hermusings's reviews
292 reviews

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

4.0

Claudia and the New Girl by Gabriela Epstein, Ann M. Martin

3.0

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

adventurous challenging reflective tense

• 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

4.5

Writing this feels premature as I’m sure I will have more thoughts on this book (which will stay with me for a long time).

It was such a human story in the most absurd way possible. No plot just essentialism — which is infuriating based on the setting and circumstances of the book (I want answers soooo bad). Yet, that too felt sadly human. So many of us die without answers. 

So many themes here: community, experience, culture, desire, knowledge, compassion, etc. 

Harpman must have loved Plato’s allegory of the cave!! Also, finding out her family were placed into concentration camps during WWII brought extra depth to this plot. 

They can place you in “experiments”, strip you of culture and freedom but they cannot take away your humanity. 

Comedic Timing: A Modern Romance by Upasna Barath

3.25

I found this endearing, and at times frustrating. I think there were loads of really interesting and complex topics brought up to add depth to the characters & plot, yet we couldn’t truly dive into them due to the length and speed of the book. 

However, I knew this was a novella and overall, enjoyed it.

Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Engaging from the start! 
I found these characters to be slightly insufferable and annoying but I truly was locked in for the journey this story took me through. It had moments where I couldn’t suspend my disbelief but it delivered on what it sought out to do. 

37 Questions by June Kaye
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

This book has a wonderful premise (two strangers forced to shelter from a storm together) that lends itself to rely heavily on dialogue. This may have increased my expectations and picture something along the lines of the Before movie series. Unfortunately, the dialogue rarely felt natural or engaging. There were many references to Disney, Star Wars, & Beatles that took me out of the experience. Also, the attempt at creating depth felt like trauma dumping rather. 

However, I can see this being enjoyed by other readers and I look forward to seeing what this author duo bring out in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and 8th Note Press, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

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

4.5

A honest, comical, cathartic and thoughtful exploration of a breakup. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it as much being from a men’s pov but honestly Dolly Alderton is a tremendously good writer.
However, that last chapter in Jen’s pov was a standout & what I’ll probably be thinking about for a long time!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4.0

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

fast-paced

3.25

Read this for my Bookclub.
A bit predictable but quick & accessible for a classic. 
I can see this being an influence for loads of media — did Zoey Kravitz read this before blink twice?
In a Epstein/Diddy world it honestly is not a shocking premise but I will always love a premise where the

lead has the evil within themselves the entire time/are you really as civilized and ethical as you believe to be.

Anyways, this is why we choose the bear.

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith

2.5

Fun premise with a cringe execution