ashleybythelibrary's reviews
101 reviews

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

The laugh-out-loud moments kept me reading despite my dislike of the frequent use of learnt. Overall, entertaining. 

Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Listening to this audiobook in chaos of the current administration brought a glimmer of hope. 

Number One Fan by Meg Elison

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Elison balances fiction with an extremely plausible scenario. I won't spoil the book, but I will think differently about my fountain pen. 

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Bazterrica created a world that is 100% plausible. It wouldn't take much for us to move from eating cows to humans. 

Housemoms by Jen Lancaster

funny fast-paced

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

5.0

Highly entertaining. Exactly what I needed to read in this political climate. 

Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews

adventurous funny mysterious fast-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

3.0

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

Ina Garten captured the way she sounds across her TV shows and put it in a book. I enjoyed learning more about a woman who is such a presence in Food TV. I will say, though, that so many of the experiences and opportunities Ina worked to get would not be possible today (I mean, traveling in Europe on $5 a day?!). 

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Although Afi grows into a strong person, she was unbelievably naive. Overall, the story was entertaining and kept me hooked, but I wanted more from Afi.

Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family by Hannah Howard

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

3.0

The book description says, "Her plans to embark on motherhood bring her through devastating lows and unimaginable highs." The focus on motherhood took over, which is why I gave the book 3 stars; I wanted a bit more of a food focus. If you're looking for a book that embraces the body, motherhood, and community, give this a listen (or read).