designsbymeghen's reviews
247 reviews

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

3.5

Reading about feminism in the 1700s was pretty neat. I didn’t realize Martha Ballard was a real woman from history until the end. I enjoyed how Lawhon chose to bring her character to life and tell her story in an empowering and thoughtful way. It’s not surprising men have been awful since the beginning. Recounting history and painting these bastards in the ugliest light is deserved. 

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

3.25

I enjoyed taking a peak into Durrell’s early years. His family sounds like they were quite the characters, and he writes about them comically and lovingly. It’s wild to read about how a wealthy family like his lived during this period. Exploring the outdoors, collecting wildlife, and having your tutor sound ideal for me to learn! 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

I really tried to finish this one because it's not that long of a story, but I could not get into it. The writing style wasn't my favorite, and I didn't resonate with any of the characters. It seemed like an interesting concept, but not for me. 

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane

3.25

I really enjoyed Shane’s writing style. She’s able to break down the convoluted topic of AI in a way that’s much easier to grasp and wrap my head around. Understanding how it works makes it seem way less scary than sci-fi movies portray AI to be. It’s also highly relevant to my career and how it’s being incorporated into the creative industry. I see it as a tool designers can use to improve workflow for menial tasks. There are many important things to figure out, like removing bias from training data, collecting data ethically, and finding the proper balance between AI and human relationships. 

Fractured by Karin Slaughter

3.0

Another quick read. This isn’t my favorite genre in the world, but I think interspersing this series with other books will help break things up. Slaughter is such a detailed writer that it's easy to lose yourself in the storytelling. This story specifically wasn’t quite as captivating as the first one, but I like that you were never quite sure who the killer was. Also, more child pedophile stuff....

Triptych by Karin Slaughter

3.5

I wasn’t sure I wanted to sign up for a 12-book series, but Slaughter has redeemed my faith in mystery writing. I couldn’t put this one down. While the language about sex workers and children is relatively crude and appalling, the protagonists are in the thick of it and are genuinely great to root for. 

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

4.0

It’s been a minute since I’ve read nonfiction. Amanda Montell knows how to weave a narrative that has me self-reflecting and connecting the dots between evolutionary traits and my own habits and tendencies. I especially loved the part of the book that highlights how important it is to create things with your hands and disconnect from time to time. 

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

1.0

I finished this book purely out of spite so I could leave this review. I will disclaimer this to say that nothing annoys me more than unnecessary thought repetition in a story. While the story itself had potential, it was simply not good. It was incredibly repetitive; cut this thing in half, and you’re well on your way to a much better read. The characters are not interesting. They’re not likable or even hateable; they’re simply dull. And lastly, it was a sloppy, messy plot twist explosion at the end, and it was just bad. This is the last time I will unthinkingly follow a “booktok” trend. If you thought this book was good, I’m happy for you, but please don’t recommend any books to me until you’ve read some good storytelling. 

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

3.25

This was a cute story and an easy read. Evvie is a very likable character with a fun and witty personality who gets squashed by her emotionally abusive husband. He’s one of those characters you celebrate their death. As unrealistic as it is, it’s always nice when the likable main character gets a new, hot, and thoughtful love interest. 

Mind Games by Nora Roberts

3.0

This book started really strong for me. We’ve got a wholesome family, a relaxing setting, and an exciting first-person take on what it feels like to be a psychic. But then the book just kept going. And going. After a while, it felt like the type of story that didn’t want to end but just leaned on repeating narratives without adding more interest or plot to the storyline. The most unrealistic thing about this whole story was the sheer amount of emotional intelligence between all the characters across the board. While it was nice to read, after a while, it was just boring.