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mmrohbock's reviews
655 reviews
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
5⭐
R🌶️
I can't believe I'm saying this about an accidental pregnancy trope book, but this was a nearly perfect romance book.
R🌶️
I can't believe I'm saying this about an accidental pregnancy trope book, but this was a nearly perfect romance book.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway
informative
medium-paced
4.5
4.5⭐ on 🎧
This is probably one of my favorite nonfiction books I've read in the past few years that truly made me smarter. NPR's Planet Money podcast recommended this book and they did not miss!!
Ed explores six key materials to our society today to breakdown how they have changed our lives and keep the world functioning today--the key materials behind our phone and computers, our cars and home electricity, our batteries and our food. He observes that in a majority knowledge based economy like that of the US and Europe, most people are disconnected from HOW these materials are produced and keep our lives going so he sets out to learn about them. And I am biased after spending years working in manufacturing, but I do tend to agree.
This book is an excellent exploration in the nuances of what it takes to make the material, including the exploitation of workers and environmental impacts but also including the value derived from society to easily have these materials available in abundance. It is easy to complain about the consumption of natural gas and oil products, but that judgement is not as black and white when you factor in the additional crop yield the world has due to natural gas-derived fertilizers.
I will say this book is very long and detailed which is a bit daunting, but the information in it is truly important for understanding our world. I highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, just know that it will likely be one that you will take a bit of time to fully read.
And as someone who has a decent level of expertise in Material #5, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book because he describes this material and the nuances around production and dependencies extremely well which made me more confident in the other materials.
This is probably one of my favorite nonfiction books I've read in the past few years that truly made me smarter. NPR's Planet Money podcast recommended this book and they did not miss!!
Ed explores six key materials to our society today to breakdown how they have changed our lives and keep the world functioning today--the key materials behind our phone and computers, our cars and home electricity, our batteries and our food. He observes that in a majority knowledge based economy like that of the US and Europe, most people are disconnected from HOW these materials are produced and keep our lives going so he sets out to learn about them. And I am biased after spending years working in manufacturing, but I do tend to agree.
This book is an excellent exploration in the nuances of what it takes to make the material, including the exploitation of workers and environmental impacts but also including the value derived from society to easily have these materials available in abundance. It is easy to complain about the consumption of natural gas and oil products, but that judgement is not as black and white when you factor in the additional crop yield the world has due to natural gas-derived fertilizers.
I will say this book is very long and detailed which is a bit daunting, but the information in it is truly important for understanding our world. I highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, just know that it will likely be one that you will take a bit of time to fully read.
And as someone who has a decent level of expertise in Material #5, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book because he describes this material and the nuances around production and dependencies extremely well which made me more confident in the other materials.
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
4.25⭐
PG-13🌶️
The historical romance version of the Parent Trap but make it gay. So instead of twins, it's two women falling in love. Emma truly has me biting my nails nervous until the last few chapters--thank goodness for a very very happy ending!
PG-13🌶️
The historical romance version of the Parent Trap but make it gay. So instead of twins, it's two women falling in love. Emma truly has me biting my nails nervous until the last few chapters--thank goodness for a very very happy ending!
Redwood Court by DéLana R.A. Dameron
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75⭐ on 🎧
An interesting vignette of one family's lives living one neighborhood street, including the systems that prevent black people from gaining wealth and privilege. I wanted to love this book but I wish it had been more plot driven to create momentum through the story -- instead it did not feel fully connected through the different stories.
An interesting vignette of one family's lives living one neighborhood street, including the systems that prevent black people from gaining wealth and privilege. I wanted to love this book but I wish it had been more plot driven to create momentum through the story -- instead it did not feel fully connected through the different stories.
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4⭐
PG-13 🌶️
As the spouse of a gamer, this was so fun and also just important to see gamer introverts in a book. This book was such a sweet evolution from online fun together to offline love. The exploration of love and finding queer/asexual identity in your fifties was special, even if the pacing wasn't perfect. A cute romance I'd recommend to anyone who is or loves a gamer.
PG-13 🌶️
As the spouse of a gamer, this was so fun and also just important to see gamer introverts in a book. This book was such a sweet evolution from online fun together to offline love. The exploration of love and finding queer/asexual identity in your fifties was special, even if the pacing wasn't perfect. A cute romance I'd recommend to anyone who is or loves a gamer.
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I love Amanda Montell but I could tell this wasn't going to be my book after the phrase "my favorite crystal shop in LA" was used and I listened a bit more but it just isn't working for me! No judgement to the crystals though because I don't want to mess with the planets.
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
4.75⭐
R🌶️
I will need at least 7 business days to recover from this series ending. Viggo's book was truly the perfect ending and a love letter to all of Chloe's readers. These books are truly special and I will be recommending them forever.
R🌶️
I will need at least 7 business days to recover from this series ending. Viggo's book was truly the perfect ending and a love letter to all of Chloe's readers. These books are truly special and I will be recommending them forever.
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐ on 🎧
PG-13 to R 🌶️
Whoever said lying about getting married in Vegas was a tiny white lie was wrong 💀💀 but I loved the banter between these two and the second chance love story so it was still really cute. Kristina Forest keeps getting better and better!
PG-13 to R 🌶️
Whoever said lying about getting married in Vegas was a tiny white lie was wrong 💀💀 but I loved the banter between these two and the second chance love story so it was still really cute. Kristina Forest keeps getting better and better!
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5⭐
I have an on and off again relationship with Rebecca and right now it is on. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it explored if life is something that happens to you vs if it's something you choose. There were the classic Rebecca Serle twists and some beautiful prose and some underdeveloped characters, but at the end of the day, I will be thinking about this book for a very long time and how a soulmate is so much more than just destiny.
I have an on and off again relationship with Rebecca and right now it is on. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it explored if life is something that happens to you vs if it's something you choose. There were the classic Rebecca Serle twists and some beautiful prose and some underdeveloped characters, but at the end of the day, I will be thinking about this book for a very long time and how a soulmate is so much more than just destiny.