What You Never Knew by Jessica Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars An incredible debut, this book is a superb piece of nostalgia that transported me to my own childhood summer. Unfortunately, that was where most of the similarities ended because I would love to have my own family mystery to unravel. The back and forth between the two sisters’ point-of-view, in addition to the paranormal aspect, gave this book a fun twist that I hadn’t expected nor seen since reading The Lovely Bones. With innumerable moments of nail-biting suspense, it was difficult to put this book down. Character’s and their dialogue are so expertly crafted, you come to love or hate them with an abrupt intensity. The best part of this book was that you never knew what was going to happen, despite your best theories, and it was refreshingly unconventional in its conclusion. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
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The Dar Lumbre Chronicles by Don Johnston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars A curious interpretation of the future where Starbucks is an essential business, “meat” is grown, Amazon delivers pizza via drone, and vegetables grown in soil are a sought-out commodity. This Crichton-esque, sci-fi novel is an interesting mix of current events and politics that would suggest not much will have changed 100 years in the future. While it can get a bit technical at times, the story and the humorous look into the future of businesses is enough to carry you through the end. The characters make this an enjoyable and relatable experience, and the cliffhanger leaves you wanting more. View all my reviews 9/23/2020 0 Comments Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker
Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book was a much needed respite after having to read multiple boring nonfiction texts. I haven’t read a page-turner like this in awhile and it was completely different than anything I’ve ever read. The pace was absolutely perfect, each chapter ending with the push to read more. The honest feelings felt by each character were a refreshing change of pace, having dealt with my fair share of grief, the guilt and coping mechanisms described were very relatable. Surprising twists and turns kept me theorizing about the outcome until the very end, and amidst a trend of unresolved finales, I was pleasantly surprised. As a relatively new reader to Wendy Walker, I have been more than pleased with what I’ve read and she has found a fan in me. Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for allowing me to read an advanced copy. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars More of these stories are needed and Weiden has a new fan for life. Already written in my go-to genre, I was intrigued early on with his in-depth, no holds barred, inside look at life on a reservation. Having grown up around and frequently visiting a reservation of one of the tribes mentioned in this book, I have seen firsthand a lot of what he is writing about, but I’m still shocked from descriptions regarding laws, justice, and politics. Thankfully, he includes more reading at the end of the book, and upon finishing, I was looking up those titles at the library. Stories revolving around drugs and alcohol always hit in a personal way, resonating with my own personal experiences with friends and family. This is a story I have lived and watched play out multiple times, and Virgil’s vigilantism is the kind of action I could only fantasize about playing out. Despite the murky legalities of a man for hire, the scenes play out with a clear moral code, but with enough brutality that leaves you feeling uncomfortable, thus humanizing the experience. It is fun reading the spot-on descriptions of Denver, the only other state I’ve lived aside from my home in Washington State. I have traveled the same streets mentioned in the book, the infamous Colfax, I worked at a Starbucks on Federal, I lived so close to the dog food factory that I could smell it in my living room depending which way the wind blew, and of course, Casa Bonita and their memorable sopapillas. Further enriching this novel are the everyday Lakota words and phrases peppered throughout the entire story. Many are explained, but some I still googled to get a better understanding and context. Ceremonies and customs still performed to this day are described with a reverence lending to the sacredness of these practices. The commitment and loyalty to the tribe is stirring and beautiful. Everything about this novel is exquisite and well executed and I’m anxious to see more from Mr. Weiden. Thank you to Harper Collins for an advanced copy. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
Near-Life Experience by Emma G. Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens and the Percy Jackson series will enjoy this creative tale recounting the daily life of Death and a human that throws a wrench in his routine. Many familiar characters pop up in this story, such as Roman and Greek gods, and more lesser known deities from around the world, but all of them bring something interesting to the table. The human characters are relatable and real, artfully created and equally important to the storyline. I enjoyed the banter between characters, human or otherwise, the different situations they fall into, and the subsequent pragmatic resolutions. You will not regret diving into the crazy world constructed by Emma G. Rose. This book was a real treat and I’m thankful to the author for the gifted copy. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
A truly scary story is one that doesn’t leave you, even after you’ve put down the book. You dwell on it, mull it over, everyday objects remind you of it, you find yourself losing track of your thoughts, only to find them thinking about the story and its haunting imagery. On multiple occasions, when I was reading, I was brutally startled to the present, screaming out loud as someone walked into my bedroom or said my name. Spooky storyline aside, this book is rich with Native heritage, where past and present collide. Sweats with traditional drumming over a loudspeaker. Hunting and gathering in trucks with the spirits of the elders whispering the legends of the elk. Woven throughout the plot are traditions and storytelling, tales and rituals passed down for generations, explanations and ideas with cultural and paranormal origins. For the best reading experience, I recommend inhaling parts two and three in one (or two consecutive) sittings, in the middle of the forest, next to a roaring bonfire. Don’t forget your cooler of ice cold beer. I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews 6/14/2020 0 Comments Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom
Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was everything I wanted it to be, and more. I first heard about Dark Archives on the Morbid Anatomy podcast, and I knew immediately that I had to read it, but it wasn't due out until October (quite appropriate but SO FAR AWAY!) I started following the author, Megan Rosenbloom, on Twitter and discovered that the book was available on NetGalley. I requested it immediately and crossed my fingers. Until I heard Megan speak on the podcast, I had NO IDEA that books bound in human skin was a thing. How had my macabre sensibilities missed this gem? However, this book is more than just Megan's quest to search out true anthropodermic bibliopegy (fancy words for "books made of human skin"), it's an education and procedural in antique books, it's' a study in medical ethics past and present, and a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting world of a medical librarian! You get to follow Megan around the globe as she hunts down various legendary tomes and testing them to see if they're the real deal. Some turn out to be made out of animal skins, but a handful turn out to be the real McCoy. Amidst the "treasure" hunt, you receive a brief education on the history of medicine in western world, how far doctors have come from paying grave robbers for bodies to autopsy to now using bodies that have been donated. It's a gruesome truth that is riddled with controversy when you consider how medicine has advanced from the dark ages on the literal backs of the poor, the murdered, and minorities. Collectors and librarians juggle their want and need to conserve history whilst trying to respect the memory of those whose bodies were used to enrich someone's personal library. Dark Archives is a fascinating read that brings together so many elements to create a well-rounded text that is as enjoyable as it is informative. Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews
Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars WOW! That was a crazy ride, from beginning to end! Initially, I was a tad bit annoyed. I've read a string of books lately with insecure main characters, and this was looking like more of the same. Additionally, there was a bit more romance than I prefer, but the resulting story more than makes up for these minor transgressions. It took me less than 24 hours, from start to finish, to devour this book, and I have FIVE KIDS. Five very neglected children. Just kidding, they're all fed and fine, let me just do a quick head count... Yup, all present and accounted for, and the food the baby's eating off the floor looks like its from today. Anyway, at the start you're plunged into a family full of strife, instant drama, crazy scandal, horrific events, and terrible tragedies. Literally, within the first 20 pages. It slows down, a little, only to thrust you head first into a never ending tornado of calamity and catastrophes until the end when it comes to a screeching halt and leaves you wondering what the hell happened. I couldn't believe the end, I still can't wrap my head around what happened. Clear your schedule before you pick up this book because you will refuse to put it down until you're finished. View all my reviews
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
5/2/2020 0 Comments The Apartment by K.L. Slater
The Apartment by K.L. Slater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Starting out, I was unsure about this book. The main character annoyed me with her constant self-doubt and insecurities, i.e. unnecessary justification for why she would allow her daughter screen time to give herself a break. Alas, this was a minor irritation and I just chalked it off to the specific character, not anything to do with the quality of the book, only my enjoyment. Then there was some confusion on the part of the way my book was reading, and I believe it had to do with being a galley copy, not the story itself. Once that was all sorted, the story successfully sucked me in and didn't let go until I "turned" the last page. It was an enjoyable read, albeit quick, and predictable. The parallel story that was being told made it easy to figure out what was happening in the meat of the story, however, that it doesn't mean there aren't unexpected twists. I would classify this as an indulgent, weekend read, what I call my "comfort food" when it comes to books. The customary foundation, build, and inevitable climax are like a warm bowl of macaroni and cheese. Nothing mind shattering or complex, but absolutely delicious in its simplicity and familiarity. Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. View all my reviews Read this book free with Kindle Unlimited!4/14/2020 0 Comments Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars What starts out as an inspiring story of a girl overcoming her insecurities about weight, who turns a viral situation into an influencer sensation, soon becomes a shocking tragedy that reveals a multitude of secrets and coverups. A revealing social commentary about the realities of social media, Big Summer appealed to me instantly because of my own desires to increase my Instagram following among #bookstagram. I just recently read a book that dealt with a similar topic, albeit a much more annoying influencer, and where that one showed a much uglier side of that life, Big Summer manages to embrace the good while exposing the bad, and really, it does just all come down to balance. Daphne’s life is fraught with heartbreaking middle school experiences, mostly because of her supposed friend, Drue, but even among the cringeworthy stories, there are moments when you can see the good person beneath what the money and privilege has twisted into a nasty façade. The memories she has with her father, of Sunday Dinners, were fun and inspiring. Her friendship with Darshi is real and refreshing. However, the meat of the story is around the tumultuous relationship between Drue and Daphne, their falling out, their reconciliation, and a death that reveals that nothing is ever what it seems. Big Summer is a series of flashbacks, bouncing back and forth from middle school, college, elementary school, Christmases, summer vacations, and can at times be difficult to follow. More than once I would forget that I was reading something that had happened in the past until she’d snap back into the future. Otherwise, the story moves along at a steady pace, picking up about midway where you can’t put it down until the finale. I very much enjoyed Big Summer, it was full of surprises but still had plenty of depth. It was a wonderful harmony of humanity and thrill that can appeal to almost anyone’s tastes in literature. You can recommend this book to all your friends, whether they regularly read crime novels, beach reads, or romances, this book has something for everyone. Thank you to Atria Books for the free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews |
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