latashman's reviews
158 reviews

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I found this book to be an interesting look into what a future could look like if humans had infinite life spans. I wish there was a little more political intrigue, but I'm hoping it will be in the next book now that their apprenticeship is done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Torture and Mass/school shootings

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a beautiful book showing the impacts of motherhood and connection on a family over time. I am not a mom, but this book makes me hope that I can experience something as beautiful as this book describes through motherhood. I had moments of hilarity where I could help but laugh at some of the narrators thoughts, but I also ended the book crying at how life just keeps going even as you experience things that are heartbreaking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Abortion

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This book was a fun read that delved into the politics of a academic setting. I really enjoyed the narrators thought process. She made me laugh with her seriousness and attitude especially when the other characters saw through her. 

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

I think I found my next guilty pleasure series. 

I need Sookie and Eric to be a thing. F Bill. He makes me so angry. 

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Thought this book was great! Loved the resolution even though it felt a little predictable. The tension was well written and pacing was excellent. The audiobook cast and production was engaging and an easy listen. 

It reminded me a lot of the old show Veronica Mars so I had a nice dose of nostalgia throughout the book. 

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 3 by Nagabe

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link

dark mysterious relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

I really liked this twisted and modern tale on folktales. My favorite two were Skinder's Veil and the one about Prince Hat. I found the stories to take a while to read and digest each one, but they were powerful reminders of humanity and how folk lore is intertwined in our lives and stories that we love. 

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I found the pacing of this book to be pretty good. The characters were extremely unlikable, they seemed to all be incredibly self centered. I don't understand how they could be friends even if they started as roommates. I like that it focused so much on the friends, but I do wish that there was a little more about their lives. Also, I probably made the mistake of listening to Guncle first. The author narrates this book as well and it took my brain a good 20% of the book to connect the new characters and story with his voice.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

I enjoyed the back and forth between past and present to tell the story, but think it could easily become confusing. I wish I cared more about the characters. There was nothing about Billy that I liked or Ethan.