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michaelapr's reviews
94 reviews
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This book is not what I expected. I'm not sure what I was expecting specifically but I know I was expecting a fun time based on the title alone. I did not get a fun time. Instead I spent most of it grossed out by not vampire gore specific descriptions and then angry at a bunch of gaslighting men who were honestly worse than our supposed "vampire" (if that's indeed what this guy even was). I definitely do not recommend this book, especially if you are a vampire book fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Dementia
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
I enjoy John Green's fiction - but I think he has really found a home in nonfiction writing. He tells facts and context in a way that makes sense to a layperson and also knows how to center those facts with stories to bring it all home to the reader. I really enjoyed reading this book. It has taught me a lot about tuberculosis and the medical-related injustices around the world, but it also brought me some hope.
Something I really enjoy about John and Hank Green, as well as nerdfighteria in general, is that while humans are very good at destroying things, they are even better at coming together to build communities and solving problems. And that is essentially what this book is about: How people have caused the problem of TB to persist but how people have also successfully fought for those with TB and continue to fight for a world without TB. That brings me some hope in these times where it is really easy for me to despair.
Something I really enjoy about John and Hank Green, as well as nerdfighteria in general, is that while humans are very good at destroying things, they are even better at coming together to build communities and solving problems. And that is essentially what this book is about: How people have caused the problem of TB to persist but how people have also successfully fought for those with TB and continue to fight for a world without TB. That brings me some hope in these times where it is really easy for me to despair.
Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really like the title of this book, it really grabs your attention, but the story itself? Well, it was missing something.
The audiobook has different voice actors for each perspective, which is always a plus for me, and the story itself goes at a pretty steady pace. I enjoyed the mystery itself, I wanted to know what happened but I can't say I enjoyed much of the rest of the story. Mostly I couldn't stand any of the characters - and not in a fun way either. No, I know I was supposed to like them and yet I didn't. Especially Beth, the one I'm pretty sure readers were supposed to be rooting for. Did I feel sorry for Laura and Nicky? Yes. But like any of them? Absolutely not. Then the number of POVs in this book were unnecessary. I don't mind multiple POVs (I actually prefer it most of the time) but why have a POV if you're only going to use it like 3 times? The characters also did a lot of exposition and posturing on death and other themes that for some reason I felt was heavy handed and annoying.
Then the resolution itself to the mystery was incredibly disappointing. I don't know why - possibly because it's such an over done "twist" and it would've been better if a different character had done it instead. It just could've been better, that's all I'm saying.
The audiobook has different voice actors for each perspective, which is always a plus for me, and the story itself goes at a pretty steady pace. I enjoyed the mystery itself, I wanted to know what happened but I can't say I enjoyed much of the rest of the story. Mostly I couldn't stand any of the characters - and not in a fun way either. No, I know I was supposed to like them and yet I didn't. Especially Beth, the one I'm pretty sure readers were supposed to be rooting for. Did I feel sorry for Laura and Nicky? Yes. But like any of them? Absolutely not. Then the number of POVs in this book were unnecessary. I don't mind multiple POVs (I actually prefer it most of the time) but why have a POV if you're only going to use it like 3 times? The characters also did a lot of exposition and posturing on death and other themes that for some reason I felt was heavy handed and annoying.
Then the resolution itself to the mystery was incredibly disappointing. I don't know why - possibly because it's such an over done "twist" and it would've been better if a different character had done it instead. It just could've been better, that's all I'm saying.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So. I read To the Lighthouse. This is one of those books where I feel like I'm just not intellectual enough to get what I'm supposed to get out of it. Or maybe I'm just too American (haha). If I had to write a paper over this book I could - it's about the inner thoughts that are never known within a family, how the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay reflect societal gender roles, or maybe how Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe are foils for each other - the independent, creative woman defying societal norms versus the woman who embraces the societal norms and encourages others to do so.
However, I do not have to write a paper over this book. To me, it's an okay story that's told in stream of consciousness (one of my least favorite things by the way) where not a lot actually happens. It's a day in the life of a family with a mother who everyone loves and a father everyone hates and then turns into more as the story goes on. Frankly the most interesting part of the story is told in the point of view of the house - and it's also the shortest. There were parts with certain characters that I liked, which is why this gets a three stars from me, but I felt like I was missing something in most of the books which is also why it gets a three stars from me.
However, I do not have to write a paper over this book. To me, it's an okay story that's told in stream of consciousness (one of my least favorite things by the way) where not a lot actually happens. It's a day in the life of a family with a mother who everyone loves and a father everyone hates and then turns into more as the story goes on. Frankly the most interesting part of the story is told in the point of view of the house - and it's also the shortest. There were parts with certain characters that I liked, which is why this gets a three stars from me, but I felt like I was missing something in most of the books which is also why it gets a three stars from me.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Edit @ March 29: Honestly though, this book gets such a high rating because there was one thing at the very very end that made me very happy (You can probably guess what it was honestly). In reality this is more of a 3.75 because it was fast paced, had me hooked, but the solution to the case was unsatisfactory and did not tie all of the characters together like I expected would happen. (Also I should not do reviews after midnight, what was I thinking?)
My first Shari Lapena book did not disappoint! An Unwanted Guest was a mystery that kept me hooked and guessing. I did not guess who did it at all! I have a lot of thoughts about this one- you should see the notes I have on this app.
My first Shari Lapena book did not disappoint! An Unwanted Guest was a mystery that kept me hooked and guessing. I did not guess who did it at all! I have a lot of thoughts about this one- you should see the notes I have on this app.
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
A thought provoking memoir drawn with stark drawings about a woman discovering and reflecting on the impact of being a refugee of the Vietnam War even years later as an adult. This provides a perspective that is eye opening to someone who has a very vague, American notion of the Vietnam War. It also shows the effects of trauma and what parents pass down to their children - both purposefully and accidentally - in a way that's straightforward and hits home.
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.0
I honestly don't know how I feel about this short story. I feel like I should like it more than I did.
On one hand, I feel for our dreamer who is struggling to bring himself to make real connections. But on the other hand the dreamer gets lost in his many contemplations in annoying ways, bringing us along with him. On one hand I feel for Nastenka and her situation. On the other she is very flaky and selfish. The end is inevitable, yet feels unsatisfactory.
I have many conflicting feelings. I could be persuaded to increase the rating or decrease it - but for now it's 3 stars.
I have many conflicting feelings. I could be persuaded to increase the rating or decrease it - but for now it's 3 stars.
The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is a lovely, touching telling of the lives of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their friendship. I really enjoyed this story and even got emotional at times. It really shows the importance of creative communities and relationships - something I feel like I'm needing personally. A great read for people who love Lord of the Rings and Narnia and their authors.
Daredevil: Guardian Devil by Kevin Smith
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I always love a Daredevil comic. This is my first audio version of a comicbook and I have to say... I really enjoyed it! The voice actors, the sound effects, all of it made it sound like a radio/podcast production. I will definitely have to try out more like it!