Jessica
For almost all of these stories, I would have read a whole book about the characters. That said, probably would have enjoyed it more if I had spaced out reading the stories over a much much longer period of time. The women are not so much difficult as they are damaged, often trying (and utterly failing) to transmogrify themselves into some sort of resilient survivor when in truth they are drowning. Serious content warnings for physical and sexual abuse and assault, pregnancy loss, death of a child.
Will probably think about it a lot. The nature of prayer. The gulf between those who pray and those who don't. The random blessings that are bestowed upon us by virtue of nothing more than the place of our birth. Beautifully written, but... Only 4 stars because I grew less and less invested in Nadia and Saeed as the story progressed and just contented myself more and more with the philosophical ruminations. Which is fine, but not what I was hoping for.
Deeply resourced and dense. Should be required reading for absolutely every white American. I consider myself relatively knowledgeable, but, my god, the depth, pervasiveness, and RELENTLESSNESS of white rage and its effects in this country is overwhelming. Will 100% need to read again in order to absorb it all.
Chomped through that like a stone eater. Very stressed about the imminent conflict. On to #3.
Really, really, really good. So good. So personal and raw and real. But also, so much of it is universal and resonant. Absolutely everyone should read it. Everyone.
“I was a mess and then I grew up and away from that terrible day and became a different kind of mess—a woman doing the best she can to love well and be loved well, to live well and be human and good. I am as healed as I am ever going to be. I have accepted that I will never be the girl I could have been if, if, if. I am still haunted. I still have flashbacks that are triggered by the most unexpected things.”
A comprehensive history of feminism told through the lens of single women. Might have rated higher had I read it more closely to the time of publication, but it did not really resonate in the current political climate.
A delicious little snack. Not sure why my brain is just seeing things as Netflix mini series rn. But 100% could see this ZQ as Tony Valdez. Not terribly fleshed out, but will def try the next two and see if Scalzi does any additional world-building there. :)
Lots of unexamined misogyny here. Uber quick. Some stories were cuter, but none were really gripping. I guess I just miss Rocky. iykyk.
While I was engaged with the story pretty quickly. I was not really moved much until almost ½-way through. Then I was. Extremely compelling. People are flawed. They are broken. But love them anyway. Give people you love the benefit of the doubt. And tell them you love them. And hold tight to that love.
Nice, quick bit of background for [b:Lock In 21418013 Lock In (Lock In, #1) John Scalzi https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438701397l/21418013.SY75.jpg 26115712]. Much like the movie Contagion, the beginning hits a little close to home obviously. But shows just how deeply thought it was. [a:John Scalzi 4763 John Scalzi https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg] writes science fiction like a great mystery/noir.
Nice little psychological thriller. This one really feels like it was just published a little too early to get on the Netflix limited series bandwagon. But I may be biased because I just really love Natalie Haynes's writing.
Started reading this on Feb 12.
My dad died Feb 18. So I had to put it aside.
I tentatively reached out to my estranged sister Feb 26.
Picked the book back up March 8....
To say this hit close to home is the understatement of the century.
“For anybody who could use a break.” the dedication reads. And it is just that. A cozy cup of tea and reassurance that you do not always need to be productive or useful in order to deserve contentment. I feel like this silly, sweet parable will stick with me.
Just didn't really resonate with me. Also, How does she know she doesn't return home?? She 100% could have... She kind of makes that point 1000 times.
“She knew now that it didn't work that way, that the things you did or failed to do could not be erased by anything, not even love.
But still, they tried. The trying would be the life's work, they both understood this, and there would be no day when they would celebrate a resolution.”
It was ok. I got it mostly because of the cast and the Dolby Audio (wanted to see what that was all about). But really it was pretty pedestrian. And the voice acting was way overdone. Too much effort to make all the voices different so they would be easily discernible ended up sending them all into kitch which was distracting. And the ‘twist' at the end was just not anything satisfying. It just was. Oh well.
A solid follow-up. Think I will wait a bit to read 3 and 4. This one was bleaker. The end gave me a little bit of the ick. I find middle books are often the weakest link in a series, so it won't deter me from reading the next one(s).
Long. Had really high hopes. Some nice additions to the traditional story, but somehow never became emotionally invested in any of the characters. Not sure why.
A fun lil thriller. First time reading any Cinematic Universe (of any kind) novel. It was fun. More likely to read another Lisa Jewell than another MCU book, but it was a good little story.
Reads like a fairytale. Seems like it could be a start to an interesting series, but didn't really grip me as a stand-alone. Somehow never really engaged with the characters the way I would have wanted to. That say, it was a nice introduction to a mythology I was previously unfamiliar with. Would definitely give a sequel a read.
I am usually the master at untwisting mysteries. This one eluded me. But very tight and satisfying. No gimmicks. Just a very, very, well-told story.
Laugh out loud funny. Almost a 4.5 (round to 5) but not quite for me. Definitely could see this as a miniseries. Not sure why I always mention that, but it has something to do with how clearly the author paints things. 100% recommend for anyone who has ever been heartbroken and needs a laugh at the same time.