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dana_naylor's reviews
489 reviews
Storm Waters by Kat Richardson
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
I really enjoyed Richardson's Greywalker series and was excited to read her new book.
It is the start of a new series and I'm looking forward to reading the next in it.
Unfortunately, the start is a bit rough.
It's set in the 1930s with all the slang. Modeled after hard-boiled noir detective fiction with a bit of supernatural thrown in. She includes a glossary at the end of the book in case some of the slang is confusing. I'm interested in more of the world and more stories set here. I had a hard time following the story initially - the main character has chosen to get rid of some of his memories, but that didn't make sense to me until halfway through the book. So we're trying to solve a mystery but don't have all the information and aren't aware that we are missing major things. Also there are a number of typos in the ebook that were distracting for me.
So mixed opinions overall - but I do plan on buying the next in the series when it's announced and released.
It is the start of a new series and I'm looking forward to reading the next in it.
Unfortunately, the start is a bit rough.
It's set in the 1930s with all the slang. Modeled after hard-boiled noir detective fiction with a bit of supernatural thrown in. She includes a glossary at the end of the book in case some of the slang is confusing. I'm interested in more of the world and more stories set here. I had a hard time following the story initially - the main character has chosen to get rid of some of his memories, but that didn't make sense to me until halfway through the book. So we're trying to solve a mystery but don't have all the information and aren't aware that we are missing major things. Also there are a number of typos in the ebook that were distracting for me.
So mixed opinions overall - but I do plan on buying the next in the series when it's announced and released.
The Life of Sharks Volume 3 by Christian Talbot
funny
fast-paced
5.0
I want more!!!!
Really enjoy these comics. Drawing has improved by Vol 3. Love the teeth.
Really enjoy these comics. Drawing has improved by Vol 3. Love the teeth.
The Life of Sharks Volume 2 by Christian Talbot
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Fun! I don't think I laughed quite as much as with Vol 1, but I love these comics!
Sociopath: a Memoir by Patric Gagne
There isn't anything on the cause of her sociopathy.
I found the epilogue the most interesting, where she talks about her choice to have children and some of how she navigates her relationship with her husband.
The writing and topic were very compelling. I'd pick up the book intending to just read a bit and find I'd read a hundred pages. I'm glad she wrote this and curious to see what further research on sociopathy may show.
She does have a list of research on her website faqs that isn't in the book.
https://patricgagne.com/faq/
informative
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I found this memoir fascinating.
The author got her PhD in order to understand herself and her diagnosis better.
I appreciate the observation in the introduction of her luck and privilege.
The author got her PhD in order to understand herself and her diagnosis better.
I appreciate the observation in the introduction of her luck and privilege.
It was luck that I was born into a world where I would be afforded almost every privilege imaginable. The truth, I am well aware, is that my life would have gone very differently if my race, my class, or my gender were otherwise.
There isn't anything on the cause of her sociopathy.
I found the epilogue the most interesting, where she talks about her choice to have children and some of how she navigates her relationship with her husband.
The writing and topic were very compelling. I'd pick up the book intending to just read a bit and find I'd read a hundred pages. I'm glad she wrote this and curious to see what further research on sociopathy may show.
She does have a list of research on her website faqs that isn't in the book.
https://patricgagne.com/faq/
Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Surprisingly, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, despite opening up new adventures after book 3 "conclusion".
Set mostly on one planet or in orbit around it and felt rather claustrophobic to me.
4 povs: Holden, Basia (father of child in cohort with Mei in prior book, escaped Ganymede and has settled on new planet, working to keep corporation off planet), Elvi (scientist (biologist) from corporation), and Havelock (2nd in charge of security for corporation - and Miller's old partner from book 1).
Elvi is ridiculously annoying to read. Her crush on Holden is painful and despite an explanation for it later and her coming to her senses, I REALLY didn't like her.
Set mostly on one planet or in orbit around it and felt rather claustrophobic to me.
4 povs: Holden, Basia (father of child in cohort with Mei in prior book, escaped Ganymede and has settled on new planet, working to keep corporation off planet), Elvi (scientist (biologist) from corporation), and Havelock (2nd in charge of security for corporation - and Miller's old partner from book 1).
The Life of Sharks: Volume 1 by Christian Talbot, Sophie Hodge
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I just love Life of Sharks! Found the webcomic not long ago and they make me laugh.
I like the political opinions of the author (see his Instagram).
Was thrilled to get print copies of the books for a Xmas gift.
This is a short book, but I did laugh aloud and there were a few comics I haven’t seen.
I like the political opinions of the author (see his Instagram).
Was thrilled to get print copies of the books for a Xmas gift.
This is a short book, but I did laugh aloud and there were a few comics I haven’t seen.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely amazing.
I loved the etymology notes and the discussions on translation. Found the academic work absolutely fascinating.
I can see rereading this.
Books I - IV were fine for me (although some parts were rough), but Book V absolutely wrecked me. Catharsis in the true meaning of the word.
I loved the etymology notes and the discussions on translation. Found the academic work absolutely fascinating.
I can see rereading this.
Water, Water: Poems by Billy Collins
medium-paced
3.5
I'm reading poetry now when I never used to, so I still question if I'm reading it "correctly". I have been liking listening to the poet read their poems, so audiobooks are wonderful to me. I have this audiobook on hold and haven't heard it yet, so I don't know if that will change my view of these poems.
Unfortunately, the current politics make me a lot less interested in the views of older white males, and Billy Collins does fall into that category. A few of the poems just had me cranky with the narrator's limited viewpoint.
Unfortunately, the current politics make me a lot less interested in the views of older white males, and Billy Collins does fall into that category. A few of the poems just had me cranky with the narrator's limited viewpoint.
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Loved it.
Told from 4 povs: Holden (still around), Bull (Earther who’s working for Fred and OPA), Melba/Clarissa Mao (out for vengeance against Holden), and Anna (a Methodist minister and one of the best representations I’ve read of a good minister).
Didn’t end on a cliffhanger, so I may manage to finish a few other books before picking up book 4.
I am enjoying the series tremendously. I get a kick out of seeing other character’s opinions of Holden, especially when they think he’s making poor decisions. I also have been appreciating the female representation. I haven’t been annoyed with how any women are written.
Told from 4 povs: Holden (still around), Bull (Earther who’s working for Fred and OPA), Melba/Clarissa Mao (out for vengeance against Holden), and Anna (a Methodist minister and one of the best representations I’ve read of a good minister).
Didn’t end on a cliffhanger, so I may manage to finish a few other books before picking up book 4.
I am enjoying the series tremendously. I get a kick out of seeing other character’s opinions of Holden, especially when they think he’s making poor decisions. I also have been appreciating the female representation. I haven’t been annoyed with how any women are written.
Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet by Samantha Allen
Definitely NOT a romance. No HEA. (genre)
It’s sweet and I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’d want to reread it.
I’ll be picking up author’s next book though!
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.0
It’s sweet and I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’d want to reread it.
I’ll be picking up author’s next book though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death