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coca_reads's reviews
452 reviews
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
4.5
This was a witty and heartbreaking story about grief and how we can grow from loss. When Patrick's brother asks him to take his kids, after the death of their mother, so he can go in to rehab, he's hesitant.
He's retired from acting, openly gay, and living in seclusion after the death of his partner.
He's not one to back down though. He accepts and takes the kids with him to Palm Springs where they all try to work through their grief and try to learn to get along as a family.
He's retired from acting, openly gay, and living in seclusion after the death of his partner.
He's not one to back down though. He accepts and takes the kids with him to Palm Springs where they all try to work through their grief and try to learn to get along as a family.
Showstopper by Peter Lovesey
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Standard British police procedural.
Plot was interesting, odd disappearances over the course of several years on a popular show.
Characters were pretty typical aside from the aging protagonist who is scared he may be getting too old to do the job justice.
Enjoyable, but not to the point I'd go seeking the other books. If I happen to find them in passing though, I'll pick them up.
Plot was interesting, odd disappearances over the course of several years on a popular show.
Characters were pretty typical aside from the aging protagonist who is scared he may be getting too old to do the job justice.
Enjoyable, but not to the point I'd go seeking the other books. If I happen to find them in passing though, I'll pick them up.
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
Fantastic book.
Following Miles as he comes out as trans living in a rural, West Virginia, holler and his simultaneous struggles with corrupt, local, law enforcement.
This was a very political book, but unlike the stance that so many authors seem to want to take, White takes the stance of focusing on the the ideals that bind all of us together. Mainly that we're sick of working ourselves to the bone to make other people rich.
These characters were so real and vulnerable. I felt for almost all of them, even some of the antagonists.
I am eager to work through the author's catalog.
Following Miles as he comes out as trans living in a rural, West Virginia, holler and his simultaneous struggles with corrupt, local, law enforcement.
This was a very political book, but unlike the stance that so many authors seem to want to take, White takes the stance of focusing on the the ideals that bind all of us together. Mainly that we're sick of working ourselves to the bone to make other people rich.
These characters were so real and vulnerable. I felt for almost all of them, even some of the antagonists.
I am eager to work through the author's catalog.
Love, Mom by Iliana Xander
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was an interesting read.
Most of the twists were kind of predictable, there were a few though that actually had me giggling.
This is an author with a fair amount of potential. My main issue was the protagonist. She came across as a little irritating at times. I dont know why but her personality grated against mine.
Most of the twists were kind of predictable, there were a few though that actually had me giggling.
This is an author with a fair amount of potential. My main issue was the protagonist. She came across as a little irritating at times. I dont know why but her personality grated against mine.
The Cat Who Saved Books by SÅsuke Natsukawa
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
A charming book. I love the Japanese style of storytelling.
This was about loving books and it poked at the ways people engage with them and how those ways can be counterproductive.
Its also about self-discovery and overcoming your own demons and growing as a person.
This was about loving books and it poked at the ways people engage with them and how those ways can be counterproductive.
Its also about self-discovery and overcoming your own demons and growing as a person.
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Devastatingly beautiful book.
When Jimmy Hill vanishes at sea his sister, Lisamarie, begins reflecting on her turbulent childhood and the events that brought the Hill family to where they are now.
This was written in a very straightforward and beautiful way. This style of storytelling is easy to follow and can convey so much feeling in the way it lays everything out there for you to see.
When Jimmy Hill vanishes at sea his sister, Lisamarie, begins reflecting on her turbulent childhood and the events that brought the Hill family to where they are now.
This was written in a very straightforward and beautiful way. This style of storytelling is easy to follow and can convey so much feeling in the way it lays everything out there for you to see.
In the Woods by Tana French
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
This was so good.
Following the Dublin Murder Squad's Detective Rob Ryan and his partner Detective Cassie Maddox, they're called to an archeology site once used by the Druids of Ireland, the body of a young girl has been discovered on a stone altar. This isn't just another case for the pair, as the woods around the site have a history that's tied to the disappearance of 2 children 20 years earlier. This is complicated by the fact that those 2 children weren't the only ones in the woods that day. A 3rd child was with them, but he was found. He's been living his life under the name Rob Ryan ever since.
It was written in an almost flowery way. The use of language was very deliberate. The author is extremely skilled at setting a scene and using the kinds of descriptive language to paint it vividly into the mind's eye.
The story and characters were also very engaging. The personal interactions of the characters was amazingly well done. The banter between Ryan and Maddox was a delight to witness. The characters were also extremely "morally grey." There's much to like and just as much to dislike about them. They felt like actual, damaged people.
I'm glad this is a series.
Following the Dublin Murder Squad's Detective Rob Ryan and his partner Detective Cassie Maddox, they're called to an archeology site once used by the Druids of Ireland, the body of a young girl has been discovered on a stone altar. This isn't just another case for the pair, as the woods around the site have a history that's tied to the disappearance of 2 children 20 years earlier. This is complicated by the fact that those 2 children weren't the only ones in the woods that day. A 3rd child was with them, but he was found. He's been living his life under the name Rob Ryan ever since.
It was written in an almost flowery way. The use of language was very deliberate. The author is extremely skilled at setting a scene and using the kinds of descriptive language to paint it vividly into the mind's eye.
The story and characters were also very engaging. The personal interactions of the characters was amazingly well done. The banter between Ryan and Maddox was a delight to witness. The characters were also extremely "morally grey." There's much to like and just as much to dislike about them. They felt like actual, damaged people.
I'm glad this is a series.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
I loved this follow-up to "Openly Straight."
It flips the POV from Rafe over to Ben following the end of book 1. Ben is angry with how things ended, he's angry at being lied to, and he's still very angry at Rafe. At least he's pretty sure he is. Right?
This series is all about figuring out who you are and about bucking the expectations of labels.
It's not an easy thing to do. We're always changing and we're not always going to get things right. It's not always going to be easy, and people won't always comprehend, but we should still be able to be there for our loved ones, no matter what they're facing.
It flips the POV from Rafe over to Ben following the end of book 1. Ben is angry with how things ended, he's angry at being lied to, and he's still very angry at Rafe. At least he's pretty sure he is. Right?
This series is all about figuring out who you are and about bucking the expectations of labels.
It's not an easy thing to do. We're always changing and we're not always going to get things right. It's not always going to be easy, and people won't always comprehend, but we should still be able to be there for our loved ones, no matter what they're facing.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
This was a delightful read.
The narrator is an author of self published books about writing books, and he's been called to a family reunion that he really doesn't want to go to.
Especially since his family have basically disowned him for testifying against his brother at a murder trial.
The writing was light and sometimes depressing, sometimes whimsical. There are a lot of fourth wall breaks where the narrator is addressing the reader directly and going off on tangents and it makes the whole thing feel like you're just 2 people sitting there while the other person is telling you a story he knows.
I need to pick up the next book now.
The narrator is an author of self published books about writing books, and he's been called to a family reunion that he really doesn't want to go to.
Especially since his family have basically disowned him for testifying against his brother at a murder trial.
The writing was light and sometimes depressing, sometimes whimsical. There are a lot of fourth wall breaks where the narrator is addressing the reader directly and going off on tangents and it makes the whole thing feel like you're just 2 people sitting there while the other person is telling you a story he knows.
I need to pick up the next book now.