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blissofalife's reviews
121 reviews
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
mysterious
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
What to say other than I loved it? Constanza was compelling in her reflective voice and raw retelling of her own story. I wish there was more, but still it was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Genocide, Grief, Alcohol, and War
Andromeda by Therese Bohman
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Definitely high-brow, it’s the kind of book I think I could reread every other year or so no because I particularly liked it, but because it made me pause and reflect on my own life and ambitions so much.
Often I love when a book is split between multiple narrators, but I did not like it for Andromeda. I did not enjoy the second half half as much as I liked the first. After the first few pages, it was just restating information we were given in the first half but workout adding anything to it. I wish we could’ve gotten more about how her life changed because of him and less of…him.
Would still recommend though, it can be a quick read.
Often I love when a book is split between multiple narrators, but I did not like it for Andromeda. I did not enjoy the second half half as much as I liked the first. After the first few pages, it was just restating information we were given in the first half but workout adding anything to it. I wish we could’ve gotten more about how her life changed because of him and less of…him.
Would still recommend though, it can be a quick read.
Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
It’s been a while since I listened to an audiobook this long in such a short period of time. Usually, I am more than happy to listen during my 30 minute commute to and from work and not much outside of that. Not so with this one. I could hardly put it down, each of the short stories Were thought-provoking and compelling in ways. I haven’t experienced before. I’ll admit this is one of my first four raises into science fiction and I was led to pick this book up after watching the Apple TV series “Foundation“ and thoroughly enjoying that.
I started with this book, thinking it would be a lighter commitment than the lengthy book series the TV series is based on, just to see if I liked his writing style, and I loved it! I can’t wait to read more of his work.
While obviously firmly rooted in the period of time that it was written, at the same time, it exudes timelessness by focusing on the human condition more than the science of the science fiction. I also loved the preferences before each of the short stories, they were fun interlude between somewhat gloomy stories.
I started with this book, thinking it would be a lighter commitment than the lengthy book series the TV series is based on, just to see if I liked his writing style, and I loved it! I can’t wait to read more of his work.
While obviously firmly rooted in the period of time that it was written, at the same time, it exudes timelessness by focusing on the human condition more than the science of the science fiction. I also loved the preferences before each of the short stories, they were fun interlude between somewhat gloomy stories.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
I nearly finished this before my library due date, but not quite and I didn’t like it enough to check it out again.
The gore in this one was so much worse for me, I dry heaved a few tubes which just isn’t an experience I like when listening to an audiobook. I found myself fast forwarding a lot.
Characters were fine, I love the marriage of convenience trope, but it felt like nothing was happening there and then they were suddenly having sex. I didn’t feel like the relationship development was there.
The gore in this one was so much worse for me, I dry heaved a few tubes which just isn’t an experience I like when listening to an audiobook. I found myself fast forwarding a lot.
Characters were fine, I love the marriage of convenience trope, but it felt like nothing was happening there and then they were suddenly having sex. I didn’t feel like the relationship development was there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Teeth gore. If you don’t like that, don’t read.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was it fun? Yes. Was it super graphic? Yes. Did it (like it warned it would) ruin some of my favorite foods? Also, yes. Will I be reading any of the other books in the series? Maybe. But I think one might be enough for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Walk the Wild With Me by Rachel Atwood
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Definitely a cozy read, I loved the Robin Hood character cameos. An enjoyable listen, with a meandering plot. It was easy to put down and pick up a week later.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I liked that the author was also the narrator for the audiobook, I think that made a huge difference. The biggest takeaway for me was that he seemed like a great guy trying to do good by the people around him, but he wasn’t always that way. (Also don’t be an actor)
An enjoyable listen, I would recommend it to Parks and Rec super fans but honestly that’s kind of it.
An enjoyable listen, I would recommend it to Parks and Rec super fans but honestly that’s kind of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Man, this guy did a lot of drinking and weed.
Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years: Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times by Elizabeth Wayland Barber
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A new favorite! Borrowed from the library, planning to purchase a copy of my own for my shelf. Thoroughly researched, with both anecdotal evidence and citations from a range of sources, I enjoyed the conclusions and the human connection. A very empathetical approach. Would recommend to anyone interested in history, especially history centering around women and textiles.
Clean by James Hamblin
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Lots of interesting information, I enjoyed the interviews he cited and the deeper look into why we view hygiene the way we do and how it’s affecting us. A great quick read, I appreciated the quiet suggestions on how to scale back our over-washing without making drastic changes.
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I knew nothing about the myth before starting, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Clytemnestra. I also loved all the cameos of mythic heroes and legends.
She’s not obviously likeable, which was refreshing. Clystemnestra is full of rage for much of the book, and spends much of the time plotting revenge. I loved how sure of herself she was, even if I didn’t always like her actions. A very strong character.
Overall slow paced with large time jumps, but an enjoyable read.I really loved the letters in the middle of the book, I liked the window into the lives and thoughts of her loved ones and the outside perspective it gave, I would’ve loved to see more of that.
She’s not obviously likeable, which was refreshing. Clystemnestra is full of rage for much of the book, and spends much of the time plotting revenge. I loved how sure of herself she was, even if I didn’t always like her actions. A very strong character.
Overall slow paced with large time jumps, but an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, War, and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment