merrrry's reviews
368 reviews

Pimp: The Story of My Life by Iceberg Slim

tense

3.5

Added to my tbr after Dave Chapelle’s anecdote on it. Loved this for the first half then the novelty faded a little bit. I expected the trajectory of the book to spend a lot more time on when Iceberg thrived in the same, but it was actually a lot more of his climb up and struggles in prison. I liked the writing style, enjoyed Iceberg Slim’s voice in general. Also loved the audiobook!

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo

3.0

Hmmm I loved The Empress of Salt and Fortune but the style of storytelling in this one just didn’t work as well for me. I did still like the unique atmosphere and succinctness of the story — it just didn’t hit as hard this time for some reason. I would still read more Nghi Vo tho.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

lighthearted

3.5

Basically had the same experience with this as with People We Meet on Vacation. I think I liked PWMoV just a tiny bit more because it was more novel and stuck to the gimmick more. I also liked the main dude in that one more. Gus was cool in concept but meh in execution I think. I am quickly learning that contemporary or romance may be the exception to my inability to listen to fiction audiobooks.

Berserk Deluxe Volume 3 by Kentaro Miura

dark fast-paced

3.5

Liked this more than the beginning of the Golden arc! The art is already noticeably getting more impressive, and I’m also liking the pacing more. In general, I liked seeing the hawks and Griffith involved in court politics. Calm before the storm is one of my favourite tropes—and this was done wonderfully. Also starting to get more depth into the dynamics between characters compared to the last few volumes, which is wonderful. And we’re getting more of the fantastical side of things too!

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

emotional

4.25

Never watched iCarly or had any interest in Jennette McCurdy, but still really enjoyed this. I loved the way that she wrote the voice of her younger self. Her touch of dry humour and cynicism balanced really well with the expression of her naivety in her childhood. Jennette McCurdy is also super commendable for being as candid as she was regarding her OCD, anorexia, bullimia, anxiety, alcoholism, and depression. She really been through all of it. 

Loved the audiobook.

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

challenging emotional informative

4.5

Fantastic listen. Loved every essay. Not one of those flawless every-word-is-art books, and (as bad as it sounds—) didn’t connect with me on a level that would give it a 5 star rating from me. 

100% would recommend to ANYONE though, especially Canadians!! 

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.5

Did not expect to like this book at all — then I went and read the entire thing in a day. Cute, summery, light-hearted, and just unique enough to make it feel more like a good romcom and not a hallmark movie. There were lines I cringed at here and there and I didn't care for Poppy, but this was a fun read despite its flaws! I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the last bit of the book, and in general couldn’t relate to the millennial mid-life (?) crisis, nor the very much white american background of the characters. That’s no different from the usual romcom though so it wasn’t a huge deal. I would def read more Emily Henry! 

Loved the audiobook.

Redwall by Brian Jacques

adventurous

3.0

Would've probably liked this more if I didn't listen to it on audiobook and if I'd read it 10 years ago. Matthias came off as really pompous in the audiobook which made it hard to like him, and this is one of those children's books that really feels like it was written for kids. It reminded me a lot of The Hobbit — very much the quintessential classic fantasy with all the old tropes and style. I did really like the descriptions used and the overal fairytale vibes, but I don't feel very strongly about the book as a whole.

A Heart Divided: The Definitive Edition by Jin Yong

adventurous lighthearted

2.25

Took a whole 8 months to finish this book. Still really like the characters, but the novelty of the martial arts campiness and the Guo Jing x Lotus dynamic has worn off a bit after 3 books. Sadly, my main feeling about this book is that I'm glad I'm done. 

As a whole, it was obvious that Jin Yong was just trying to tie things up, and I can't say I found much of it very satisfying.

For example, Yang Kang death and Mercy's final appearance with a child was super underwhelming. Girl is just found in some bushes with a baby?? Ok???

I feel like Guo Jing and Lotus have been powering up this whole time, but the final resolution didn't reflect all the building that was done. I guess that's a common thing among serialized stories though. 

This exhausted me so much that I don't feel much motivation to read more translated Jin Yong books. I'm sure I'll read another eventually.

When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté

informative

3.25

Same thesis as The Body Keeps the Score, but more repetitive. Not sure how I feel about the psychoanalyses of famous people as evidence for his ideas, but I get why it was used to open the book. Not particularly life-changing as a whole, but a decent read.