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mirandalikesbooks's reviews
27 reviews
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
In terms of my actual enjoyment of the book, my rating could probably be lower. Every thing that happens in the plot was gratingly convenient. The characters are more caricatures than characters with depth. Huge things would happen like the main character more or less trying to die or a woman walking away from her abusive husband and the plot would continue like, "Ahh, we're glad that's over."
However, I read this with friends and lots of them loved this. If you go in with the mindset that everything wraps up happily in the fairytale of a world where every problem can be solved with a plan and a book, you might like it too.
However, I read this with friends and lots of them loved this. If you go in with the mindset that everything wraps up happily in the fairytale of a world where every problem can be solved with a plan and a book, you might like it too.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun twist on a haunted house story for sure. I walked into the book expecting a good cozy horror mystery. I walked out of it feeling like I got my fill of a good haunted house tale AND a thoughtful exploration into how our lives and the people in them can shape the decisions we make.
Margaret was a character that you couldn't help but root for.
Margaret was a character that you couldn't help but root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Torture, and Vomit
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved it!!! Again another great romance that isn't focused on the stereotypical 20 something heroine. It seems like a running theme in this series is that all people deserve love. Loved Clara's level headedness and confidence in her self. Loved Istvhan's levity and genuine, good nature. They made a compelling pair.
This might not count as a spoiler but:Also I love bears so this is a win.
now that the smooth man storyline is over, i wonder where they'll go next??
This might not count as a spoiler but:
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This is my second Emily Henry read of the year, and I'm positive I'll tear through everything she's ever written very soon.
Like the other novel I read by her, the dialouge is just so witty and wonderful. I love how well rounded and complex Nora and Charlie are. I was fully part of their world. They made me want to write books that they could tear apart and curate to perfection with their incredibly capable hands.
Making the city girl, the career woman, the ice queen bitch who exercises when anxious (if only 😮💨) the main character of a romance is a fun twist for a genre where twists are kinda hard to produce. And making this boss of a woman so relatable and likeable is truly one of Henry's many talents.
It's so good go read it!!!!
Like the other novel I read by her, the dialouge is just so witty and wonderful. I love how well rounded and complex Nora and Charlie are. I was fully part of their world. They made me want to write books that they could tear apart and curate to perfection with their incredibly capable hands.
Making the city girl, the career woman, the ice queen bitch who exercises when anxious (if only 😮💨) the main character of a romance is a fun twist for a genre where twists are kinda hard to produce. And making this boss of a woman so relatable and likeable is truly one of Henry's many talents.
It's so good go read it!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The topic of climate change and the fact that we as a species are irrevocably harming the earth and other species is something that already feeds my existential dread. So this book was a tough read for me.
That being said I found myself rooting for Franny even with all her self destructive behavior. The impulse to be wildly free and to ignore problems and to grapple with internal guilt are all very relatable feelings for me.
In some ways I feel like this book was speaking directly to me.
I'd recommend it if you like a book with a journey and a slew of complicated characters.
That being said I found myself rooting for Franny even with all her self destructive behavior. The impulse to be wildly free and to ignore problems and to grapple with internal guilt are all very relatable feelings for me.
In some ways I feel like this book was speaking directly to me.
I'd recommend it if you like a book with a journey and a slew of complicated characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Animal death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Death of parent
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A wonderful, funny, sweet start to the series. I loved both of the main characters. Stephen has a sturdy practicality that was laced with genuine kindness. And Grace is so unique and intelligent and caring. The vulnerability of both characters made you love them. The thread of their romance - aka the main point of the novel - was my favorite part of the book. And the fact that both characters were in their 30s was refreshing! I love a book that shows that life isn't over when you leave your 20s.
The things that kept this from a 4 star read for me are just some simple style choices. The inner monologue, while oftentimes funny, sometimes was a bit too much talking to themselves. Also the poisoning plot and the beheading plot together felt like a lot going on.
Kingfisher drops lots of breadcrumbs for the rest of the series, and I'm excited to get to it.
The things that kept this from a 4 star read for me are just some simple style choices. The inner monologue, while oftentimes funny, sometimes was a bit too much talking to themselves. Also the poisoning plot and the beheading plot together felt like a lot going on.
Kingfisher drops lots of breadcrumbs for the rest of the series, and I'm excited to get to it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Body horror, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Cursing
How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
I've never read a memoir of someone who isn't a well-known public figure. It was interesting learning his story at this personal level of introspection.
I would read this if you're interested in the impact your family has on your identity; the intersectionality of being gay, black, and poor; or the struggle of figuring out how to act when the world is telling you to be someone else.
I guess I finished the book hoping for more resolution - why did his mom act cagey when he came out? How will he approach his relationship with his grandma? Will he learn how to be happy with himself and live authentically instead of approaching life the selfish and guarded way he approached his college years?
Overall a decent read!
I would read this if you're interested in the impact your family has on your identity; the intersectionality of being gay, black, and poor; or the struggle of figuring out how to act when the world is telling you to be someone else.
I guess I finished the book hoping for more resolution - why did his mom act cagey when he came out? How will he approach his relationship with his grandma? Will he learn how to be happy with himself and live authentically instead of approaching life the selfish and guarded way he approached his college years?
Overall a decent read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Animal death
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
3.75
Already looking forward to reading the others after i get over the devastation .
The world and magic system built here is really clever and extremely vivid. I'm not sure if I've ever read a book that described fighting and body horror in so much detail. It was a fun change of pace!
The "whodunit" portion of the plot kept me guessing too! I love a book that can do that.
And who can't love Gideon as a character??? She was easy to root for. Her jokes, especially in comparison to the sometimes dense text, really moved the story in an enjoyable way.
Misses four stars for me because I couldn't get hooked at first. I wasn't able to really sink my teeth in until around the 4th try picking it up. Once I was hooked though, it had me! (Also side picky note - the naming schema for the adepts mirroring their house number was a bit on the nose for me.)
The world and magic system built here is really clever and extremely vivid. I'm not sure if I've ever read a book that described fighting and body horror in so much detail. It was a fun change of pace!
The "whodunit" portion of the plot kept me guessing too! I love a book that can do that.
And who can't love Gideon as a character??? She was easy to root for. Her jokes, especially in comparison to the sometimes dense text, really moved the story in an enjoyable way.
Misses four stars for me because I couldn't get hooked at first. I wasn't able to really sink my teeth in until around the 4th try picking it up. Once I was hooked though, it had me! (Also side picky note - the naming schema for the adepts mirroring their house number was a bit on the nose for me.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: Classism, Chronic illness, Bullying, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Mental illness, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Grief
I didn't think cannibalism was explicit enough in this to add that as a trigger warning. But if that is a big no for you, I maybe wouldn't go for this.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such a loveable book. Harriet had so much growth throughout the course of this book. Her struggles of succeeding for approval, being defined by her career, and wanting to make sure everyone is happy were very relatable. I think how her relationship with Wyn matured and defined itself was beautiful too. But it was the individual character growth that did it for me.
I know romances aren't for everyone, but this is a no brainer grab if it is for you. The witty dialouge and the exploration in to relationships of all kinds (the self, friends, family, relationships) keep you invested more than just a straight up romance would.
I know romances aren't for everyone, but this is a no brainer grab if it is for you. The witty dialouge and the exploration in to relationships of all kinds (the self, friends, family, relationships) keep you invested more than just a straight up romance would.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Drug use