katecookk4's reviews
60 reviews

Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a WORK OF ART. I cannot begin to describe what this book did to me. I couldn't put the book down; when I did, it was all I could think about. I found myself re-reading parts of the book and dissecting it in my mind constantly. I think it is perfect to describe this novel as a Love story because that is exactly what it is. It's not a romance or a lovey-dovey type of book. It was like reading a modern version of the Symposium by Plato with Regan and Alto's constant Socratic questioning.  It's a thought-provoking, frustrating, and compelling yet entertaining novel about life and what it can be, both the good and the bad. I've never read anything like this before, and it's definitely become a comfort book of mine.  I cannot praise it enough. 

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

In full honesty, I read this book because the title made me giggle, and I am in love with Scotland. I really have to admit that the writing style just wasn't for me.  It reminded me of a novel written by a high schooler, full of clichés, weird descriptions, and just an un-advanced read. I in no way went into this book expecting an academic and thought-provoking piece, but this was just too simple for me. There were parts where I was laughing and giddy, but I really thought that it dragged on for way too long and found myself bored by the last 100 pages. I don't regret reading it, but I won't be reading it again. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

Finished this in 4 hours. Really enjoyed reading it. Marcellus tugged at my heart strings. It wasn’t action packed but i was still very invested in everything happening in the novel. I found myself having to stop reading towards the end so I could stop my tears. Really did enjoy it. 

The New Me by Halle Butler

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I don’t know how to describe this book. I ate it up in a single day, loved that it was short. It really gave me a place for some introspective thought and made me reevaluate my own patterns, habits, and life. It was a clear example that it’s easier to judge others than yourself. Nonetheless, I think this book would resonate with a lot of people especially during this day and age of debilitating victimization. I didn’t like the ending, I see what Butler was trying to do but I didn’t like it. Seemed abrupt.  

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

I quite literally have been on and off reading this book for nearly TWO YEARS. I just could not get into it at all. It's dark and tense, yet there are so many unnecessary words and paragraphs, and nothing seems to happen at all for so so long. I was left bored and skipping whole sections of the book just to get through it. I was honestly disappointed. 

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

moved away and gave up lol

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.

It was just so unentertaining to read. It took me over a month to barely get halfway through because i just didnt want to pick up the book to read it. I enjoyed "I in Internet" but then completely gave up during "pure heroines" and even tried to skip ahead to "ecstasy" but still was left uninterested and dreading the next word to come. Just wasn't for me. 

A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I don’t really know how to describe this  novel. It was good, and I couldn’t put the book down at times, but the characters are so unlikable yet so familiar and relatable. It wasn’t necessarily a sad book that evoked tears by any means but definitely made you reflect on your own life in a melancholy way. 

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

emotional reflective

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

3.75

jeez.

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

fabulous book. It was so relatable, eye opening, funny and reflective. Evoking so many emotions constantly, I enjoyed the novel though I can confidently say maggie really annoyed me for a good portion of the book. Nonetheless, it takes great skill to talk about divorce and difficult times in life with honesty and relatability without becoming depressing or just utterly sad. This novel instead kept it, not necessarily light, but humorous and enjoyable. Loooved the list pages of emails and search histories. Hilarious