hflh's reviews
56 reviews

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

A simple fable about reading, presence, and relationships.

It was fine. Cute story but the character development is easy. This is great for readers who are primarily looking for a series of lessons on how we should appreciate books (and shouldn’t forget what we’re leaving behind).

Money Shot, Vol. 1 by Sarah Beattie, Tim Seeley

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A simple but fun read.

Creatively silly and great art. 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

As cozy as everyone says with wonderfully loveable characters.

There’s not a lot of action in the traditional sense, but the plot moves quite fast.

Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs by Jennifer Finney Boylan

This seems like a well-written memoir, but I think I just hate memoirs.

Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

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

5.0

Tight, compelling narrative but may be slow-paced for some readers. Rich world and characters. This may be my favourite use of first person in a book. 

This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says about You by Ogi Ogas, Susan Rogers

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

This is a great book for music lovers who want to develop tools to analyze the music they listen to and why they like it. The authors outline a clear and interesting framework for understanding the different aspects of music. I can see this toolkit helping readers gain more appreciation for the music they love (or hate). 

There's a mix of music analysis, neuroscience, and some tidbits of 20th century music history. It's interactive with a website that has activities and playlists to explore your music taste as you read. "Uncovering aspects of your personality" is a stretch; it's more "I tend to like music with this sound because I value authenticity" or "I experience music like this, whereas others experience it differently."

For me, I was mostly bored. I've realized liking my music is enough. I don't want or need to analyze the different aspects of the music I listen to.  

Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law by Mandi Gray

challenging informative slow-paced

4.5

Very academic so difficult at times but eye-opening and worth reading.

This gave me a lot to think about what I would do if I ever need to disclose sexual violence in Canada (even just to friends and family) or support a loved one going through that process.

Our Work Is Everywhere: An Illustrated Oral History of Queer and Trans Resistance by Syan Rose

challenging slow-paced

2.5

Part poetry, part interviews in the form of a giant zine.

I wanted to like this much more than I did. The art and features are lovely, but two things made it hard for me to enjoy. The large chunks of handwritten font made it difficult, almost painful to read. More frustrating, most of the interviews read like a small portion in the middle of a conversation, so it was hard to follow or really get invested in some of the pieces.

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.75

Cool world with good character potential diminished by a slow plot (and I usually like slow) and the most mustache-twirly villain speech I’ve seen in adult fiction.

That being said, the world is very compelling and I like the characters. I’m hoping this is a good set up for a stronger second book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and War

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.0

This one’s for the tarot gays.

Jordan and Astrid were cute. I liked the slow-burn enemies to friends to lovers. My biggest struggle is that what I most liked about Delilah’s story was the unpacking of her past and family. This one is more romance focused (which is fair; it is a romance), and the ‘baggage’ Astrid and Jordan each have to work through was less interesting to me. I was also disappointed that Astrid was the only one that had to take accountability.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer