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moserk's reviews
102 reviews
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Setting aside my thoughts on the setting and the author's handling of a modern-day Romeo & Juliet but with an Israeli girl and Palestinian boy, this still missed the mark and fell incredibly flat for me.
I found the split POV difficult to follow (if not for the audiobook, I undoubtedly would have misinterpreted Jamil's sections as Ronit's words and vice verse) but appreciated the use of ghazal poem structure (although, I understand this requires at least a 5 couplet structure, and note that Ronit's first ghazal is only 4 couplets).
It's a 1-hr read if you feel called.
I found the split POV difficult to follow (if not for the audiobook, I undoubtedly would have misinterpreted Jamil's sections as Ronit's words and vice verse) but appreciated the use of ghazal poem structure (although, I understand this requires at least a 5 couplet structure, and note that Ronit's first ghazal is only 4 couplets).
It's a 1-hr read if you feel called.
After the Lights Go Out by John Vercher
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
To say I 'enjoyed' this would be wrong, but I'd recommend the read, yes. My heart absolutely aches for our main character.
Xavier "Scarecrow" Wallace is a mixed race MMA fighter looking to return to the ring following a 1-year suspension, while also battling CTE. Parallel to all this (as if it weren't enough), Xavier is forced to watch his father (Sam) battle dementia, an ugly disease which soon reveals a side Xavier never knew existed - one that might well explain why his mother left his father all those years ago; some people aren't what the seem once their filter is removed.
A heart-wrenching story of many battles, both in and out of the ring. I found it heavy, but well written. Feels like one that will stick with me awhile.
Xavier "Scarecrow" Wallace is a mixed race MMA fighter looking to return to the ring following a 1-year suspension, while also battling CTE. Parallel to all this (as if it weren't enough), Xavier is forced to watch his father (Sam) battle dementia, an ugly disease which soon reveals a side Xavier never knew existed - one that might well explain why his mother left his father all those years ago; some people aren't what the seem once their filter is removed.
A heart-wrenching story of many battles, both in and out of the ring. I found it heavy, but well written. Feels like one that will stick with me awhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
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
Always. Read. The. Epilogue.
I contest some of the final pieces being believable, but the epilogue's reveal got me good.
Entire plot line gave me the ick - grooming and teacher/student relationships will do that. Unfortunately, I imagine this is well written as far as those types of things go. Not my favorite Freida, but another quick audio.
I contest some of the final pieces being believable, but the epilogue's reveal got me good.
Entire plot line gave me the ick - grooming and teacher/student relationships will do that. Unfortunately, I imagine this is well written as far as those types of things go. Not my favorite Freida, but another quick audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.75
Required reading as unfortunately, there's a number of direct parallels to today.
A stark reminder of an incredibly dark time in our not-so-distant past, but focused on the pieces your prior history lessons likely skimmed over or excused to the Civil War South. Understanding the Midwest's part was sobering, as was understanding how many people (especially women) were not only complicit, but also actively engaged in perpetuating such horrendous things.
A compelling listen, though I found myself occasionally struggling to keep everything straight; I'll take ownership there though, as nonfiction isn't my typical so strictly listening might not have been the best move.
A stark reminder of an incredibly dark time in our not-so-distant past, but focused on the pieces your prior history lessons likely skimmed over or excused to the Civil War South. Understanding the Midwest's part was sobering, as was understanding how many people (especially women) were not only complicit, but also actively engaged in perpetuating such horrendous things.
A compelling listen, though I found myself occasionally struggling to keep everything straight; I'll take ownership there though, as nonfiction isn't my typical so strictly listening might not have been the best move.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Suicide
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For the Gods, I loved this. My first graphic novel and oh dear, I might eb hooked. Lighthearted with lovable characters and a clever commitment to the cheese shtick.
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my strangest reads yet, but in the best way. I absolutely loved it and found myself wanting more. Recommended by a friend as "so weird and campy - it's perfect" and whoa, that's pretty much it!
Yes, it's horror and gruesome at parts. But that's only the later portion and it's descriptive enough but not too terribly over-the-top. You've got this my 'new-to-horror,' friends.
Yes, it's horror and gruesome at parts. But that's only the later portion and it's descriptive enough but not too terribly over-the-top. You've got this my 'new-to-horror,' friends.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
We hear a lot about her family situation, and of course the conservatorship. But we also hear quite a bit about her romantic relationships, often with direct response acknowledging a false/incomplete narrative up to this point.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
It feels strange to put a rating on such an honest recount of an incredibly horrific series of life experiences. I never stayed close to the Britney media growing up, or even in recent years for that matter - but I know everyone has their opinion of her, which truthfully feels unfair. Few moments that really stood out to me:
You have to speak the thing that you're feeling, even if it scares you. You have to tell your story. You have to raise your voice.
All I know is what I experienced.
We hear a lot about her family situation, and of course the conservatorship. But we also hear quite a bit about her romantic relationships, often with direct response acknowledging a false/incomplete narrative up to this point.
(Women) want to feel safe and alive and sexy - all at the same time.
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket
This is dark in Snicket's famously lighthearted way. Surprisingly philosophical but also had me chuckling at times.
BONUS NOTE: it's narrated by the ever-fabulous Patrick Warburton (Kronk) if you're considering the audio format. I quite enjoyed the little illustrations and intentional typesetting in select sections.
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Mr. Snicket says it best himself:
This book is about bewilderment, a word which here means "the feeling of being bewildered," and "bewildered" is a word which here means "you don't have any idea what is happening," and "you" is a word which doesn't just mean you. It means everyone.
This is dark in Snicket's famously lighthearted way. Surprisingly philosophical but also had me chuckling at times.
BONUS NOTE: it's narrated by the ever-fabulous Patrick Warburton (Kronk) if you're considering the audio format. I quite enjoyed the little illustrations and intentional typesetting in select sections.
Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A collection of poems paired with a prompt for action and self reflection/love.