lifepluspreston's reviews
736 reviews

The New India by Rahul Bhatia--This book gives a clear, frightening look at India as it exists today. Bhatia was interested in documenting why India rose and then began to fall as a democracy. In doing so, he constructs a character-driven portrait of autocracy and nationalism on the rise with Indian institutions subsumed in the pursuit of a single unifying identity for the country. It's a very good narrative look at modern day India. Thumbs up.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore--With a scope that's simultaneously minute and sweeping, this book tells the story of a girl who vanishes from her summer camp in upstate New York. The drama unfolds over decades through shifting perspectives, remaining satisfying the whole time. This was a really good first thriller of the year. Thumbs up.

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue--Slow burn romance is generally not my thing. But this book contains multitudes. It begins with a woman lashing out against her colleagues and dealing with the machinations of a soulless HR department. It ends with some truly funny moments, satire of bullshit jobs everywhere, and a keen look at some serious ideas. I don't love or even like the protagonist, but the book does a great job of contemplating loneliness and depression in a relatable way. Thumbs up.

Dead In Long Beach, California by Venita Blackburn--I was not sold on the idea of this book initially. As I got further in, however, the story was at turns poignant, then hilarious, then deep. With one foot in the past and one foot in the future, Blackburn turns a real wallowing in grief into something greater, and the end result is a book that's fundamentally weird but delightful. Thumbs up.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo--I am somewhat uncertain why I came back to the well. I know this book came recommended by some, but it really is not up my alley. However, I tried this, didn't love it. More than just the genre itself, Bardugo juggles a growing cast of characters poorly. The protagonist is fleshed out, but everyone else has an agenda or ambition that only exists through her own existence. The world, then, is narrow and cramped, without much room to explore. Sideways thumb.

Be Ready When The Luck Happens by Ina Garten--Charming and intimate, this book follows the Barefoot Contessa in her own words from the start of her career to the modern day. The book is interspersed with recipes, anecdotes, and pictures that color the rich story. Much like her popular show, this book felt like the reader is invited to pull up a chair and participate in the story. It's casual, it's frank, it's wholesome. Thumbs up.

The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk--Inviting to begin, this book follows a young man sent to recover from tuberculosis in the mountains. He gets more than he bargained for in this folk horror story. The dread unfolds in a matter of fact way. Mysterious happenings are laid bare on the page, and the cycle continues. It's almost chilling because of its banality. Thumbs up.

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics by James Kakalios--Charming and informative, this book explores quantum mechanics through the framing of comics written contemporaneously with some of the biggest scientific discoveries of the twentieth century. This framing device works well, as Kakalios can dive into what's wrong--and surprisingly, what's right--about the pseudoscience that underpins the origins of heroes and villains both renowned and obscure. The explanations are delightful and down-to-earth, and Kakalios goes out of his way to connect dots and show how our understanding of quantum mechanics has led to everyday improvements in our lives. Thumbs up.

Coup De Grâce by Sofia Ajram--This book is probably best described as a mediation on suicidal ideation and depression. It cuts deep, down to the individual words used, and is powerful as a piece of experimental horror. Thumbs up.

Private Revolutions by Yuan Yang--Filled with optimism and pain, this book explores the lives of four women in modern China. Profiling an entrepreneur, a labor activist, a factory worker, and a professional, Yang details the substantial roadblocks facing women in China today. The book is insightful, drawing from years of on the ground experience. Thumbs up.