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raysberry's reviews
37 reviews
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is the „eh“ sound come to life. It’s just slightly less than mediocre. The plot twist kind of disappointed me and I don’t know why the author decided to turn this book into a romance novel part-way through. No matter how much she tried, I just found the couple slightly annoying and lacking in depth, not enough to inspire strong feelings either way. The other cast was fine I guess.
It’s just incredibly forgettable which is a shame since it could’ve been so much more. Also (possibly a spoiler but if I’d have known this I wouldn’t have read it in the first place): none of them are unreliable narrators. Why would you market a book as having a POV character be a liar, enticing the audience with having to not only figure out a mystery but also what is really happening, and then fall through in all aspects?
The only one I feel lied to by is the author and the marketing team.
(Also, Bronwyn‘s voice in the audio book was so incredibly irritating I couldn’t stand it. Why is she constantly on the verge of tears, quivering voice and shaky breaths? Isn’t she supposed to be the reasonable one? Who made this choice?)
It’s just incredibly forgettable which is a shame since it could’ve been so much more. Also (possibly a spoiler but if I’d have known this I wouldn’t have read it in the first place): none of them are unreliable narrators. Why would you market a book as having a POV character be a liar, enticing the audience with having to not only figure out a mystery but also what is really happening, and then fall through in all aspects?
The only one I feel lied to by is the author and the marketing team.
(Also, Bronwyn‘s voice in the audio book was so incredibly irritating I couldn’t stand it. Why is she constantly on the verge of tears, quivering voice and shaky breaths? Isn’t she supposed to be the reasonable one? Who made this choice?)
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
4.75
I loved it so fucking much I wasn’t ready. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a romance novel like this. Emily Henry somehow makes me really believe in her love stories, I believe in their love. It’s special.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
It’s done. I’m done.
Still haven’t reflected on everything about this book but one thing I know: it impacted me profoundly. Everyone saying you need to read this is right. Jennette is telling a powerful story, a heartbreaking and frustrating and inspiring in one. This book made me feel so much, it was graphic and raw, it felt close to home even when she described things I haven’t experienced at all. Kudos to her and everyone involved in this book, it’s a masterpiece.
Still haven’t reflected on everything about this book but one thing I know: it impacted me profoundly. Everyone saying you need to read this is right. Jennette is telling a powerful story, a heartbreaking and frustrating and inspiring in one. This book made me feel so much, it was graphic and raw, it felt close to home even when she described things I haven’t experienced at all. Kudos to her and everyone involved in this book, it’s a masterpiece.
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
4.75
Really really helpful, makes me think I might actually deserve to feel better and it doesn’t have to always be like that. Good exercises and I don’t have to lie to myself to make myself feel better. Only gripe with it is the way she describes her autistic son and autism in general. Sometimes it’s okay or even pretty good but then sometimes it feels really triggering. I don’t like how she focuses so much on how it impacts HER life and how hard it is for HER that he doesn’t have any friends and so on. Nothing about how much HE struggles. And though this thing they did seemingly helped him (though even that is doubtful imo), it’s a dangerous narrative to perpetuate that doing some rituals will heal someone of their autism and it’s also plain insulting.
The high rating despite that speaks to how great the rest of the content is, even if the author herself doesn’t seem to be a very likeable person. Her cheating and general imoral behaviour made me grimace not just once. I wish she would’ve gone a bit easier on personal anecdotes, it didn’t do her any favours, and focused more on the examples of other people.
But still, the ideas in this book have the potential to change many lives to the better so I’m putting my personal feelings to the side for a fair rating.
The high rating despite that speaks to how great the rest of the content is, even if the author herself doesn’t seem to be a very likeable person. Her cheating and general imoral behaviour made me grimace not just once. I wish she would’ve gone a bit easier on personal anecdotes, it didn’t do her any favours, and focused more on the examples of other people.
But still, the ideas in this book have the potential to change many lives to the better so I’m putting my personal feelings to the side for a fair rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Amazing, just insanely captivating. Anyone that says dystopia is dead as a genre needs to read this book. Excited for how the series will continue. My only qualm is probably that it took me a while to get invested in the characters, especially Rowan seemed pretty bland (though that was at least partially intentional) and maybe we wouldn’t have needed that many POVs of characters that only show up once or generally are not that important. It was a bit disorienting at first but still interesting to read so I’ll give it a pass.
All in all a fascinating read that entertains with plot twists and an interesting world but also makes you question your presumptions of the future and thoughts on morality as well as what is truly evil.
All in all a fascinating read that entertains with plot twists and an interesting world but also makes you question your presumptions of the future and thoughts on morality as well as what is truly evil.
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The beginning felt a bit slow but it was okay, didn’t really connect with Sam and Ava because they’re so negative and have this „us against the world“ mentality that’s never healthy.
The middle part was difficult to read because it made me so uncomfortable but that was also why it was so good. The ending dragged on for too long imo, maybe I wouldn’t even have finished it if I didn’t read it alongside a friend.
I guess it was kind of the whole vibe but I’m genuinely confused as to what the conclusion was. But I’m probably also just not a fan of ambiguous endings.
All in all: Difficult to read for me, not always for the right reasons. Interesting for insight into the mind of a person that falls into a cult but not necessarily more than that, which is why it feels like there’s something missing (it’s a novel, not non-fiction after all).
3/5 stars if I’m generous, won’t be reading again except for maybe some prose I wrote down while reading.
The middle part was difficult to read because it made me so uncomfortable but that was also why it was so good. The ending dragged on for too long imo, maybe I wouldn’t even have finished it if I didn’t read it alongside a friend.
I guess it was kind of the whole vibe but I’m genuinely confused as to what the conclusion was. But I’m probably also just not a fan of ambiguous endings.
All in all: Difficult to read for me, not always for the right reasons. Interesting for insight into the mind of a person that falls into a cult but not necessarily more than that, which is why it feels like there’s something missing (it’s a novel, not non-fiction after all).
3/5 stars if I’m generous, won’t be reading again except for maybe some prose I wrote down while reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Racial slurs
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It had everything I look for in a book. I loved every second of it. The characters are the soul of this universe, and they really delivered. Honestly, I’m speechless. My heart aches but I still smile fondly. This is the kind of book that never truly leaves you mind, it builds a home there.
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Amazing. Not one of my usual reads but it was insanely captivating. I just didn’t find the ending satisfying enough for the amount of buildup and questions I had at that point. But I guess it was meant to be that way.