courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1211 reviews

The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka

3.0

I wanted to like this a lot more than I did - I am a Swiftie and loved the idea of a Swift inspired book, but nothing really grabbed me. I was also thrown by just how many music metaphors/imagery was used (I understand they're musicians, but it seemed almost excessive, and I don't remember it being so prominent in other musician romances I've read). I liked Max and Riley as characters, but I wasn't obsessed with them. It is a very fast and bingeable book, but it wasn't so much "can't put it down" as "I devour romances". 

Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto by Vine Deloria Jr.

informative

5.0

I really liked this! I had heard it mentioned as a foundational book in other books, and even though it is older, it is still really great. There were things I was familiar with, but I learned a lot. I also liked the way the chapters were structured (especially the chapter exclusively on Native humor, which paired really well since I had just finished We Had A Little Real Estate Problem), which allowed the book to spotlight and focus on different aspects at a time, rather than do a straight chronological survey. If you have no knowledge of Native history, this will be a lot of information, but it's really good. I would love to read a follow up that follows what has happened since the Vietnam Era. 

The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie

3.0

This was fine - not the best mystery I've read, but there's nothing "wrong" with it either. As with many plays, I think it will be stronger being watched than read. 

Ephemera: A Memoir by Briana Loewinsohn

reflective sad

3.0

This book is very brief and poetic, especially in the vein of Rupi Kaur. The artwork coloring style switches for the past and present, and it's a great example of when a little says a lot. 
This book was fine for me - I recognize that it was well done, but I think this is a book that will most excel when it's speaking to the right person in the right moment. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

4.0

This is a very sweet Middle Grade graphic novel (even though there is literally a bloody coup that kills off the only known family for the two protagonists, it still felt very sweet). The protagonists join the Communion of Blue in order to stay safe from their murderous cousin, and Grayce finds herself in the sisterhood, while her brother Hawke chafes under it. It was really lovely to see Grayce find herself and her truth, and have that recognized and supported so simply and easily by those around her. 
A very quick read with beautiful visuals. I do wish more of the magic system was explained/explored, but as the novel takes place over only a few days, it does make sense the scope and limitation of what we see. 
Also, I'm sure if I should add a CW for deadnaming as this covers Grayce's transition process. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy by Kliph Nesteroff

informative

5.0

This was an easy read and the audiobook is enjoyable (though it does jump around from time to time, which was a bit jarring, but I wonder if it's less jarring as a written book rather than audio). I didn't know pretty much anything about Native American comedians, and it provided not only a ton of history around contemporary comedy, but a wider historical backing as well. 
Highly recommend for history lovers and comedy lovers. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

5.0

He's a man who reformed, went to therapy, and has a gentle dog - what are you still waiting for? 

Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

If I DNFed books, I probably would have DNFed this. The most engaging part was right around the halfway mark where the "terrible incident" happens, and it's because I think the book works most well when driven by external conflict. It doesn't thrive as a love story (though the romantic subplot is a significant part of the story), and I think it's because it doesn't operate as a romance novel - there's no "core wound" that the characters face and the only external conflict is the war going on, and then the after effects of the "terrible incident" - even Billy's interest isn't a conflict until spoilers

  from the beginning of the book the love triangle is set up, and especially after Ray is shot down, it just felt like he was going to survive - because why else would the love triangle have been set up so much? So when Ray shows up days before the wedding, it feels more like a pay off than a "oh no! conflict!!"

. I did appreciate the sections that focused on administrative life and the inquiry, but the lack of interior depth - beyond life during wartime is hard - made this book hard to resonate with me. I do like when author's read their own work, but that alone wasn't enough to elevate this for me. 
If you like historical fiction about London during the Blitz, this is a read for you. If not, I'd say skip (even if you're a fan of Brown's). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death of parent, Child death, and Body horror

Captivated by Love by Brenda Jackson

3.5

I read this as a standalone, and I don't think it works as well - I probably would have liked it more if I had that background on the Grangers, but it still worked. I wasn't as gripped by the first half (but I'm also not really a fan of prison set stories or insta-lust), but I did like the connection and deep love between Carson and Sheppard, and I always love when there's no third act breakup. I'm also not usually a fan of one trop (<spoilers> accidental pregnancy </spoilers>) but it really fit and worked for the characters involved. 

The Baker & the Bard by Fern Haught

3.0

Very gentle and very cozy - it's about Juniper and Hadley's friendship, a cozy quest to find some mushrooms, and the friends they meet along the way. It's definitely a book to pick up if you like nice, gentle, cozy, soft-fantasy with a dash of queer.