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labbyreads's reviews
269 reviews
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
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Calling all my Hallmark movie peeps. Whether you love watching them or just love mocking them, this is for you.
Nora Stephens is a cutthroat literary agent and a proud workaholic, but when her sister Libby asks her to spend a month in the small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora can't turn her down.
Emily Henry is a master of romantic comedy in a way I haven't seen since the Meg Ryan movies of the 90s. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and both have been funny, heartwarming, and thoroughly entertaining.
This book is pretty predictable, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. Sometimes you just want a good story about relatable characters who overcome their flaws and change their lives for the better. There are plenty of moments of delight that make this worth reading, even if you already suspect the ending.
Henry obviously wrote this book about book lovers for book lovers. It is filled with warm fuzzy feelings about the smell of books and the love of good stories. It's an opportunity to take these tropes off the shelf (free-spirit, city girl, loner, farm boy, love story) and really look at their facets. Each character's development proves that they are more than their designated trope.
Although, this is obviously a romance, it is also largely also about the relationship between Libby and Nora. Nora is forced to adapt to the way that relationship has changed and to the story that she has told herself about what her responsibility is to her sister. As she does, she also realizes that she might be able to change the story she has for herself. It's a beautiful and poignant reminder that no matter what plan we have for ourselves, we always have the opportunity to rewrite our ending.
Ultimately, I really liked this one because I so clearly relate to the characters. I love a good checklist, and I hate being vulnerable. Plus, the Roy Kent vibes are so intense that I will be devastated if Brett Goldstein does not play Charlie in the film adaptation.
Despite the predictability, this was a total win for me. I laughed, I cried, and it moved me.
Calling all my Hallmark movie peeps. Whether you love watching them or just love mocking them, this is for you.
Nora Stephens is a cutthroat literary agent and a proud workaholic, but when her sister Libby asks her to spend a month in the small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora can't turn her down.
Emily Henry is a master of romantic comedy in a way I haven't seen since the Meg Ryan movies of the 90s. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and both have been funny, heartwarming, and thoroughly entertaining.
This book is pretty predictable, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. Sometimes you just want a good story about relatable characters who overcome their flaws and change their lives for the better. There are plenty of moments of delight that make this worth reading, even if you already suspect the ending.
Henry obviously wrote this book about book lovers for book lovers. It is filled with warm fuzzy feelings about the smell of books and the love of good stories. It's an opportunity to take these tropes off the shelf (free-spirit, city girl, loner, farm boy, love story) and really look at their facets. Each character's development proves that they are more than their designated trope.
Although, this is obviously a romance, it is also largely also about the relationship between Libby and Nora. Nora is forced to adapt to the way that relationship has changed and to the story that she has told herself about what her responsibility is to her sister. As she does, she also realizes that she might be able to change the story she has for herself. It's a beautiful and poignant reminder that no matter what plan we have for ourselves, we always have the opportunity to rewrite our ending.
Ultimately, I really liked this one because I so clearly relate to the characters. I love a good checklist, and I hate being vulnerable. Plus, the Roy Kent vibes are so intense that I will be devastated if Brett Goldstein does not play Charlie in the film adaptation.
Despite the predictability, this was a total win for me. I laughed, I cried, and it moved me.
The Peripheral by William Gibson
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
1.0
Full transparency: I love a dystopian novel, especially the kind with a strong female lead. I love science fiction. I love a tale of time travel or multiverses. I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa Joy and John Nolan's adaptation of Westworld so after seeing something like 800 previews from Amazon Prime I determined it better to read the source material before watching their new show The Peripheral. It was a decision I lived to regret.
Channeling his inner Ernest Hemingway, Gibson's sentences and chapters are short with little to no "fluff" included. He leaves off attribution on sentences or at best will go through entire multi-character conversations with only pronouns. As a result, it was incredibly difficult in writing to understand who was talking in conversations.
Each of the short chapters switches between different characters in different times and universes. I spent the majority of the beginning of the book just trying to figure out where I was and who was talking.
As a result, I didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't understand why I should. Even when she or any of the other characters were facing life-threatening situations, I found myself apathetic towards their plight.
The pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself growing increasingly bored as the story dragged on. By the time anything of substance happened, I was already so disinterested that I didn't care what was going on.
Overall, this was a huge disappointment for me. I wish that I had just watched the TV show.
Channeling his inner Ernest Hemingway, Gibson's sentences and chapters are short with little to no "fluff" included. He leaves off attribution on sentences or at best will go through entire multi-character conversations with only pronouns. As a result, it was incredibly difficult in writing to understand who was talking in conversations.
Each of the short chapters switches between different characters in different times and universes. I spent the majority of the beginning of the book just trying to figure out where I was and who was talking.
As a result, I didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't understand why I should. Even when she or any of the other characters were facing life-threatening situations, I found myself apathetic towards their plight.
The pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself growing increasingly bored as the story dragged on. By the time anything of substance happened, I was already so disinterested that I didn't care what was going on.
Overall, this was a huge disappointment for me. I wish that I had just watched the TV show.
It's OK to be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
2.0
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I dived into the book with an open mind, hopeful that it would offer us fresh insights on issues surrounding capitalism. However, unfortunately, it didn't quite meet our expectations. I was hoping for an in-depth review of the history of capitalism in America and analysis of how we got to where we are, but I was disappointed in the amount of memoir that the book includes.
Much of the book was dedicated to a memoir-style retelling of his campaigns for presidency. I didn't love living the experience the first time around and I could have done without retelling.
While reading the memoir, it often felt like Sanders kept discussing the same points repeatedly, without really going anywhere new. The book lacked flow, and felt more like an amalgamation of many of his campaign speeches.
Overall it was just okay. If you're looking for a memoir on Sanders' most recent presidential campaigns and the work that he's been doing to fight for climate justice or healthcare for all this is worth picking up. If you're looking for a historical analysis of how we got to where we are in those industries, look elsewhere.
I dived into the book with an open mind, hopeful that it would offer us fresh insights on issues surrounding capitalism. However, unfortunately, it didn't quite meet our expectations. I was hoping for an in-depth review of the history of capitalism in America and analysis of how we got to where we are, but I was disappointed in the amount of memoir that the book includes.
Much of the book was dedicated to a memoir-style retelling of his campaigns for presidency. I didn't love living the experience the first time around and I could have done without retelling.
While reading the memoir, it often felt like Sanders kept discussing the same points repeatedly, without really going anywhere new. The book lacked flow, and felt more like an amalgamation of many of his campaign speeches.
Overall it was just okay. If you're looking for a memoir on Sanders' most recent presidential campaigns and the work that he's been doing to fight for climate justice or healthcare for all this is worth picking up. If you're looking for a historical analysis of how we got to where we are in those industries, look elsewhere.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
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This collection of vignettes is a box of chocolates. Some are joyous and fun others are poignant or foreboding.
The House on Mango Street is a coming-of-age story about Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. The novel is told in a series of stories follow Esperanza as she deals with the challenges of adolescence, poverty, and racism.
I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if I had read a single chapter at a time and spent time reflecting, dissecting, and absorbing the material. But that's not normal life.
As it is, I would binge through four or five of the vignettes before reflecting on what I was reading and as a result, it felt like I didn't get much out of it. I felt lost in a sea of stories that were tethered together without being a complete story altogether.
Although there were moments of beauty, for the most part, this wasn't something that I wanted to pick up and read. The good moments felt like a reward, but they were in the minority.
This collection of vignettes is a box of chocolates. Some are joyous and fun others are poignant or foreboding.
The House on Mango Street is a coming-of-age story about Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. The novel is told in a series of stories follow Esperanza as she deals with the challenges of adolescence, poverty, and racism.
I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if I had read a single chapter at a time and spent time reflecting, dissecting, and absorbing the material. But that's not normal life.
As it is, I would binge through four or five of the vignettes before reflecting on what I was reading and as a result, it felt like I didn't get much out of it. I felt lost in a sea of stories that were tethered together without being a complete story altogether.
Although there were moments of beauty, for the most part, this wasn't something that I wanted to pick up and read. The good moments felt like a reward, but they were in the minority.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty has an intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and unpredictable twists and turns.
The story is set at a luxurious health resort where nine strangers have gathered to embark on a ten-day wellness retreat. Moriarty does an excellent job of capturing the distinct personalities and motivations of each character, and the interplay between them creates a palpable tension that keeps the reader engaged.
While the book is primarily a character-driven story, Moriarty also weaves in elements of mystery and suspense that add to the overall intrigue. Probably because I had already seen the TV mini-series adaptation, but I found the suspense lacking in this one. My favorite moments in the book were actually the lighter ones.
Overall, "Nine Perfect Strangers" is a satisfying read that combines humor, drama, and suspense in just the right amounts. While it may not be Moriarty's strongest work, it is a solid addition to her oeuvre and a book that is sure to entertain and captivate readers.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty has an intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and unpredictable twists and turns.
The story is set at a luxurious health resort where nine strangers have gathered to embark on a ten-day wellness retreat. Moriarty does an excellent job of capturing the distinct personalities and motivations of each character, and the interplay between them creates a palpable tension that keeps the reader engaged.
While the book is primarily a character-driven story, Moriarty also weaves in elements of mystery and suspense that add to the overall intrigue. Probably because I had already seen the TV mini-series adaptation, but I found the suspense lacking in this one. My favorite moments in the book were actually the lighter ones.
Overall, "Nine Perfect Strangers" is a satisfying read that combines humor, drama, and suspense in just the right amounts. While it may not be Moriarty's strongest work, it is a solid addition to her oeuvre and a book that is sure to entertain and captivate readers.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
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This book is a whirlwind of mind-fuckery.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a harrowing tale of redemption disguised as a game of Clue. Aiden is reliving this day over and over again, trying to determine who murdered Evelyn at the end of each evening.
There is so much here. If you are a murder mystery fan, this is a veritable buffet. Everyone at Blackheath has a secret.
The murder mystery trapped me at Blackheath, but the characters kept me there. The book might seem like your basic whodunit but when you look closer Turton creates an interesting debate about the meaning of redemption. Turton shows us what it means to go from enemies to friends and proves that atonement is always possible.
The mysteries are multifaceted and layered. The characters are complex and relatable. The themes are thought provoking. This one is a winner.
This book is a whirlwind of mind-fuckery.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a harrowing tale of redemption disguised as a game of Clue. Aiden is reliving this day over and over again, trying to determine who murdered Evelyn at the end of each evening.
There is so much here. If you are a murder mystery fan, this is a veritable buffet. Everyone at Blackheath has a secret.
The murder mystery trapped me at Blackheath, but the characters kept me there. The book might seem like your basic whodunit but when you look closer Turton creates an interesting debate about the meaning of redemption. Turton shows us what it means to go from enemies to friends and proves that atonement is always possible.
The mysteries are multifaceted and layered. The characters are complex and relatable. The themes are thought provoking. This one is a winner.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
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In 223 pages or just over 3.5 hours on audio book Tyson aims to break down all of space and time. No small feat, but he does a decent job of it.
It's short and filled with Tyson's biting wit. However, it is not Astrophysics for Dummies. It expects some basic knowledge of the subject matter and can require more focus than the title implies.
His ability to make the vast and unknowable cosmos understandable is remarkable. He even reads the audio book himself which is always a win for me. Tyson is truly a master at bringing the magic into science and reminding us all how awe inspiring it can be to stare up at the night sky.
In 223 pages or just over 3.5 hours on audio book Tyson aims to break down all of space and time. No small feat, but he does a decent job of it.
It's short and filled with Tyson's biting wit. However, it is not Astrophysics for Dummies. It expects some basic knowledge of the subject matter and can require more focus than the title implies.
His ability to make the vast and unknowable cosmos understandable is remarkable. He even reads the audio book himself which is always a win for me. Tyson is truly a master at bringing the magic into science and reminding us all how awe inspiring it can be to stare up at the night sky.
Dear Self, by Patience Tamarra
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
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I really enjoyed the small poems and reminders about self-love. What's a better way to celebrate the month of love than by being better at loving yourself? It's definitely something that I'm still working on.
There were a couple of them that were irrelevant to my experience and that came off a bit preachy. This is compounded by my own cynicism. I could only read a couple at at time.
Overall, I liked this book. I'm glad I read it. I keep going back to the small poems and reminders that I liked.
I really enjoyed the small poems and reminders about self-love. What's a better way to celebrate the month of love than by being better at loving yourself? It's definitely something that I'm still working on.
There were a couple of them that were irrelevant to my experience and that came off a bit preachy. This is compounded by my own cynicism. I could only read a couple at at time.
Overall, I liked this book. I'm glad I read it. I keep going back to the small poems and reminders that I liked.
Galatea by Madeline Miller
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.0
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Galatea is an icy and feminist retelling of the story of Galatea and Pygmalion. The story is told from the perspective of the statue after having come to life.
Madeline Miller is known for her creative perspectives on classic greek mythology and this one does not disappoint. By using Galatea's perspective, Miller questions where a statue would actually fit (or not) in society and what her life would really be like.
I like the feminist undertones to the cautionary tale of what happens to men who want their women docile and pure. By the end of the story, one can't help but cheer for Galatea as she makes a desperate sacrifice to take back her autonomy.
Ultimately, my only critique is that I did not get more. I would have relished an entire novel or novella on this story, but I guess I'll have to settle for the short story.
Overall I recommend this one if you like the myth or if you're a fan of Miller's other works
Galatea is an icy and feminist retelling of the story of Galatea and Pygmalion. The story is told from the perspective of the statue after having come to life.
Madeline Miller is known for her creative perspectives on classic greek mythology and this one does not disappoint. By using Galatea's perspective, Miller questions where a statue would actually fit (or not) in society and what her life would really be like.
I like the feminist undertones to the cautionary tale of what happens to men who want their women docile and pure. By the end of the story, one can't help but cheer for Galatea as she makes a desperate sacrifice to take back her autonomy.
Ultimately, my only critique is that I did not get more. I would have relished an entire novel or novella on this story, but I guess I'll have to settle for the short story.
Overall I recommend this one if you like the myth or if you're a fan of Miller's other works
Spare by Prince Harry
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
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This book is well-written and poignant, providing Prince Harry the opportunity to finally tell his true story.
Harry has a talent for transporting the reader to that moment in time. Whether following behind Diana's coffin or sitting under the star-filled Botswana sky Harry fills the moments with brilliant detail.
It's impossible not to understand why he made the decision to protect his family when you really see the trauma that he continually faced at the hands of the media. While you may criticize him for now being part of that media, I respect the vulnerability with which he was able to tell his truth.
He is candid about his experiences and the emotional toll that they have taken on him. At the same time, he writes with a great deal of empathy and compassion for the people in his life, including his family members. It is clear that he desperately loves his father and brother and that he wants more than anything to be part of their true family.
Overall, I really enjoyed Spare. If you have already binge-watched Harry and Meghan or you just love a good memoir I would pick this up -- preferably on audiobook.
This book is well-written and poignant, providing Prince Harry the opportunity to finally tell his true story.
Harry has a talent for transporting the reader to that moment in time. Whether following behind Diana's coffin or sitting under the star-filled Botswana sky Harry fills the moments with brilliant detail.
It's impossible not to understand why he made the decision to protect his family when you really see the trauma that he continually faced at the hands of the media. While you may criticize him for now being part of that media, I respect the vulnerability with which he was able to tell his truth.
He is candid about his experiences and the emotional toll that they have taken on him. At the same time, he writes with a great deal of empathy and compassion for the people in his life, including his family members. It is clear that he desperately loves his father and brother and that he wants more than anything to be part of their true family.
Overall, I really enjoyed Spare. If you have already binge-watched Harry and Meghan or you just love a good memoir I would pick this up -- preferably on audiobook.