Tell me why this book on the history of hot dogs in the United States was so incredibly enthralling. It is amazing to me how the author simultaneously completely grossed me out from the explanation of how hot dogs are made and also got me to absolutely crave one. The love this author has for hot dogs and the culture surrounding them is astounding and apparent throughout the book. Not to mention the narrative was at times just plain hilarious.

This book was one part history of hot dogs, one part travel food blog, and all parts an eye-opening narrative on how the hot dog industry plays a role in America’s socio-political issues. The author is unapologetic in calling out major corporations like Tyson for their extremely unsafe practices during the pandemic and how often their malpractices were glazed over by lawmakers and politicians. It was truly amazing how Loftus was able to start a chapter highlighting a hot dog restaurant, then segwayed into how that business has affected the community around them.

There’s so much to unpack in this book, but I’ll leave it here. I was blown away by this book and will be incessantly recommending it to everyone I know.

Mutant Superhero Zombie Killing Disco Cheerleaders from Outer Space by D.E. McCluskey

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.0

Was this an extremely well written book? Did this book change my life with its existential introspection? No and no. But this book was FUN. I love a “good” B horror movie, and this book was just like reading one. Complete with an overindulgence of sexual innuendos and drawn out death scenes just to tell puns. If that sounds like a good time, try this book out. It was only 208 pages so it could serve as a break between more hefty reads.

Quick note: the author is from the UK, and his interpretation of a small midwest farming town was hilarious. Especially since he kept having the characters say “erm” instead of “um” and accidentally leaving in other UK specific phrases.

Content Warnings

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Just the premise of this book is bone chilling and hooked me right away! Right off the bat you know something is wrong when the main character has a difficult time remembering why certain things are the way they are, and just how staunchly they judge others by how they’re acting based on their religious beliefs.

This was the kind of horror that didn’t need to rely on big twists to hook the reader, but instead used a slow realization of the main character to remember what exactly happened to them and why they have no memory of ever having gone to the gay conversion camp, Camp Damascus. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time listening to this book, and didn’t want to have to stop listening.

Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Rebecca Ross delivers again! I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have with all the other novels I’ve read from this author. Ross is a master at developing a magical setting with absolutely loveable characters and it really shines in Dreams Lie Beneath. Her prose is slightly lyrical in this one, though more on the darker side.

The story expertly weaved together the main character’s main goal of getting revenge on those who have wronged her and her family, while also showing that plans change when new information is learned. To me the premise of magicians who specialize in fighting dreams that are terrorizing cities due to an ancient curse was so refreshing and new.

Lastly, I’ll never get over how incredibly cozy Ross’s novels are while telling stories with settings that are decidedly not cozy. She imbibes hope throughout and characters that truly just want what’s best for their families and the people they are fighting for. This was a hopeful, inspiring story from a brilliant author and I will definitely be recommending this book.

More...

kimco_reads's reviews 120 reviews

kimco_reads's reviews
120 reviews