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shereadytoread's reviews
806 reviews
Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima
2.5
This was middle of the road in every sense of the word. I loved the idea and I was really engaged for the first half of the book but over time it just lost my attention and felt boring. The execution of the idea was not compelling to me.
I do like the author’s writing style and I think I would try something else from her, but this one wasn’t it.
I do like the author’s writing style and I think I would try something else from her, but this one wasn’t it.
Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez
- 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
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I have not read too many romances with ace rep. The author gave a lot of care to educating on different identities along the aro/ace spectrum. There was one portion that felt a bit like an info dump, but with how little ace rep is included in traditionally published romances, I was glad to see it.
I did really love the relationship between Angela and Krystal. There was a good mix of external stakes and relationship conflict that wasn’t just based in miscommunication.
The extended “cast” was well rounded with family, friends and enemies. The intro of the book acknowledges that it is heavily based in TikTok and at the time of it going into print, the future of TikTok was unknown (and still could be).
Disclosure: I received a print copy from the publisher and an ALC from Libro.fm. I read the audio for about 70% of the book and then switched to print.
I did really love the relationship between Angela and Krystal. There was a good mix of external stakes and relationship conflict that wasn’t just based in miscommunication.
The extended “cast” was well rounded with family, friends and enemies. The intro of the book acknowledges that it is heavily based in TikTok and at the time of it going into print, the future of TikTok was unknown (and still could be).
Disclosure: I received a print copy from the publisher and an ALC from Libro.fm. I read the audio for about 70% of the book and then switched to print.
Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett
informative
reflective
5.0
This is an excellent book. It’s informative, visually interesting, and makes the reader an active part of the experience.
I loved that the end of each section includes reflective questions posed to the reader based on the section. I didn’t know they were there but I plan to revisit the discussion questions!
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher.
I loved that the end of each section includes reflective questions posed to the reader based on the section. I didn’t know they were there but I plan to revisit the discussion questions!
Disclosure: I received a gifted copy from the publisher.
Polybius by Collin Armstrong
Strengths:
I would love to see this book as a movie!
Disclosure: I was given an eARC by the publisher, but ended up checking out the print from my local library to finish it.
dark
tense
4.0
Before I finished this book I wasn't aware that it was based on an urban legend, but it does read like that. It's a solid read. I enjoyed the story.
Weaknesses:
Weaknesses:
- The main characters can be a little flat; there's not enough of a difference in style/mannerism/etc. that separates them. You could swap them in and out and it would still work.
- The end of the story is more of an "epilogue" than an actual ending which makes it feel a little bit rushed
Strengths:
- I found the plot to be really interesting. If you are aware of the urban legend, you'll probably know the general of where things head
- The story builds tension and dread really well. It starts with small events that just seem off and continue to build in intensity throughout the story
- Slight spoiler for general event but not detail or plot reveal:
Having one of the main characters be affected but still part of the group was great call. It adds a lot of suspense to those moments where you are not sure if they will harm the group or react normally. - It manages to be super violent without being extremely gory. There is definitely a little gore, but I think this is a book that a wider audience could really enjoy
I would love to see this book as a movie!
Disclosure: I was given an eARC by the publisher, but ended up checking out the print from my local library to finish it.
Dismal Freedom: A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp by J. Brent Morris
informative
sad
5.0
This was an excellent book. Such a wide range of history focusing on Maroons (self-emancipated enslaved Africans and African-Americans), along with history of indigenous peoples and abolitionists.
I learned so much reading this book and tracked other topics and texts I want to further research after finishing this one.
I learned so much reading this book and tracked other topics and texts I want to further research after finishing this one.
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This story is a fun adventure. Kingfisher's quirky, humorous characters work well in this newest standalone book set in the same world as previous stories. I loved the banter between the mix of characters and slow build of the romance is great. This was my first fantasy book by this author (I've only read her horror books previously), and not having any knowledge of the world was not a barrier when reading. I was able to quickly orient to the world and the variety of characters presented.
My single complaint with this book is that it is at minimum 75-100 pages longer than it needs to be. It didn't make it less enjoyable, but quite a bit of the journey back is getting into funny scenarios and some side quest like exploration of the world. Still interesting but unneeded and not related to the main plot outside of it occurring on the journey forward.
My single complaint with this book is that it is at minimum 75-100 pages longer than it needs to be. It didn't make it less enjoyable, but quite a bit of the journey back is getting into funny scenarios and some side quest like exploration of the world. Still interesting but unneeded and not related to the main plot outside of it occurring on the journey forward.
Creep: A Love Story by Emma van Straaten
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a solid story. The story is told in first person POV from our narrator, a disturbed woman who has become obsessed with the man for whom she is a housecleaner. They have never met but she has created a delusion of their relationship in her mind as she cleans his home. In addition, she is dealing with a lot of body image issues that are prevelant throughout the story.
I originally started this book in print and struggled a little bit to get through it but read the audio in one sitting. The character's descent into more erratic behavior to satisfy her obsessions, in addition to her rather negative and unlikeable personality were engaging in an odd way. It is very straightforward in the POV but it does not present like a stream of conscious which I liked.
If you struggle with unlikeable narrators, you may struggle with this one a bit, but I think it is worth the read!
Disclosure: I received a gifted print copy from the publisher and an ALC from Libro.fm.
I originally started this book in print and struggled a little bit to get through it but read the audio in one sitting. The character's descent into more erratic behavior to satisfy her obsessions, in addition to her rather negative and unlikeable personality were engaging in an odd way. It is very straightforward in the POV but it does not present like a stream of conscious which I liked.
If you struggle with unlikeable narrators, you may struggle with this one a bit, but I think it is worth the read!
Disclosure: I received a gifted print copy from the publisher and an ALC from Libro.fm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Stalking
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Violence
sWitch by Kat Blackthorne
1.0
I was so excited about this book but it was such a let down. I'm not exactly sure why it's advertised as a rom-com ... or a dark romance? It's just a lot of nothing. The premise is about a twin stealing their brother's girlfriend which I guess is the taboo/dark part? But it's just disjointed and the writing feels like YA but "make it spicy".
There is nothing really funny about this, and it's basically just a short book about a twin justifying to themselves why it's okay to pursue their twin brother's girlfriend while also still being a "good sibling". Also it is stylized as sWitch, which made me think there was going to be supernatural or magical element involved but there is not.
There is nothing really funny about this, and it's basically just a short book about a twin justifying to themselves why it's okay to pursue their twin brother's girlfriend while also still being a "good sibling". Also it is stylized as sWitch, which made me think there was going to be supernatural or magical element involved but there is not.
Slayers, Every One of Us: How One Girl in All the World Showed Us How to Hold On by Jenny Owen Youngs, Kristin Russo
emotional
reflective
5.0
This is a rare book that I would rate the audiobook and the traditional print/digital book differently. This is a book that I heavily recommend be read in the audio format over the print or digital. One hallmark of the podcast that the two authors host (one who is a musician) is that they created original music to go along with the episodes. Each chapter features that music in the audiobook throughout. The inclusion of the music really set the audio apart and punctuated the focus of the Buffy episodes discussed as well as the author's life periods discussed. It honestly pushed past all the small issues I had with the book for this to be a 5 star read!
The only audiobook specific drawback is that it is narrated by authors and while they may be great podcasters in discussion, professional voice actors or narrators, they are not and it is apparent. But it is their story and it's not a deal breaker.
The book focuses on the creation and ongoing run of the authors podcast against the backdrop of the highs and lows of their life. The introduction does give significant "spoilers" (if you an call someone's actual life events spoilers) which I did think did lessen some of the impact of those events and portions when you read them later in the book.
Having never listened to their podcast or hearing of the authors before this book, but being a pretty moderate Buffy fan (I haven't seen every episode, but know the major plot points of the show/characters), I still very much enjoyed this book. As they offer synopsis of each episode discussed, you don't need to have seen Buffy to enjoy this book. If you do want to watch Buffy and don't want spoilers, then you may want to skip until you watch.
Disclosure: I received a free eARC and ALC from Netgalley.
The only audiobook specific drawback is that it is narrated by authors and while they may be great podcasters in discussion, professional voice actors or narrators, they are not and it is apparent. But it is their story and it's not a deal breaker.
The book focuses on the creation and ongoing run of the authors podcast against the backdrop of the highs and lows of their life. The introduction does give significant "spoilers" (if you an call someone's actual life events spoilers) which I did think did lessen some of the impact of those events and portions when you read them later in the book.
Having never listened to their podcast or hearing of the authors before this book, but being a pretty moderate Buffy fan (I haven't seen every episode, but know the major plot points of the show/characters), I still very much enjoyed this book. As they offer synopsis of each episode discussed, you don't need to have seen Buffy to enjoy this book. If you do want to watch Buffy and don't want spoilers, then you may want to skip until you watch.
Disclosure: I received a free eARC and ALC from Netgalley.