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hayleygatenby's reviews
397 reviews
Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire by Ashley Spencer
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
WOW, I did not expect to fly through this as fast as I did (though now I've finished it I realise I am PEAK audience for this kind of book haha!)
I'm not much of a non-fic reader so I expected to get a few chapters in and then let it sit on my beside table to be returned to the library as I got my overdue notice or only read the few chapters I was interested in (HSM, Hannah Montana) but I started this and then couldn't stop. Ashley Spencer writes in a way that sucks you in, and reads like a youtube video essay (which I adore and have previously watched a lot about Disney.)
This book details the absolute height and meteoric rise of Disney DCOMS and series from the early 2000's to the 2010's ish while also talking about all the drama that happened during (Vanessa Hudgens nudes being leaked, Miley Cyrus smoking a bong etc) There are a lot of names thrown at you, and references to a lot of TV shows and movies as all of the directors an executives worked on heaps of the same stuff which could get confusing but because that wasn't really what I was interesting in I was fine to glaze over names and get into the juice.
I loved learning little tidbits about my fave Disney shows and movies (forever a massive HSM fan) and how it all came to be with quotes from the actors and the directors about how challenging the times actually were. and it was highly entertaining to think about where I was and what age I was when all of this drama was going down.
I found it a really quick read despite being quite long (over 250 pages) and it almost didn't feel like you were reading a non fiction in a really good way.
My fave chapters were HSM, Hannah Montana and Hilary Duff/Lizzie McGuire as I didn't see much of Lizzie growing up) I also really enjoyed the chapter about Demi Lovato and her struggles and felt like this was a really important thing to include. I like how Ashley didn't shy away from getting deep and personal here and allowing these teens struggles to matter (as from the book it sounds like Disney didn't necessarily care as long as they continued to be a cash cow)
If you grew up in the 2000s and liked Disney I think you will love this. Looking forward to what Ashley Spencer does next. It would be super cool to get more into the effect of youtube, tiktok, social media and other forms of media had/has on Disney in this day and age.
I'm not much of a non-fic reader so I expected to get a few chapters in and then let it sit on my beside table to be returned to the library as I got my overdue notice or only read the few chapters I was interested in (HSM, Hannah Montana) but I started this and then couldn't stop. Ashley Spencer writes in a way that sucks you in, and reads like a youtube video essay (which I adore and have previously watched a lot about Disney.)
This book details the absolute height and meteoric rise of Disney DCOMS and series from the early 2000's to the 2010's ish while also talking about all the drama that happened during (Vanessa Hudgens nudes being leaked, Miley Cyrus smoking a bong etc) There are a lot of names thrown at you, and references to a lot of TV shows and movies as all of the directors an executives worked on heaps of the same stuff which could get confusing but because that wasn't really what I was interesting in I was fine to glaze over names and get into the juice.
I loved learning little tidbits about my fave Disney shows and movies (forever a massive HSM fan) and how it all came to be with quotes from the actors and the directors about how challenging the times actually were. and it was highly entertaining to think about where I was and what age I was when all of this drama was going down.
I found it a really quick read despite being quite long (over 250 pages) and it almost didn't feel like you were reading a non fiction in a really good way.
My fave chapters were HSM, Hannah Montana and Hilary Duff/Lizzie McGuire as I didn't see much of Lizzie growing up) I also really enjoyed the chapter about Demi Lovato and her struggles and felt like this was a really important thing to include. I like how Ashley didn't shy away from getting deep and personal here and allowing these teens struggles to matter (as from the book it sounds like Disney didn't necessarily care as long as they continued to be a cash cow)
If you grew up in the 2000s and liked Disney I think you will love this. Looking forward to what Ashley Spencer does next. It would be super cool to get more into the effect of youtube, tiktok, social media and other forms of media had/has on Disney in this day and age.
Heartbreak is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music by Rob Sheffield
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.5
I would love to know who the target audience of this book actually is? Cos as a Swiftie who tries her best to keep up with all the lore of Taylor this was absolutely nothing new for me (hahah) but I also think it would do nothing for a new fan, or someone who wants to get to know her either as it's chock full of references, lyrics (often wrong!!!!!) and inside jokes that would alienate a reader. Literally every second sentence had a quippy lyric reference that got real cringy real fast.
This book truly pissed me off actually hahaha, as someone who claims to be such a big fan of Taylor I don't think Rob did much research for this book at all, from getting the lyrics wrong (it's not that hard to google before you immortalise it in a book, where was the editor?) to trying to be down with the kids in with the fans by doing a whole chapter on "Haylor" and proceeding to attribute a lyric from "State of Grace" (Twin fire signs, four blue eyes) to Harry - reader, he's not even a fire sign????? c'mon, that was an easy one. For a Music Writer and supposedly a massive fan of Taylor you'd think he'd be able to get this right?
I do like how he wasn't afraid to critique her or say what he really thought about some of her actions, I think more articles, videos, books etc could do with being a little more critical of her, she's definitely not perfect and we could all do with remembering that!
This book felt really surface level which was so disappointing, as the sub title "How Taylor Swift reinvented pop music" really hooked me and I was so interested to learn about how the industry has changed, her impact etc and this was never even discussed - it was just a rehash of her history and moments like the Kimye drama? It's not what it was hyped up to be and any person kinda familiar with Taylor would already know all this.
He also just wrote a lot about himself and his relation to Taylors music, which was fine, but not what I was told was gonna be discussed on the cover. I don't really care about him at all so I spent a long part of the book being like alright mate, let's carry on.
I don't know who I would recommend this book too tbh, I wish it did more of what it said it was gonna do on the tin. It felt a bit like he was just cashing in on the hype.
This book truly pissed me off actually hahaha, as someone who claims to be such a big fan of Taylor I don't think Rob did much research for this book at all, from getting the lyrics wrong (it's not that hard to google before you immortalise it in a book, where was the editor?) to trying to be down with the kids in with the fans by doing a whole chapter on "Haylor" and proceeding to attribute a lyric from "State of Grace" (Twin fire signs, four blue eyes) to Harry - reader, he's not even a fire sign????? c'mon, that was an easy one. For a Music Writer and supposedly a massive fan of Taylor you'd think he'd be able to get this right?
I do like how he wasn't afraid to critique her or say what he really thought about some of her actions, I think more articles, videos, books etc could do with being a little more critical of her, she's definitely not perfect and we could all do with remembering that!
This book felt really surface level which was so disappointing, as the sub title "How Taylor Swift reinvented pop music" really hooked me and I was so interested to learn about how the industry has changed, her impact etc and this was never even discussed - it was just a rehash of her history and moments like the Kimye drama? It's not what it was hyped up to be and any person kinda familiar with Taylor would already know all this.
He also just wrote a lot about himself and his relation to Taylors music, which was fine, but not what I was told was gonna be discussed on the cover. I don't really care about him at all so I spent a long part of the book being like alright mate, let's carry on.
I don't know who I would recommend this book too tbh, I wish it did more of what it said it was gonna do on the tin. It felt a bit like he was just cashing in on the hype.
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this, I'm now a sucker for Rebel Blue Ranch stories I think..
It's December and in that weird time between Christmas and New Years in New Zealands summer and I couldn't think of any better conditions to absolutely devour this book than that.. I think I started this book around 10am and finished it at 4.30pm. SUCH an easy read with absolutely lovable characters and a few steamy scenes thrown in for good measure.
I love the chemistry between all of the characters and how each book intertwines their story even more so we find out heaps about side characters as the series moves on, I think the way Lyla Sage has set these books up is super fun.
I did enjoy Done and Dusted slightly more but both get a four stars haha. I feel like Wes was a bit too much insta-love for me personally, i like a bit of angst haha.
I did really appreciate the mental health rep and the way they talked about divorce etc, I like my romance books with a side of reality and depth.
Would absolutely read another Rebel Blue Ranch novel and will look out for it in my library specifically
It's December and in that weird time between Christmas and New Years in New Zealands summer and I couldn't think of any better conditions to absolutely devour this book than that.. I think I started this book around 10am and finished it at 4.30pm. SUCH an easy read with absolutely lovable characters and a few steamy scenes thrown in for good measure.
I love the chemistry between all of the characters and how each book intertwines their story even more so we find out heaps about side characters as the series moves on, I think the way Lyla Sage has set these books up is super fun.
I did enjoy Done and Dusted slightly more but both get a four stars haha. I feel like Wes was a bit too much insta-love for me personally, i like a bit of angst haha.
I did really appreciate the mental health rep and the way they talked about divorce etc, I like my romance books with a side of reality and depth.
Would absolutely read another Rebel Blue Ranch novel and will look out for it in my library specifically
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
My least fave Riley Sager, I did whizz through it but not as fast as I did with his others cos I dare I say that was boring???? It didn’t need to be that long and there was almost no plot/anything to really grip me. Truly didn’t need to be this long.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely devoured this and it singlehandedly pulled me out of a reading slump. I need to get my hands on Julie Soto's other books cos I think she just became a must read author for me.
This was so fantastic, knowing nothing about music or composing did not dampen my appreciation of this novel which is really great. Julie Soto had a way of describing music and composing and being on stage that made me feel close and connected to it and that did wonders. I was so swept away by the prose when she was describing Gwen and Alex performing.
XANDER THORNE THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!! He was so down bad and I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEED it, ooof that man was wrapped around Gwen's finger. The scene depicted on the cover was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and actually all of the sex scenes were done so well. I didn't feel like there was too many like I do in some romance books and I like how it actually helped the plot along rather than deviating for a whole chapter just for the characters to have sex.
All the side characters felt real and fleshed out which I appreciated, sometimes in romance books I find that the MC friends are very much side characters and are one-dimensional but Ava, Nathan and Mabel were all super realistic and fleshed out and I LOVED Jacob and Declan too (I could've even done with seeing them more tbh) |
One thing I could've done without was the third act breakup but I realise you need something to build that tension. I just felt like the tension between G and A was enough on it's own without having to add in a random breakup that didn't feel particularly real for their characters. I think the third act drama could've had way more to do with Mabel and Ava and Nathan and that would make more sense with what we know about these characters.
Anyway, loved this - will continue to read Julie Soto. Thanks for pulling me out of my slump!
This was so fantastic, knowing nothing about music or composing did not dampen my appreciation of this novel which is really great. Julie Soto had a way of describing music and composing and being on stage that made me feel close and connected to it and that did wonders. I was so swept away by the prose when she was describing Gwen and Alex performing.
XANDER THORNE THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!! He was so down bad and I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEED it, ooof that man was wrapped around Gwen's finger. The scene depicted on the cover was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and actually all of the sex scenes were done so well. I didn't feel like there was too many like I do in some romance books and I like how it actually helped the plot along rather than deviating for a whole chapter just for the characters to have sex.
All the side characters felt real and fleshed out which I appreciated, sometimes in romance books I find that the MC friends are very much side characters and are one-dimensional but Ava, Nathan and Mabel were all super realistic and fleshed out and I LOVED Jacob and Declan too (I could've even done with seeing them more tbh) |
One thing I could've done without was the third act breakup but I realise you need something to build that tension. I just felt like the tension between G and A was enough on it's own without having to add in a random breakup that didn't feel particularly real for their characters. I think the third act drama could've had way more to do with Mabel and Ava and Nathan and that would make more sense with what we know about these characters.
Anyway, loved this - will continue to read Julie Soto. Thanks for pulling me out of my slump!
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This was solid, Riley Sager's books have me locked in whatever the heck is going on and I always have a great time while reading. He knows how to write setting and also how to pace a book.
Can't say this one was my fave, but i also read it in like 24hrs so I've gotta hand it to him.
Our MC Charlie was one of the stupidest MC's I've ever read in a thriller book but hey, I guess we have to keep the plot going somehow?
The twists were pretty good and definitely had me wanting to keep flipping pages long into the night. I think I'll pretty much read anything Riley Sager writes at this point cos he does the best popcorn thrillers.
Hated how it ended, it truly didn't need to end like that which I why I rated it low despite enjoying it for 95% of the book.
Can't say this one was my fave, but i also read it in like 24hrs so I've gotta hand it to him.
Our MC Charlie was one of the stupidest MC's I've ever read in a thriller book but hey, I guess we have to keep the plot going somehow?
The twists were pretty good and definitely had me wanting to keep flipping pages long into the night. I think I'll pretty much read anything Riley Sager writes at this point cos he does the best popcorn thrillers.
Hated how it ended, it truly didn't need to end like that which I why I rated it low despite enjoying it for 95% of the book.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of those. books that you flip the last page and just know it's gonna stay in your heart forever, and in turn a tiny piece of your heart is left within the pages.
This was melancholic, hopeful, hard to read, messy, infuriating and loving. The way Kaveh Akbar writes will take you away instantly, a movie playing in your head. Just wow.
I love Cyrus so much, from the very beginning he nestled himself into my heart and stayed there for the rest of the 300+ pages. He was so real, so touchable.
I will read literally anything Kaveh writes from the moment I flipped the last page of this book.
It explores grief, identity, addiction, belonging, social commentary and so much more in such a romantic and awful way. Showing the very best and worst of humanity and how we are all both of those things.
The timeline jumps around but it only makes the book that much deeper and drawn you in even more (I usually dont like multiple POV/timeline books) It did take me a while to get through but I think mostly because I wanted to savour it, wanted to be in the mood for it, wanted to want to get stuck in the world (I had a hard time coming back into the "real world" while reading this)
Please just read it. I feel like need to read it another 3 times before I'll ever understand it's depth.
This was melancholic, hopeful, hard to read, messy, infuriating and loving. The way Kaveh Akbar writes will take you away instantly, a movie playing in your head. Just wow.
I love Cyrus so much, from the very beginning he nestled himself into my heart and stayed there for the rest of the 300+ pages. He was so real, so touchable.
I will read literally anything Kaveh writes from the moment I flipped the last page of this book.
It explores grief, identity, addiction, belonging, social commentary and so much more in such a romantic and awful way. Showing the very best and worst of humanity and how we are all both of those things.
The timeline jumps around but it only makes the book that much deeper and drawn you in even more (I usually dont like multiple POV/timeline books) It did take me a while to get through but I think mostly because I wanted to savour it, wanted to be in the mood for it, wanted to want to get stuck in the world (I had a hard time coming back into the "real world" while reading this)
Please just read it. I feel like need to read it another 3 times before I'll ever understand it's depth.
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think this is a duology I want to read another 3 times before I have solid opinions on it. I do think Octavia Butler is a genius and everyone should read this. Especially as we get closer and closer to the years she wrote this set in. Highly recommend listening to Octavia’s Parables podcast alongside.
Didn’t enjoy this one as much as Parable of The Sower but I think I’m way more of a character driven reader?? And this one was a mostly in Lauren’s head and then I was annoyed by both Marc and her daughter so I couldn’t wait to be out of their heads lol. And it focused a lot on the religion and less on community which I preferred in Sower
Didn’t enjoy this one as much as Parable of The Sower but I think I’m way more of a character driven reader?? And this one was a mostly in Lauren’s head and then I was annoyed by both Marc and her daughter so I couldn’t wait to be out of their heads lol. And it focused a lot on the religion and less on community which I preferred in Sower
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Went straight into the second book and for me thats all you need to know about how I feel about it.
Octavia has built such an immersive and impressive world that easily fits into our own. Reading this in the subsequent years that this book refers too starting in 2024 will be an extremely interesting exercise.
I'm currently also listening to a podcast by adrienne maree brown and toshi reagon that breaks this book down chapter by chapter and I think this is really adding to the experience. I'm deeply effected by what I have read here.
Octavia has built such an immersive and impressive world that easily fits into our own. Reading this in the subsequent years that this book refers too starting in 2024 will be an extremely interesting exercise.
I'm currently also listening to a podcast by adrienne maree brown and toshi reagon that breaks this book down chapter by chapter and I think this is really adding to the experience. I'm deeply effected by what I have read here.