Take a photo of a barcode or cover
clacksee's reviews
1178 reviews
Star Pattern Traveller by Joyce Chng
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Accidental first contact story turns into a (sort of) forbidden love story.
Unfortunately, romance isn’t my thing.
Unfortunately, romance isn’t my thing.
Toto by A.J. Hackwith
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I’m not the biggest Wizard of Oz fan … but my local library kept pushing this book to me and eventually I caved in. And I am delighted.
Pure ridiculousness. Sassy, sarcastic, and adorable.
Pure ridiculousness. Sassy, sarcastic, and adorable.
Paying It Forward by Josh Littlejohn
inspiring
3.5
The cover says ‘how to be a social entrepreneur’.
The description describes it as ‘part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit.’
Spoiler alert: The secret, it seems, is to be born a moderately wealthy White man with bags of charm and a penchant for big ideas.
This book is not devoid of merit – it’s not. It’s just the mix feels off. You get a little bit about why social entrepreneurship is needed (government change is too slow and philanthropy is insufficient). Then it’s all about all many, many famous people the author has charmed into supporting his cause.
The description describes it as ‘part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit.’
Spoiler alert: The secret, it seems, is to be born a moderately wealthy White man with bags of charm and a penchant for big ideas.
This book is not devoid of merit – it’s not. It’s just the mix feels off. You get a little bit about why social entrepreneurship is needed (government change is too slow and philanthropy is insufficient). Then it’s all about all many, many famous people the author has charmed into supporting his cause.
Interstellar Megachef by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Saras is a chef running away from her old life. Serenity Ko is an executive whose life is a hot mess. Maybe together they can create the next big thing.
Perfect for fans of epic stories. This one was longer and more complex than I think is ideal, but I adored the inclusivity and the cosy vibes. And most of the characters are delightful.
Perfect for fans of epic stories. This one was longer and more complex than I think is ideal, but I adored the inclusivity and the cosy vibes. And most of the characters are delightful.
Outback by Patricia Wolf
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Lucas Walker is on compassionate leave, spending time with his dying grandmother, when two German tourists go missing in his small town.
I really enjoyed this moody police procedural set in isolated rural Australia.
And the dog lives!
I really enjoyed this moody police procedural set in isolated rural Australia.
And the dog lives!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Death, Terminal illness, Blood, Death of parent
Be Who You Are to Get What You Want: Negotiating to Win, Whoever You Are by Damali Peterman
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Great advice for to help you get people to treat you with respect. Helping you get at least some of you want in every conversation by understanding what the other person wants.
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.75
Another fun mystery from Manansala – guaranteed to make you hungry.
My only complaint is that there’s not nearly enough Longganisa.
My only complaint is that there’s not nearly enough Longganisa.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia
Feminist, Queer, Crip by Alison Kafer
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
This was quite an academic book rather than the passionate call-to-action I anticipated. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing – just a thing.
I didn’t realise this book was a dozen years old when I requested it from the library. And yet, rather than being dated, I’d call it prescient. But it’s also very timely in the approaches we can take to address systemic inequalities.
I didn’t realise this book was a dozen years old when I requested it from the library. And yet, rather than being dated, I’d call it prescient. But it’s also very timely in the approaches we can take to address systemic inequalities.
Fractured Sentinel by Dave Walsh
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Inclusive and accepting space opera – with a touch of eldritch horror.
The Author's Guide to Murder by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Imagine if you will … three best-selling American authors no get together to write a book set in an isolated Scottish castle. The book they want to write is about three best-selling American authors get together to write a book set in an isolated Scottish castle.
All works of fiction are, in essence, self-indulgent. This book takes self-indulgence to a whole ‘nother level. Like, they literally included minor characters with each of their own names. There is a Beatriz, a Lauren, and a Karen in the book.
The characters spend laughing about the stereotype of ignorant Americans who blunder around Scotland without knowing anything about Scotland. Then they write Scottish characters who don’t know what cupcakes are. And who don’t know what porridge is. And who serve coffee with cream.
And that ending was an unending stream of cliches.
All works of fiction are, in essence, self-indulgent. This book takes self-indulgence to a whole ‘nother level. Like, they literally included minor characters with each of their own names. There is a Beatriz, a Lauren, and a Karen in the book.
The characters spend laughing about the stereotype of ignorant Americans who blunder around Scotland without knowing anything about Scotland. Then they write Scottish characters who don’t know what cupcakes are. And who don’t know what porridge is. And who serve coffee with cream.
And that ending was an unending stream of cliches.