some helpful sections so I would generally recommend this one...more
3.5 Stars This was an easy and enjoyable supernatural piece of urban fantasy. The ghosts were not at all scary in a horror way, but instead are present3.5 Stars This was an easy and enjoyable supernatural piece of urban fantasy. The ghosts were not at all scary in a horror way, but instead are presented as part of an adventure narrative. I enjoyed the historical setting with a focus on San Francisco Chinatown, a time period and place I am not overly familiar with.
It was a fun ride but ultimately not the most memorable one. I would recommend this one to readers looking for a fun action story....more
3.5 Stars I had a really good time reading this fast paced sci fi thriller. I thought the fertility and baby engineering parts fascinating and wish the3.5 Stars I had a really good time reading this fast paced sci fi thriller. I thought the fertility and baby engineering parts fascinating and wish the novella had dived deeper into those societal aspects
I expected this one to be more science fiction but it ultimately ended up being more of a thriller. I would primarily recommend it to fans of suspense that are looking for a new fun twisty story in the vein of John Marrs
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
I really enjoyed this first book in this nun assassin fantasy series. I went in with pretty high expectations and am happy to report that they were met. I enjoyed Nona along with the supportive character. While not grimdark, I appreciated the dark realism of this one. It does not shy away from the grittiness of this world. Finally, someone who enjoys the school tropes, this one hit the right spot. I look forward to reading the next entry....more
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first book in this companion series but I found it more compelling than the second book. It's ju3.5 Stars
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first book in this companion series but I found it more compelling than the second book. It's just so easy to understand the fear and worry of a mother....more
3.0 Stars I loved the first book but struggled with this follow up novel. I found the premise objectively interesting but somehow the actual narrative 3.0 Stars I loved the first book but struggled with this follow up novel. I found the premise objectively interesting but somehow the actual narrative wasn't as compelling as I wanted it to be....more
I adored Ace of Spades by the same author so I was eager to read this new release. The premise was arguably quite similar but I didn't mind. I was fine to read more of the same.
However this one started awfully slow and took a long time to get going. Unlike the author's debut, this one lacked the early juicy hook. Instead I had to push through for the sake of this review.
Thankfully the story ended really strong and I was ultimately glad I waited it out. The story had some more serious subject matter than Ace of Spades which landed to a more serious tone and less juicy.
I would definitely read whatever the author writes next and will likely reread Ace of Spades in the meantime.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.0 Stars This is the victim focused narrative that was sorely missing from the cannon of Ted Bundy true crime books. The authors do not shy away from 4.0 Stars This is the victim focused narrative that was sorely missing from the cannon of Ted Bundy true crime books. The authors do not shy away from the grotesque or brutal aspects of the crimes, which sometimes made this one hard to read. These details were not provided to sensational the crimes but rather to ground the true in the true wickedness of these acts. I also appreciate that this book set out to debunk the common myths about Bundy and instead bring the attention rightfully back to the victims....more