Scan barcode
sweekune's reviews
342 reviews
A New History of Life by Stuart Sutherland
informative
medium-paced
3.5
3.5/5
Audiobook narrated by the author.
On a whim I got this audiobook from an audible sale. It is a connected collection of lectures about how life on Earth began and evolved over geological time.
- The course is well structured, starting with how the Earth and solar system came to be and moving forward through each development in life's history up to the modern era. Very occasionally there is some backwards movement around certain parts (memorably the dinosaurs) but it otherwise flows well.
- The content of the course is the right level for someone with a cursory or secondary school level of science knowledge. It assumes the reader knows a little but not anything in-depth and the concepts are well explained throughout. That said, if you already have a reasonable knowledge of prehistoric life, the course may be a little basic and recount things you already know.
An enjoyable, clear and interesting listen. Recommended for those with a beginner level interest in the science of life on Earth.
Audiobook narrated by the author.
On a whim I got this audiobook from an audible sale. It is a connected collection of lectures about how life on Earth began and evolved over geological time.
- The course is well structured, starting with how the Earth and solar system came to be and moving forward through each development in life's history up to the modern era. Very occasionally there is some backwards movement around certain parts (memorably the dinosaurs) but it otherwise flows well.
- The content of the course is the right level for someone with a cursory or secondary school level of science knowledge. It assumes the reader knows a little but not anything in-depth and the concepts are well explained throughout. That said, if you already have a reasonable knowledge of prehistoric life, the course may be a little basic and recount things you already know.
An enjoyable, clear and interesting listen. Recommended for those with a beginner level interest in the science of life on Earth.
Beware of Chicken 1 by Casualfarmer
funny
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5
Think Stardew Valley crossed with a fantasy Kung Fu movie and you get Beware of Chicken! A cultivator (strong magical Kung Fu dude), Jin, retires from his sect and sets out to have a simple life as a farmer. Of course, things aren't always that simple.
- I adored the setting and the cosy vibes of this book. The descriptions of Xianxia, the farm, the village and the customs were awesome and really lovely.
- The found family aspect of this book was probably my favourite. Jin's hodge podge gang of animals and his relationship with Meimei were super cute and I loved the internal monolgues of the animals too. The courtship was lovely and gave me such gooey and happy Harvest Moon/Stardew Valley vibes.
- The magic system isn't really explained but feels similar to a lot of eastern religion and JRPG games and media. I'd love to learn more about it in future books.
Perfect for the farming simulation fan. I will try and read the next one soon.
Think Stardew Valley crossed with a fantasy Kung Fu movie and you get Beware of Chicken! A cultivator (strong magical Kung Fu dude), Jin, retires from his sect and sets out to have a simple life as a farmer. Of course, things aren't always that simple.
- I adored the setting and the cosy vibes of this book. The descriptions of Xianxia, the farm, the village and the customs were awesome and really lovely.
- The found family aspect of this book was probably my favourite. Jin's hodge podge gang of animals and his relationship with Meimei were super cute and I loved the internal monolgues of the animals too. The courtship was lovely and gave me such gooey and happy Harvest Moon/Stardew Valley vibes.
- The magic system isn't really explained but feels similar to a lot of eastern religion and JRPG games and media. I'd love to learn more about it in future books.
Perfect for the farming simulation fan. I will try and read the next one soon.
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25/5
Audiobook narrated by Fenella Woolgar.
A wonderfully wintery collection of short stories from the marvellous Agatha Christie. Featuring an array of her beloved characters, this collection has a murderously magnificent feel.
- Each story is fairly short but wonderfully done. I enjoyed some more than other and some were more complex whereas others were simple but all were fun.
- If you enjoy Christie's famous detectives then you won't be disappointed. There's several involving Monsieur Poirot, a couple with Miss Marple and one or two with other less well known characters too.
- The narrator did an excellent job reading these tales. I particularly enjoyed how plummy she made the voices of the more upper class characters.
Perfect for those who love cosy mystery and festive vibes.
Audiobook narrated by Fenella Woolgar.
A wonderfully wintery collection of short stories from the marvellous Agatha Christie. Featuring an array of her beloved characters, this collection has a murderously magnificent feel.
- Each story is fairly short but wonderfully done. I enjoyed some more than other and some were more complex whereas others were simple but all were fun.
- If you enjoy Christie's famous detectives then you won't be disappointed. There's several involving Monsieur Poirot, a couple with Miss Marple and one or two with other less well known characters too.
- The narrator did an excellent job reading these tales. I particularly enjoyed how plummy she made the voices of the more upper class characters.
Perfect for those who love cosy mystery and festive vibes.
The Ghost of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
4/5
Book 3 in the Witches of Woodville series. The Nazis are threatening to invade via the channel. Faye is drafted in to assist with a ritual to help prevent this but there's a spy in their midst. Also there's a ghost in Larry's barn that she has to deal with.
- I like how Faye has grown up quite a bit. Since The Crow Folk, she has matured but also retains some of her core personality traits and it's really fun watching her come to terms with her magic and other developments in her life.
- We get to learn a bit more about the wider witch society in this book which is great fun and meet some new witches. I really enjoyed some of the interactions between new and old witches and I hope that some of them make a reappearance in future books.
- I find Faye and Bertie's relationship super cute and I love how supportive he is of her and her independence.
An excellent addition to the series which expands the lore and has really cool character development.
Book 3 in the Witches of Woodville series. The Nazis are threatening to invade via the channel. Faye is drafted in to assist with a ritual to help prevent this but there's a spy in their midst. Also there's a ghost in Larry's barn that she has to deal with.
- I like how Faye has grown up quite a bit. Since The Crow Folk, she has matured but also retains some of her core personality traits and it's really fun watching her come to terms with her magic and other developments in her life.
- We get to learn a bit more about the wider witch society in this book which is great fun and meet some new witches. I really enjoyed some of the interactions between new and old witches and I hope that some of them make a reappearance in future books.
- I find Faye and Bertie's relationship super cute and I love how supportive he is of her and her independence.
An excellent addition to the series which expands the lore and has really cool character development.
Babes in the Wood by Mark Stay
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
4/5
I read The Crow Folk over a year ago and finally got around to reading the sequels. After the events of the first book, Faye Bright is under instruction from the two local witches. However, when she saves a gang of Jewish children from a fire, she soon finds herself caught up in a magical war as well as the standard one.
- It was good to see Faye again and the other familiar characters from the first book. She's grown a little bit and felt more nature than I remembered. It was also good to see the other characters and how their dynamics are changing.
- The plot itself was actually very engaging and I found myself binge reading the last half of the book to know what happens next. I liked the little historical details scattered in too.
- Sometimes the dialogue felt a bit off and it brought me out of the story. Otherwise the book is well written and easy to consume and enjoy.
An enjoyable sequel. I look forward to reading more of Faye's adventures in The Ghost of Ivy Barn.
I read The Crow Folk over a year ago and finally got around to reading the sequels. After the events of the first book, Faye Bright is under instruction from the two local witches. However, when she saves a gang of Jewish children from a fire, she soon finds herself caught up in a magical war as well as the standard one.
- It was good to see Faye again and the other familiar characters from the first book. She's grown a little bit and felt more nature than I remembered. It was also good to see the other characters and how their dynamics are changing.
- The plot itself was actually very engaging and I found myself binge reading the last half of the book to know what happens next. I liked the little historical details scattered in too.
- Sometimes the dialogue felt a bit off and it brought me out of the story. Otherwise the book is well written and easy to consume and enjoy.
An enjoyable sequel. I look forward to reading more of Faye's adventures in The Ghost of Ivy Barn.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
4.5/5
Audiobook narrated by the author.
A powerful and reflective book that goes through the nuances of racism with a tooth comb and examines them thoroughly.
- Kendi uses a combination of documented history, personal biography and growth and reflective examination to confront racism and discuss how we, individuals and society, can make changes to be antiracist. This book is not an instructional guide or a list of points to be met but instead inspires the reader to reflect, grow and make change.
- The book at time is quite intense (necessarily) and I read it switching between paper copy and audiobook which helped me to digest it better. It is not a quick and easy read and neither should it be.
- Reading this in 2023, I am prompted to examine the world around me and I realise how much this book is needed. This book is very much focused on the USA but it's ideas are often applicable globally or in other nations. We need to educate, act and build more antiracist ideas into our societies.
This book is needed. In amongst the book bans, the education restrictions and the policy makers enforcing these to maintain their own power, we need books like this to help us to grow and change and cut out the cancer that is racism.
Audiobook narrated by the author.
A powerful and reflective book that goes through the nuances of racism with a tooth comb and examines them thoroughly.
- Kendi uses a combination of documented history, personal biography and growth and reflective examination to confront racism and discuss how we, individuals and society, can make changes to be antiracist. This book is not an instructional guide or a list of points to be met but instead inspires the reader to reflect, grow and make change.
- The book at time is quite intense (necessarily) and I read it switching between paper copy and audiobook which helped me to digest it better. It is not a quick and easy read and neither should it be.
- Reading this in 2023, I am prompted to examine the world around me and I realise how much this book is needed. This book is very much focused on the USA but it's ideas are often applicable globally or in other nations. We need to educate, act and build more antiracist ideas into our societies.
This book is needed. In amongst the book bans, the education restrictions and the policy makers enforcing these to maintain their own power, we need books like this to help us to grow and change and cut out the cancer that is racism.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
4/5
Audiobook narrated by Steve West.
A whimsical and mysterious story, not dissimilar from ancient tales of far off lands and the magical of the desert. We follow Lazlo Strange, an orphan come librarian who has earned himself the nickname "The Dreamer", drying to learn about the old and long thought lost city of Weep. Through a peculiar turn of events, Laszlo finds himself as part of an expedition to Weep which has a problem to solve involving dictatorial gods and their children.
- The characters were fun and enjoyable. We had our placid and passionate main character, a mysterious and scared love interest, a pompous and arrogant rival and everything else you would expect of a magical tale.
- The descriptions and atmospheres this book creates are absolutely amazing. I particularly enjoyed the dream sequences and how they felt completely like dreams.
- The book was magical but I felt the last part and the cliffhanger ending were a little bit rushed. There is a sequel so some of my feelings about the ending will likely be resolved there but it felt unnecessarily abrupt considering the pace things had happened at before.
If you like books about ancient magic, hidden cities and gods with power, I highly recommend Strange the Dreamer.
XOXO by Axie Oh
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
4/5
A cute, high school, forbidden romance between a Korean American cellist and a K-pop star. Jenny meets Jaewoo at her uncles karaoke bar in LA and they have one fun evening together before he disappears back to Korea. Jenny's grandmother is ill so her and her mum move to Korea to visit. Starting at her new Korean school, who does Jenny find there but Jaewoo. However, being an idol means he isn't allowed to date.
- I'll admit I picked this up to fulfill the X in my alphabet challenge this year but ended up enjoying it so much. Jenny is sweet, funny and wonderfully naïve and I loved how she grew through the story. Jaewoo and his band XOXO were really cool as were the other side characters. I would honestly enjoy a sequel if one were written.
- I was not at all knowledgable about K-pop but thankfully my mum and bestfriend are both fans and gave me a quick K-pop 101 to better get the story. That said, I think you could read and enjoy it without prior knowledge and it could be a good introduction to K-pop for someone uninitiated.
- The romance was sweet, enjoyable and nice and PG. Think stolen kisses and secretly hand holding. It fit the setting and the story well and this book would be an appropriate romance for younger reader.
Fluffy, enjoyable and fun. Would recommend to younger (10+) readers or those looking for a fluffy and sweet romance without spice.
A cute, high school, forbidden romance between a Korean American cellist and a K-pop star. Jenny meets Jaewoo at her uncles karaoke bar in LA and they have one fun evening together before he disappears back to Korea. Jenny's grandmother is ill so her and her mum move to Korea to visit. Starting at her new Korean school, who does Jenny find there but Jaewoo. However, being an idol means he isn't allowed to date.
- I'll admit I picked this up to fulfill the X in my alphabet challenge this year but ended up enjoying it so much. Jenny is sweet, funny and wonderfully naïve and I loved how she grew through the story. Jaewoo and his band XOXO were really cool as were the other side characters. I would honestly enjoy a sequel if one were written.
- I was not at all knowledgable about K-pop but thankfully my mum and bestfriend are both fans and gave me a quick K-pop 101 to better get the story. That said, I think you could read and enjoy it without prior knowledge and it could be a good introduction to K-pop for someone uninitiated.
- The romance was sweet, enjoyable and nice and PG. Think stolen kisses and secretly hand holding. It fit the setting and the story well and this book would be an appropriate romance for younger reader.
Fluffy, enjoyable and fun. Would recommend to younger (10+) readers or those looking for a fluffy and sweet romance without spice.
Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
reflective
fast-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
3.75
3.75/5
Audiobook narrated by Adepero Oduye.
Short but powerful. A woman gives birth to her baby. She reflects on many aspects of her life and the reality of being a black woman and black mother in the modern day.
- There are layers and layers of thought, feeling and reflection in just over an hour of book. So many subjects are looked at fleetingly but intently: the duplicity of parenthood, men's knowledge of how female bodies work, relationship changes and expectations, family changes and upheaval, pregnancy and its strains, pains, joys and worries.
- As a mother, this resonated with me. Birthing a baby is more than just the physiological process and everything about your life will affect how you manage, feel about and approach aspects of bringing life.
Short and reflective. Would be great for readers looking for books that make you think.
Audiobook narrated by Adepero Oduye.
Short but powerful. A woman gives birth to her baby. She reflects on many aspects of her life and the reality of being a black woman and black mother in the modern day.
- There are layers and layers of thought, feeling and reflection in just over an hour of book. So many subjects are looked at fleetingly but intently: the duplicity of parenthood, men's knowledge of how female bodies work, relationship changes and expectations, family changes and upheaval, pregnancy and its strains, pains, joys and worries.
- As a mother, this resonated with me. Birthing a baby is more than just the physiological process and everything about your life will affect how you manage, feel about and approach aspects of bringing life.
Short and reflective. Would be great for readers looking for books that make you think.
The Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
4/5
Audiobook narrated by Anne Dover.
Reminiscent of James Herriot and other literary accounts of the Yorkshire Dales, The Yorkshire Shepherdess is the autobiography of Amanda Owen and her and her family's experiences living on a remote farm.
- This book was an excellent palate cleanser and both relaxing and compelling. I've not watched the series where Amanda features (The Dales, I believe) but I found myself thoroughly invested in the ups and downs of farm life in this book.
- How she speaks about her family is super refreshing and freeing. I loved how she discusses each of their births, personalities and how life at the farm is shaping them. It must be a hard but very rewarding place to raise children.
- The descriptions of the farm and landscape are amazing. I'd be lying is I said I haven't looked up about visiting the farm for a cream tea is I'm ever in that part of the country. Ravenseat sound like a truly wonderful place to exist.
Enjoyed thoroughly and would recommend to anyone with an interest in Yorkshire and James Herriot-style adventures.
Audiobook narrated by Anne Dover.
Reminiscent of James Herriot and other literary accounts of the Yorkshire Dales, The Yorkshire Shepherdess is the autobiography of Amanda Owen and her and her family's experiences living on a remote farm.
- This book was an excellent palate cleanser and both relaxing and compelling. I've not watched the series where Amanda features (The Dales, I believe) but I found myself thoroughly invested in the ups and downs of farm life in this book.
- How she speaks about her family is super refreshing and freeing. I loved how she discusses each of their births, personalities and how life at the farm is shaping them. It must be a hard but very rewarding place to raise children.
- The descriptions of the farm and landscape are amazing. I'd be lying is I said I haven't looked up about visiting the farm for a cream tea is I'm ever in that part of the country. Ravenseat sound like a truly wonderful place to exist.
Enjoyed thoroughly and would recommend to anyone with an interest in Yorkshire and James Herriot-style adventures.