geekyscot's reviews
25 reviews

Erasure by Percival Everett

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wish the film had done more to cover the constant stream of ideas Monk has, things he reads, issues he considers etc. rather than just that one scene from the book that is acted out in front of him. Most of that worked well, although I could’ve done without the lengthy academic paper. The family side of things still doesn’t work for me, more even than in the film because the charm of the actors isn’t there on the page.

It feels weird to review a book and solely make comparisons to the adaptation, but I read the book because of the film so it’s the viewpoint I’m coming at it from.

The Bat by Jo Nesbø

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Entertaining, but how it talks about and uses its racial diversity feels more than a bit iffy at times.

Malice by Heather Walter

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

3.25

Started strong, enjoyed the nods to the sources, but it really rushed its conclusion and felt a little like it was just ticking off plot points and Easter eggs as it did so.

But I was reading a free signed copy I got a couple of years ago at SDCC so I can’t really complain.

Why We Love the Matrix by Kim Taylor-Foster

funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

Great LGBTQ+ Speeches: Empowering Voices That Engage And Inspire by Tea Uglow

hopeful slow-paced

3.0

The info on the speakers was more interesting than the speeches themselves.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

adventurous funny informative lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

I’m biased because it’s about one of the Triple Crown hikes, but it was great.

Also loved learning via the acknowledgements that Strayed and Chuck Palahniuk are in the same writers group. Can just imagine her giving him feedback in grim and gritty Fight Club as he’s feeding back on this reflective story of hope.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Andy Weir writes sci-fi in such a fun way. Not sure what took me so long to get to this after enjoying The Martian years ago, but I’m happy I finally got round to it. It also features the best fictional character called Rocky in any medium.

The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Solid book, but that was fantastic. Made me actually gasp.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5