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bethreadsandnaps's reviews
2673 reviews
The River Is Waiting: A Novel by Wally Lamb
4.0
4 ⭐️
THE RIVER IS WAITING by Wally Lamb
Corby is married to the love of his life and has healthy toddler boy/girl twins. Sure, he’s had some bad luck in the job market, but that can be overcome, right? Until he decides to take comfort in alcohol and pills, and an ensuing tragedy ends up changing the trajectory of his life.
If you enjoy the podcast Ear Hustle, I think you might really like this novel. The author Wally Lamb does a lot of work in prisons, and that interest gives the reader a keen look at what the day-to-day life in a prison looks like (it’s not as dramatic as Orange Is the New Black). Corby is a frustrating character, so much so that I can see readers giving up on the book because of him. Now I like a flawed main character, so I was fine with it.
➕ I couldn’t put this novel down. I stayed up hours past my bedtime to read.
➕ I liked Corby’s voice - I’m a sucker for first person perspective.
➕ This novel tackled some unique topics, like grief from a very particular perspective (no spoilers).
➕ I thought Emily was a very good character, and she reacted a lot better than I would have.
My list of negatives looks rather long, but I’d say it’s more like caveats. If you’re okay with these, then I think you’re set up to enjoy this novel more.
➖ Depressing. It feels like you level down at steady intervals throughout the novel. I kept thinking we’re at the bottom, and then it dropped yet again.
➖ I can see readers becoming very frustrated with the main character Corby.
➖ The vast majority of the novel takes place in prison. Day-to-day prison. I didn’t mind it, but I can see some readers not liking the slow train through a prison sentence.
➖ Some of the education pieces, like racism in the prison system, aren’t folded in as seamlessly as they could be.
➖ The ending starting with Chapter 40. Maybe I’ll come around on it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster / Marysue Rucci Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes May 6, 2025.
#theriveriswaiting #wallylamb #netgalleyreviewer #bookstagram
River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure
4.25
4.25 stars
This is a quieter novel than I expected that takes place in 1985 and 2007 China. It has two perspectives that I don't believe I've ever seen before in this type of novel: a daughter and a stepfather.
The reader learns about the woman Sloane from the two perspectives of her daughter Alva and her sometime lover-turned-husband Lu Fang. I really loved learning about Lu Fang and his relationship with Sloane. I was a bit less interested in Alva's teenage friendships although there are some important nuggets in there. I felt like I came to know Sloane so well that I feel the final reveals (they aren't for shock value, don't worry) made a lot of sense.
This is a quieter novel than I expected that takes place in 1985 and 2007 China. It has two perspectives that I don't believe I've ever seen before in this type of novel: a daughter and a stepfather.
The reader learns about the woman Sloane from the two perspectives of her daughter Alva and her sometime lover-turned-husband Lu Fang. I really loved learning about Lu Fang and his relationship with Sloane. I was a bit less interested in Alva's teenage friendships although there are some important nuggets in there. I felt like I came to know Sloane so well that I feel the final reveals (they aren't for shock value, don't worry) made a lot of sense.
The Sublet by Greer Hendricks
2.25
2.5 stars
This was a free short story as part of the Amazon First Reads for March 2025. I had read the author’s other novels, it had an attractive cover, and it would be quick between other novels.
The premise was okay. A ghostwriter who needs an extra bedroom for her growing boy/girl twins is offered a sublet in NYC via the client she’s ghostwriting for. I thought a family who needed another bedroom would actively seek out the going rate and look at other options before deciding on this one. But I let that slide.
Once they move in, the cat freaks out. And she meets a neighbor who said the previous tenant died in the bathtub. That’s the extent of the creepiness. No creepiness.
And then the main character figured out what’s going on off the page and confronts the owner. And poisons her.
The end. Poorly executed.
This was a free short story as part of the Amazon First Reads for March 2025. I had read the author’s other novels, it had an attractive cover, and it would be quick between other novels.
The premise was okay. A ghostwriter who needs an extra bedroom for her growing boy/girl twins is offered a sublet in NYC via the client she’s ghostwriting for. I thought a family who needed another bedroom would actively seek out the going rate and look at other options before deciding on this one. But I let that slide.
Once they move in, the cat freaks out. And she meets a neighbor who said the previous tenant died in the bathtub. That’s the extent of the creepiness. No creepiness.
And then the main character figured out what’s going on off the page and confronts the owner. And poisons her.
The end. Poorly executed.
Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
4.5
4.5 stars
I had never heard of the Atlanta Child Murders, so I am so fortunate to have read this fictionalized account of three fifth-grade children in Atlanta at the same time of these murders. I thought it was interesting that the author inserted herself as a peripheral character with these classmates, as she was that age during the murders.
Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia (Sweet Pea) each have a section of the novel, and each has a unique voice. They each have different family and social class situations - although two don't live with their fathers in the novel, and the other has an abusive father - so I think the author didn't have a high opinion of men while she was growing up.
This novel was extremely interesting and highlighted racial, parental, and class disparities well within the text. Very much recommend!
I had never heard of the Atlanta Child Murders, so I am so fortunate to have read this fictionalized account of three fifth-grade children in Atlanta at the same time of these murders. I thought it was interesting that the author inserted herself as a peripheral character with these classmates, as she was that age during the murders.
Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia (Sweet Pea) each have a section of the novel, and each has a unique voice. They each have different family and social class situations - although two don't live with their fathers in the novel, and the other has an abusive father - so I think the author didn't have a high opinion of men while she was growing up.
This novel was extremely interesting and highlighted racial, parental, and class disparities well within the text. Very much recommend!
Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY by Jennifer E. Smith
As an only child, sibling stories can be hit or miss for me. I felt that Jennifer E. Smith crafted an excellent sibling story where these four siblings (Jude, Gemma, Connor and Roddy) had fallen out of touch but are suddenly reunited by Jude, the famous actress, in North Dakota of all places. It felt like an authentic adult sibling relationship.
The reader learns about each sibling and what each is grappling with personally and how each plays a part in the sibling dynamic. Their chaotic mother had tied them together, and will they be able to pick up the pieces in their lives?
➕ I thought each sibling was well-crafted. Each came through as a unique individual with strengths and weaknesses and their own journey.
➕ This novel is extremely well-paced.
➖ I don’t like the cover of this book…or the terrible title. The publisher did this author dirty.
➖ There is some inplausibility here that such a terrible mother would produce a bestselling novelist, a professional soccer player, and a famous actress. Right? Gemma is the only one who wasn’t #1 in her field, and that had to suck to describe her three siblings to someone else.
➖ It was a lot of perspective/time switching. Usually I don’t mind it, and I see the purpose in this novel to do it, it just brought down the novel a little bit for me because it was so often.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes April 8, 2025.
Fireweed by Lauren Haddad
4.0
I really enjoyed this debut and, while I was disappointed that the overall Goodreads community has rejected it (less than 3 star overall rating right now), I can see why - there are some themes that can put off some readers.
In this debut novel, Jenny is a lower class white woman who has lived next to Rachelle, an Indigenous woman, for the past five years. Through her mother and society, Jenny has learned that she’s better than Indigenous people, so many of her thoughts are blatantly racist. In other words, she comes across as very ignorant to today’s reader (i.e., not likeable at all). Jenny hasn’t spoken to Rachelle, and most of her thoughts about Rachelle include judgment about the state of her yard (based on her being Indigenous, which I hadn’t even heard of that stereotype). When she finally meets Rachelle and her two daughters, Jenny’s eyes are opened.
At the beginning of the novel, a white woman named Beth disappears, and there’s a full investigation. When Rachelle disappears, a now-invested Jenny tries to get the local police force to investigate, and she runs into a different philosophy towards missing Indigenous women.
This is essentially a coming-of-age story, as Jenny’s real-life experiences force her to confront her stereotypes and thoughts.
Jenny has a lot of time on her hands, as her main job is keeping up the house (her husband is gone a lot for work), she doesn’t have kids although wants them, and she has a very part-time job. I wonder how this novel would have changed had Jenny been busy with her life and didn’t have time to think all day.
➕ The story was really engaging to me. I am fond of first-person narration. I do think many of us grew up with this type of racism (maybe towards other racial groups, depending on where you live), and I think it takes courage for an author to write a racist white main character in this day and age.
➕ Jenny truly has a growth trajectory or coming of age throughout the novel.
➕ Once I adjusted to the writing style, I really liked it.
➖ As I mentioned before, Jenny is unlikeable at the beginning, and I think her reception would be better if she wasn’t SO racist initially. You really don’t see any nuance to Jenny until she takes care of her mother’s boyfriend’s children, and even then it might be too little, too late for some readers. Do you know how a middle grade book tends to hit you over the head with themes? This book is kind of like that but with adult themes.
➖ The writing style tended toward stream of consciousness, and it felt uneven at the beginning of the book, which could also deter some readers. I’m not sure if the first 10-20 pages were recently rewritten because they felt far more lyrical (almost poetic) than the rest of the book. Or I could have needed some time to adjust.
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra House for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes April 29, 2025.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
4.0
I thought this was a very accessible book, short, full of small anecdotes, and vulnerable. It probably would have been better on audio, as I often have a hard time with self-improvement books in print and feel that I capture more from the audio.
I think the author's other books would help to supplement learning because I know she has themes throughout all her work. I believe this is my third book by her, each separated by several years, and I don't remember much between books, except shame underlies many things, like perfectionism, and vulnerability is courageous.
Throughout this book, I was wondering how the author conducts her research. With a research background myself, I was trying to get my head around what her research methodology must look like. So I really appreciated how she spent a few pages at the end going through her methodology. While it isn't as "research-based" as I thought it would be (compilation and coding of stories), these are tough subjects to get your head around and there are SO many layers to them, so I appreciate the patience, thought, and persistence it takes to get to the heart of these matters.
I think the author's other books would help to supplement learning because I know she has themes throughout all her work. I believe this is my third book by her, each separated by several years, and I don't remember much between books, except shame underlies many things, like perfectionism, and vulnerability is courageous.
Throughout this book, I was wondering how the author conducts her research. With a research background myself, I was trying to get my head around what her research methodology must look like. So I really appreciated how she spent a few pages at the end going through her methodology. While it isn't as "research-based" as I thought it would be (compilation and coding of stories), these are tough subjects to get your head around and there are SO many layers to them, so I appreciate the patience, thought, and persistence it takes to get to the heart of these matters.
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
5.0
I loved this book! This is my second Jonathan Evison novel, and the second 5 star rating I've given him. I think I need to pick up more of his backlist. :)
Mike Muñoz is 22 years old, and he's stuck taking care of his older, developmentally-disabled brother Nate whenever he's not working. Mike's job history isn't the best, and he has to battle a lot of oppression, having grown up very poor after his dad left and living on a reservation. His father was Mexican, and his mother is Native American. (I wish the author would have explored this more, as I'm presuming she was Native American because they lived on a reservation.)
I loved the voice of the novel (first person) and being in Mike's perspective. I liked the trajectory he experienced over the course of the novel, and it felt really realistic. The struggle of being poor is so real, and he .
Most importantly, Jonathan Evison is a great writer who I've explored in the past few months.
Mike Muñoz is 22 years old, and he's stuck taking care of his older, developmentally-disabled brother Nate whenever he's not working. Mike's job history isn't the best, and he has to battle a lot of oppression, having grown up very poor after his dad left and living on a reservation. His father was Mexican, and his mother is Native American. (I wish the author would have explored this more, as I'm presuming she was Native American because they lived on a reservation.)
I loved the voice of the novel (first person) and being in Mike's perspective. I liked the trajectory he experienced over the course of the novel, and it felt really realistic. The struggle of being poor is so real, and he .
Most importantly, Jonathan Evison is a great writer who I've explored in the past few months.
The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb
4.25
4.25 ⭐️
THE DARK MAESTRO by Brendan Slocumb
This novel had a really intriguing, and taken-from-real-life, premise. Curtis is a young, accomplished cellist with a father named Zippy who is earning a living working for a Bad Guy. After a prison stint, Zippy gets involved in an *interesting* business proposition that has the whole family fearing for their lives.
➕ This had a really engaging plot with some unique aspects. Was it a little *too* much in terms of being a little far-fetched? Maybe, but it was still really interesting and I kept wanting to read it.
➕ It was easy to empathize with Curtis.
➕ I really liked how the family collaborated on its project.
➖ There was a lot in this novel in terms of subjects brought up and themes. When I thought about what I wanted more of and less of, I thought the author gave a balanced lens to each item. Maybe it’s more than I can’t wholeheartedly give this novel more than 4.25 stars because of the suspension of disbelief and the sheer quantity of areas brought up.
If you’re a fan of Brendan Slocumb, this one definitely has more plot than THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY. Actually, at many points when I was reading this, I thought I was reading an S.A. Cosby action-packed novel. (That’s quite a compliment!) I thought it was a strong novel, yet more unique.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes May 13, 2025.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
3.75
3.75 ⭐️
I liked this coming of age/light mystery that features an elusive writer Cate Kay who tells the reader her past amidst other characters in her life. I especially liked the relationship between Annie and Amanda when they were young.
I think fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid would enjoy this one.
I listened to this one on audio, and there were a few times I was confused in whose perspective was narrating (especially when people have multiple names), but I found it to be an overall enjoyable listening experience.
I liked this coming of age/light mystery that features an elusive writer Cate Kay who tells the reader her past amidst other characters in her life. I especially liked the relationship between Annie and Amanda when they were young.
I think fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid would enjoy this one.
I listened to this one on audio, and there were a few times I was confused in whose perspective was narrating (especially when people have multiple names), but I found it to be an overall enjoyable listening experience.