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skudiklier's reviews
602 reviews
Always Human by Ari North
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is such a light lovely comic! There's drama without it being too angsty--for the most part this is just a nice, realistic (in terms of the relationship) look at a sweet new relationship. And the world and its technology is fascinating! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a soft nice wlw romance with no risk of heartbreak <3
Bury the Lede by Gabe Dunn
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really like Gabe Dunn and I've wanted to read this for so long--if I'd known how quick of a read it was I would have read it years ago!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, and Murder
Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
Okay I'm actually obsessed with this book. Wow.
I have anxiety and I related to Gilda a lot while reading it (though she struggles with it way more than I do, and I have a much easier time asking for help). I loved the way this was written, in genuinely every way that could be interpreted. I'm amazed by how relatable and funny this was while also being so dark and existential. I was so drawn in and cared so much about what was going to happen to everyone involved.
Honestly I have absolutely zero complaints about this book. I mean...I wish maybe we'd gotten a glimpse of Eli at the end to see what happened there? But I understand why the author may have wanted to leave some things open-ended, and I'm satisfied with what we did get to see at the end. I can't recommend this book enough.
I have anxiety and I related to Gilda a lot while reading it (though she struggles with it way more than I do, and I have a much easier time asking for help). I loved the way this was written, in genuinely every way that could be interpreted. I'm amazed by how relatable and funny this was while also being so dark and existential. I was so drawn in and cared so much about what was going to happen to everyone involved.
Honestly I have absolutely zero complaints about this book. I mean...I wish maybe we'd gotten a glimpse of Eli at the end to see what happened there? But I understand why the author may have wanted to leave some things open-ended, and I'm satisfied with what we did get to see at the end. I can't recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Car accident
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Infidelity, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Blood, Dementia, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
major cw for dissociation, depression, and anxiety
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
While overall I did enjoy this book, I have to say that there was a decent amount of it that didn't age well. It's almost twenty years old at this point, and I was definitely keeping that in mind while reading it, but there were a couple of parts that really made me cringe. (Not to mention the whole concept of the book--"ordinary" is clearly positioned as a middle class white American's experience, which isn't great for obvious reasons.)
That said, I did like this book. It felt very nice and lovely and reminded me of Jenny Slate's Little Weirds. I appreciated this look into her life, and I'm glad I finally read it.
That said, I did like this book. It felt very nice and lovely and reminded me of Jenny Slate's Little Weirds. I appreciated this look into her life, and I'm glad I finally read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Death
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
Old Babes in the Wood by Margaret Atwood
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
So I know semi recently Atwood was sharing and defending a transphobic article, which was really disappointing to see. I decided to read this anyway, while knowing I was probably going to be more critical of her work in light of that, rather than being inclined to read her more generously. And I do think I would have liked this more if she hadn't done that, because I've liked other works I've read of hers in the past, and used to probably be biased towards thinking whatever she wrote was good.
That said, overall I did like this collection. Some of the stories were more engaging than others, and the one that's just an interview between her and Orwell was by far my least favorite. But I liked both the ones about the "main character" of sorts, though her grief hit a little too close to home at times (for one of them I wrote "fuck. This one is good but I hate it. It would be good to read if. If. I don't want to ever want to read this"), and the ones that were entirely standalone (my favorite was the alien one). I'm not the biggest fan of short story collections in general, if only because it takes me longer to get through them when I'm constantly having to readjust to an entirely new story/world/premise. But overall I did like this book, all things considered.
Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for the chance to read and review this ARC.
That said, overall I did like this collection. Some of the stories were more engaging than others, and the one that's just an interview between her and Orwell was by far my least favorite. But I liked both the ones about the "main character" of sorts, though her grief hit a little too close to home at times (for one of them I wrote "fuck. This one is good but I hate it. It would be good to read if. If. I don't want to ever want to read this"), and the ones that were entirely standalone (my favorite was the alien one). I'm not the biggest fan of short story collections in general, if only because it takes me longer to get through them when I'm constantly having to readjust to an entirely new story/world/premise. But overall I did like this book, all things considered.
Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Antisemitism, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
I don't really know what to make of this book. I liked having a nonbinary character, and the queernorm world in general. The world building was really good and I was invested in the characters and the plot. But the ending felt a bit.....I'm not sure how to describe it. I didn't hate it or anything but I don't feel like a lot was particularly resolved. It felt sudden in some ways. I dunno. I liked the book for the most part and think it was well-written, but I also don't think I'd actively recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide and War
Minor: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
These Violet Delights by Cassandra Wood, CM Writer
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I'm biased because my poems are in here, but I loved this collection--it's a beautiful anthology of queer poets writing about so many aspects of gender and sexuality and homophobia and acceptance and coming out. I knew some of the poems beforehand, but not the majority of them, and it was lovely reading friends and new poems alike. I'd recommend this to queer people who like poetry, and allies of course.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Hate crime, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Pas de Don't by Chloe Angyal
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved this book--I might be biased because I did dance as a child/teenager, and I'm also more familiar with Sydney than with any other place outside the US, so I was able to be like "hey I know that thing!" to a good chunk of the ballet/Australia references in this book. The romance was *so* good, and I really felt like both characters were grounded and realistic, and the conflict didn't feel forced. I was rooting for them the whole way and didn't know exactly how everything was going to turn out. I like the way the more sensitive issues were handled, and genuinely overall I just couldn't put this book down.
I'd really recommend Pas de Don't to romance fans, and I can't wait to read Chloe Angyal's future work! Thank you to Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for the chance to read and review this ARC.
I'd really recommend Pas de Don't to romance fans, and I can't wait to read Chloe Angyal's future work! Thank you to Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Alcohol
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was just as cozy and good and magical the second time around! I reread this because we're reading it for my book club, and I'm so excited to have people to talk about it with, because the first time I read it it hadn't come out yet and I was trying so hard to convince anyone I could to read it. I love this book.
Original review pasted below:
I absolutely adored this book. I mean, really. It's got witches. It's got found family. It's got enemies to lovers. It's got queer grandpas. It's got cute little kids. It's got plot twists. What more could you ask for from a book, honestly.
Also--you know that feeling you get when you're deep into a good story, or maybe you've already finished it, and you find yourself wanting to go back to that world and those characters? You could be doing anything and then suddenly you have this weird urge that maybe you can't place for a minute, until you go, oh, I just want to go back to reading/watching that.
I get that a lot, but in most cases it's not until I'm a good ways into the story, unless I'm rereading a childhood favorite or something like that. What's weird about The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that I started feeling that way almost right from the beginning. I was barely into the book, and still would feel myself drawn to the characters. I didn't have a lot of time to read it at first, so I made my way through the first third the book pretty slowly, and it was surprisingly hard to not just drop everything and read it all so I could stay in the story.
By midway through, I sort of did drop everything to finish it. I couldn't help it. And agh, I just, I loved it so much. I have no idea if the author plans to write sequels, but I hope she does, just because I feel like I could spend so much longer in this world and with these characters, and never have enough.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Original review pasted below:
I absolutely adored this book. I mean, really. It's got witches. It's got found family. It's got enemies to lovers. It's got queer grandpas. It's got cute little kids. It's got plot twists. What more could you ask for from a book, honestly.
Also--you know that feeling you get when you're deep into a good story, or maybe you've already finished it, and you find yourself wanting to go back to that world and those characters? You could be doing anything and then suddenly you have this weird urge that maybe you can't place for a minute, until you go, oh, I just want to go back to reading/watching that.
I get that a lot, but in most cases it's not until I'm a good ways into the story, unless I'm rereading a childhood favorite or something like that. What's weird about The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that I started feeling that way almost right from the beginning. I was barely into the book, and still would feel myself drawn to the characters. I didn't have a lot of time to read it at first, so I made my way through the first third the book pretty slowly, and it was surprisingly hard to not just drop everything and read it all so I could stay in the story.
By midway through, I sort of did drop everything to finish it. I couldn't help it. And agh, I just, I loved it so much. I have no idea if the author plans to write sequels, but I hope she does, just because I feel like I could spend so much longer in this world and with these characters, and never have enough.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder
Sammy Espinoza's Last Review by Tehlor Kay Mejia
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly, for a lot of this book I was just really frustrated by the main character's decisions, and how long she let the lies go on. I knew it would all get resolved at the end, and I understood why she was doing it, but I just couldn't fall for the romance or enjoy the book until she came clean. I didn't see how what she was doing was forgivable, and I knew she'd be forgiven, so I was just frustrated.
In the end I do think it all made sense and the ending was satisfying, but I can't say I loved the book or anything because it didn't really feel that way until the very end. I did like a lot of the other plot lines, with her family and friends, and I think it all turned out better than expected for everyone involved. But--yeah, I can't wholeheartedly recommend a book that was so frustrating for so much of it. Maybe someone who empathizes more with the bad decisions wouldn't have an issue with it, but I found myself yelling at her more often than siding with her, even if I could see where she was coming from.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the chance to read and review this ARC.
In the end I do think it all made sense and the ending was satisfying, but I can't say I loved the book or anything because it didn't really feel that way until the very end. I did like a lot of the other plot lines, with her family and friends, and I think it all turned out better than expected for everyone involved. But--yeah, I can't wholeheartedly recommend a book that was so frustrating for so much of it. Maybe someone who empathizes more with the bad decisions wouldn't have an issue with it, but I found myself yelling at her more often than siding with her, even if I could see where she was coming from.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, and Pregnancy