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bethreadsandnaps's reviews
2695 reviews
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
3.75
3.75
In this dual perspective narrative, Scarlett is a professor and murderer of men on her college campus. As the novel opens, she finds her latest prospect: one of her students.
The other perspective is Carly, a freshman on campus. When Carly's roommate Allison is assaulted at a party, Carly is intent on holding the assailant accountable.
The reader wonders how these two perspectives will intersect, and I really liked getting to that part.
The plot got a little zany toward the end, and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit with some repetitive themes, but I did like the first part of the story quite a bit.
I really liked this author's latest book THE FAVORITES, and that one is not a thriller.
In this dual perspective narrative, Scarlett is a professor and murderer of men on her college campus. As the novel opens, she finds her latest prospect: one of her students.
The other perspective is Carly, a freshman on campus. When Carly's roommate Allison is assaulted at a party, Carly is intent on holding the assailant accountable.
The reader wonders how these two perspectives will intersect, and I really liked getting to that part.
The plot got a little zany toward the end, and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit with some repetitive themes, but I did like the first part of the story quite a bit.
I really liked this author's latest book THE FAVORITES, and that one is not a thriller.
Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
CROW TALK by Eileen Garvin started out strong for me but had some pacing issues that ended up lowering its rating for me. Frankie has moved back home on a lake near Mount Adams to complete her thesis on spotted owls.
There she meets Aiden, who is the young son of Anne, an Irish woman, and local heartthrob Tom. Aiden has been displaying signs of a disability, and Frankie is one of the few who can relate to him, as she has a knack for understanding more subtle communication, particularly in animals like crows and spotted owls.
I liked how communication and understanding were themes in this book. Not just the communication between the animals, but the communication among humans (like Frankie and her mother, Anne and Tom) and between humans and animals.
I felt at about 25% I needed some forward momentum. There seemed to be some pacing problems, particularly the middle, where it felt bogged down, and then things, even things that I didn’t think were “big” things, got giant bows at the end. I would have liked certain things sped up, like Frankie and Anne’s friendship, and then it would have felt more “earned.”
I really enjoyed learning more about crows, and the 1990s Pacific Northwest was an incredible setting. Garvin definitely has some Mary Oliver influence in her writing, which I appreciated, but I'm glad this novel wasn't exclusively nature writing.
3.75
CROW TALK by Eileen Garvin started out strong for me but had some pacing issues that ended up lowering its rating for me. Frankie has moved back home on a lake near Mount Adams to complete her thesis on spotted owls.
There she meets Aiden, who is the young son of Anne, an Irish woman, and local heartthrob Tom. Aiden has been displaying signs of a disability, and Frankie is one of the few who can relate to him, as she has a knack for understanding more subtle communication, particularly in animals like crows and spotted owls.
I liked how communication and understanding were themes in this book. Not just the communication between the animals, but the communication among humans (like Frankie and her mother, Anne and Tom) and between humans and animals.
I felt at about 25% I needed some forward momentum. There seemed to be some pacing problems, particularly the middle, where it felt bogged down, and then things, even things that I didn’t think were “big” things, got giant bows at the end. I would have liked certain things sped up, like Frankie and Anne’s friendship, and then it would have felt more “earned.”
I really enjoyed learning more about crows, and the 1990s Pacific Northwest was an incredible setting. Garvin definitely has some Mary Oliver influence in her writing, which I appreciated, but I'm glad this novel wasn't exclusively nature writing.
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
4.0
In HELL OF A BOOK by Jason Mott, the unnamed narrator is on a publishing tour of his book. The narrator has experienced a lot of trauma, and he's going through a lot of mental anguish throughout the tour. This book gives an honest look at the Black experience, and I always like to read own voices in this area. I always feel like I learn and internalize more with each book like this.
The narrative is also interspersed by what I believe are chapters from the unnamed narrator's book with a main character of a boy named Soot. I felt more grounded by these chapters because I could understand the story better. The unnamed narrator's chapters were sometimes a bit ethereal because he would conjure characters to interact with, like Nicolas Cage. I'm not the best with reading non-literal scenes, but, again, the narrator is going through some stuff so it makes sense with the character the author created, just not my literal brain. I couldn't always tell what actually happened versus what was only in the narrator's mind. I suppose it doesn't really matter except in my tiny brain.
This is a unique novel that is difficult to classify into a specific genre. I genuinely liked its uniqueness even though I'm not sure I comprehended it to the extent the author wanted me to. I did feel like I came away understanding a bit more about the Black experience, especially as it relates to policing and the related trauma, which had to be at least part of the author's purpose in writing this.
The narrative is also interspersed by what I believe are chapters from the unnamed narrator's book with a main character of a boy named Soot. I felt more grounded by these chapters because I could understand the story better. The unnamed narrator's chapters were sometimes a bit ethereal because he would conjure characters to interact with, like Nicolas Cage. I'm not the best with reading non-literal scenes, but, again, the narrator is going through some stuff so it makes sense with the character the author created, just not my literal brain. I couldn't always tell what actually happened versus what was only in the narrator's mind. I suppose it doesn't really matter except in my tiny brain.
This is a unique novel that is difficult to classify into a specific genre. I genuinely liked its uniqueness even though I'm not sure I comprehended it to the extent the author wanted me to. I did feel like I came away understanding a bit more about the Black experience, especially as it relates to policing and the related trauma, which had to be at least part of the author's purpose in writing this.
Other People We Married by Emma Straub
3.5
3.5 ⭐️
Most of these stories involve young-ish people (20s and 30s) trying to figure things out, so there is a new adult, disgruntled feel that goes along with many of these stories. I can see that not resonating with a segment of readers.
Orient Point, which was one of the shorter stories, was my favorite in this collection.
There was also a character that I believe showed up in three of the stories, once at college age, once after having had a baby, and then when the child was going off to camp. I liked following the character.
Like many short story collections, some stories didn’t land for me and felt long (even though they weren’t). So I think a middling rating is justified.
Most of these stories involve young-ish people (20s and 30s) trying to figure things out, so there is a new adult, disgruntled feel that goes along with many of these stories. I can see that not resonating with a segment of readers.
Orient Point, which was one of the shorter stories, was my favorite in this collection.
There was also a character that I believe showed up in three of the stories, once at college age, once after having had a baby, and then when the child was going off to camp. I liked following the character.
Like many short story collections, some stories didn’t land for me and felt long (even though they weren’t). So I think a middling rating is justified.
Finding Tessa by Jaime Lynn Hendricks
3.0
I felt that this novel was very okay. Okay writing, okay plot, okay characters, okay length.
I would call this domestic suspense and not quite a thriller, as I wasn't on the edge of my seat.
Short plot synopsis: The novel opens with Jace finding that his wife is missing, with some blood and glass around. Detectives immediately pounce on him, and he makes some early mistakes in public relations that make everyone against him. Then we switch to Tessa's perspective, and the reader knows she's alive and follows her. Is Jace at fault or is there more to the story?
I suppose my okay-ness with this novel is that this felt like a very putdownable GONE GIRL knockoff, and I expected more.
I would call this domestic suspense and not quite a thriller, as I wasn't on the edge of my seat.
Short plot synopsis: The novel opens with Jace finding that his wife is missing, with some blood and glass around. Detectives immediately pounce on him, and he makes some early mistakes in public relations that make everyone against him. Then we switch to Tessa's perspective, and the reader knows she's alive and follows her. Is Jace at fault or is there more to the story?
I suppose my okay-ness with this novel is that this felt like a very putdownable GONE GIRL knockoff, and I expected more.
The Doll's House by Lisa Unger
3.0
I really enjoyed the beginning of this short story. Jules and her daughter Scout are moving into Jules’ boyfriend’s creepy, huge family home. Jules’ husband Doug had killed himself somewhat recently, so Scout is justifiably skeptical along with being a sullen teen.
Scout finds her mom’s fiancé Kirin’s sister’s doll. That sets the second half of the story. I wasn’t as fond of the second half. It felt rushed and didn’t match the immersiveness of the first half.
Scout finds her mom’s fiancé Kirin’s sister’s doll. That sets the second half of the story. I wasn’t as fond of the second half. It felt rushed and didn’t match the immersiveness of the first half.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
4.0
I was so impressed with Tananarive Due's most recent novel THE REFORMATORY that I wanted to put some of her backlist on my TBR.
In this novel THE GOOD HOUSE, Angela visits her grandmother's house and land in 2001, and a tragedy occurs involving her son Corey. In 2003 she is called back by the caretaker to the small town of Sacajawea, Washington, and there she confronts the tragedy and her family's past.
This novel definitely has some spooky vibes, and I enjoyed the Washington setting. The author actually mentions a specific hotel in Kelso that I stayed in for three weeks, so that was an interesting coincidence. I really appreciated how the author incorporated the racial elements, particularly at the beginning. It felt like it was written during or after 2020, but I was surprised to find that it was written almost 20 years prior.
I didn't end up enjoying this one quite as much as THE REFORMATORY, but then you have to take into account that the author has honed her craft for 20 years after THE GOOD HOUSE. Still, this was a very good read for spooky season, and I recommend it.
In this novel THE GOOD HOUSE, Angela visits her grandmother's house and land in 2001, and a tragedy occurs involving her son Corey. In 2003 she is called back by the caretaker to the small town of Sacajawea, Washington, and there she confronts the tragedy and her family's past.
This novel definitely has some spooky vibes, and I enjoyed the Washington setting. The author actually mentions a specific hotel in Kelso that I stayed in for three weeks, so that was an interesting coincidence. I really appreciated how the author incorporated the racial elements, particularly at the beginning. It felt like it was written during or after 2020, but I was surprised to find that it was written almost 20 years prior.
I didn't end up enjoying this one quite as much as THE REFORMATORY, but then you have to take into account that the author has honed her craft for 20 years after THE GOOD HOUSE. Still, this was a very good read for spooky season, and I recommend it.
We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin
3.75
3.75 ⭐️
I don’t usually include trigger warnings in my reviews, but I’m starting off my review with a warning (and there is also a warning in the novel). Emily Austin’s WE COULD BE RATS, publishing January 28, 2025, features suicidal “sad girl” Sigrid. Sigrid writes about twenty different drafts of her suicide note in the first 60% of the book. This can be tough on a reader, and even I (who is not usually affected by triggers) felt a bit worn out by Sigrid’s repetition and wallowing.
However, Part 2 changes perspectives, and I wholeheartedly appreciated this change. And Part 3 had a more traditional narrative structure. So I think if a reader can make it through the first part, then it will be smooth sailing.
Sigrid can be a bit much to take, but she’s suffering. I just wanted to take her to the doctor and get her on a good antidepressant. I also liked the second and third parts because Sigrid had more interaction with others, including her sister Margit. As an only child, I really like stories that feature sibling relationships.
A minor quibble is that the novel discusses a local mayoral election, which I thought happened in early November, but occurred sometime after Christmas in this novel.
I did like this one, particularly the back half.
Wolf at the Table by Adam Rapp
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
I was immediately taken in by Rapp’s writing. This slow burn novel starts in 1951 when 13 year old Myra is having some time to herself reading Catcher in the Rye at her favorite diner because, as the oldest, she has to help her Catholic mom out with the younger five. Mickey Mantle, or a young man impersonating him, approached her. Later that night a couple in town was murdered at their home.
This story is a multi-generational saga with multiple points of view, spanning almost 60 years. I was so taken with the storytelling and characters that I could barely put it down.
The author sensitively approaches topics such as intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and the genetic link. While Myra’s storyline seems to take up the most space, I appreciated learning more about Alec and Fiona. Fiona was particularly colorful. I had wanted to know more about Lexy and Joan, but unfortunately not a lot of pages were devoted to them.
I found that this novel felt like Hello Beautiful with some All the Colors of the Dark.
I really need to read more from Adam Rapp!
I was immediately taken in by Rapp’s writing. This slow burn novel starts in 1951 when 13 year old Myra is having some time to herself reading Catcher in the Rye at her favorite diner because, as the oldest, she has to help her Catholic mom out with the younger five. Mickey Mantle, or a young man impersonating him, approached her. Later that night a couple in town was murdered at their home.
This story is a multi-generational saga with multiple points of view, spanning almost 60 years. I was so taken with the storytelling and characters that I could barely put it down.
The author sensitively approaches topics such as intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and the genetic link. While Myra’s storyline seems to take up the most space, I appreciated learning more about Alec and Fiona. Fiona was particularly colorful. I had wanted to know more about Lexy and Joan, but unfortunately not a lot of pages were devoted to them.
I found that this novel felt like Hello Beautiful with some All the Colors of the Dark.
I really need to read more from Adam Rapp!
The Night in Question: A Novel by Susan Fletcher
3.0
I enjoyed the content but not really the writing style. It was a bit too lyrical, meandering for my taste. If this was written in a more straight-forward and concise way, I probably would have liked it a lot more.