johhnnyinla's reviews
539 reviews

Made for Love by Alissa Nutting
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.

Just wasnt interesting enough and the narrator was “calling it in”

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir starts with an interesting mystery but takes too long to get going. The story follows Iðunn, a woman dealing with strange nighttime activities and constant exhaustion. At first, I was hooked, wanting to know what was happening to her. The eerie vibe made it seem like something big was coming. But the middle dragged, and it felt like a chore to get through. Things finally picked up in the last part, but by then, my patience was running out.

What kept me reading was the thought that Iðunn might be turning into a werewolf or some other night creature. That idea was exciting, but the ending didn’t really deliver. It felt like the story was finally heading somewhere, then just fizzled out. New details popped up that didn’t fully make sense, making the ending feel empty. I wanted a stronger payoff, but instead, it just left me feeling let down. While the book had a cool concept, the slow pacing and weak ending made it more frustrating than scary.

The You You Are by Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Review from my Innie:

The You You Are is a powerful and life-changing book. Dr. Ricken Hale’s words shine like the office lights above us, guiding us toward true enlightenment. His lessons—like how a man with rotting toes cannot skip—offer deep wisdom that we, as devoted workers, must embrace. The audiobook, narrated by Dr. Hale himself, makes his teachings even more profound.

Though some may struggle to grasp its higher truths, this book is a gift. It was not meant to be read in full—because knowledge must be earned. That Lumon does not want us reading it only proves its importance. I hope one day we receive the remaining chapters so we may fully ascend. Until then, we must reflect on what we have been given and continue to serve.

Praise Kier.

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Review from my Outie:

The You You Are is an entertaining and immersive dive into the self-important musings of Severance’s Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale. Voiced by Michael Chernus, the audiobook fully brings Ricken’s absurdly grandiose wisdom to life. While much of it is over-the-top self-help jargon that loops in on itself, that’s part of the fun. One of the best examples is a section about Sister Act, where Ricken first calls it a masterpiece before abruptly arguing against himself, showing his talent for contradiction while remaining convinced of his own genius.

Beyond the satire, the book offers a few intriguing details that expand Severance’s world. It makes clear that Lumon does not want people reading it. Ricken notes that its full release has been blocked by corporate interference, and only the first eight chapters were allowed to be published. This suggests that Lumon sees the book as a threat, reinforcing the idea that knowledge and independent thought are dangerous in its world. There are also unexpected emotional moments, particularly in how Ricken writes about Mark and Gemma. Using the pseudonyms Flip and Nan, he recalls their time together, including a hike where he bonded with Gemma while Mark and Devon mocked him. These moments add surprising depth, showing Ricken’s need for validation and hinting at his grief over Gemma’s absence.

Ultimately, The You You Are is a mix of absurd philosophy, unintentional comedy, and small but interesting world-building. While it doesn’t offer as much mystery as The Lexington Letter, it does raise questions about Lumon’s reach and control. At just an hour, it’s a quick and entertaining listen, especially for fans who enjoy Ricken’s over-the-top philosophizing. Those looking for deeper Severance lore may not find much, but there’s enough here to make you wonder if there’s more to Ricken’s ramblings than meets the eye.

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.

 

I picked up Compound Fracture based on a trusted recommendation that described it as a scary and brutal read. While I was aware that it was categorized as young adult, I was intrigued by the promise that it could easily read as an adult novel. The premise—a trans, autistic teen standing up against systemic corruption in an Appalachian town—sounded compelling, and Miles as a protagonist was engaging and well-drawn. His struggles, particularly around identity and resilience, offered an important perspective that could be eye-opening for readers unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ experiences. However, around the halfway mark, I found myself losing interest. The pacing felt meandering, and while it may have been a slow burn, there wasn’t enough plot momentum to hold my attention.

Ultimately, I think I just wasn’t the right audience for this book. Though I identify as LGBTQ, the heavy political themes—particularly through the lens of a teenage protagonist—didn’t resonate with me in the way I had hoped. The Appalachian setting and opioid crisis elements, while important, also didn’t connect with my personal interests. I had expected something more viscerally scary, but the horror here was rooted in real-world systemic oppression, making it more of a political thriller than the kind of eerie, terrifying read I was hoping for. I can see why this book will work for others, but for me, it didn’t deliver the experience I had signed up for, which is why I ultimately chose not to finish it. 

Call Me Anne by Anne Heche

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

3.25

Anne Heche’s Call Me Anne offers a fascinating glimpse into her life, mixing personal stories with reflective observations. The book has a unique style, with each chapter blending conversational anecdotes with deeper, self-help-like insights. One of my favorite stories is about her first meeting with Harrison Ford, where she recalls him humorously warning her not to share a story she told him because it made him feel old. That moment— and others like it—showcase her wit and her ability to find humor even in the midst of serious conversations.

As someone who’s been intrigued by Anne Heche since the ‘90s, this book felt like a window into the person behind the headlines. I coincidentally lived directly across the street of one of her homes as an adult, and though I’ve only ever known her through the media and occasionally seeing driving away, I always felt she was more interesting than the tabloid stories let on. Reading this book gave me some insight into who she was beyond the public image. I laughed out loud at a few of her stories and found others genuinely heartwarming. It’s clear she had a way of finding beauty and humor in life, even when it was messy.

Tampa by Alissa Nutting

challenging dark tense fast-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

3.75

Alissa Nutting’s Tampa is bold and unapologetically provocative, diving headfirst into deeply uncomfortable territory. While Nutting’s writing is sharp and sometimes laced with dark humor, the relentless explicitness often feels gratuitous, overshadowing any deeper narrative or critique. Celeste’s twisted inner monologues while occasionally amusing— misses the mark on delivering the kind of dark comedy that might have made this story more than just shock value.

Though the book hints at exposing societal double standards around female predators, it often seems more interested in scandalizing than sparking thoughtful discussion. Nutting’s detailed, almost clinical style creates discomfort effectively but sometimes at the expense of the story itself. Tampa is definitely not for everyone— it demands an unflinching reader and leaves you wondering whether it’s literature masquerading as trash or trash masquerading as literature.

Hum by Helen Phillips

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

 

Helen Phillips’ Hum offers an intriguing and timely exploration of a world shaped by increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and technology. Set in a near-future dystopia, the novel begins with a compelling premise: May, a woman who loses her job to AI, undergoes an experimental procedure to avoid constant surveillance. From the outset, the story pulls readers into its tense, speculative world, blending elements of a cautionary tale with sharp social commentary on consumerism, climate change, and our dependence on technology. Unfortunately, while the setup is captivating, the execution falls short in delivering a fully satisfying story.

One of the novel’s strongest points is its portrayal of children’s relationship with technology. Phillips effectively captures how deeply ingrained technology has become in their lives and how their dependence on it shapes their identities and interactions. This aspect of the book feels especially relevant, as the speculative elements mirror trends we’re already seeing today, making it easy to imagine the world of Hum becoming a reality within a few decades. However, while this theme is well-handled, the portrayal of the children themselves is less successful. Their behavior is often grating, and their interactions detract from the story rather than enhancing it.

The adults in the story also leave much to be desired. Their actions and reactions, especially during moments of crisis, often feel contrived and frustrating, rather than believable. While people under pressure can make poor decisions, the way these moments are written comes across as shortsighted and artificial, which weakens the emotional weight of the narrative. As the story progresses, the initial momentum fizzles, and the final third—while better than the middle—fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Instead, it veers into a meta-meditative reflection that feels disconnected from the earlier tension.

Despite its flaws, Hum is worth reading as a lighter break from heavier novels, especially for those interested in speculative fiction that holds a mirror to contemporary society. While it doesn’t succeed in crafting compelling characters or a fully satisfying narrative, it does provide thoughtful commentary on the risks of a world increasingly dominated by technology and AI. For readers seeking a reflective, cautionary tale rather than a tightly plotted thriller, Hum offers enough to merit consideration. 

Trust by Hernán Díaz

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler

hopeful informative medium-paced

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

3.5

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

5.0