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kamrynkoble's reviews
449 reviews
The Switch by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars! I read this for my local library’s book club. This was a sweet story. I truly enjoyed the dual-POV of a grandmother and granddaughter.
Even with all the online dating/talk about relationships, this reads more as contemporary than romance. I wish we would’ve gotten a little more time with the actual romance, lol! But this has a lot of profound yet simple reflections on grief and life. I’d read more from this author.
Even with all the online dating/talk about relationships, this reads more as contemporary than romance. I wish we would’ve gotten a little more time with the actual romance, lol! But this has a lot of profound yet simple reflections on grief and life. I’d read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, and Sexual content
There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish by Anna Akbari
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Whew! I forgot I’d checked this out from the library and binge-listened to it in ~24 hours. And it was a WILD ride.
This really could’ve been a true crime podcast—it reminded me of early seasons of Something Was Wrong. Even though I always found Ethan cringey at best, this was still a fascinating account.
The audiobook starts with a HORRID amount of repetitive, verbalized details that your eye would skim over in a book (email, to whom, from whom, the date, the time, the time zone). Push through because it’s literally just the first chapter. The multiple voice actors make it easy to follow later.
I don’t want to say anything more, but if you love Catfished or scammy, true-crime-adjacent, toxic relationship stories, this one is for you. And if your mother ever told you that your online friend probably isn’t who they say they are—this is most definitely for you.
This really could’ve been a true crime podcast—it reminded me of early seasons of Something Was Wrong. Even though I always found Ethan cringey at best, this was still a fascinating account.
The audiobook starts with a HORRID amount of repetitive, verbalized details that your eye would skim over in a book (email, to whom, from whom, the date, the time, the time zone). Push through because it’s literally just the first chapter. The multiple voice actors make it easy to follow later.
I don’t want to say anything more, but if you love Catfished or scammy, true-crime-adjacent, toxic relationship stories, this one is for you. And if your mother ever told you that your online friend probably isn’t who they say they are—this is most definitely for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer
Normal Women: Nine Hundred Years of Making History by Philippa Gregory
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I feel accomplished after reading this book (in twenty days! It feels longer than that), so I can’t imagine how Gregory felt after finishing it. I’m a long-time fan of her novels, and saw this on my local library’s new nonfiction shelf. I immediately grabbed it, and only had to renew it once.
First of all, the package—I LOVE the cover. It’s filled with black-and-white images and several inserts of color photographs. It’s hefty and solid and I’m glad I got to hold the physical copy even if I did a fair amount of reading on the ebook version. I imagine this would be good in audio, and maybe less intimidating.
Overall, this was fascinating. I learned so much. It is explicitly about the UK, and really only mentions other countries when it’s relevant to the UK. I’d love to read a similar tome about American women (and we’ve been around for a lot less time than English women so it wouldn’t have to be as dense).
This focuses a lot on work, war, laws, punishment, religion, violence against women, and LGBT+ topics (women loving women as it’s called in every section and intersex/transgender people). I could’ve had a little more about royalty (I know, this is called “normal women” but they were so important. Victoria received more than Elizabeth), fashion, childbirth (it was mentioned in some sections but completely ignored in others), courting/dating and romance, and other similar topics. Only the afterword really spoke of any common thread of sisterhood/womanhood/girlhood, etc. I could’ve used a bit more of that narrative throughout, but that’s a personal opinion.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I leave remembering any one specific woman whom I didn’t know of before reading this. I would’ve been interested in more focused profiles for each segment, whether well-known or not (or both).
All in all this is a sometimes dry, extremely dense, and even more extremely well-researched overview of 900 years of English women’s history. If you’re interested in the above-mentioned topics, this one is worth a read.
First of all, the package—I LOVE the cover. It’s filled with black-and-white images and several inserts of color photographs. It’s hefty and solid and I’m glad I got to hold the physical copy even if I did a fair amount of reading on the ebook version. I imagine this would be good in audio, and maybe less intimidating.
Overall, this was fascinating. I learned so much. It is explicitly about the UK, and really only mentions other countries when it’s relevant to the UK. I’d love to read a similar tome about American women (and we’ve been around for a lot less time than English women so it wouldn’t have to be as dense).
This focuses a lot on work, war, laws, punishment, religion, violence against women, and LGBT+ topics (women loving women as it’s called in every section and intersex/transgender people). I could’ve had a little more about royalty (I know, this is called “normal women” but they were so important. Victoria received more than Elizabeth), fashion, childbirth (it was mentioned in some sections but completely ignored in others), courting/dating and romance, and other similar topics. Only the afterword really spoke of any common thread of sisterhood/womanhood/girlhood, etc. I could’ve used a bit more of that narrative throughout, but that’s a personal opinion.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I leave remembering any one specific woman whom I didn’t know of before reading this. I would’ve been interested in more focused profiles for each segment, whether well-known or not (or both).
All in all this is a sometimes dry, extremely dense, and even more extremely well-researched overview of 900 years of English women’s history. If you’re interested in the above-mentioned topics, this one is worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Transphobia, Medical content, Kidnapping, Abortion, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Dysphoria
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Racial slurs
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
2024 review:
I’m struggling to rate this. I know I need to bring it down from the five stars 16-year-old Kam originally gave it. There’s so much swirling about this book since I first read it—the coloring book, the nail polish, the movie, the sequel, the movie AGAIN with all the drama on and off set. Needless to say, this book did not fall out of a coconut tree. And that makes it more difficult to assess and honestly enjoy.
Petty complaints: sometimes CoHo’s quirkiness just doesn’t work for me. Ellen’s (especially with the current attitude toward her) prominent presence is…bizarre to me. I physically cringed at the Dory middle name. But whatever.
I think there’s extreme danger in talking about this like any contemporary romance, something that people do both to the book and now the movie (including the actors who should know better!).
I do like how the book was more clear about Ryle’s abuse than the movie, and I preferred Lily’s book internal monologue about deciding what to do. The movie seemed so fuzzy and then boom, she’s leaving and done. The back-and-forth and gray area is what makes this book so impactful. It puts yourself in her shoes and that’s what needs to happen.
I don’t know. I think I’m going to still read the sequel. There’s just so much controversy and drama that I could keep going on and on but I don’t really want to do that right now.
Original 2016 review, 5-star rating:
There have been many books I've had fewer problems with that have received worse ratings from me. This isn't a book that settles well with you, and it's not light entertainment alone. It was actually uncanny how quick and fun this was to read despite the turmoil it puts you through. I'm still sitting here, unsure of how to articulate what I'm thinking about <i>It Ends with Us</i> by Colleen Hoover.
It seems as if there's a little mission here in the review section of this novel to keep the actual subject matter secret. Do I have to comply with this? As the friend who recommended this to me said, it's best going in blind, so therefore it is called The Subject.
The Subject of this book is dark, misunderstood, and quite hush-hush. When it's talked about it (I'm in theater therefore we often have these moment-of-truth conversations about adult life because we're teenagers and don't know how to portray adult life well) you can look around the group and see the horrified expressions of discomfort and dread when it's brought up.
You know what's sad? The character who narrated would discuss misconceptions about those who deal with The Subject, and I had many of the disproved thoughts before reading this. It's changing, so sly in execution yet so impactful.
I was at war myself this whole time. I didn't know what I wanted, and even though I've experienced nothing that the main character has in life, the indecision I felt in my own heart put me directly in her shoes and laced them tight. I've never felt that, and it makes me want to be a better writer. What an achievement - this book is truly remarkable.
Not to mention the cover is so strikingly beautiful and makes even more sense now that I'm done.
Despite all the good, I have to bring up the bad. For the first one hundred or so pages the characters all read like direct archetypes and there were many, many tragic pieces of dialogue that made me physically cringe throughout. Also, I don't know if I've ever read more descriptive "scenes" in my life. If that's not up your ally, you might be scandalized if we're being honest. There's an obsessive reoccurring reference to Ellen that's a bit odd, especially if you don't watch Ellen, but it's not a hindering allusion. Odd, but not hindering.
Now that I've gotten the good, bad, and the ugly out all I want to do is encourage you to read this. It truly is changing.
I’m struggling to rate this. I know I need to bring it down from the five stars 16-year-old Kam originally gave it. There’s so much swirling about this book since I first read it—the coloring book, the nail polish, the movie, the sequel, the movie AGAIN with all the drama on and off set. Needless to say, this book did not fall out of a coconut tree. And that makes it more difficult to assess and honestly enjoy.
Petty complaints: sometimes CoHo’s quirkiness just doesn’t work for me. Ellen’s (especially with the current attitude toward her) prominent presence is…bizarre to me. I physically cringed at the Dory middle name. But whatever.
I think there’s extreme danger in talking about this like any contemporary romance, something that people do both to the book and now the movie (including the actors who should know better!).
I do like how the book was more clear about Ryle’s abuse than the movie, and I preferred Lily’s book internal monologue about deciding what to do. The movie seemed so fuzzy and then boom, she’s leaving and done. The back-and-forth and gray area is what makes this book so impactful. It puts yourself in her shoes and that’s what needs to happen.
I don’t know. I think I’m going to still read the sequel. There’s just so much controversy and drama that I could keep going on and on but I don’t really want to do that right now.
Original 2016 review, 5-star rating:
There have been many books I've had fewer problems with that have received worse ratings from me. This isn't a book that settles well with you, and it's not light entertainment alone. It was actually uncanny how quick and fun this was to read despite the turmoil it puts you through. I'm still sitting here, unsure of how to articulate what I'm thinking about <i>It Ends with Us</i> by Colleen Hoover.
It seems as if there's a little mission here in the review section of this novel to keep the actual subject matter secret. Do I have to comply with this? As the friend who recommended this to me said, it's best going in blind, so therefore it is called The Subject.
The Subject of this book is dark, misunderstood, and quite hush-hush. When it's talked about it (I'm in theater therefore we often have these moment-of-truth conversations about adult life because we're teenagers and don't know how to portray adult life well) you can look around the group and see the horrified expressions of discomfort and dread when it's brought up.
You know what's sad? The character who narrated would discuss misconceptions about those who deal with The Subject, and I had many of the disproved thoughts before reading this. It's changing, so sly in execution yet so impactful.
I was at war myself this whole time. I didn't know what I wanted, and even though I've experienced nothing that the main character has in life, the indecision I felt in my own heart put me directly in her shoes and laced them tight. I've never felt that, and it makes me want to be a better writer. What an achievement - this book is truly remarkable.
Not to mention the cover is so strikingly beautiful and makes even more sense now that I'm done.
Despite all the good, I have to bring up the bad. For the first one hundred or so pages the characters all read like direct archetypes and there were many, many tragic pieces of dialogue that made me physically cringe throughout. Also, I don't know if I've ever read more descriptive "scenes" in my life. If that's not up your ally, you might be scandalized if we're being honest. There's an obsessive reoccurring reference to Ellen that's a bit odd, especially if you don't watch Ellen, but it's not a hindering allusion. Odd, but not hindering.
Now that I've gotten the good, bad, and the ugly out all I want to do is encourage you to read this. It truly is changing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Oh…my word. This is the most bizarre book, I don’t even know where to start.
If you told me an eighth grader wrote this after learning about similes, metaphors, and allegories—while also discovering smut for the first time—I would believe you! It would make sense. I’m BEGGING you to go look at my highlights. I was actually selective about the mind boggling quotes I chose to feature.
I cannot count the amount of entire-face-double-takes I did while listening to this. The writing style is just so strange, nonsensical, and cringey without being the least bit charming. Did AI “help” with this? I literally cannot fathom an adult coming up with these phrases and then publishing them in a book. I’ve read another title by this author and it was not like this at all, so I’m very confused.
Sorry/you’re welcome to all my friends and family who received screenshots of this one. I was listening to the audio and had to check out the ebook to send them proof of this insanity.
If I have to read “blue, blue eyes” ONE MORE TIME 🔪🩸
Also, I called this “twist” if it can even be called that. Good riddance. I can’t believe this is real.
If you told me an eighth grader wrote this after learning about similes, metaphors, and allegories—while also discovering smut for the first time—I would believe you! It would make sense. I’m BEGGING you to go look at my highlights. I was actually selective about the mind boggling quotes I chose to feature.
I cannot count the amount of entire-face-double-takes I did while listening to this. The writing style is just so strange, nonsensical, and cringey without being the least bit charming. Did AI “help” with this? I literally cannot fathom an adult coming up with these phrases and then publishing them in a book. I’ve read another title by this author and it was not like this at all, so I’m very confused.
Sorry/you’re welcome to all my friends and family who received screenshots of this one. I was listening to the audio and had to check out the ebook to send them proof of this insanity.
If I have to read “blue, blue eyes” ONE MORE TIME 🔪🩸
Also, I called this “twist” if it can even be called that. Good riddance. I can’t believe this is real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage by Jeff Guinn
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I had the ✨privilege✨ of visiting Mount Carmel on a trip to Waco (thanks for bringing me, Kristy—I know you’ll see this 😂). Did you know it’s still an active cult? You’re allowed to see their chapel(?) that’s filled with posters about Branch Davidian history (they call it a museum, but it’s posters). They also have a traffic cone in front of the place “where the women and children were gassed.” I hate that so many people died in such a terrible way, no matter who did or did not cause it (if you’re looking for a definitive answer, you won’t find one in this book—it’s a shame so much evidence was destroyed).
I struggle to find words to describe what it was like visiting. It’s difficult not to physically feel uncomfortable and spooked while there. But it re-sparked an interest in this after reading the current Branch Davidians’ take on the FBI standoff.
This book was thorough without being laborious, which is a difficult balance to strike with nonfiction like this. It was well-organized and IMO balanced and fair to both sides of this issue. I appreciate the post-stand off chapters and epilogue especially, which tie this tragic event to our present reality.
It won’t surprise me if this isn’t the only book I read about this, but it’s a solid first choice and I’m glad I picked it up!
I struggle to find words to describe what it was like visiting. It’s difficult not to physically feel uncomfortable and spooked while there. But it re-sparked an interest in this after reading the current Branch Davidians’ take on the FBI standoff.
This book was thorough without being laborious, which is a difficult balance to strike with nonfiction like this. It was well-organized and IMO balanced and fair to both sides of this issue. I appreciate the post-stand off chapters and epilogue especially, which tie this tragic event to our present reality.
It won’t surprise me if this isn’t the only book I read about this, but it’s a solid first choice and I’m glad I picked it up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Pedophilia
Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Whew! This one had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The Saint Marys Public Library is 3/3 this month.
I don’t want to say anything about this because I always think it’s better to go into thrillers blind. But this one was really well done and I’ll definitely read more from this author.
The chapters were unusually short (like 1-2 pages each) but it was a moment. I could’ve done with a little less CrossFit and developing film for paragraphs and paragraphs, but oh well.
I’d recommend this one!
I don’t want to say anything about this because I always think it’s better to go into thrillers blind. But this one was really well done and I’ll definitely read more from this author.
The chapters were unusually short (like 1-2 pages each) but it was a moment. I could’ve done with a little less CrossFit and developing film for paragraphs and paragraphs, but oh well.
I’d recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content
The Assassin of Venice by Alyssa Palombo
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars! I LOVED this. I saw it on the new shelf at the library and had to check it out, even though I knew nothing about it. This was atmospheric, dark, sexy, suspenseful, and intriguing. Expertly plotted. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Slight dock for how many times “by the Virgin’s tits” were said in the span of three chapters. I allow you one. 😂
And I had a unique problem when it comes to suspense novels—I was attached to the characters and wanted MORE time with them/resolution. I really needed one more chapter of wrapping it up. But all-in-all this was great and I’d wholeheartedly recommend.
Slight dock for how many times “by the Virgin’s tits” were said in the span of three chapters. I allow you one. 😂
And I had a unique problem when it comes to suspense novels—I was attached to the characters and wanted MORE time with them/resolution. I really needed one more chapter of wrapping it up. But all-in-all this was great and I’d wholeheartedly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Abortion, and Pregnancy
To Sir Phillip, with Love by Julia Quinn
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5. This took me a MONTH?! My audiobook minutes listened has been critically low compared to my norm, and it’s because I never wanted to turn this on 😭
It was just a slog. Show Eloise is so much more interesting and likable than Book Eloise. And Phillip? I hate the man. Not a fan. I’m anxious to see what Netflix does with this because Eloise deserves better. You’d also think we’d get more Pen if Eloise names her DAUGHTER after her. There was no friendship here. And why was the 2nd epilogue not about Eloise? 🙄
Also, I didn’t laugh. At all. All the other Bridgerton books have made me laugh. :(
It was just a slog. Show Eloise is so much more interesting and likable than Book Eloise. And Phillip? I hate the man. Not a fan. I’m anxious to see what Netflix does with this because Eloise deserves better. You’d also think we’d get more Pen if Eloise names her DAUGHTER after her. There was no friendship here. And why was the 2nd epilogue not about Eloise? 🙄
Also, I didn’t laugh. At all. All the other Bridgerton books have made me laugh. :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told) by Karen Tang
informative
medium-paced
3.5
3.5. This is a good primer for a wide variety of women’s health issues. It’s just that—a primer. It’s concise, easy to understand, and informative, at a basic level. Every section that pertained to me, I’d found deeper information or suggestions on the internet. I’d describe this as a very wide, but shallow pool.
I’m also not a huge fan of extremely inclusive language (people with uteruses, pregnant people) when it’s specifically female health issues. I could’ve done with an explanation in the intro like it had, but then “women” after that. I know all the reasons gender inclusive language is important, so no need to inform me—but if that bothers you, this one will be bothersome. I do appreciate the acknowledgment of trans, nonbinary, and intersex people and their health, even though I still would’ve personally preferred more woman-centered language.
Overall, I do appreciate this book and am thankful I read it. If you don’t even know where to start with questions about your body, this would be an insightful place to start to prompt deeper learning and understanding.
I’m also not a huge fan of extremely inclusive language (people with uteruses, pregnant people) when it’s specifically female health issues. I could’ve done with an explanation in the intro like it had, but then “women” after that. I know all the reasons gender inclusive language is important, so no need to inform me—but if that bothers you, this one will be bothersome. I do appreciate the acknowledgment of trans, nonbinary, and intersex people and their health, even though I still would’ve personally preferred more woman-centered language.
Overall, I do appreciate this book and am thankful I read it. If you don’t even know where to start with questions about your body, this would be an insightful place to start to prompt deeper learning and understanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Medical content, Abortion, and Pregnancy