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nikereadsbooks's reviews
381 reviews
Thinking of Deer Fei Fei by Mo Li
4.0
This was such a fun story and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Fei Chang and Chen Yueyang, they were so lovely together. And the references to HHLX made it even better!
Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin
4.0
This was definitely a fun story, and I really liked the narration as well.
Where There's Smoke by Liz Boysha
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Liz Boysha writes beautifully, with focus on climate change and character-driven stories. I especially like how deeply she can describe the various feeligs the characters experience and how they are shaped by the situations they find themselves in. As this book contains two stories, I really appreaciate how they were different but at the same time sticked to the theme of the book. Dex and Jack's story was so much more painful, but just like Unlovables, it made me feel a lot of hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Rape, Transphobia, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
2.0
This is an ARC review. Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I was really excited to read this book - many aspects like a main character being fat, the story revolving around bookstores and books, recommendations, it all sounded like good fun. Unfortunately, fun was the last thing I had while reading this book. And because I don't want to start with the bad things, I have to mention that there were enough scenes in the book I liked - firstly, the bookshop was such a nice setting! I liked Bobby's recommendations and the way he interacted with the shop's customers, especially Cindy and her group. The contrast between Corner Books and Campus Books was a good way to make Bobby work for something and improve, and it seemed like he even would. What happened is another thing, but let's still focus on the better things.
I really loved Gladys, and not because she was the only good character along with maybe Luke. Her whole no-nonsense attitude that toed the line was endearing and liked her growth as she got to know Bobby and worked with him. And I think Luke also worked greatly as a love interested, but there simply wasn't enough for him to live up to the potential he had.
My main problem was Bobby. And that's bad because he is the main character. His attitude towards other people and Corner Books at the beginning of the story was something I found to be rather off-putting. I disliked how he immediately sorted the bookshop into the "low-quality" category, same with Luke and the label of frat bro and how he probably wants to date a "bimbo". Like for someone who reads primarily romance, a genre that is predominantly but not exclusively written by women for women, I would expect Bobby to be better when talking about girls. This really soured my mood. He was so focused on setting people up and sticking his nose into others business, even when he was warned not to do it. And while he definitely shifted his view as the story progressed, It almost seemed that he would learn from his mistakes, but then I simply couldn't sympathize with him when he then went back to his usual meddling to set up his friend, Wanda, and a man who he thought was her potential boyfriend. I should highlight the fact that Wanda told him to cut it off multiple times, but he still decided to read her texts and reply to someone he barely knew just so there would be a romantic meeting between them. I also couldn't really believe how easy it was for him to get away with it, because the story ended very abruptly and there were basically no consequences for Bobby.
Lastly, this book was described as a rom-com, but I couldn't help but despair at the lack of actual romance between Bobby and Luke. There was almost nothing romantic between these two, with the plot focused more on Bobby's work, his meddling and the festival happening. And I already mentioned how I liked Luke, and if there were more scenes focused on their growing relationship, I would be totally cheering them on, but their romantic arc was mostly awkward. Not to mention that the third-act "breakup" was so weird. It felt like it was there only because it's a staple in the romance genre and to create some tension, but as the story ended abruptly, the confession was hurried and the miscommunication made me feel nothing but frustration. I get that Bobby was getting over his crush on Truman and learning new things, but apart from the banter about romance between him and Luke, there just wasn't much of what I expected when I started a rom-com.
And I just have to mention this one final frustration I had: when Bobby talks about everyone finding their loved one, Luke (very rightfully) brings up people who do not fit into this box - polyamorous people, aros and aces. And I mean it's a really valid argument. As an aroace person, I get tired of the insistence that everyone has to find one true love. But what was icky (and I am sorry for this word, but there isn't any that would explain my feelings better), was the nonexistent answer from Bobby. He learned nothing from it and he still later went and decided to set up people, some who never asked for it.
Spider-Verse/Spider-Geddon Omnibus (Olivier Coipel Cover) by Jorge Molina, Christos Gage, Dan Slott, Various Authors and Artists
Liked the various styles from different artists, but the ending of the whole storyline felt too wacky.
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
4.5
This was so incredibly beautiful, both the prose and the story! I really liked the difference between Yetu and Oori and the way they looked at the concept of history. With how devastated Yetu was by being the Historian of her people, it was interesting to see a completely opposite view that came with Oori's desire for the memories of her culture and family. I must say the pacing and the different points of view made this novella really stand out as well.
Sailor Moon 1 (Naoko Takeuchi Collection) by Naoko Takeuchi
4.5
I just love how nostalgic this manga is!
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
5.0
Honestly, this book was one of the best YA contemporaries I've ever read. It's incredibly funny, engaging and just the standard of the genre. Noah is such a sweet character and I couldn't help but cheer him on the entire time. There were also so many moments when I had to stop reading and almost squeal from the (good) second-hand emberrrasment.