hermusings's reviews
208 reviews

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

funny reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Honestly, kinda iconic.

I went into this super blind and was happily surprised. This is a book about class, wealth, family dynamics and perceptions…all while being incredibly funny.

The commentary on that millennial/gen Z need to have absolution from horrid (and in this case, generational) things in which we’re systematically a part of was greatly depicted here. Funny enough through characters that are privileged and most of the time out of touch. 

Now the writing!!! It had me hooked. It was seamless and unassuming. Greatly accessible for a book about the exclusive lol.

 

This is one I’ll probably be thinking about long after finishing it. 

“Have you ever paused and wondered 'Am I actually a good person? Or am I moving through this world making things a little worse instead of better?'" ... "Have you ever felt like you just couldn't keep going down the same path, and that you needed to stop and really evaluate what it meant to be a part of this planet? What it meant to be a good human?"

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

medium-paced

2.75

As a romance it fell flat to me but as a comedy it was quite funny. 
They’re insanely immature which made for a funny story. But I still cannot understand why they like each other.

The Amendment by Kiersten Modglin

dark fast-paced

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

3.5

Tbh they deserve each other 

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

“Shout out to cork!!” - Ayo Edebiri

70% vibes, 30% plot. This was engaging and slightly comforting to read. It had great proses and commentary on class, growing up, family etc. Kinda saw some of the twists coming but the writing is so good you feel like you’re in Rachel’s head as it’s all unfolding. 
Also, I learned about Irish abortion rights.  

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

medium-paced

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

4.25

A lot of the tropes and plot points in this book are things I would usually stay clear of but somehow Julie Soto made it work! It was sweet, funny and an overall good giddy time. 
I also loved that Elliot told the history while Ama carried us to the present.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Rachel Gillig ate with this one!!

The lore and world building was incredibly captivating and there’s a strong theme of interconnectedness. 

Gillig’s writing style was accessible yet she added loads of riddles and rhymes which made for the story to almost read like a mystery. 

The characters were lovable and engaging. Specially the nightmare 🖤

I got the second book before even finishing this one.

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

If BJ & Magnolia have no haters I am dead!! 

The amount of times they went on a rant about how they love each other just for every single action they take prove the opposite was infuriating to say the least.

I will say it was engaging how EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. (sans Bridget) was involved in some sort of toxic situation. Also there were some good prose here or there.

Also, It’s so intensely written by an Aussie!! The amount of “oi”s, the messy messy friend group. I would have loved this in 2008. 

Now that ending. Although I was shocked, I was not surprised. These people are insufferable !!

Layover (a Beach Read epilogue) by Emily Henry

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

Suffrage Song: The Haunted History of Gender, Race and Voting Rights in the U.S. by Caitlin Cass

3.0

This was more infographic than comic book. You can see how much time and research the author placed into this book. She dives deep into some well known characters (Susan B, Stanton, etc) however the gold here is the multiple stories of everyday women. This felt well rounded as slavery, universal suffrage, white supremacy and intersectionality are also discussed.

However, as I stated in my original sentence, this felt like an illustrated textbook. Incredibly informant yet maybe something I would have loved to have read more within a class setting than now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good Girl by Anna Fitzpatrick

3.0

Main character Lucy is messy and chaotic. You can’t help but think if she saw a therapist her life would be exponentially better.

Fitzpatrick tried  to do a lot in this story. Sometimes the feminist commentary, comedic scenario or prose hit yet it all felt surface level.  However, I will say I couldn’t put it down.