I enjoy sports and I’ve caught Stephen A.’s commentary occasionally, but I by no means keep up with him or his show. That said, I learned a lot from hI enjoy sports and I’ve caught Stephen A.’s commentary occasionally, but I by no means keep up with him or his show. That said, I learned a lot from his memoir, particularly about his upbringing and the goings on at ESPN. The behind-the-scenes peek was especially interesting to me, and I was surprised at the level of access and insight he gave. That said, the writing wasn’t anything spectacular, although it did definitely sound like him.
I’d recommend this to fans of ESPN, sports, and memoirs. ...more
I enjoy the Heartstopper series quite a bit, but found this novella about Nick and Charlie to be fairly disappointing. The characters were unusually oI enjoy the Heartstopper series quite a bit, but found this novella about Nick and Charlie to be fairly disappointing. The characters were unusually off-putting and their relationship was depicted as particularly unhealthy. When they had a “break up”, their friends brushed it off because, after all, they’re Nick and Charlie! In general it just felt underwhelming, especially in comparison to the rest of their story.
I’d recommend this to fans of Heartstopper who want to read more about the title characters. ...more
I’ve always liked Rep. Bush’s politics, but admittedly didn’t know a ton about her as a person. This memoir certainly illuminated much of her backgrouI’ve always liked Rep. Bush’s politics, but admittedly didn’t know a ton about her as a person. This memoir certainly illuminated much of her background, professional experience, and beliefs for me. While many parts of her story were heartbreaking, I also admired her ability to channel these experiences into avenues for change and advocacy. That said, it felt disjointed and random at times, and I feel like the writing and editing could have been improved by her team.
I’d recommend this to fans of memoirs and progressive politicians....more
This was the story of an NFL player/cupcake shop owner and a former reality TV contestant finding love through their initial mutual disdain for each oThis was the story of an NFL player/cupcake shop owner and a former reality TV contestant finding love through their initial mutual disdain for each other. The characters felt pretty half-baked to me, there were a lot of glaring errors about baking/running a cupcake shop (for context, I rarely bake), and at times things felt a little formulaic and repetitive. Honestly, it feels less like an author issue and more like an editor one. That said, I absolutely loved having two Black protagonists because that’s so hard to find in this genre, especially from major publishers.
I’d recommend this to folks looking for a cutesy romance novel. ...more
This was a cute, gorgeously-illustrated sapphic love story about a teenager on a small island and a selkie that lives in the water nearby. It’s intendThis was a cute, gorgeously-illustrated sapphic love story about a teenager on a small island and a selkie that lives in the water nearby. It’s intended for a YA audience, and while I’m by no means the target, I still enjoyed it. It felt maybe slightly under-baked, but there are worse problems to have.
I’d recommend this to fans of graphic novels, LGBTQ+ romances, mythology, and YA fiction. ...more
A far more aching and tender memoir than I’d anticipated. I’ve seen very little of her acting work, but seeing as this book had rave reviews, I figureA far more aching and tender memoir than I’d anticipated. I’ve seen very little of her acting work, but seeing as this book had rave reviews, I figured I’d learn more about her. While the writing certainly could’ve used some work at times, her story was vivid and engaging, and I appreciated her self-awareness (I was endeared early on by a disclaimer that her perspective is not all-encompassing, and that it may not even be “correct”, but it is accurate to her memory and her experience). This feels in the same vein as Julia Fox’s memoir, but I preferred this one personally. I’ve seen some complaints that there’s not a lot of “gossip” or “drama”, but I think that’s completely fine since this is a memoir and not Us Weekly.
Lots of TWs on this one. I’d recommend this to memoir fans, those that like mother-daughter stories, and books on healing from trauma....more
I simultaneously got more and less from this than I’d hoped and expected. It’s clear that this writing came from Pamela herself — I’m doubtful some ofI simultaneously got more and less from this than I’d hoped and expected. It’s clear that this writing came from Pamela herself — I’m doubtful some of this would have been published as-is if it hadn’t. I appreciated this, and it endeared me, especially in the first half. That said, as the book goes on, it becomes clear that there’s things she wants to keep private or downplay, and I think if she’d had more support in writing those sections, her efforts could’ve felt more seamless. It felt a bit disjointing as a reader. I completely understand why she would want to maintain some privacy, and I fully support it, but I think there’s ways to more naturally move past those topics instead of awkwardly dancing around them.
I’d recommend this to fans of memoirs, particularly those that like learning more about someone they previously counted out or made harsh assumptions about, as so many have with her. ...more
Whimsical and endearing at times, grating and repetitive at others, this was ultimately an okay read. It’s very heavy on the Gen X nostalgia, to the pWhimsical and endearing at times, grating and repetitive at others, this was ultimately an okay read. It’s very heavy on the Gen X nostalgia, to the point where it felt at times like references were just being shoehorned in (which was more noticeable given how much language/how many themes also reeked of the modern day). The female characters also felt poorly written at worst and irritating at best. That said, I found myself getting increasingly interested as the story progressed, and there were certainly moments I liked.
I’d recommend this to folks that like books with ‘80s/‘90s nostalgia. ...more
Lots of good and bad with this one! It was engaging and fun to read, albeit cringe at times — it was definitely giving Twilight vibes, for better and Lots of good and bad with this one! It was engaging and fun to read, albeit cringe at times — it was definitely giving Twilight vibes, for better and for worse. Plus, gay werewolves. That’s fun! However, at times it dragged on unnecessarily, and some of the characters needed to be a little bit more fleshed out and feel more like individuals. Considering the length of the book, characterization and pacing could’ve been improved.
I’d recommend this to fans of supernatural fiction and LGBTQ+ fiction. ...more
I’ve read enough of these poems of hers elsewhere, as well as later ones, that I just wasn’t stunned by this as a body the way I figured I would be. TI’ve read enough of these poems of hers elsewhere, as well as later ones, that I just wasn’t stunned by this as a body the way I figured I would be. That said, it’s still a simple, great collection that subverts expectations of her and the times. It’s shocking that this was the only poetry collection of hers published during her lifetime.
I’d recommend this to poetry and Plath fans. ...more
“I regret buying you that Kindle.” — My boyfriend, after I showed him a few of the poems in this book. It’s just…not good. It feels like a combination“I regret buying you that Kindle.” — My boyfriend, after I showed him a few of the poems in this book. It’s just…not good. It feels like a combination of amateur Tumblr prose, rejected song lyrics, and shock-value edginess. Many of the poems could have stood to be edited further, and others felt immature at best. I can’t imagine this would’ve been published if she weren’t already a well-known singer-songwriter.
I would not recommend this, except maybe to Halsey super fans. ...more
I’m somewhat of a defender of minimalist “Tumblr poetry”; I think that different things speak to different people, and that many of the critiques leviI’m somewhat of a defender of minimalist “Tumblr poetry”; I think that different things speak to different people, and that many of the critiques levied against this style are elitist and pedantic. I sincerely think it can be done well. However, I don’t feel like this collection did it well. The themes, writing, and metaphors feel half-baked at best, and are blatantly ripped off from other quotes/writers at worst. It lacks cohesion, which is especially unfortunate given that there seemed to be an idea for how to connect these poems that was abandoned in favor of this chaos. This disjointedness is jarring and does nothing to help the simplistic writing and ideas found throughout.
If nothing else, this memoir is certainly packed full of stories, characters, and drama. There is, quite literally, never a dull moment. However, the If nothing else, this memoir is certainly packed full of stories, characters, and drama. There is, quite literally, never a dull moment. However, the writing isn’t anything to write home about, and often feels choppy. Characters come and go with little to no introduction or send off, certain stories overstay their welcome, and less important things often feel exaggerated for the sake of the story. It was entertaining, but that’s about it.
I would recommend this to fans of Julia Fox, memoirs, and especially sordid stories. ...more
I’d meant to read this when I was a child, and all I have to say is that the author is very lucky I read it as an (a little more charitable) adult. I I’d meant to read this when I was a child, and all I have to say is that the author is very lucky I read it as an (a little more charitable) adult. I was looking for a snowy Michigan read when I remembered this book, so despite it being YA, I figured I might as well finally take it off the TBR. In retrospect, I should have left this in 2009. The characters feel one-dimensional, and virtually all of them come off poorly. They’re all cheaters or “not like other girls” or sexist or a myriad of other negative traits. I have no problem with flawed characters when it’s intentional, but this…did not seem like that. I also think you should be more deft when you’re marketing this to kids and teens. The only aspects of this story that I liked were the watercress and cheddar sandwiches (that the protagonist made fun of) and the Mackinac Island setting.
I’d avoid recommending this, despite it being set in Michigan (the best state). ...more
This memoir covers philosophy, travel, motherhood, sex, disability, family, and so much more. Instead of putting her best foot forward to the point ofThis memoir covers philosophy, travel, motherhood, sex, disability, family, and so much more. Instead of putting her best foot forward to the point of inauthenticity, the author bares herself entirely — warts and all — for the reader. This is especially interesting in the context of her disability and the way that so many people feel entitled to her body, her disability, and her story. Her vulnerability truly sets this memoir apart, and I wish more autobiographers would take note of what she did here.
I’d recommend this to fans of memoirs, disability non-fiction, and motherhood narratives. ...more
This collection of five short stories interwoven with themes of nightfall and music are simply, but beautifully, written. From gut punches to absurditThis collection of five short stories interwoven with themes of nightfall and music are simply, but beautifully, written. From gut punches to absurdity to resignation, the stories enclosed are generally the perfect ones for a book like this. That said, too often the stories’ protagonists felt too similar to each other, making it difficult to reset myself if I picked the book down and then back up (which is perhaps more of a me-problem). Some of the stories were certainly much stronger than others.
I’d recommend this to those that like books about success and what it looks like, memory, nostalgia, and humanity. ...more
Amy Schneider is a delight, and her vivid personality shines through in this memoir. While I’m sure many folks didn’t like the all-over-the-place orgaAmy Schneider is a delight, and her vivid personality shines through in this memoir. While I’m sure many folks didn’t like the all-over-the-place organization of the book, I personally didn’t mind it. I loved hearing about her background, insights, and admitted flaws; surprisingly, her Jeopardy run was one of the less interesting parts of her story (though still of course good). At times the pacing was inconsistent and it could’ve used some more editing, but it was worth the read.
I’d recommend this to Jeopardy fans, those seeking an LGBTQ+ memoir, and those that like unique story organization. ...more
Can’t believe reviewers are complaining that this is a book full of diary entries when this is…a compilation of Rickman’s diaries. I have mixed feelinCan’t believe reviewers are complaining that this is a book full of diary entries when this is…a compilation of Rickman’s diaries. I have mixed feelings about supporting posthumously published diaries, but in this case reports said he’d planned on publishing them, so I’m more okay with it. Personally, I enjoyed getting to see the day-to-day life of a celebrity and take a peek behind the curtains; it’s rare to get the honesty we did here. That said, the editing seemed poorly done (and poorly explained), and I was left wondering why these specifically were the selections we were given to read. Overall, very interesting stuff.
I’d recommend this to fans of Alan Rickman, diaries, or slice-of-life works. ...more
A twisting, gothic family drama disguised as a thriller, Sisters was…just fine. The prose wavered from beautiful at times to detestably obtuse at otheA twisting, gothic family drama disguised as a thriller, Sisters was…just fine. The prose wavered from beautiful at times to detestably obtuse at others. Some of the more interesting aspects of the story were the least explored, while some of the more obvious aspects were overly prodded. It felt like it was a shorter story being stretched and squeezed into a longer story’s frame. Ultimately, I was mildly interested though I found it a little predictable.
I’d recommend this to those that like a quick and twist-y drama. ...more
Spanning several decades and nations, this book is a slow, meditative work that covers everything from the Arab Spring to friendship and all that remaSpanning several decades and nations, this book is a slow, meditative work that covers everything from the Arab Spring to friendship and all that remains in between the two. The writing was lush and unrushed, despite the subject matter.
I’d recommend this to those that like heavy, reflective literature. ...more
Loading...
