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jarrahpenguin's reviews
1299 reviews
What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
My head is now crammed full of delightful owl trivia after reading this great overview of all things owl by Jennifer Ackerman. Ackerman covers owl evolution, life cycles, migration and behaviour, as well as the role of owls in folklore around the world. Her writing is engaging and accessible.
The end of the book covers examples of people working to conserve owl habitat and protect owls in the world today and suggestions for how readers can help. It’s inspiring and hopeful.
The only thing I would’ve liked was more description of the key scientists she profiles so I could visualize them as well as the owls.
The end of the book covers examples of people working to conserve owl habitat and protect owls in the world today and suggestions for how readers can help. It’s inspiring and hopeful.
The only thing I would’ve liked was more description of the key scientists she profiles so I could visualize them as well as the owls.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Lust's Latinum Lost (And Found) by Paula M. Block, Terry J. Erdmann
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
Really fun and ridiculous DS9 story that would seem to have low stakes to everyone but Quark. The parodies of comiccon culture and smut novels are humorous. Not a lot of depth but a great silly read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Slavery
Celebrate Pride with Lockheed Martin by Jake Byrne
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
The first poem in the collection is amazing, but after that it was too much self-indulgent ruminating on sexual encounters for my taste. There’s only so many times I can read poems with the word “semen” in it. The nihilism and connection to themes of war and violence was interesting but I also found it anxiety-provoking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and War
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Delightful, funny fantasy book that’s a perfect cozy read. The protagonist, Viv, is an orc adventurer who wants to hang up her great sword and open a coffee shop. It’s a story about community and fresh starts and the main characters are all adorable. There were points that I wished problems weren’t solved quite so easily but it did make it a very relaxing read.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
A cozy book of interconnected vignettes about how important moments in relationships have the power to change us. At the Funiculi Funicula cafe in Tokyo, customers can travel in time, only it doesn’t change any outcomes and their trip ends by the time the coffee gets cold.
The stories are poignant and I teared up at a couple of points, though the overall message is uplifting.
The stories are poignant and I teared up at a couple of points, though the overall message is uplifting.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia and Death of parent
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Great, engrossing YA novel about a tween coven in Nigeria. Sunny, the protagonist is albino and bullied for her appearance. After seeing a terrifying vision in a candle she’s drawn into the world of “leopard people” - magic users who wield juju.
The audiobook narration is top-notch and I loved the main characters, and themes of cooperation and mother-daughter relationships. I also appreciated the world building and visual descriptions of magic and people.
The biggest issue for me was that the final confrontation felt like it was put off and then finished very quickly. It was followed by an epilogue that was touching but left me unsure I really needed to read the next book. I think more could’ve been done to build up the suspense.
The audiobook narration is top-notch and I loved the main characters, and themes of cooperation and mother-daughter relationships. I also appreciated the world building and visual descriptions of magic and people.
The biggest issue for me was that the final confrontation felt like it was put off and then finished very quickly. It was followed by an epilogue that was touching but left me unsure I really needed to read the next book. I think more could’ve been done to build up the suspense.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Taproot by Keezy Young
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Adorable, queer young adult graphic novel about a gardener named Hamal, who can see and talk to ghosts, and his ghost love interest, Blue. The art, particularly how Young draws plants and growth, is really nice. But the story moves so quickly and it doesn’t give you a lot of time to really buy into the key relationships.
Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics by Adam Rutherford
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Adam Rutherford skillfully puts together an overview of the history of eugenics and influence of eugenicist ideology on modern science. The book is accessible without feeling overly simplified, and there are many quotable sentences. I learned new-to-me nuances on basic genetics, various scientific experiments and eugenics in other countries.
There were a few points at which I would’ve appreciated more depth/examples and more connection to modern social narratives on genetics, health and ableism.
There were a few points at which I would’ve appreciated more depth/examples and more connection to modern social narratives on genetics, health and ableism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Genocide, Racism, Antisemitism, and Medical trauma
The Amethyst Cross: A Ghost Story for Christmas by Mary Fitt
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
My favourite instalment so far in Seth’s series of ghost stories for Christmas, The Amethyst Cross has a bit more of a modern feel and is very suspenseful. The character of Aunt Dorothea is great and her relationship with her niece is established firmly and clearly. The description of the cottage is vivid and eerie and the ghost story is truly creepy.
A Room in a Rectory: A Ghost Story for Christmas by Andrew Caldecott
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
An interesting story that stands out from some others in the collection because it’s very focused on religion and Satan and demonic possession as opposed to less explicable phenomena. It felt like Caldecott really just wanted to explore these themes himself and there’s a lot packed into less than 100 pages.
The style is interesting, covering events from the perspective of not just the pastor but also including letters by a member of the congregation, comments of townsfolk, and somewhat of an epilogue with outsiders discussing the main events.
Overall I thought there was a bit too much explanation and not enough setup to create real suspense. Things got to their climax quite quickly and then were wrapped up too neatly.
The style is interesting, covering events from the perspective of not just the pastor but also including letters by a member of the congregation, comments of townsfolk, and somewhat of an epilogue with outsiders discussing the main events.
Overall I thought there was a bit too much explanation and not enough setup to create real suspense. Things got to their climax quite quickly and then were wrapped up too neatly.