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coca_reads's reviews
352 reviews
Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
This was incredibly powerful, heartfelt, and sad.
Its the story of Jacob writing a letter to his gay son, as Jacob is dying from cancer.
Jacob is trying to let his son know, that he loves him, even if it's difficult for him to admit, and even though he's failed to do it properly throughout his son's life.
It was so beautifully written and the messages were so deeply felt. The story talks about men's fear of changing and how that fear is often rooted in the idea that their perceived role in society as protectors and providers is diminishing, but it also talks about how that shouldn't be a cause for fear because it allows men to love their families more openly and freely. It allows for men to celebrate the lives of those the care about no matter what path they're walking, and to do it without shame.
Its the story of Jacob writing a letter to his gay son, as Jacob is dying from cancer.
Jacob is trying to let his son know, that he loves him, even if it's difficult for him to admit, and even though he's failed to do it properly throughout his son's life.
It was so beautifully written and the messages were so deeply felt. The story talks about men's fear of changing and how that fear is often rooted in the idea that their perceived role in society as protectors and providers is diminishing, but it also talks about how that shouldn't be a cause for fear because it allows men to love their families more openly and freely. It allows for men to celebrate the lives of those the care about no matter what path they're walking, and to do it without shame.
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
This was wild.
This follows Misha, a partially out and partially closeted, screen writer in LA.
Misha writes for a hit show where the 2 female leads are headed for the season finale, and the biggest story arc, their romantic feelings for each other.
When Misha is asked to kill off his gay characters though, he flatly refuses and then things start to get strange, pianos falling, people dying, and a strange stalker who bears an uncanny resemblance to a character Misha created years before.
This was my 2nd Chuck Tingle novel and it was better than the 1st I read. It was equally funny, gory, and insightful.
It laid bare the tropes we rely on in our media consumption, and drives home the point that representation in media really matters. Not just representation that makes the most money, but the kind that can help people see others as real people and not just their stereotypes.
This follows Misha, a partially out and partially closeted, screen writer in LA.
Misha writes for a hit show where the 2 female leads are headed for the season finale, and the biggest story arc, their romantic feelings for each other.
When Misha is asked to kill off his gay characters though, he flatly refuses and then things start to get strange, pianos falling, people dying, and a strange stalker who bears an uncanny resemblance to a character Misha created years before.
This was my 2nd Chuck Tingle novel and it was better than the 1st I read. It was equally funny, gory, and insightful.
It laid bare the tropes we rely on in our media consumption, and drives home the point that representation in media really matters. Not just representation that makes the most money, but the kind that can help people see others as real people and not just their stereotypes.
The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was beautiful.
This follows the story of a couple known only as "my wife" and "my wife's husband" (he's referring to himself that way) as they move into a small, rented, guest house on a large estate in Japan.
Once there, they find that there is a neighbor with a cat that wanders into their space.
The couple, not cat people, are soon adopted by the cat as its 2nd family, and the story follows through that tale and their simple lives.
This was slow, beautifully written, and calming. It spoke of the importance of family and the impact that small gestures can have on our lives. It speaks of the impact that pets can have on our well-being, even when they are only a temporary guest.
The more Japanese writing I read, the more I love it. It's such a soulful way to tell simple stories that can really resonate.
I need to find more.
This follows the story of a couple known only as "my wife" and "my wife's husband" (he's referring to himself that way) as they move into a small, rented, guest house on a large estate in Japan.
Once there, they find that there is a neighbor with a cat that wanders into their space.
The couple, not cat people, are soon adopted by the cat as its 2nd family, and the story follows through that tale and their simple lives.
This was slow, beautifully written, and calming. It spoke of the importance of family and the impact that small gestures can have on our lives. It speaks of the impact that pets can have on our well-being, even when they are only a temporary guest.
The more Japanese writing I read, the more I love it. It's such a soulful way to tell simple stories that can really resonate.
I need to find more.
Bulb by Nicholas Turner
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This was an interesting read.
Multiple points of view following 2 groups of people. 1 group is fighting to survive a world where the power has gone out and a permanent winter has settled in over North America.
The second group seems to be living in secret, in a high tech, secret, underground city thats been separated from those on the surface for decades.
The plot is engaging and relatively quick moving. Most of the characters were likeable enough, others were kind of tedious. One of the characters actually calls out the behavior saying "this is how adolescents behave", and it's so spot on.
There was one major plot hole that really left me kind of confused.
When 1 of the characters was on the run, he decided to steal from some random person who just so happened to be someone who was involved in some kind of spying. It was oddly convenient.
All in all it was a fun little read. I'll be looking for book 2 soon.
Multiple points of view following 2 groups of people. 1 group is fighting to survive a world where the power has gone out and a permanent winter has settled in over North America.
The second group seems to be living in secret, in a high tech, secret, underground city thats been separated from those on the surface for decades.
The plot is engaging and relatively quick moving. Most of the characters were likeable enough, others were kind of tedious. One of the characters actually calls out the behavior saying "this is how adolescents behave", and it's so spot on.
There was one major plot hole that really left me kind of confused.
When 1 of the characters was on the run, he decided to steal from some random person who just so happened to be someone who was involved in some kind of spying. It was oddly convenient.
All in all it was a fun little read. I'll be looking for book 2 soon.
Salvation Day by Kali Wallace
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Solid space horror.
Two groups are trapped on the House of Wisdom, an exploration ship that has been dead, in orbit around Earth for the last decade, after a virus wiped out its crew.
Neither group were prepared for what they woke when they started bringing the ship's systems back online after a decade of hibernation.
This is one of those fast-paced, space horrors that I really enjoyed. For me, it was much better than Wallace's Dead Space (which was also pretty good).
You get a better feeling for the characters and their emotions as the reality of their situation starts to sink in, and the panic takes hold.
There are also some deeper themes running through the motivations of these characters than you'd expect from a popcorn horror novel. Touching on the nature of guilt and responsibility, grief, and pride.
There's also a very harsh dig at nations who always seem to have so much in excess but require "proof" when communities are in need and people are hurting.
Excellent read. I hope Kali Wallace writes more like this. We need her kind of voice in the world.
Two groups are trapped on the House of Wisdom, an exploration ship that has been dead, in orbit around Earth for the last decade, after a virus wiped out its crew.
Neither group were prepared for what they woke when they started bringing the ship's systems back online after a decade of hibernation.
This is one of those fast-paced, space horrors that I really enjoyed. For me, it was much better than Wallace's Dead Space (which was also pretty good).
You get a better feeling for the characters and their emotions as the reality of their situation starts to sink in, and the panic takes hold.
There are also some deeper themes running through the motivations of these characters than you'd expect from a popcorn horror novel. Touching on the nature of guilt and responsibility, grief, and pride.
There's also a very harsh dig at nations who always seem to have so much in excess but require "proof" when communities are in need and people are hurting.
Excellent read. I hope Kali Wallace writes more like this. We need her kind of voice in the world.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
fast-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
5.0
I finished this on audio today.
This was hysterical.
The writing and humor were just so spot on for the mood of people today.
What happens when the world is ending and galactic corporations are stripping your home planet for resources?
They turn it into a reality TV game show, based off of a dungeon crawling game, of course.
The references are so on point, and the writing is sharp and witty.
There's also more heart than I would have expected from something so light in tone.
I cannot wait to read more of this series. Book 2 is already on the way.
This was hysterical.
The writing and humor were just so spot on for the mood of people today.
What happens when the world is ending and galactic corporations are stripping your home planet for resources?
They turn it into a reality TV game show, based off of a dungeon crawling game, of course.
The references are so on point, and the writing is sharp and witty.
There's also more heart than I would have expected from something so light in tone.
I cannot wait to read more of this series. Book 2 is already on the way.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't really know how I feel about this.
The prose was absolutely beautiful. The imagery was excellent and conjures scenes of the Italian countryside in summer, along to coast.
You can feel how much the author loves this setting.
What I'm less sure about are the paths of the characters Elio and Oliver.
Elio is a teenager at the start of this and his attitude, and obsessiveness shows it. He's immature and has a schoolboy crush. He's a bit spoiled and doesn't know how to react when things don't go his way, but he's still young and some of that can be attributed to youth.
Though it seems like maturity never really develops as the story shifts to years later and Elio still seems bitter and still absolutely in love with his childhood crush, who has since moved on, married, and has a family of his own.
I admit I'm not great with social interactions, and I'm even worse at parsing meaning and motives from stories, but it just felt off for me.
The prose was absolutely beautiful. The imagery was excellent and conjures scenes of the Italian countryside in summer, along to coast.
You can feel how much the author loves this setting.
What I'm less sure about are the paths of the characters Elio and Oliver.
Elio is a teenager at the start of this and his attitude, and obsessiveness shows it. He's immature and has a schoolboy crush. He's a bit spoiled and doesn't know how to react when things don't go his way, but he's still young and some of that can be attributed to youth.
Though it seems like maturity never really develops as the story shifts to years later and Elio still seems bitter and still absolutely in love with his childhood crush, who has since moved on, married, and has a family of his own.
I admit I'm not great with social interactions, and I'm even worse at parsing meaning and motives from stories, but it just felt off for me.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was excellent.
The story follows Marra, the 3rd princess of a small kingdom, who has set out on a quest to help her sister to escape from the brutality of the king she was married off to. Along her path, she picks up various companions who are eager to help her with her task.
What seems like it could be a simple, child's, fairy tale is, in fact, full of darkness and danger. Their lives are repeatedly being threatened, and that's even before the group reach's their destination.
This story has everything I liked about the previous T. Kingfisher novels I've read. Her sharp and hilarious wit is complimented by her storytelling. The characters are equal parts frustrating and absolutely precious. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more of her work.
The story follows Marra, the 3rd princess of a small kingdom, who has set out on a quest to help her sister to escape from the brutality of the king she was married off to. Along her path, she picks up various companions who are eager to help her with her task.
What seems like it could be a simple, child's, fairy tale is, in fact, full of darkness and danger. Their lives are repeatedly being threatened, and that's even before the group reach's their destination.
This story has everything I liked about the previous T. Kingfisher novels I've read. Her sharp and hilarious wit is complimented by her storytelling. The characters are equal parts frustrating and absolutely precious. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more of her work.
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Excellent story.
This follows Virgil Wounded Horse, known on the reservation as someone who doles out justice when law enforcement lets the citizens down. He's asked to look into the rumor that someone is starting to deal heroin on the reservation and set the people right if it's true. Virgil isn't interested until the claim hits close to home, and he starts digging.
This is a fast paced book, where the plot is a little predictable, you can see where it's heading early on, but it's still very well done. The characters and their flaws are very endearing and lovable.
The story also touches on the quality of life on reservations, and the problems indigenous people are still facing today.
If you like mystery novels, this is definitely worth your time.
This follows Virgil Wounded Horse, known on the reservation as someone who doles out justice when law enforcement lets the citizens down. He's asked to look into the rumor that someone is starting to deal heroin on the reservation and set the people right if it's true. Virgil isn't interested until the claim hits close to home, and he starts digging.
This is a fast paced book, where the plot is a little predictable, you can see where it's heading early on, but it's still very well done. The characters and their flaws are very endearing and lovable.
The story also touches on the quality of life on reservations, and the problems indigenous people are still facing today.
If you like mystery novels, this is definitely worth your time.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was pretty good.
It was a dark, super hero-ish novel. It follows Victor and Eli. Both are college students and deciding on their theses.
Eli chooses to study EOs, "Extra Ordinary" humans, and if they are real, where they come from, and the extent of their abilities. The results lead both men down a dark and brutal path.
The themes in this book are dark, touching on faith, ethics, more broadly, how we define the characteristics of villains versus heroes.
Sometimes, the only difference between a hero and a villain is the context of their perspective.
It was a dark, super hero-ish novel. It follows Victor and Eli. Both are college students and deciding on their theses.
Eli chooses to study EOs, "Extra Ordinary" humans, and if they are real, where they come from, and the extent of their abilities. The results lead both men down a dark and brutal path.
The themes in this book are dark, touching on faith, ethics, more broadly, how we define the characteristics of villains versus heroes.
Sometimes, the only difference between a hero and a villain is the context of their perspective.