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missy_reading's reviews
980 reviews
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a story about being different and also about mental health. I think the author did a great job of showing kids that differences are important and that standing up for what you know to be true and right is important. I thought the mental health rep was also well done, and I loved how the adults were portrayed in this book. I will definitely be recommending this one to people.
Johnny, the Sea, and Me by Melba Escobar
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a story of a boy who goes on a vacation trip with his mother where he learns some unpleasant news and decides to run off. He is then found by a local who takes him in and shares some stories.
This is one that is hard for me to review fully because I feel like maybe since this is a translated book that maybe I am missing some of the nuances of the original language. I think that the story does take the reader on an adventure, but I feel like there are a lot of things left unsaid, which could leave younger readers confused.
I would be interested to see what others think about this book.
This is one that is hard for me to review fully because I feel like maybe since this is a translated book that maybe I am missing some of the nuances of the original language. I think that the story does take the reader on an adventure, but I feel like there are a lot of things left unsaid, which could leave younger readers confused.
I would be interested to see what others think about this book.
The Amish Wife: Unraveling the Lies, Secrets, and Conspiracy That Let a Killer Go Free by Gregg Olsen
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
This true crime nonfiction revisits a suspected murder from one of Olsen's first books. I have not read the first book referenced in this book, but I think this one does a good job of giving the reader the information they need to help them understand what is going on in this book. I think that Olsen did a lot of research to try and find justice for the suspected murder of Ida. I think that Olsen does a great job of giving the facts in a way that keeps the reader engaged with the story while discussing things that are gruesome and hard to fathom.
This author is one that I will definitely be reading more from.
This author is one that I will definitely be reading more from.
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is definitely a page-turner of a book. We are following two women at the story's start, as they are both about to board a flight and are in the aftermath of the flight.
I would say that this gave Gone Girl vibes, but at the same time, I think that this was darker than Gone Girl. I enjoyed most of my reading experience with this book. I thought that the characters were unlikeable, which they should have been. I thought that the plot was done okay I felt like when the reveals started to happen things were a little too convenient but overall I thought that the mystery and the outcome were enjoyable. I think the pace of the story was done well, and the constantly switching perspectives added to the suspense of the book.
Overall, I would say this was a 3.5 for me. There were good and bad things for me with this book, but I do know a lot of patrons who would eat this up. While I won't say I am reaching for another one of this author's works immediately, I will say if one ever sounded interesting, I would give it a try.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martins Press, for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
I would say that this gave Gone Girl vibes, but at the same time, I think that this was darker than Gone Girl. I enjoyed most of my reading experience with this book. I thought that the characters were unlikeable, which they should have been. I thought that the plot was done okay I felt like when the reveals started to happen things were a little too convenient but overall I thought that the mystery and the outcome were enjoyable. I think the pace of the story was done well, and the constantly switching perspectives added to the suspense of the book.
Overall, I would say this was a 3.5 for me. There were good and bad things for me with this book, but I do know a lot of patrons who would eat this up. While I won't say I am reaching for another one of this author's works immediately, I will say if one ever sounded interesting, I would give it a try.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martins Press, for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fates and Furies meets the Silent Patient was the first part of the blurb for this book, and I think it is a fantastic way of describing it without giving too much away. We are following our main characters, Lila Crayne and Jonah Gabriel. When Lila starts seeing Jonah as preparation for her role in an upcoming film adaptation of Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald, mysterious things start to happen.
This was such an interesting story, and seeing that it is this author's debut, I will keep an eye out for their future books. The pacing felt a little rushed by the end, but I do feel like the book took its time, giving us the background for what finally happened. I felt like the characters were done well. I think that as this author's writing grows, the character development will get even better. I feel like the setting, while in the current day, still gave off the feeling of being in one of Fitzgerald's novels. This was definitely an unexpected read for me this year.
I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for allowing me to read this ARC early.
This was such an interesting story, and seeing that it is this author's debut, I will keep an eye out for their future books. The pacing felt a little rushed by the end, but I do feel like the book took its time, giving us the background for what finally happened. I felt like the characters were done well. I think that as this author's writing grows, the character development will get even better. I feel like the setting, while in the current day, still gave off the feeling of being in one of Fitzgerald's novels. This was definitely an unexpected read for me this year.
I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Shuster for allowing me to read this ARC early.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
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
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
All the Water in the World's is marketed as a gripping narrative of survival and adaptation in a flooded New York City. We follow our main character Nonie and her family as they are trying to navigate a flooding world.
This is a story that should be right up my ally, but the pacing of this story really did not work for me. I read to almost 40% and the info dumping is just continuing in a way that pulls me out of the story. There are also time jumps in the form of recollections of thing that have happened in the past and while some can do this well I personally did not enjoy it in this book. I feel like the concept for this book is so interesting but for me the execution just didn't work.
I appreciate NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the chance to read this as an ARC.
This is a story that should be right up my ally, but the pacing of this story really did not work for me. I read to almost 40% and the info dumping is just continuing in a way that pulls me out of the story. There are also time jumps in the form of recollections of thing that have happened in the past and while some can do this well I personally did not enjoy it in this book. I feel like the concept for this book is so interesting but for me the execution just didn't work.
I appreciate NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the chance to read this as an ARC.
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
funny
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
5.0
Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship by Stephen Snyder
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book brought up things that I never would have thought about when it comes to sex and relationships. I think that this is a book that any couple who is wanting to be in a long term relationship should read.