glecharles's reviews
83 reviews

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

Solid short story, would have probably enjoyed a full novel more even though Lovecraft isn't really my thing.

Eisenhorn: The Omnibus by Dan Abnett

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An impressive series of adventures on the fringes of the grimdark universe of W40K, Eisenhorn is a formidable character whose compelling evolution is expertly crafted by Abnett. Loved all four novels, and the short stories are great bonus reads.

Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion by Alain de Botton

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

Thought-provoking and respectful, but fully aware of its limitations, de Botton offers great insights into important things organized religion does well, and how some of them can and should be replicated without needing a God to lean on. More of a survey than a guide, it left me wanting more.

Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 2 by Naoya Matsumoto

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fun!

Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1 by Naoya Matsumoto

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0

Surprisingly entertaining and funny without feeling juvenile, with a great cliffhanger ending. More, please!

Even Though We're Adults, Vol. 1 by Takako Shimura

emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Adorable but also kind of heavy, I'm unexpectedly hooked and want more.

Marketing: Manga for Success by Takashi Yasuda

informative medium-paced

2.5

Decent (but awkwardly translated) marketing 101 combined with a bizarre manga (marketing angels?!?) depicting some of its themes in action. A very weird book! 

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez

challenging informative sad medium-paced

4.5

Insightful and infuriating.

Hairball by Matt Kindt

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

Competent but not terribly scary nor original bit of cat horror.

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima

challenging medium-paced

3.0

A compelling argument that, while being an engrossing read, uses loose citations and heavy-handed speculation to make its case — as one might expect from an enthusiastic graduate student. I'd love to read a more recent assessment of his evidence because the core of his thesis seems plausible.