Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bookswithbuns's reviews
332 reviews
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
4.0
Stories within stories within stories! This is my first Calvino book and I was not disappointed. Each short novel (10 total) takes you not only on a distinctly different adventure, but a different TIME also (I really am a sucker for a non-linear narrative). This is all done so seamlessly/effortlessly & everything just… works, you know? Even during the times I was a bit confused and had to slow down
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
5.0
This book was recommended to me by one of my best friends @imaaberg, so thank you Tall Oatmeal Child™, and I decided to do a ✨very rare thing✨ (for me) and go into this novel completely blind (he has good taste, I trust him without question lol).
While most things STEM-related have never been my strong suit (like, at alllll lol), I’ve always been really fascinated with science; experimental & theoretical physics; the concepts of space & time — there’s just so much we don’t know about the world and I think that’s equal parts exciting and terrifying.
This is less of a review this time around because I really want to take my time in reading this novel & fully soak up its world and some of its more dense subject matter. So far though, I am very much enjoying it and would definitely recommend giving it a shot! Without spoiling anything, I will say that what got me invested from the start was the mystery/amnesia trope used by the author. When done correctly (like it is here), it’s both fun & frustrating to know only as much as our protagonist does at first (which is basically next to nothing), then following him as he discovers & tries to make sense of all the many pieces to what is an otherwise extremely intricate puzzle.
While most things STEM-related have never been my strong suit (like, at alllll lol), I’ve always been really fascinated with science; experimental & theoretical physics; the concepts of space & time — there’s just so much we don’t know about the world and I think that’s equal parts exciting and terrifying.
This is less of a review this time around because I really want to take my time in reading this novel & fully soak up its world and some of its more dense subject matter. So far though, I am very much enjoying it and would definitely recommend giving it a shot! Without spoiling anything, I will say that what got me invested from the start was the mystery/amnesia trope used by the author. When done correctly (like it is here), it’s both fun & frustrating to know only as much as our protagonist does at first (which is basically next to nothing), then following him as he discovers & tries to make sense of all the many pieces to what is an otherwise extremely intricate puzzle.
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
3.0
So. This is my first book by popular author-duo Christina Lauren, and of COURSE my chosen intro is straight filth (not on purpose lmao, & also meant in a good way). Enemies-to-Lovers is easily one of my fave tropes. We know this. You likely will hear me say this a million times over & idgaf, it’s like crack to me, whatever lol.
There’s plot if you squint & the characters are fine, if not a bit one-dimensional. Bennett’s an ass, but he’s ~so hot~ that it apparently doesn’t matter (until it does), & though he does grow by the end, he’s still basically an ass…. Only less* so. Chloe is smart/the perfect “right hand” to her boss, & it’s a believable enough trait highlighted throughout— but she also just can’t help being constantly d*ckmatized by Bennett. They f*ck their way to feelings & get their HEA in the most appropriate way possible given the semi-plot device of a workplace setting.
I liked how we got alternative POVs from both MCs, and I thought the inner-dialogue was pretty realistic in that it felt so unfiltered. I liked how neither of them ever really knew what the “right” thing to say or do was, and how chaotic that can feel inside one’s head. I also enjoyed this book simply bc I knew/saw it for what it was: an easy/fun read, probably w/ hella smut— and I accepted that, so it met my exact expectations. So as long as you go into this one with an open mind (+ maybe some suspension of disbelief lol), you’ll like it just fine too.
There’s plot if you squint & the characters are fine, if not a bit one-dimensional. Bennett’s an ass, but he’s ~so hot~ that it apparently doesn’t matter (until it does), & though he does grow by the end, he’s still basically an ass…. Only less* so. Chloe is smart/the perfect “right hand” to her boss, & it’s a believable enough trait highlighted throughout— but she also just can’t help being constantly d*ckmatized by Bennett. They f*ck their way to feelings & get their HEA in the most appropriate way possible given the semi-plot device of a workplace setting.
I liked how we got alternative POVs from both MCs, and I thought the inner-dialogue was pretty realistic in that it felt so unfiltered. I liked how neither of them ever really knew what the “right” thing to say or do was, and how chaotic that can feel inside one’s head. I also enjoyed this book simply bc I knew/saw it for what it was: an easy/fun read, probably w/ hella smut— and I accepted that, so it met my exact expectations. So as long as you go into this one with an open mind (+ maybe some suspension of disbelief lol), you’ll like it just fine too.
Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It by Amanda Gambill
4.0
Fake dating + the Grumpy/Sunshine trope tied together with a St. Clair-level of analytical perfection?
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
4.0
My grandpa was one of my most favorite people in the entire world. Stomach cancer, 5th grade. My father was also one of those people. Colon cancer, just over a year ago. An engineer & charge nurse respectively, they were both so intelligent. Talented. I admired them for all their services to the world. For their selflessness. Their resiliency & commitment. For their kindness.
Rising in STEM was never in the cards for me. And I’ve always been okay with that, truly. But I empathize with yet another MC named “Olive,” bc I’ll never not wonder if I could have done something more– to have seen the signs sooner. To take away their pain. To save them. And I’ll never not feel awful or guilty about being so helpless, even if the answer to begin with was always going to be nothing at all.
I enjoyed this book, a lot, despite its personal bittersweetness for me. Adam Carlsen has now also been indicted into my “Quality Love Interests” club. I loved how well-written it was, how funny & realistically “nerdy” it is, AND I especially loved how diverse the ‘cast’ was (& not just in names only, but in how their personalities/backgrounds are defined & explained).
This book certainly lives up to all its hype, & I also enjoyed playing “RomCom Bingo” with it lmao, given that the author includes SO MANY great tropes & meta feels to the story without it ever feeling heavy-handed. Definitely pick this one up if you haven’t yet— you won’t regret it!
Rising in STEM was never in the cards for me. And I’ve always been okay with that, truly. But I empathize with yet another MC named “Olive,” bc I’ll never not wonder if I could have done something more– to have seen the signs sooner. To take away their pain. To save them. And I’ll never not feel awful or guilty about being so helpless, even if the answer to begin with was always going to be nothing at all.
I enjoyed this book, a lot, despite its personal bittersweetness for me. Adam Carlsen has now also been indicted into my “Quality Love Interests” club. I loved how well-written it was, how funny & realistically “nerdy” it is, AND I especially loved how diverse the ‘cast’ was (& not just in names only, but in how their personalities/backgrounds are defined & explained).
This book certainly lives up to all its hype, & I also enjoyed playing “RomCom Bingo” with it lmao, given that the author includes SO MANY great tropes & meta feels to the story without it ever feeling heavy-handed. Definitely pick this one up if you haven’t yet— you won’t regret it!
Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
5.0
I'm a bit at a loss for words right now- which is saying
something, since I'm a woman of many words (lol) & have a hard time shutting up when I'm really on a roll (lol x2)..... but that's exactly what this collection of poems did to me. While I was certainly expecting to feel a myriad of emotions, I realize now that I wasn't fully prepared for what that really meant. It's been a long time since I read something that was just so.... So breathtaking. Absolutely lyrical. It was as gorgeously beautiful as it was painful. I could feel all of Vuong's hurt and longing... His confusion, and all of the unanswered questions he had along his journey... as if they were my own; as if he were right next to me, telling me his story. His secrets.
I loved this book. It was the perfect thing to read at night before bed, slowly, as if to savor it. It's short, but is also the type of work where found myself stopping after almost every poem or act, a thoughtful or nostalgia-filled hum on my lips. Vuong is so talented in that he's able to paint such a clear, visceral world for his readers- pick this one up if/when you can, I assure you that it is more than worth it.
something, since I'm a woman of many words (lol) & have a hard time shutting up when I'm really on a roll (lol x2)..... but that's exactly what this collection of poems did to me. While I was certainly expecting to feel a myriad of emotions, I realize now that I wasn't fully prepared for what that really meant. It's been a long time since I read something that was just so.... So breathtaking. Absolutely lyrical. It was as gorgeously beautiful as it was painful. I could feel all of Vuong's hurt and longing... His confusion, and all of the unanswered questions he had along his journey... as if they were my own; as if he were right next to me, telling me his story. His secrets.
I loved this book. It was the perfect thing to read at night before bed, slowly, as if to savor it. It's short, but is also the type of work where found myself stopping after almost every poem or act, a thoughtful or nostalgia-filled hum on my lips. Vuong is so talented in that he's able to paint such a clear, visceral world for his readers- pick this one up if/when you can, I assure you that it is more than worth it.
Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren
4.0
While Max & Sara from BS are still my fave couple out of
the 3 we've met so far, Hanna & Will definitely beat them in having the best story arc! For me, this is the book where I can see how Christina Lauren grew into the renowned & respected author-duo they are today within the genres.
Now— I don't normally go for the Best-Friends-Sibling trope very often (it just gives me the ick sometimes). But here I thought it worked well, perhaps bc it felt more organic: they were both of age & also hadn't truly interacted with one another for years prior to the book's start. There's definitely more angst & miscommunication issues in this one than in its predecessors, and there were times I really was genuinely concerned that these two would never be on the same page. But in the end I still enjoyed it & rooted for them the entire way through.
Some stray final thoughts: I loved the “My Fair Lady” inspiration— again, RomCom tropes abound! I loved that Will was known as a player, but he also wasn't a d*ck about it. He always read as being very open & honest in his expectations, which I appreciated. I also loved how while yes, Hanna was inexperienced, it didn't stop her from being so innately curious about sex, or from ever shying away from what she wanted. I also enjoyed how bc she was so "new" to everything, some of the hottest scenes are honestly the ones where they don't even reach third base. Finally, THIS FRIEND GROUP. My favorite scenes in this series are the ones where they all interact w/ one another. Case in point: Chloe & Sara bringing takeout & watching movies at Will's to keep him company while Hanna is out on a date. MY HEART- I just love to see it, truly
the 3 we've met so far, Hanna & Will definitely beat them in having the best story arc! For me, this is the book where I can see how Christina Lauren grew into the renowned & respected author-duo they are today within the genres.
Now— I don't normally go for the Best-Friends-Sibling trope very often (it just gives me the ick sometimes). But here I thought it worked well, perhaps bc it felt more organic: they were both of age & also hadn't truly interacted with one another for years prior to the book's start. There's definitely more angst & miscommunication issues in this one than in its predecessors, and there were times I really was genuinely concerned that these two would never be on the same page. But in the end I still enjoyed it & rooted for them the entire way through.
Some stray final thoughts: I loved the “My Fair Lady” inspiration— again, RomCom tropes abound! I loved that Will was known as a player, but he also wasn't a d*ck about it. He always read as being very open & honest in his expectations, which I appreciated. I also loved how while yes, Hanna was inexperienced, it didn't stop her from being so innately curious about sex, or from ever shying away from what she wanted. I also enjoyed how bc she was so "new" to everything, some of the hottest scenes are honestly the ones where they don't even reach third base. Finally, THIS FRIEND GROUP. My favorite scenes in this series are the ones where they all interact w/ one another. Case in point: Chloe & Sara bringing takeout & watching movies at Will's to keep him company while Hanna is out on a date. MY HEART- I just love to see it, truly
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
3.0
Outside of just tabs & highlights (the latter only being done on my Kindle), I keep my Notes/dictation app open while reading for all my stray thoughts. Literally, this is one of the things I wrote: “CHARLIE. CHARLIE, CHARLIE, CHARLIE. Never before have I found myself genuinely hoping a character may possibly meet their end by the end of the book”
Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
4.0
I breezed through this a few days ago & was too lazy to write anything up until now