middleagedbookworm's reviews
120 reviews

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.75

Love Anthony Bourdain. As you can imagine, he lived a chaotic life but with laser focus on being a chef. That’s admirable. He can get very wordy (as I’m sure you know if you have ever heard him talk). That can be equally as charming and grating at the same time. Overall, an amusing look into the world of being a chef. 

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

I just can’t handle the dumb humor and poor writing and boring science lessons. Not my vibe… seems like I’m the only person on the planet that feels this way, which is REALLY hard to believe. 

The Shining by Stephen King

5.0

I read this years ago. I need to read it again. But I do remember it scared the sh*t outta me! 

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.0

I listened to this on audio. I’m thinking I should read a physical copy. I didn’t experience any emotional impact until the very end. This was simply an epistolary book about books. Very slice of life and cozy. 

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

That was a perfect book. A new all time favorite. Speechless. Buying books 2 & 3 in the series now. Fredrik Backman is a genius. 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.

This hurt to return to the library, but I have other books that I want to read right now and I ran out of renewals. I will finish the series… there are just too many other books to read! 😩

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

This was compulsively readable, and you think you know what’s going on pretty early in the story, but you don’t… I mean, I would be very very surprised if you do. Anyways, the story was “ok”. Not the best writing. Didn’t love how it ended.  I can see why a lot of people enjoy this type of book, it’s just not my favorite. I’m not sure I will read another by Freida. Maybe. 

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

3.75

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0