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librovermo's reviews
227 reviews
Kittentits by Holly Wilson
I wasn’t sure about the Kittentits audiobook when I started it because to be perfectly honest, I didn’t like the narrator. I kept listening anyway because sometimes narrators grow on me, and I’m glad I did because Stephanie Willing really worked for Kittentits. I especially loved her voice for Jeanie, as she did a great job of bringing out Jeanie’s casual indifference and annoyance towards Molly.
Holly Wilson found a really great balance of writing in the tone of a child but with the style of an adult. Kittentits felt a lot like reading the diary of a 10-year-old girl. It’s written in first-person, and Molly sounds very much like a child, but it doesn’t feel like reading a children’s book.
There’s some offensive language used throughout Kittentits but in my opinion, there are two different kinds of authors when it comes to offensive material. Those that use it just for shock value, and those that use it because it’s an accurate representation of their character’s behavior and the setting. Holly Wilson doesn’t use offensive language just because she wants to shock people. In 1992, Molly uses these words because she’s a kid who thinks it’s badass. She also knows her dad doesn’t like it and she wants attention that she isn’t receiving. She’s lonely and has a lot of anger and grief she doesn’t know what to do with. This is how it comes out.
I didn’t have any preconceived notions of where the story would go after jeanie faked her death and Molly set out on her adventure but it definitely went way beyond anywhere I would have guessed and into some pretty surreal territory I wasn’t expecting.
Kittentits is my favorite kind of weird book. I thought I’d like it but I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. I’ve thought about Molly, a little girl I think I’d have been great friends with as a kid, several times in the days since I’ve finished it, and I expect I’ll think of her from time to time in the future.
4.25
I’d like to thank Netgalley and Gillian Flynn Books, from whom I received an ARC of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
I wasn’t sure about the Kittentits audiobook when I started it because to be perfectly honest, I didn’t like the narrator. I kept listening anyway because sometimes narrators grow on me, and I’m glad I did because Stephanie Willing really worked for Kittentits. I especially loved her voice for Jeanie, as she did a great job of bringing out Jeanie’s casual indifference and annoyance towards Molly.
Holly Wilson found a really great balance of writing in the tone of a child but with the style of an adult. Kittentits felt a lot like reading the diary of a 10-year-old girl. It’s written in first-person, and Molly sounds very much like a child, but it doesn’t feel like reading a children’s book.
There’s some offensive language used throughout Kittentits but in my opinion, there are two different kinds of authors when it comes to offensive material. Those that use it just for shock value, and those that use it because it’s an accurate representation of their character’s behavior and the setting. Holly Wilson doesn’t use offensive language just because she wants to shock people. In 1992, Molly uses these words because she’s a kid who thinks it’s badass. She also knows her dad doesn’t like it and she wants attention that she isn’t receiving. She’s lonely and has a lot of anger and grief she doesn’t know what to do with. This is how it comes out.
I didn’t have any preconceived notions of where the story would go after jeanie faked her death and Molly set out on her adventure but it definitely went way beyond anywhere I would have guessed and into some pretty surreal territory I wasn’t expecting.
Kittentits is my favorite kind of weird book. I thought I’d like it but I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. I’ve thought about Molly, a little girl I think I’d have been great friends with as a kid, several times in the days since I’ve finished it, and I expect I’ll think of her from time to time in the future.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
DNF - Before I started this book, I read the truth about Zeitoun. He’s a horrible man who has done horrible things. He’s been arrested several times. He’s abused his wife and tried to have her killed. He’s just a terrible bastard and when he dies the world will be better off.
Zeitoun likely lied about most of the events in this book. Knowing that, but also knowing that I spent money on the book, I decided to read it as fiction. I imagine the events depicted in the book at least loosely mirror some experiences of other people who suffered through Hurricane Katrina, so why not read and learn about them?
But I can’t do it. The writing is great, I just hate reading about Zeitoun being a beloved member of the community and a loving husband and father when I know he isn’t. I can’t force myself to read that as fiction.
I can read another Dave Eggers book. I can Read and learn about the events of Hurricane Katrina in many other ways. This is not it.
Zeitoun likely lied about most of the events in this book. Knowing that, but also knowing that I spent money on the book, I decided to read it as fiction. I imagine the events depicted in the book at least loosely mirror some experiences of other people who suffered through Hurricane Katrina, so why not read and learn about them?
But I can’t do it. The writing is great, I just hate reading about Zeitoun being a beloved member of the community and a loving husband and father when I know he isn’t. I can’t force myself to read that as fiction.
I can read another Dave Eggers book. I can Read and learn about the events of Hurricane Katrina in many other ways. This is not it.
Avalon Tower by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford
3.25
Even though it’s not something I’d typically choose for myself, I had so much fun reading this book with my book besties (highly recommend getting yourself a set of those if you haven’t any) and I’m looking forward to reading the next one with them in September!
I liked the idea of bringing Camelot and the story of King Arthur’s Court into it a bit as I love retellings/reimaginings of tales I am even only somewhat already familiar with. The enemies-to-lovers trope wasn’t done exactly to my liking as I was more annoyed by Raphael and Nia’s constant misunderstandings that could have been easily avoided. There was another common trope I won’t spoil that I did like! I don’t read many spicy books and I used this one to confirm I’m not the biggest fan of M/F spice (especially when their attraction doesn’t have a whole lot of depth), so I won’t comment on that other than to say that I think it was probably well done if you like it. I also have to say that I will never, in life or in death, forget how muscular Raphael is.
There were a few details that didn’t make a lot of sense when I thought about it and the last chapter was a bit rushed but when I just let it go and went with the flow, it was an enjoyable experience and I expect I’ll have a similar time with the next book.
I liked the idea of bringing Camelot and the story of King Arthur’s Court into it a bit as I love retellings/reimaginings of tales I am even only somewhat already familiar with. The enemies-to-lovers trope wasn’t done exactly to my liking as I was more annoyed by Raphael and Nia’s constant misunderstandings that could have been easily avoided. There was another common trope I won’t spoil that I did like! I don’t read many spicy books and I used this one to confirm I’m not the biggest fan of M/F spice (especially when their attraction doesn’t have a whole lot of depth), so I won’t comment on that other than to say that I think it was probably well done if you like it. I also have to say that I will never, in life or in death, forget how muscular Raphael is.
There were a few details that didn’t make a lot of sense when I thought about it and the last chapter was a bit rushed but when I just let it go and went with the flow, it was an enjoyable experience and I expect I’ll have a similar time with the next book.
Elevation by Stephen King
3.0
I always enjoy audiobooks read by their authors. I like to hear the author act out the characters they wrote. I think it makes the audiobook extra special and it adds to the experience. That was definitely the case as I listened to Elevation and the second shorter story, Laurie, which was exclusive to the audio version of the book.
The characters of Elevation were a bit stereotypical and one-dimensional, but I did find the story itself more interesting. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t really care that much about Scott’s feud with his lesbian neighbors. I was most interested in his mysterious weightloss and how it worked. It was a compelling idea and a good one for a shorter novel.
Laurie is a short story about a man named Lloyd. Six months after the death of his wife, his sister comes for a visit and brings a gift: a puppy. Lloyd doesn’t want to keep the puppy, but he names her anyway (spoilers her name is Laurie) and agrees to keep her for a trial run. Not a whole lot happens, but it’s a good story, and it made me feel happy as a dog owner.
I think anyone who is a Stephen King super fan will want to read this because they read all his stuff. They’ve probably read it already. It’s also be good for anyone who isn’t a fan of horror but wants to sample King’s work, because there’s no horror here.
The Book of Cats by Charles Henry Ross
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
DNF. I thought it would be cute but it’s incredibly dull instead. I was bored but thought I’d read it anyway and then he called a beetle a racial slur so… never mind, I’m good.
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
5.0
Evocation boasts a perfect balance of character relationships, romance, and supernatural suspense.
The plot was fantastic but my favorite part was the development not only of each character, but of the relationships between Moira, Rhys, and David. Rhys and Moira’s love for each other is sweet, and so deep, it actually gave me butterflies. David is a snarky jerk who is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, but underneath his tough guy exterior is a vulnerable man who is terrified of the ancient curse placed upon his family. At the beginning of the book, Rhys and Moira are at odds with David, and he’s not too happy with them either, but as the story progresses, their feelings change in a way that feels natural and evenly-paced. The proximity is forced, but the slow-burn to the conclusion isn’t!
As for the story itself, it wasn’t until I hit about 10% of the book that I knew it was absolutely for me. I wouldn’t say the first bit was confusing, but there was some setup and I honestly didn’t know exactly what was going on. But once I got there, I was all in. I was truly engrossed as the trio attempted to break the curse threatening David’s life. I never would have guessed how everything came to a head! The ending was a great surprise, one that made me both excited for a sequel and beyond depressed that I’ll probably have to wait a long time for it.
This book really has it all: a spell-binding plot that leaves you excited for the next installment, unforgettable characters that defy initial impressions and surprise you with their depth, and a MMC who calls the FMC “little goddess.”
I received an ARC of Evocation from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
The plot was fantastic but my favorite part was the development not only of each character, but of the relationships between Moira, Rhys, and David. Rhys and Moira’s love for each other is sweet, and so deep, it actually gave me butterflies. David is a snarky jerk who is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, but underneath his tough guy exterior is a vulnerable man who is terrified of the ancient curse placed upon his family. At the beginning of the book, Rhys and Moira are at odds with David, and he’s not too happy with them either, but as the story progresses, their feelings change in a way that feels natural and evenly-paced. The proximity is forced, but the slow-burn to the conclusion isn’t!
As for the story itself, it wasn’t until I hit about 10% of the book that I knew it was absolutely for me. I wouldn’t say the first bit was confusing, but there was some setup and I honestly didn’t know exactly what was going on. But once I got there, I was all in. I was truly engrossed as the trio attempted to break the curse threatening David’s life. I never would have guessed how everything came to a head! The ending was a great surprise, one that made me both excited for a sequel and beyond depressed that I’ll probably have to wait a long time for it.
This book really has it all: a spell-binding plot that leaves you excited for the next installment, unforgettable characters that defy initial impressions and surprise you with their depth, and a MMC who calls the FMC “little goddess.”
I received an ARC of Evocation from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
It wasn’t even the subject matter - I just didn’t like the writing style or the concept of Ronald editing Norton’s memoir and adding in footnotes. It just wasn’t doing anything for me.