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itsbibliotherapy's reviews
621 reviews
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
4.5
I was so thrilled to read this final installment to the Throne of Glass series, and it did not disappoint. You know the pacing is good and the plot is on point when I’m able to finish a nearly 1,000 book in two days. It was a page turner!
This was such a poignant end to an epic adventure SJM took us on. I thought there were some devastating moments—but is it weird to say that I don’t think there were enough, given the circumstances? I still felt like there were way too many characters and storylines in this series (especially because there were a bunch of secondary stories that we barely touched…?), but I was satisfied with the endings for each of the main characters. I’m glad I read this series, but I think I like ACOTAR a lot more! Can’t wait to dive into Crescent City soon.
This was such a poignant end to an epic adventure SJM took us on. I thought there were some devastating moments—but is it weird to say that I don’t think there were enough, given the circumstances? I still felt like there were way too many characters and storylines in this series (especially because there were a bunch of secondary stories that we barely touched…?), but I was satisfied with the endings for each of the main characters. I’m glad I read this series, but I think I like ACOTAR a lot more! Can’t wait to dive into Crescent City soon.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
4.0
This was very different than the author’s previous two books. It reminded me a lot of When We Were Villains mixed with an Agatha Christie novel (certainly a winning combination!). I was definitely hooked from the first “act,” and the many twists and turns throughout left me genuinely shocked! It was a quick read that kept me entertained.
I really liked the Greek island setting but I almost wish Michaelides had leaned into that a bit more—I expected more Greek myth, but what readers received felt minimal. I also think this could have benefited from more character development; since it was such a short, fast-paced story, it was hard to feel super invested in the characters. All in all, worth the read, but in my humble opinion, not my favorite of Michaelides’ books.
I really liked the Greek island setting but I almost wish Michaelides had leaned into that a bit more—I expected more Greek myth, but what readers received felt minimal. I also think this could have benefited from more character development; since it was such a short, fast-paced story, it was hard to feel super invested in the characters. All in all, worth the read, but in my humble opinion, not my favorite of Michaelides’ books.
Holly by Stephen King
5.0
I’ve seen a wide range of opinions on this book since its release last week, but I have to say I absolutely loved it! Stephen King is such a master of his craft. There is no doubt the plot is horrific, but it is so expertly constructed that I was hooked from the first chapter and my interest never waned. I will admit that it was more slowly paced than many horror novels out there, but the depth of character development and richness of the storytelling counterbalanced the pace.
I hadn’t read any of the other books in this series, and it definitely works as a standalone. I am tempted to go back and read them all now, since I loved it so much! All in all, a great detective novel with a horrific premise, and the second Stephen King book in two years to score five stars from me.
I hadn’t read any of the other books in this series, and it definitely works as a standalone. I am tempted to go back and read them all now, since I loved it so much! All in all, a great detective novel with a horrific premise, and the second Stephen King book in two years to score five stars from me.
The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
3.0
This was a generally enjoyable but not especially original haunted house story. I like paranormal thrillers (they actually terrify me, but that’s part of the fun), and I did feel a little creeped out by this one. It was super short, so I felt like it was all plot with very little character development—and the MC was extremely unlikeable. This isn’t usually a turnoff for me, but I was so confused by the protagonist’s behavior the whole time.
There were several big twists, some of which I easily guessed but a few I didn’t. The ending was not especially surprising but perhaps more gruesome than I would have suspected. Overall, an ok but in my opinion not particularly memorable BOTM pick.
There were several big twists, some of which I easily guessed but a few I didn’t. The ending was not especially surprising but perhaps more gruesome than I would have suspected. Overall, an ok but in my opinion not particularly memorable BOTM pick.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
4.0
This was a weird one. I really appreciated the author’s unique take on a haunted house story—I feel like the genre can get a little cookie cutter, but this was definitely an original approach. I enjoyed the protagonist’s commentary throughout the book…I didn’t expect to laugh as much as I did, but this book was equal parts funny and disturbing!
I thought the book lost itself somewhere in the middle—and unfortunately it started to drag for me at this point. Though I liked the premise, I guessed the major twist pretty early on and I felt like nothing especially new came to light after the first third of the book or so. Still, four solid stars!
I thought the book lost itself somewhere in the middle—and unfortunately it started to drag for me at this point. Though I liked the premise, I guessed the major twist pretty early on and I felt like nothing especially new came to light after the first third of the book or so. Still, four solid stars!
Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!: How to Take Back Our Time, Attention, and Purpose in a World Designed to Bury Us in Bullshit by Julio Vincent Gambuto
3.0
I was initially very drawn into the concept of this book—I agree with the author that we are oversubscribed to people and products. It even prompted me to go through my inbox and hit “unsubscribe” on all those pesky marketing emails that pile up in my promotions inbox. The message that our time is valuable and we often give it away too freely definitely resonated with me.
I struggled with two components of this book, though. In the first half, I didn’t feel like I learned anything especially new. And in the second half, I felt like many of the recommendations lacked nuance—which yes, I recognize was in fact the point…but the author’s perspective struck me as anti-technology, which seems a little unrealistic in today’s world. Still, a thought provoking read!
I struggled with two components of this book, though. In the first half, I didn’t feel like I learned anything especially new. And in the second half, I felt like many of the recommendations lacked nuance—which yes, I recognize was in fact the point…but the author’s perspective struck me as anti-technology, which seems a little unrealistic in today’s world. Still, a thought provoking read!
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
3.0
Kiss the Girl was my third Meant to Be novel and I’m sorry to say it was my least favorite. I liked By the Book and really enjoyed If the Shoe Fits, and this one let me down a little.
I think my biggest issue was that the Little Mermaid references here were so blatant, whereas I felt the previous books made me subtle and clever connections with their Disney films. While I liked the Ariel-as-pop-star concept, it’s execution left me wanting a bit more depth and nuance. Not a bad romance, but not one I’d strongly recommend unless you’re a hard core Little Mermaid enthusiast!
I think my biggest issue was that the Little Mermaid references here were so blatant, whereas I felt the previous books made me subtle and clever connections with their Disney films. While I liked the Ariel-as-pop-star concept, it’s execution left me wanting a bit more depth and nuance. Not a bad romance, but not one I’d strongly recommend unless you’re a hard core Little Mermaid enthusiast!
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
I really liked The Love Hypothesis but Love on the Brain fell flat for me. M I was unsure what Love, Theoretically would bring but I adored it. A spicy romance set in academia? Come. On. Plus the story was compelling, hilarious (I rarely laugh out loud to audiobooks), and I never felt bored.
I’m grateful Hazelwood *finally* moved away from a dark haired protagonist though the size difference trope lives to see another day. I’ll forgive it, though, because I really loved Elsie’s character and even more so her character arc—I feel like the lessons that she learns in this book are super important for all of us. All in all, I loved it and I will say it’s my favorite Hazelwood book to date!
I’m grateful Hazelwood *finally* moved away from a dark haired protagonist though the size difference trope lives to see another day. I’ll forgive it, though, because I really loved Elsie’s character and even more so her character arc—I feel like the lessons that she learns in this book are super important for all of us. All in all, I loved it and I will say it’s my favorite Hazelwood book to date!
This Is How We End Things by R.J. Jacobs
3.5
I love dark academia thrillers, and the description of this one really intrigued me! It definitely boasted a colorful group of characters…all psych grad students who study lying. It made for a great murder mystery premise!
I loved the And Then There We’re None vibes, and I found my heart racing as I tried to figure out who the culprit behind the murders was. I thought there were quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. Still, in my opinion, the characters felt a little two dimensional and I didn’t feel super invested in the outcome. I was looking for a little more emotional depth. Still, a gripping premise and a quick read. Out next month!
I loved the And Then There We’re None vibes, and I found my heart racing as I tried to figure out who the culprit behind the murders was. I thought there were quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. Still, in my opinion, the characters felt a little two dimensional and I didn’t feel super invested in the outcome. I was looking for a little more emotional depth. Still, a gripping premise and a quick read. Out next month!
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
4.5
I’ve never read Eat Pray Love, so I went into this one unsure what to expect from Elizabeth Gilbert. Still, I devour any resources available that teach me how to manage anxiety and fear in service of a fuller, happier life, and this fit the bill. It was short, sweet, and to the point—I listened to it in about two days!
I really appreciated Gilbert’s frank appraisal of what it means to live a creative life. She is truly a devotee of her craft, but she isn’t holier-than-thou in her delivery. Her book made me think deeply about how fear is an inevitable part of courage and creativity, and how we can acknowledge its presence without letting it sit in the drivers’ sear. Overall, a thought provoking and insightful treatise that I will likely return to.
I really appreciated Gilbert’s frank appraisal of what it means to live a creative life. She is truly a devotee of her craft, but she isn’t holier-than-thou in her delivery. Her book made me think deeply about how fear is an inevitable part of courage and creativity, and how we can acknowledge its presence without letting it sit in the drivers’ sear. Overall, a thought provoking and insightful treatise that I will likely return to.