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plish's reviews
19 reviews
Murder By Manicure by Nancy J. Cohen
2.0
I finished this simply because I started it.
When I picked this up at a library sale I was unaware that it was part of a series. But it was easy to figure out what was going on even without having read the prior two books in the series. Yadayada here's my review...
Anyone remember how heinous late 90s/ early 00s diet culture was? This book was a victim. On every page, and at every turn it mentions some character's weight or what they're eating and how it will effect their figure later. It's actually over kill. The main character is always complaining about her weight even though she's described as 120lbs at 5'6".
Maybe the character of the detective was more fleshed out in the previous books, but in this one he just felt like "man" who "did detective things." The mystery was also kind of boring. What was the point of Slate wearing drag on his weekends anyways? How was no one ever able to recognize him in drag ever... it was nice to see the title make sense right at the end.
When I picked this up at a library sale I was unaware that it was part of a series. But it was easy to figure out what was going on even without having read the prior two books in the series. Yadayada here's my review...
Anyone remember how heinous late 90s/ early 00s diet culture was? This book was a victim. On every page, and at every turn it mentions some character's weight or what they're eating and how it will effect their figure later. It's actually over kill. The main character is always complaining about her weight even though she's described as 120lbs at 5'6".
Maybe the character of the detective was more fleshed out in the previous books, but in this one he just felt like "man" who "did detective things." The mystery was also kind of boring. What was the point of Slate wearing drag on his weekends anyways? How was no one ever able to recognize him in drag ever... it was nice to see the title make sense right at the end.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
4.0
At it's core, to me, this book is about mothers. And all the different forms that motherhood can take. It's a nice self contained read that made me think about how many choices are just that. Sometimes there's no moral (evil or good) attached to it. It's just a choice.
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
3.0
Some of the stories I found much more engaging than others. And as many have pointed out... Asimov writes women (or should I say our only real female character) poorly. I've seen worse in more modern books, but it's still not great. Some of the stories have a lot of just babbling about technicalities and whatever. May be interesting to some, not to me.
My Story by Chris Stewart, Elizabeth Smart
2.0
Not as introspective as one would think it would be. And that may just be how she recalls it, or tells it, very matter of fact. But the other reviews share my gripes. And the writing feels very repetitive at times, with the same phrases and endings to paragraphs.
She seems proud that she never received any counciling after being kidnapped and abused for nine months. And she's just moved on and is perfectly fine? No nightmares? No anxiety? I'd like to believe her, but I have my doubts.
The book is very religious, and I'd expect nothing less from an active LDS member. But there was one passage that really stood out to me where Elizabeth describes exactly how Brian David Mitchell used religion to get what he wanted. How he used it to excuse everything he did. And I was like girl...
She seems proud that she never received any counciling after being kidnapped and abused for nine months. And she's just moved on and is perfectly fine? No nightmares? No anxiety? I'd like to believe her, but I have my doubts.
The book is very religious, and I'd expect nothing less from an active LDS member. But there was one passage that really stood out to me where Elizabeth describes exactly how Brian David Mitchell used religion to get what he wanted. How he used it to excuse everything he did. And I was like girl...
Educated by Tara Westover
5.0
An exceptionally gripping memoir about Tara's journey in life. For me, I was deeply affected by her relationship with Shawn, because I had my own Shawn. I was never as close to my older brother as she was to hers, but the rest of the similarities are there. I've never shared everything that happened. Sometimes I think I made it all up. But to see Tara put those same thoughts of self-doubt down was really affirming for me.
I've also seen that her parents have attempted to do clean-up and publish their own book. For me that just makes this book all the more true.
I find it intereting that many take issue with the fact that she taught herself enough to take the ACT. I knew a ton of homeschooled kids growing up that were expected to teach themselves and they were terrifyingly booksmart, and most went onto college. So I find it easy to belive the author could do the same.
I've also seen that her parents have attempted to do clean-up and publish their own book. For me that just makes this book all the more true.
I find it intereting that many take issue with the fact that she taught herself enough to take the ACT. I knew a ton of homeschooled kids growing up that were expected to teach themselves and they were terrifyingly booksmart, and most went onto college. So I find it easy to belive the author could do the same.
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
3.0
Very informational, and gave context to names I've heard here and there. To me, it was very repetitive. But I guess conservative politics kind of are.
The Lost Era: One Constant Star by David R. George III
4.0
Most trek novels I go into with the understanding that they'll be okay, and I don't expect much else because the trek of it all is entertainment enough for me. But this one was pretty solid.
There were a lot of questions left unanswered and many aspects that would have been great novels on their own. But I'll take what I can get.
There were a lot of questions left unanswered and many aspects that would have been great novels on their own. But I'll take what I can get.
The Art of the Impossible by Keith R.A. DeCandido
4.0
This is so lore heavy it puts into perspective how much of what happens in TNG and DS9 came to be. A TON of characters to keep track of, but for the most part they are mentioned in the shows at one point or another.
This is the first Trek novel I've read that's got Klingons in it and I was really pleased with how the author handled them.
I think the next time I do a watch through of DS9, I'll read this again.
This is the first Trek novel I've read that's got Klingons in it and I was really pleased with how the author handled them.
I think the next time I do a watch through of DS9, I'll read this again.
Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events by Brent Spiner
3.0
As a Star Trek fan I enjoyed it, I think if I had read this and not been a fan... I would have rated it less. I still enjoyed the memoir aspect of the story and distinguishing fact from fiction. And I'd like to believe Levar is truly just like that.