Take a photo of a barcode or cover
lyzz's reviews
995 reviews
Breathe: A Musical by Jodi Picoult, Timothy Allen McDonald
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a fun surprise. I never thought I would listen to a musical book that had songs about the toilet paper shortage? Police brutality? But it is a poignant little tale that tells several slice of life stories of the pandemic.
This is a short listen - would definitely recommend if you want something different. I think it is only available for Audible premium subscribers though.
This is a short listen - would definitely recommend if you want something different. I think it is only available for Audible premium subscribers though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
Hidden Mountains: Survival and Reckoning After a Climb Gone Wrong by Michael Wejchert
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
I love mountain climbing books - especially ones where there is a rescue involved. This was an incredibly written story about two couples who suffer a devastating accident while rock climbing in the Alaska Hidden Mountains. This book does not disappoint.
The pacing of this non-fiction work is excellent. The author provides enough context about these couples as well as rock climbing for the reader to understand this world but not so much that it drags this book. The author is a friend of the two couples and includes information about his own journey as a rock climber throughout the book which makes this book feel personal.
There are two things that I love about this book in addition to the excellent storytelling. I had no understanding of the "PJs." PJs or para-rescuemen are elite Air Force trained in personnel recovery. Alaska provides an excellent environment for them to utilize these skills with the huge amount of land, geography and outdoor sports.
The second thing that I appreciated about this story was that it focused on what happens after the horrible event. I've often wondered how do people move forward after these traumatic events? Especially when climbing is something that has become part of them. Are they able to climb again? Do they suffer PTSD? What happens? Many books provide a brief epilogue or afterword that may paint an overily positive picture. This book goes into depth of how these climbers move forward that I wish more of these "mountain climbing gone wrong" books would cover. It is tender and thoughtful in this exploration that makes you think deeper about trauma and the impact on our lives.
The pacing of this non-fiction work is excellent. The author provides enough context about these couples as well as rock climbing for the reader to understand this world but not so much that it drags this book. The author is a friend of the two couples and includes information about his own journey as a rock climber throughout the book which makes this book feel personal.
There are two things that I love about this book in addition to the excellent storytelling. I had no understanding of the "PJs." PJs or para-rescuemen are elite Air Force trained in personnel recovery. Alaska provides an excellent environment for them to utilize these skills with the huge amount of land, geography and outdoor sports.
The second thing that I appreciated about this story was that it focused on what happens after the horrible event. I've often wondered how do people move forward after these traumatic events? Especially when climbing is something that has become part of them. Are they able to climb again? Do they suffer PTSD? What happens? Many books provide a brief epilogue or afterword that may paint an overily positive picture. This book goes into depth of how these climbers move forward that I wish more of these "mountain climbing gone wrong" books would cover. It is tender and thoughtful in this exploration that makes you think deeper about trauma and the impact on our lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
A Fire Story by Brian Fies
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This is a beautiful, moving memoir of a family's whose home was destroyed during one of the California wildfires from the escape, the recovery and to the rebuilding. It touches on both the personal - what it means to not have a "home," the sociopolitical like the difficulty rebuilding in an area that has been devastated. The illustrations in rich color are moving and balance perfectly with the text. beautiful.
I feel like the news often focuses on the fire and the escape but not much on the aftermath. This story of one family helps me understand how much pain and suffering happens during and after a wildfire.
I feel like the news often focuses on the fire and the escape but not much on the aftermath. This story of one family helps me understand how much pain and suffering happens during and after a wildfire.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
The Approach #2 by Jeremy Haun
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Asian American Histories of the United States by Catherine Ceniza Choy
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I love the Revisioining History books that focus on telling the US history through the experience of marginalized voices.
This is a unique history book as it traces the increase in violence we are seeing against Asian Americans back to the historical events that laid the path. Many history books are told chronologically but this is told reverse chronologically.
I loved this approach BUT I also had little familiarity with some of the historical events. The different history telling style plus the new events made it a little difficult for me to follow. I think I will definitely reread to try to absorb more. I feel like this is more of a "me" versus the book.
This is a unique history book as it traces the increase in violence we are seeing against Asian Americans back to the historical events that laid the path. Many history books are told chronologically but this is told reverse chronologically.
I loved this approach BUT I also had little familiarity with some of the historical events. The different history telling style plus the new events made it a little difficult for me to follow. I think I will definitely reread to try to absorb more. I feel like this is more of a "me" versus the book.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
So..I started this book in 2009 and finished in 2023. I really enjoyed it in 2009 and then got distracted for 14 years. I had a reading challenge to finish my oldest book on my TBR list. Since I signed up for GoodReads around 2009 - that's why it is there.
This book is told through a series of letters which is one of my favorite story telling formats. The author mixes in both the letters between main characters and some of the side characters.
I loved the focus on books during World War II. It was also fascinating to learn about this piece of World War 2 history about Guernsey. I love how books helped this community get through the war!
I also appreciated the examination of trauma and how that was handled back then.
This book is told through a series of letters which is one of my favorite story telling formats. The author mixes in both the letters between main characters and some of the side characters.
I loved the focus on books during World War II. It was also fascinating to learn about this piece of World War 2 history about Guernsey. I love how books helped this community get through the war!
I also appreciated the examination of trauma and how that was handled back then.
Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What is all the thoughts in your head were actually right? This is the vibe you get from this book.
I'd definitely put this book in the social horror category with some intense body horror.
This dark, emotional, tense book explores fascism through a haunted house horror book. I loved the author's inventiveness in having the haunted house was one of the main characters. It was so effective in giving an incredibly creepy vibe and talking about the underlying impact of fascism on our society.
I'd definitely put this book in the social horror category with some intense body horror.
This dark, emotional, tense book explores fascism through a haunted house horror book. I loved the author's inventiveness in having the haunted house was one of the main characters. It was so effective in giving an incredibly creepy vibe and talking about the underlying impact of fascism on our society.
The Department Of Truth #22 by Martin Simmonds, James Tynion IV
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This collection of stories tells the history of this pandemic is such an interesting way. This anthology covers hundreds (maybe thousands?) of years. Yet, the author manages to weave together threads across these stories. It felt like a circle journey.
I love how they reveal the name of the anthology.
I'm writing this review almost 12 months later and this book and the stories have stayed with me.
I love how they reveal the name of the anthology.
I'm writing this review almost 12 months later and this book and the stories have stayed with me.