laedyred's reviews
280 reviews

Rebel Witch: Carve the Craft That's Yours Alone by Kelly-Ann Maddox

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informative fast-paced

4.0

Great introduction to witchcraft for someone that feels out of place when reading other more "formal" sources. Practical approaches and, as the title suggests, alternative ways to think about traditional ideas. 
BioShock: Rapture by John Shirley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Boring, caricature-like characters littered with stereotypes that are supposed to serve as personalities. The "plot" drags with so many unnecessary words that I guess are an attempt at world building. References to the games are just thrown in for the reader to say, "I know that!", nothing more. This is a disappointing, disgraceful depiction of the Bioshock series that destroys the magic. I was tempted to push through just to see how Lamb and Fontaine were involved, but I put the book down for a week and never picked it back up. 
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Finished this one in record time. The romance is cute, it fits the fairy tale setting well.  I noticed a few things that brought it down to 4 stars for me. The characters are mostly flat, in keeping with the fairy tale retelling. The pacing of the book is a bit slow, there is an awful lot of daily activities that probably cut have been cut. The author uses the same set of describing/action words and it feels unintentional. The reveal at the end didn't seem truly earned. All of that being said, I did truly enjoy this one and connect to some of the situations. I had heard that others didn't like this book because of the amount of sexual content but...this is a story about a survivor of SA. And to its credit, the depiction of her mind reflects it. 
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Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

First book had much better pacing. If you make the agreement with yourself to see this book as a soap opera, it's fantastic. If you don't suspend your disbelief, however, there are a few moments that made me roll my eyes a bit. Some characters accept things too easily or provide too much exposition dump, do the "evil villain telling you their plans" bit, some things come out of nowhere and the reader has to just accept them. But I can't argue that I didn't speed through it. I'm looking forward to the next one. 

 
To pay your debts, you had to know who you owed. You had to decide who you were willing to go to war for and who you trusted to jump into the fray for you. That was all there was in this world. No heroes or villains, just the people you'd brave the waves for, and the ones you'd let drown. 
The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente

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funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Slow start but got me hooked. The writing is well crafted, I related with all of the women. It really is a man's world. Don't be refrigerator food.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk

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mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I appreciate the cultural significance of this book. I can see why it was controversial in Poland when it was published. Although the lack of plot or character development does not lend the book to becoming a favorite of mine, the narrative voice is beautiful. The way Janina sees the world is peculiar but insightful. I enjoyed getting into her mind. This book has major discussion value. 


We're living in a world that we fabricate for ourselves. We decide what's good and what isn't, we draw maps of meanings for ourselves... And then we spend our whole lives struggling with what we have invented for ourselves. The problem is that each of us has our own version of it, so people find it hard to understand each other.'
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is weird. Not in the subject matter, but because I don't know if I liked it. Nothing happens, the characters are nasty people, I can't figure out what the lesson was that we are supposed to have learned by the end. But I did finish it quickly, so I guess I did? I feel like I missed something, I can't find profound meaning. Maybe there isn't any. 


There is stability in living in the past. 
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

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emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Backman's writing is tight. He's witty, clever, and a master with observation. I would prefer more "showing" rather than "telling", but that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book. Every character has their moment, there's not a lot fluff. The ending is a bit convenient, but moving nonetheless. Backman's messaging is poignant and offers some original ideas. I really liked it.


He says you end up marrying the one you don't understand. Then you spend the rest of your life trying. 

He was my echo. Everything I do is quieter now.
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

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emotional funny fast-paced

4.0

A bit disjointed between stories, but Trevor is an entertaining writer who makes you feel connected to his home in South Africa. I took a few issues with some problematic things he says about women, but it doesn't sound like he carried these ideas to adulthood. This memoir provided a nice perspective in a world so different from my own. I really enjoyed it.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Douglas Carlton Abrams, Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama XIV

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

The friendship between these two men is incredible. Obviously the ideas explored are valuable and the practices at the end make it feel attainable. I do think, however, that there was a lot of repetition where deeper detail would be more useful. I enjoyed the story, I'm appreciative of their words, but I have to admit I wanted a bit more. I think this problem lies more with the editing. That being said, the "pillars" (as they refer to them) serve as fantastic goals to achieve better for yourself and others.