laurenleigh's reviews
528 reviews

Silk: A World History by Aarathi Prasad

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challenging informative slow-paced

3.5

My first ARC! (Advanced Reader’s Copy, this one publishes 4/30.) This author clearly did a TON of research. It’s pretty densely packed, so if you’re into the science, genetics, and natural history elements of fabric, you’ll probably get into this. I appreciated Prasad’s attempt to humanize all this data by trying to expand on the scientists or researchers’ lives and backgrounds. I think I was looking for a stronger narrative thread to pull it all together, and I found it hard to retain all the information. Maybe it’s just because I was listening to a lot of Articles of Interest lately, but I think this could have been more successful for me as a Podcast series, where we have more time to situate these facts in the broader global history.
Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

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challenging reflective sad 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

3.5

My initial response after reading this short book was that the main character—actually all the characters—were quite unlikeable. But I recognized that this was perhaps the point. Maybe Didion wanted to show us (in 1970) a female main character who isn’t fulfilling the expected wife/mother roles, who isn’t happy and cheerful and positive, who isn’t (and doesn’t need to be) likable. After discussing with my new book club, I found new appreciation for our MC, and a deeper appreciation for the book as a whole. Yay for finding a new book community!
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Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this was a witch vs. witch hunter romantasy, so I went into it looking for Nina/Mattias and/or Nina/Hanne vibes from Grishaverse. Oooh boy this did NOT disappoint! I loved the spy vs. spy, cat and mouse game between our two main characters. The plot never sat still, and the pacing felt perfect. The blood magic system was uniquely interesting, and I can’t wait to see where this goes next in the sequel. I can’t believe this is only going to be a duology, because I would probably read like 5 more books in this world!
The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

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mysterious reflective relaxing 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

5.0

I needed a comfort read, and Inspector Gamache always hits the spot. Truly some of the best audiobook performances ever. One of my favorite things about Penny is her ability to play with pacing. She takes her time when she needs to expound on a complex issue, but she propels the action forward when everything’s going down. I love the anticipation it builds.
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What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon

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challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

4.5

Once you get over the fact that Gordon doesn’t narrate this herself lol (this was before Maintenance Phase really took off), this is a wonderful, insightful read. I wish I had read this years ago. For those of us who have never experienced what it’s like to live in a fat body, this should be required reading. Gordon does an excellent job of weaving memoir in with cultural critique. It brings her points home in a much more visceral way. After this, go read Gordon’s latest book, and if you can, find a way to stream the recent documentary about her, Your Fat Friend!
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Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

I’ve absolutely loved the other two Hazelwood novels I’ve read, but this one wasn’t quite as strong for me. I found myself not connecting to the characters as much. Maybe that’s because the main character starts out as an extremely apathetic person. Her lack of strong feelings I found alienating. I thought it was an interesting choice to remove the immortal aspect from our supernatural creatures. I think this is the first mortal vampire I’ve read. I give Hazelwood points for trying something different and stepping outside her box, but I think her box is just so good for me, I don’t need more than that!
Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

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

4.0

I’m starting to get slightly bored of Poirot mysteries, but there’s also something comforting in the expected. What I loved most in this one was the dog character! He reminded me a lot of Olive, so obviously I’m going to be obsessed. I loved the mini POV’s we got from the dog, and the narrator did them excellently. Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face! The plot overall felt a bit contrived and slightly unbelievable, but I’m not reading Christie for strong verisimilitude. I’m just here for a good time!
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I understand why everyone has been reading this book! Very approachable and appealing to a wide audience. I think this book did a great job of balancing lightness and depth. The characters were extremely real and relatable. I definitely recommended it to my mom, and I’d probably recommend it to just about anyone! It would be a great palette cleanser between more intense genre reads.
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Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

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adventurous funny tense medium-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

4.0

Slow start to this one, but it definitely picked up and got its footing with the midway plot turn. (Not a real twist, just a major development.) Fantastic discussion of gender politics within a witchy version of our world. The characters were strong and compelling, and our villain was quite entertaining to read. Not sure if that’s because of or in spite of her despicableness. However, there were multiple plot points at the very end that just really frustrated me. I was seriously considering reading the sequel, but I don’t think I will now. Also PS DO NOT read the sequel’s blurb if you don’t want spoilers for this book.
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People Like Us by Dana Mele

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

3.0

If you’re looking for a mindless Pretty Little Liars knockoff, this will do it. Sometimes you need a read that doesn’t require brain cells! Still, I couldn’t ignore that this was pretty lame writing. Almost every character was immensely unlikable. They make choices or use language that make zero sense or would never happen in real life. It gets some stars for decent narration and bisexuality representation.