strawberrysky's reviews
234 reviews

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Go to review page

hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.75

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Go to review page

dark tense 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

Ms Bardugo made a dynamic between Darlington and Alex that compelled me TOO much and meant I spent half the book pissed off that he was
in hell
instead of hanging out. The entire ending sequence was tense and had some awesome action, but the onion of twists had one too many layers for me.  That said, the ideas and the heart of this book are very good, and I really did LOVE Alex, Dawes, and Darlington. I will be reading the next book for them. 
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Go to review page

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

4.5

Expected not to like this and instead I read it faster than I've read anything in ages and had fun the entire time. Wanders a little in the middle--disappointing after the breakneck and gripping beginning--but pulls itself back together for an ending that was cleverer and more satisfying than I thought possible. I think people are maybe trying too hard to make this book an especially profound or groundbreaking treatise on racism when it's not really trying to be. Or I don't know, maybe it's trying to be and failing, it does ring a little hollow at times. But what it definitely is is smart and DAMN fun to read. Like watching a video essay on a scandal or reading a salacious Vox article. I'm shocked that it has as broad appeal as it does, since the main thing that's sticking with me was the portrayal of certain aspects of being a writer, and especially being a writer who is friends with other writers. But I guess maybe the ugly fucked up cocktail of emotions isn't as unique as I think it is. 
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

Go to review page

challenging inspiring medium-paced

3.75

Big Meg: The Story of the Largest and Most Mysterious Predator That Ever Lived by Tim Flannery, Emma Flannery

Go to review page

informative fast-paced

3.75

many awesome shark facts
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.5

A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland

Go to review page

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

4.25

A little slow and some aspects worked better than others, but I was pleasantly surprised in a lot of ways! Surprisingly weird, dark, morally grey, elegant, and unique! 
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that changed America by Erik Larson

Go to review page

dark informative medium-paced

4.25

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Go to review page

challenging reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-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? No

4.5