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lydialovestoread's reviews
487 reviews
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Van Laar family owns a complex containing a large estate, some farm buildings and a summer camp. In 1961, while hosting their annual week-long summer party their 8 year old son goes missing. In 1975 their daughter Barbara is attending summer camp on the property and also goes missing.
This book dives deep into the relational web to figure out what happened to both children. There are relational trysts, drugs and alcohol, complicated family dynamics, and a divide between the family and their hired staff. It’s a whodunnit.
I found the number of characters overwhelming. Each one was glossed with something that made them unreachable and it wasn’t until almost 3/4 of the way through that I felt connected to someone or invested in their outcome. The volume of individuals made the working theories endless and it wasn’t until the end when it was finally wrapped up, that I actually figured it out.
Overall fine.
This book dives deep into the relational web to figure out what happened to both children. There are relational trysts, drugs and alcohol, complicated family dynamics, and a divide between the family and their hired staff. It’s a whodunnit.
I found the number of characters overwhelming. Each one was glossed with something that made them unreachable and it wasn’t until almost 3/4 of the way through that I felt connected to someone or invested in their outcome. The volume of individuals made the working theories endless and it wasn’t until the end when it was finally wrapped up, that I actually figured it out.
Overall fine.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thirty-nine year old (very rich), divorced mom takes her 13 year old to a boy band concert. Their VIP tickets get them a meet and greet with the band before the show and the main singer Hughes takes notice of the mom. They begin a relationship that includes traipsing around the world having sex in fancy hotels and dodging the teeny fans who swarm and scream at him wherever they go.
The movie was better.
The movie was better.
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is *nearly* my perfect romance.
A woman in her late 30’s loses her husband and finds herself in the Seth’s of grief while trying to raise a young boy and work full time. Two years have passed when a hot young guy moves in next door and her boss, her husband’s dear friend and the dependable, always knows what to do/say pseudo family member, meet in the most cringy, overly dramatic rom-com-y way.
The whole book is a beautiful blending of comical mishaps by the main character Kate and soul deep grief wrapped in the hope of second-chance love.
I laughed, I cried, there were enough plot twists and dangling unanswered questions to keep me reading. I need an emotionally engaging story that pulls at allll my heart strings and this did the job. There was the scene where Kate climbs in the shower with all her clothes on and someone, fully clothed, joins her, holding vigil with her and her messy grief. That scene will stay with me.
Two changes would make this the perfect book-1. I wanted more spice to the love scenes. There was building heat, then a scene cut. I LOVED the slow build of emotion and a simmering, long-enduring love that didn’t move on from the deceased.
2. I didn’t like the tidy epilogue. It could have ended when Kate finally gives into her feelings.
A woman in her late 30’s loses her husband and finds herself in the Seth’s of grief while trying to raise a young boy and work full time. Two years have passed when a hot young guy moves in next door and her boss, her husband’s dear friend and the dependable, always knows what to do/say pseudo family member, meet in the most cringy, overly dramatic rom-com-y way.
The whole book is a beautiful blending of comical mishaps by the main character Kate and soul deep grief wrapped in the hope of second-chance love.
I laughed, I cried, there were enough plot twists and dangling unanswered questions to keep me reading. I need an emotionally engaging story that pulls at allll my heart strings and this did the job. There was the scene where Kate climbs in the shower with all her clothes on and someone, fully clothed, joins her, holding vigil with her and her messy grief. That scene will stay with me.
Two changes would make this the perfect book-1. I wanted more spice to the love scenes. There was building heat, then a scene cut. I LOVED the slow build of emotion and a simmering, long-enduring love that didn’t move on from the deceased.
2. I didn’t like the tidy epilogue. It could have ended when Kate finally gives into her feelings.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a three part, multi-generational story.
First we meet Lily, a Chinese American working in NYC, who meets charming, blonde, Matthew. He’s smart and lovey, but the obvious disparity in wealth is a constant boulder in their relationship. Eventually they have a son Nick.
The second part of the book fast forwards to Nick as a young adult. We find him in Washington State, living alone with his mother, missing sections of Lily and Matthew’s life. Nick goes to college and faces his own questions about ethics, wealth, and family.
Lastly we hear from Mae, Lily’s mother. Mae grew up in a poor farming family in China during the beginning of Mao Zedong’s reign. She makes tough relational decisions but eventually flees to America via Hong Kong. She becomes a scientist, and makes some ethically murky decisions.
It’s a wonderfully woven story with lots of complex characters, but the ultimate questions I left with were: is there any benefit to altering genetics to ultimately avoid natural hardships? Is prolonging life and extended time a gift? What would it take to cut someone out of my life? And do billions of dollars corrupt people? Or can wealth be used for good.
First we meet Lily, a Chinese American working in NYC, who meets charming, blonde, Matthew. He’s smart and lovey, but the obvious disparity in wealth is a constant boulder in their relationship. Eventually they have a son Nick.
The second part of the book fast forwards to Nick as a young adult. We find him in Washington State, living alone with his mother, missing sections of Lily and Matthew’s life. Nick goes to college and faces his own questions about ethics, wealth, and family.
Lastly we hear from Mae, Lily’s mother. Mae grew up in a poor farming family in China during the beginning of Mao Zedong’s reign. She makes tough relational decisions but eventually flees to America via Hong Kong. She becomes a scientist, and makes some ethically murky decisions.
It’s a wonderfully woven story with lots of complex characters, but the ultimate questions I left with were: is there any benefit to altering genetics to ultimately avoid natural hardships? Is prolonging life and extended time a gift? What would it take to cut someone out of my life? And do billions of dollars corrupt people? Or can wealth be used for good.
No One Gets to Fall Apart: A Memoir by Sarah Labrie
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This memoir is Sarah’s philosophical musings, her grief over her mother’s deteriorating mental health and schizophrenic diagnosis, and close up observations of her life.
It felt stream-of-consciousness. At times it was deep and thoughtful, other times felt rambly, still other times dark, depressing, and hopeless.
Just okay.
It felt stream-of-consciousness. At times it was deep and thoughtful, other times felt rambly, still other times dark, depressing, and hopeless.
Just okay.
Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare and Sexual Purity by Alice Greczyn
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
This is an LA actor’s self-published religious trauma memoir.
Her parents were fanatical Christians who voluntarily became homeless because “God called them”. They tent camped, lived with friends and family, and lived off the good graces of other people for years.
Alice graduated from home school at the age of 16 when she get her GED, and through a series of chance meetings ended up in LA modeling.
Eventually she becomes an actress, leaves her faith, and jumps into LA’s party scene while treading mental health issues.
It was sloooooooow!!! It could have been half the length and better edited to make an easier read. Reminded me a lot of my own religious experiences and was interesting for that reason primarily.
Her parents were fanatical Christians who voluntarily became homeless because “God called them”. They tent camped, lived with friends and family, and lived off the good graces of other people for years.
Alice graduated from home school at the age of 16 when she get her GED, and through a series of chance meetings ended up in LA modeling.
Eventually she becomes an actress, leaves her faith, and jumps into LA’s party scene while treading mental health issues.
It was sloooooooow!!! It could have been half the length and better edited to make an easier read. Reminded me a lot of my own religious experiences and was interesting for that reason primarily.
What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It wasn’t until I got to the author’s note that I realized this book was mostly autobiographical.
The main character Eve has 5 kids, is a successful writer, and finds out she has a stage 4 glioblastoma. This book is her journey through treatment, rehab, forgetfulness, and the awful fact of cancer.
It was only 144 pages long and I finished it in an afternoon. While working. It felt…light somehow, like she didn’t get to the depths I imagined. She uses humor to defect, often avoiding hard topics by making jokes. It was just fine.
The main character Eve has 5 kids, is a successful writer, and finds out she has a stage 4 glioblastoma. This book is her journey through treatment, rehab, forgetfulness, and the awful fact of cancer.
It was only 144 pages long and I finished it in an afternoon. While working. It felt…light somehow, like she didn’t get to the depths I imagined. She uses humor to defect, often avoiding hard topics by making jokes. It was just fine.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
“The job of a rom-com…is to give you a simulated feeling of falling in love. A rom-com should give you a swoony, hopeful, delicious, rising feeling of anticipation as you look forward to the moment when the two leads, who are clearly mad for each other, finally overcome all their obstacles, both internal and external, and get together.”
That’s this book- two screen writers who wrestle through heath crisis, distance, rejection, writer’s block, and imposter syndrome to finally end up together.
It wasn’t my favorite- there were too many moments where the lead learned information through eaves dropping, and not enough sexual tension, but it was a good distraction, a light, silly, happy book. Arguably the best part was the author’s note where she gets on her soap box about why romantic fiction is a hopeful, socially necessary, and inspiring genre that should be taken more seriously.
That’s this book- two screen writers who wrestle through heath crisis, distance, rejection, writer’s block, and imposter syndrome to finally end up together.
It wasn’t my favorite- there were too many moments where the lead learned information through eaves dropping, and not enough sexual tension, but it was a good distraction, a light, silly, happy book. Arguably the best part was the author’s note where she gets on her soap box about why romantic fiction is a hopeful, socially necessary, and inspiring genre that should be taken more seriously.
Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
This book was mostly informative. Starting out slow Connie describes her parent’s immigration from China to the US.
Her career achievements were the main part of this book full of name dropping, coanchor drama, and celebrity interviews she landed. I learned how much of a dick Dan Rather was and the prejudice she faced as an Asian woman in a White male profession.
Overall it was an interesting read, but just okay.
Her career achievements were the main part of this book full of name dropping, coanchor drama, and celebrity interviews she landed. I learned how much of a dick Dan Rather was and the prejudice she faced as an Asian woman in a White male profession.
Overall it was an interesting read, but just okay.
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
This is a rewriting of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective. When Jim finds out he’s about to be sold, he runs. At the same time, Huck fakes his own death and also runs away after his abusive father returns. They meet up along the Mississippi River, setting out on their historic adventure.
In James, Jim is an intelligent, literate black man. He has a heart, a conscience, and a will to live. Ruminating on the morality of owning people and what the color of skin really means, Jim encounters Voltaire and Locke in his dreams, asking questions that leave the readers pondering. Throughout the tales of adventure we see both Jim as an endearing character and the problematic views of racial hierarchy.
I loved this book. It was deep. It made my heart ache with injustice. It was moving and perplexing, witty and intelligent, a true literary genius of a book! Everyone should read it, discuss it, and sit with the tension it brings to light.