banana_hutch's reviews
370 reviews

The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror by Tori Bovalino

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I really struggle with short stories as a rule, which I knew coming into this one. But the promise of a spooky little collection intrigued me! I also don't consume a lot of horror, so I thought this would be a good way to get a taste without getting too invested or emotional about it. And I was right. Some of the stories were phenomenal, others were fine. None of them were terrible. I don't regret reading this collection and if you like short fiction and/or horror, you should try this one out! I did love the diversity of characters and settings.
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Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

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adventurous dark funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

What a charming little romance this turned out to be. I absolutely loved Shesheshen's internal monologue as she discovers and learns and loves and devours. I love how she and Homily complement each other but also recognize the weaknesses and insecurities of the other. I love that this book is about a literal shapeshifting monster. This was so fun and you should read it.
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Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

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adventurous dark funny inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

My first thought upon closing this book was, "God, I would love to see this as a screen adaptation."

This book is really fun. Gav wakes up in a destroyed evil wizard lair with no memories, only to realize that he is the evil wizard. He also seems to be embroiled in a very villainous plot that involves a kidnapped princess and 3 other very evil wizards. It's a story of self-discovery, survival, reinvention, regret, and change. It's utterly madcap, zany, touching, and funny.
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Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt

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

3.5

I picked this up on a whim at the bookstore, knowing nothing about it except what was on the back cover. I ended up liking it and am glad I read it. Felt a little forced at times, but I love to read a story about maligned women doing what's right and main characters who aren't always meant to be rooted for.
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Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

3.75

I love Kevin Wilson's books. I think at this point I've read them all and though this one has been the weakest (at least for me), I still really enjoyed it.
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Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Queer detective in the 1950s? Yes please!
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Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown

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adventurous dark lighthearted fast-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

4.25

What a fun adventure this one was. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did and I'm so glad my gut was wrong. This one had heart, grit, violence, romance, surprises, and more.
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Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente

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Did not finish book.
I so badly wanted to get into this book. It came highly recommended but I just couldn't do it. The writing is beautiful, it just wasn't for me.
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

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hopeful inspiring reflective tense

3.5

Red China Blues: My Long March from Mao to Now by Jan Wong

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dark emotional funny informative sad tense fast-paced

4.25

I love reading memoirs from Mao's China. And I found this one especially fascinating because it wasn't the typical perspective I've come to expect from them. Jan is Chinese-Canadian and was one of just two Overseas Chinese to be allowed to study at Beijing University during the Cultural Revolution. This is the story of her slow disillusionment with Mao. But because of her heritage she is often able to blend as a native-born Chinese and it grants her access to things most overseas people would not have seen.

This memoir covers the final years of Mao's life and of the Cultural Revolution, as well as when Jan returns to China as a journalist - in the late 80s, as the Chinese test the waters of capitalism and the Tiananmen Square massacre occurs.

There is SO much in this book.
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