acciodogs's reviews
30 reviews

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

2.5

For a short novel, there’s a lot of characters to keep track of…Between Esther’s family, the funeral ladies (and their daughters), and Cooper’s perspective and family, I had to stop way too many times to get my mind straight. 

I didn’t hate the story, but I didn’t love (and don’t remember the blurb mentioning) the religious theming or constant Catholicism references throughout. 

The story felt rushed, though I can’t say I’d love to spend more time with any of these characters.

So much talk about Esther being scammed…with little closure that felt satisfying. 

A lot of it felt preachy and privileged, but also like they were trying to be your cool aunt with how much drinking was in this story. If the sun was up, they were drinking beers. I did however appreciate the Hamm’s name drop. 

I loved the small town feel, the community aspect, the funeral ladies cook book and the lake setting. I just think this book would do with a better description, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up if it had.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Death of parent

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

You know those books you read and you know a few chapters in it’s probably a 5 ⭐️ read for you? That’s what this was for me! Maybe it’s because my expectations were already somewhat low (I’d already read the Seven Year Slip, which seems to be the favorite)  so if I’m being honest this probably leans more towards a 4 star, but I just was a sucker for the humor, the references, the book shout outs, and the overall vibe of the book. A ghostwriter dating a ghost? That only she can see and talk to? Yes please! 

(Okay let’s just forget how much “zoom zoom juice” is written in this book. Because once was too many.)

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.0

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Murder

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Convenience Store Woman is a short, weird, thought provoking novel! I’ve definitely felt like Keiko at times, her convenient store is like a security blanket. She’s good at her job, she knows what’s expected of her, and what to expect of others. 

I read this book on Mychal the Librarian’s recommendation! 

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is just fun. I had such a good time reading it!
 
I was skeptical at the length (after all, the premise didn’t seem to need a book too much beyond 300ish pages, yknow?) but I didn’t even mind because any “lulls” in the plot were filled with fun banter by diverse and hilarious characters. I actually found my self laughing out loud. 

This is my first read by this author and I am absolutely picking up the rest of her books. I loved Jane and August, her witty roommates, the Queen next door, Noodle the Poodle, the mystery of Jane, August’s relationship with her mom. It’s a fantastically fleshed out, found-family story that I haven’t stopped thinking about days later. 

There’s a perfect description in the acknowledgments… if “a lesbian time travel subway romcom” sounds intriguing to you, then you must pick up One Last Stop! 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

emotional funny 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? Yes

2.0

I pushed through this one! I wanted  to DNF, but always felt like I had read too much and it wasn’t too long anyway. 
I didn’t care for the super specific LA/California setting, the “twist” wasn’t exciting enough to slog through the first half, the characters were meh. Maybe the author just isn’t for me, but I wish I put this one down when I was thinking about it 50 pages in. 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.5

This book was beautifully written. I especially loved the Appalachian Kentucky scenery, the inside look at the Pack Horse Library Project, and the inspiration from the Blue Fugates.

Getting a glimpse of the characters lives and the different families along Cussy Mary’s library route are probably my favorite part! I also loved her connection to her mule, Junia. 

My only complaint was the pacing was a little weird and the ending felt rushed. 

If you love Appalachian history, library or book history in America, or just historical fiction in general, you’ll probably like this book! I definitely plan on picking up the sequel. 

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0