Scan barcode
ivi_reads_books's reviews
298 reviews
All's Well by Mona Awad
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book completely surprised me!
Confession: I've never read a horror book before - mostly because I'm a scardy cat and thought it would be all gore. It's not! Instead, this book is weird in the best possible way.
The story follows a theater professor whose life is falling apart - her students hate the Shakespeare play she's directing (All's Well That Ends Well), and she's living with excruciating back and leg pain after a devastating fall during her acting career.
At first, I thought this was a deep dive into the bio-psycho-social approach to chronic pain and the mind-body connection. And then... things got wild. I won't spoil it, but let's just say this book takes a turn you won't see coming. If you're into dark, twisty reads with a touch of the bizarre, this one's for you!
Confession: I've never read a horror book before - mostly because I'm a scardy cat and thought it would be all gore. It's not! Instead, this book is weird in the best possible way.
The story follows a theater professor whose life is falling apart - her students hate the Shakespeare play she's directing (All's Well That Ends Well), and she's living with excruciating back and leg pain after a devastating fall during her acting career.
At first, I thought this was a deep dive into the bio-psycho-social approach to chronic pain and the mind-body connection. And then... things got wild. I won't spoil it, but let's just say this book takes a turn you won't see coming. If you're into dark, twisty reads with a touch of the bizarre, this one's for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
Feel It All: A Therapist's Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship with Sex by Casey Tanner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
The book is largely about trauma and oppression. It's also more memoir than I thought it would be. The focus is mostly on negative things instead of the positives
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
The book features fantastic queer and disability representation, including characters who are deaf and others with various challenges.
While I loved the bold premise and inclusivity, I do wish the pacing had been a little faster
adventurous
emotional
slow-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? No
3.5
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner is the first in a multi-POV fantasy trilogy that flips the script: humans are killing gods, destroying their symbols and shrines. An intriguing twist? The twist? Gods can’t exist without human belief.
The female main character, Kissen, is a fierce fighter navigating life after losing a leg and using a prosthesis. Fun fact: her name means pillow in German, but there’s absolutely nothing pillowy about her!
The book features fantastic queer and disability representation, including characters who are deaf and others with various challenges.
While I loved the bold premise and inclusivity, I do wish the pacing had been a little faster
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Murder
Your Pasta Sucks: A "Cookbook" by Matteo Lane, J J Goode
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
This book is so Matteo! It’s essentially a recipe (pun intended!) for what brings him joy and highlights what matters most in his life.
The no-fuss recipes are sprinkled with delightful stories about his Italian-American family and his travels to Italy, all delivered in the comedic style his fans know and love.
I would’ve loved to see more vegetarian recipes, though I wasn’t really expecting them. :)
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital review copy!
Season of the Swamp: A Novel by Yuri Herrera
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Season of the Swamp offers a glimpse into immigrant life in 1800s New Orleans, capturing the atmosphere of the time with a slice-of-life approach.
However, at 160 pages, the book felt too short to fully develop its many characters. While the setting was evocative, I struggled to connect with the cast since we didn’t get to know them in depth.
Also, what’s up with the changing font? It felt distracting and pulled me out of the story rather than enhancing it.
Overall, an interesting concept that could have benefited from more pages to deepen the narrative and characters.
However, at 160 pages, the book felt too short to fully develop its many characters. While the setting was evocative, I struggled to connect with the cast since we didn’t get to know them in depth.
Also, what’s up with the changing font? It felt distracting and pulled me out of the story rather than enhancing it.
Overall, an interesting concept that could have benefited from more pages to deepen the narrative and characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Chloe Flavor: Saucy, Crispy, Spicy, Vegan: A Cookbook by Chloe Coscarelli
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Please Read This Leaflet Carefully: Keep This Leaflet. You May Need to Read It Again. by Karen Havelin
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
An isolated main character living with an invisible chronic illness, a story centered entirely on her, and a narrative told in reverse—it all perfectly underscores her emotional shutdown and sense of isolation.
This book delves into the struggles of living with a chronic, invisible illness—one that lacks widespread medical understanding or reliable treatment. The protagonist, a thirty-something Norwegian woman, lives in NYC, recently separated from her husband, juggling co-parenting, work, and an endless cycle of health care appointments. Her diagnosis of endometriosis leaves her without the support she needs, amplifying her loneliness.
Told in reverse, the story ends with her teenage years, when she first received her diagnosis. The focus on her perspective intensifies the sense of isolation, allowing the reader to deeply connect with her experience.
As a fellow European living in the US, I resonated with the questions from friends and family back home: “What’s it like dealing with the US health care system?” usually followed by “Why don’t you just move back to where it’s all taken care of?”
One side note: this woman lives in NYC, and not once does the book mention rent. That’s how utterly drained the protagonist is—she doesn’t even have the energy to complain about rent.
A thought-provoking read, especially for those interested in stories about resilience, isolation, and navigating life with endometriosis.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“The Delaney family love one another dearly – it’s just that sometimes they want to murder one another…”
This line perfectly captures the essence of the book. The family members are deeply intertwined in each other’s lives, yet they yearn for the freedom to make their own choices without facing judgment.
The story also explores the dynamics of what happens when one family member finally gets the care and recognition they’ve always craved—leading to jealousy and territorial behavior.
The mystery element was masterfully crafted, keeping me engaged and eager to guess what really happened to the mother.
There’s also some chronic illness representation: one of the daughters suffers from migraines that began in childhood. In a family of high-achieving tennis players, this wasn’t handled well, adding a layer of complexity to the story.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys exploring sibling dynamics and solving a mystery that won’t leave you sleeping with the lights on.
Caroline Lee narrated the story perfectly. If you like an Australian accent, go listen to the audio books.
This line perfectly captures the essence of the book. The family members are deeply intertwined in each other’s lives, yet they yearn for the freedom to make their own choices without facing judgment.
The story also explores the dynamics of what happens when one family member finally gets the care and recognition they’ve always craved—leading to jealousy and territorial behavior.
The mystery element was masterfully crafted, keeping me engaged and eager to guess what really happened to the mother.
There’s also some chronic illness representation: one of the daughters suffers from migraines that began in childhood. In a family of high-achieving tennis players, this wasn’t handled well, adding a layer of complexity to the story.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys exploring sibling dynamics and solving a mystery that won’t leave you sleeping with the lights on.
Caroline Lee narrated the story perfectly. If you like an Australian accent, go listen to the audio books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Chronic illness, Kidnapping, and Murder
Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski
Emily Nagoski writes as she speaks. If you’re unsure if her conversational writing style is for you, read a sample of the book or listen to one of her interviews.
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Emily Nagoski’s Come Together is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of intimacy, pleasure, and arousal—especially for those for whom the “normal” approach to intimacy doesn’t quite work.
This book is a well-rounded guide that opens up a safe, inviting space for readers to explore what truly works for them. Nagoski uses a unique metaphor of rooms in a house to illustrate her ideas. Instead of traditional rooms like the hallway, kitchen, or bedroom, she introduces “care,” “lust,” “rage,” and “fear” as rooms. She explains that we can reach one emotional state (or “room”) only by passing through an adjacent room and opening a door, with each person’s “floor plan” being unique.
With practical tips and exercises, she guides readers toward a space where exploration and pleasure feel possible, even joyful.
Emily Nagoski writes as she speaks. If you’re unsure if her conversational writing style is for you, read a sample of the book or listen to one of her interviews.
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25