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cowboylikeb's reviews
292 reviews
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This novel is very dark and dreary, a well conceived mystery that jumps right into the shadows and never crawls back out. Satisfying as the twists are, the amount of sadness in this book heavily outweighs its positive plot strides. I really enjoyed it, I just want to emphasize how heavy it is. Trigger warnings should be reviewed, as there's plenty more to be found beyond the suicide mentioned in the book summary. Interesting juxtaposition for a novel with "Bright Ideas" in the title. Darkness aside, it's clever and well developed. A great debut novel.
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
2.0
I put this on audio while doing chores and sped through it. I enjoyed the writing style but that's about it. I was intrigued by the premise, but it failed to deliver. It just ends with no real absolution or hint as to the direction things would go. All 3 characters were lacking any kind of draw so I ultimately ended up not caring. I could tolerate unlikable characters if I'd gotten more drama and a concrete ending. Bummed cuz I was really looking forward to this one, just didn't realize how short it was. Just kind of stopped as soon as things were coming to a head.
The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
2.5
I was just... so bored. I feel like nothing happened even though I'm quite aware plenty happened, especially at the end. Sorry to who recommended this to me, I just couldn't get into it.
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Barn 8 by Deb Olin Unferth
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Excrement, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan, Rachel Cohn
5.0
I wish books like this had existed when I was a teen. I didn't expect the end, it snuck up on me and I'm almost desperate to continue with the series, but I've got some other things to read first. Sigh. I shall return to thee, Dash & Lily! Maybe around Christmas... 🤔
Also I adore that Dash & Lily exist within the Nick & Norah universe. I nearly squealed at the mention of Fistfull of Assholes and Azrael.
Also I adore that Dash & Lily exist within the Nick & Norah universe. I nearly squealed at the mention of Fistfull of Assholes and Azrael.