latashman's reviews
199 reviews

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

dark emotional fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.0

I loved Pip in all the other books, but I just wanted to shake her for 90% of this one. I don't understand why she never asked for help from all the people she loved. I know they helped with the cover up, but why continue to push them away? I found her to be insufferable where usually I enjoy her thought process. 

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

adventurous reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

I cannot wait to read the next book! The ending was perfect. I thought the politics of the sythdom made this book even more enjoyable than the first. Several scenes were heartbreaking. I think the story is poignant. 

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

emotional funny medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book had some genuinely funny moments, I thought some of Ari's quips were hilarious and I liked the banter between her and Josh. 
Josh is probably one of my favorite romance book characters. He seemed more real than most and I loved that he had so many romantic ideas that got challenged by Ari. Ari is one of my least favorite characters. She frustrated me so much. The book also seemed like it was too long. 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The parallel stories of the siblings were heart breaking. There were so many really emotions built into this book from caring for sick loved ones, guilt, and family secrets revealed. I loved the connection that both found to the land where they picked berries as children. 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

One Dark Window is a book that starts slow and builds tension and apprehension as we learn more about providence cards and Elspeths degeneration. I enjoyed the characters and the magic system. I wish there was more backstory between Ravyn and Elspeth, they had an almost instalove once they met which seems unlikely given all the secrets between them. 

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

challenging dark medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

It took me a little bit to get into the book, but once I "got it" I loved it. There was great anticipation built up throughout leading to the final scene. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Pumpkin, Pumpkin:: Folklore, History, Planting Hints and Good Eating by Anne Copeland

informative medium-paced

4.0

If you have not already, I recommend listening to the Ologies episode with this author. She is passionate about pumpkins. I think hearing her discuss pumpkins in the podcast before reading this book made it more enjoyable. 

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I listened to the audiobook. The narrators made this a fun listen and brought to life the main characters. I wish there was more plot and a little less sexual content. I also found the plot the last 25% of the book to be a wild plot point. I know they need to have some issues and resolution, but they seemed so far fetched it was hard to stay invested in the book. 

If You Tell a Lie by Lucinda Berry, Lucinda Berry

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

The audiobook was fantastic. each narrator had a great voice and brought the characters to life. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire book wondering what would happen next. 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.

The narrator of this version of the audiobook was very boring. Had weird inflections in his voice. Sounded like my grandad trying to read Harry Potter. His voice was kind of mumbled too where I couldn't understand what he was saying sometimes.