jkaufman's reviews
48 reviews

Shock Value by Jason Zinoman

dark informative tense fast-paced

3.5

Monster Cinema by Barry Keith Grant

dark medium-paced

3.0

The Troop by Nick Cutter

dark mysterious tense slow-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

2.0

Enjoyed the beginning of the book, but then sadly just became uninterested in the story as it felt like the same thing over and over again. Sorry. Know people will like this though 

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Oooft this was so creative and the world building! This was my first introduction to Sanderson, and welp call me a fan!

Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen

dark funny mysterious medium-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

1.0

I sadly didn’t enjoy this book. The synopsis sounded interesting- morally grey characters, murder, presumed female protagonist, however I was just left bored. Wasn’t a huge fan of the writing or Saffy, she felt more like a side character compared to Jon. 

Know people will enjoy it. Unfortunately, the book just wasn’t for me. 

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital arc.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional hopeful relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

This was a fun read. Was hesitant at first, but the characters started to grow on me. It is your typical premise of a hotel-moment that will change one’s life, but sometimes you need those reads. It is funny and quite witty. 

Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore

emotional reflective slow-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

2.0

Really liked the beginning when it was about them as children and what they got up to, but then it lost me when they got older, and I couldn’t really care less of what happened. Good writing though.

Bomb: The Race to Build--And Steal--The World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

adventurous informative tense fast-paced

4.0

My dad and I read this as a recap before seeing Oppenheimer. Was pretty good and informative. Oh Christopher Nolan you have got me reading history books which never happens 😅

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

DNF’d @65% 

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

I’m not usually a romance reader, but boy was I GIDDY and smiling constantly while reading this book. The story, the characters, the love! YESSS. Also, side note the talk of mental health and sexuality, I am here for it! Really enjoyed this