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raesengele's reviews
295 reviews
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you're at around the 50% point and are thinking is anything going to happen, just keep reading. I actually put Rebecca down for several reads for that exact reason and damn I'm glad I came back to it and didn't DNF is entirely. Once the plot gets going IT GETS GOING! Absolutely worth wading through the first half.
2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron
informative
fast-paced
3.0
If this isn't your first rodeo, but you're still interested in this book, let me save you some time:
Plot and experiment with what time of day you write to figure out when your focus is best.
That's basically what the "write faster" part of this book boils down to.
And that part of the book is about 30 pages.
Honestly, this could have been a blog post. Actually, it was a blog post which makes sense.
The second half is all the same stuff you've most likely read before if you've read more than one book on writing. I will say, I did appreciate that Aaron isn't as prescriptive as some other books I've read. She's very open to the concept of pantsers and doesn't claim that meticulous plotting is the only way to be a successful author, which as a plantser, I appreciated. I also very much liked her section on character mostly because we approach character the same way--figure out their motivation/wants at the least then let them reveal who they are as you write. I've never been a fan of the plotting method that requires you to know a character's entire life history and/or unimportant details like how they take their coffee or which starter pokemon would they choose before you ever start putting words to the page. I also just don't like filling out pages upon pages of questionnaires for my characters. I'm also neurodivergent and small talk kills me, so that might have something to do with it.
The place we conflicted is she's yet another author who has fallen prey to the false idea that the 3 act structure is the only way to tell a story. It's a lie created by Hollywood. Literally. That's not me spouting conspiracy bullshit. Hollywood has a very strict outline that all scripts must adhere to in order to be funded. That strict outline follows the Three Act Structure. And for some reason in the last 10 years authors began touting around the Three Act Structure as anthropological fact that all readers will be able to naturally sus out and you'll never be a success unless you follow it...even though all of Shakespeare's plays were five acts and the Hero's Journey has 8 points, the Heroine's Journey has even more. There are other ways to tell a story, so can we please move on from this myth. Word to the wise, if a book on NOVEL WRITING only uses movies (Especially Star Wars. They all love to reference Star Wars.) as examples while talking about plot, take all of it with a grain of salt.
Anyways, it's a short book (the actual text is 100 pages), so if you're still interested or if you're new to writing, it's definitely worth picking up. Just know that there's not much that's revolutionary to her method. Just know what you're going to write before you write it and figure out what time of day you write best then guard that time like a mama bear.
Plot and experiment with what time of day you write to figure out when your focus is best.
That's basically what the "write faster" part of this book boils down to.
And that part of the book is about 30 pages.
Honestly, this could have been a blog post. Actually, it was a blog post which makes sense.
The second half is all the same stuff you've most likely read before if you've read more than one book on writing. I will say, I did appreciate that Aaron isn't as prescriptive as some other books I've read. She's very open to the concept of pantsers and doesn't claim that meticulous plotting is the only way to be a successful author, which as a plantser, I appreciated. I also very much liked her section on character mostly because we approach character the same way--figure out their motivation/wants at the least then let them reveal who they are as you write. I've never been a fan of the plotting method that requires you to know a character's entire life history and/or unimportant details like how they take their coffee or which starter pokemon would they choose before you ever start putting words to the page. I also just don't like filling out pages upon pages of questionnaires for my characters. I'm also neurodivergent and small talk kills me, so that might have something to do with it.
The place we conflicted is she's yet another author who has fallen prey to the false idea that the 3 act structure is the only way to tell a story. It's a lie created by Hollywood. Literally. That's not me spouting conspiracy bullshit. Hollywood has a very strict outline that all scripts must adhere to in order to be funded. That strict outline follows the Three Act Structure. And for some reason in the last 10 years authors began touting around the Three Act Structure as anthropological fact that all readers will be able to naturally sus out and you'll never be a success unless you follow it...even though all of Shakespeare's plays were five acts and the Hero's Journey has 8 points, the Heroine's Journey has even more. There are other ways to tell a story, so can we please move on from this myth. Word to the wise, if a book on NOVEL WRITING only uses movies (Especially Star Wars. They all love to reference Star Wars.) as examples while talking about plot, take all of it with a grain of salt.
Anyways, it's a short book (the actual text is 100 pages), so if you're still interested or if you're new to writing, it's definitely worth picking up. Just know that there's not much that's revolutionary to her method. Just know what you're going to write before you write it and figure out what time of day you write best then guard that time like a mama bear.
Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders by John Glatt
medium-paced
3.0
Information is good and thorough, but the writing style EXTREMELY dry. I've read more engaging Wikipedia articles.
White Magic by Elissa Washuta
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Stalking and Suicidal thoughts
The Push by Ashley Audrain
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have such mixed feelings about this book that I'm sure my rating is going to fluctuate back and forth the more I think about it.
The generational trauma between Blythe, Cecilia, and Etta was really well done (though I think there might have been some plot points that were never followed through with, but I tend to miss stuff when I'm listening instead of reading, so I could be wrong), but I also felt like Violet's role in that didn't fit as much. It was almost too much in comparison with everything else. It wanted to be We Need to Talk About Kevin, but was too distracted with being more about Blythe than Violet for it to work. I felt like the book also really wanted to be a thriller, with an unreliable narrator, but just wasn't on either account.
But the stuff with the three generations was really good and made me even reflect a lot on my own intergenerational trauma while listening and I just think the book would have been so much stronger if it had gotten rid of the thriller elements and had just been pitched as a literary drama instead. But that doesn't sell well, so half baked thriller it is.
The generational trauma between Blythe, Cecilia, and Etta was really well done (though I think there might have been some plot points that were never followed through with, but I tend to miss stuff when I'm listening instead of reading, so I could be wrong), but I also felt like Violet's role in that didn't fit as much. It was almost too much in comparison with everything else. It wanted to be We Need to Talk About Kevin, but was too distracted with being more about Blythe than Violet for it to work. I felt like the book also really wanted to be a thriller, with an unreliable narrator, but just wasn't on either account.
But the stuff with the three generations was really good and made me even reflect a lot on my own intergenerational trauma while listening and I just think the book would have been so much stronger if it had gotten rid of the thriller elements and had just been pitched as a literary drama instead. But that doesn't sell well, so half baked thriller it is.
Hark! the Herald Angels Scream by Christopher Golden
fast-paced
4.0
Averaged out to 3.5, but rounding up to 4 because though the bad ones were really bad the good ones were phenomenal and I just couldn't do that to them.
Absinthe and Angels, Kelley Armstrong ⭐⭐⭐
I like the creepiness of the mummers and the isolation, but I hate the ending so much. Also, I don't get why it's called "Absinthe and Angels." Are the mummers the angels? I don't get it.
Christmas in Barcelona, Scott Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Now that is an ending! Not at all what I was expecting. 1/2 a star off because it was in 2nd person and there didn't seem to be much point to it. It would have been just as good in 3rd or 1st.
Fresh as the New Fallen Snow, Seanan McGuire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Damn that was good! And definitely something different!
Love Me, Thomas E. Sniegoski ⭐⭐✨
Meh. I'm not sure if it's because the ending was almost exactly like Christmas in Barcelona except not as well done or if it was the way the ending was written, but not a fan of this one.
Not Just for Christmas, Sarah Lotz ⭐⭐⭐
Eh.
Tenets, Josh Malerman ⭐
I hate Josh Malerman's writing. Two stars because...you know what, no. He had an interesting concept and THAT is what he did with it?! No. He deserves one fucking star.
Good Deeds, Jeff Strand ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, alright then. I have no idea how to feel about that one, but it made me laugh, so there's that.
It's a Wonderful Knife, Christopher Golden ⭐⭐⭐✨
Kind of predictable. Plus I'm not sure how I feel about this kind of story being written by a man. Maybe that's why it was kind of predictable.
Mistletoe and Holly, James A. Moore ⭐⭐⭐✨
Eh. The writing was good, but yet again there were some topics that the fact that the author was a man made me kind of uncomfy.
Snake's Tail, Sarah Langan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one was so good and eerie and strange! I love it so much!
The Second Floor of the Christmas Hotel, Joe R. Lansdale ⭐⭐⭐✨
Eh. The plot and writing were okay, just really lackluster
Farrow Street, Elizabeth Hand ⭐⭐⭐
It was well written, but I just didn't get this one, at all.
Doctor Velocity: A Story of the Fire Zone, Jonathan Maberry ⭐⭐
I skimmed through the vast majority of this one. A lot of uninteresting monologuing. I thought I might enjoy it because it's about an artist struggling to feel his own art, but, again, the monologues were so meh and the set dressing was so edge lord that I just couldn't get into it. I also get the feeling this is some part of some larger Cyberpunk series, so I get the feeling if I actually knew the context and background I might enjoy this more, but…I just didn't.
Yankee Swap, John McIlveen ⭐
DNF. Fatphobia. Another man writing a woman when he shouldn't. Basically Saw, but not as good.
Honor Thy Mother, Angela Slatter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Oh, that one was good! Love the angel concept!
Home, Tim Lebbon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
That was interesting. Not entirely sure I got it, but it was entertaining at least.
Hiking Through, Michael Koryta ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Loved this one! Interesting premise and great writing style!
The Hangman's Bride, Sarah Pinborough ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
😭😭😭 the best one by far!!
Absinthe and Angels, Kelley Armstrong ⭐⭐⭐
I like the creepiness of the mummers and the isolation, but I hate the ending so much. Also, I don't get why it's called "Absinthe and Angels." Are the mummers the angels? I don't get it.
Christmas in Barcelona, Scott Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Now that is an ending! Not at all what I was expecting. 1/2 a star off because it was in 2nd person and there didn't seem to be much point to it. It would have been just as good in 3rd or 1st.
Fresh as the New Fallen Snow, Seanan McGuire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Damn that was good! And definitely something different!
Love Me, Thomas E. Sniegoski ⭐⭐✨
Meh. I'm not sure if it's because the ending was almost exactly like Christmas in Barcelona except not as well done or if it was the way the ending was written, but not a fan of this one.
Not Just for Christmas, Sarah Lotz ⭐⭐⭐
Eh.
Tenets, Josh Malerman ⭐
I hate Josh Malerman's writing. Two stars because...you know what, no. He had an interesting concept and THAT is what he did with it?! No. He deserves one fucking star.
Good Deeds, Jeff Strand ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, alright then. I have no idea how to feel about that one, but it made me laugh, so there's that.
It's a Wonderful Knife, Christopher Golden ⭐⭐⭐✨
Kind of predictable. Plus I'm not sure how I feel about this kind of story being written by a man. Maybe that's why it was kind of predictable.
Mistletoe and Holly, James A. Moore ⭐⭐⭐✨
Eh. The writing was good, but yet again there were some topics that the fact that the author was a man made me kind of uncomfy.
Snake's Tail, Sarah Langan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one was so good and eerie and strange! I love it so much!
The Second Floor of the Christmas Hotel, Joe R. Lansdale ⭐⭐⭐✨
Eh. The plot and writing were okay, just really lackluster
Farrow Street, Elizabeth Hand ⭐⭐⭐
It was well written, but I just didn't get this one, at all.
Doctor Velocity: A Story of the Fire Zone, Jonathan Maberry ⭐⭐
I skimmed through the vast majority of this one. A lot of uninteresting monologuing. I thought I might enjoy it because it's about an artist struggling to feel his own art, but, again, the monologues were so meh and the set dressing was so edge lord that I just couldn't get into it. I also get the feeling this is some part of some larger Cyberpunk series, so I get the feeling if I actually knew the context and background I might enjoy this more, but…I just didn't.
Yankee Swap, John McIlveen ⭐
DNF. Fatphobia. Another man writing a woman when he shouldn't. Basically Saw, but not as good.
Honor Thy Mother, Angela Slatter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Oh, that one was good! Love the angel concept!
Home, Tim Lebbon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
That was interesting. Not entirely sure I got it, but it was entertaining at least.
Hiking Through, Michael Koryta ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Loved this one! Interesting premise and great writing style!
The Hangman's Bride, Sarah Pinborough ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
😭😭😭 the best one by far!!
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75