sarah2438's reviews
1044 reviews

My Husband by Maud Ventura

3.5

This definitely isn't for all readers. It's simultaneously excruciatingly boring,  detailing every little thing that happens all week, and also incredibly anxiety-inducing. I would even caution readers to reconsider reading if they struggle with their own anxiety or compulsive thoughts, because our FMC is just exhausting. Still, it's very interesting to see how her mind functions, almost like a case study. And the final chapter just made it all worth it.

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

2.5

Adelaide needs to grow a backbone and Rory needs to go fuck himself. The end.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

3.5

I was going back and forth between 3.5 and 4 so I might adjust this rating later. I enjoyed this-- very funny, I liked the overall storyline, and I enjoyed the main characters. I think with roadtrip stories I like a bit more of a cast of characters, and that's just a personal preference. I like when our MCs are making new connections wherever they go. There were also some "quirky at the start but then it got old" kind of things, and I've noticed that's a quirk of this author. On the whole though I really did enjoy this.

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

4.0

I did it!! And with this, I complete the Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge of 2024.
This book is DENSE. Obviously. And it took quite a while to get into. I think I would have liked to see more interconnections between the stories, but the main thread we had was a strong one, and overall I enjoyed the book more than I expected to. It's not as much of a slog once you get into it and become invested, although I still think it's far too long. Still, if you're not intimidated by the size of it, I'd recommend.

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

4.0

Very interesting look at life in Iran through an underrepresented perspective. Definitely worth a read.

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

1.0

This was so boring and communicated almost nothing. There were some bits about civil rights advancement and the relationship between Mary and Eleanor, but honestly even that was lacking. It was just two ladies talking the entire time. Huge historical events (like Pearl Harbor, rising tensions in Europe) were completely glossed over with just a paragraph or two. I understand that's not what we're intending to focus on with this story, but seriously? So boring and I didn't care about any of it. I'm almost resentful to the Book Nerd Challenge for making me read this.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

4.0

FINALLY a good one from this author. Probably not good enough to make me want to read something else from her but I did really enjoy this one.

The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

1.5

I really, really wish I loved this more. But I would say it's honestly closer to 1.5 stars than 2.
I went into this that it would be a very cozy read about a ghost kitty observing the changes in the world around him. But it was less cozy and more fantasy. I knew right off the bat that this wouldn't work from me when the kitty went to kitty heaven and it honestly reminded me of the cringey CGI werewolves in Breaking Dawn Part 1-- I just couldn't take that seriously. I don't think we needed those parameters/challenges for this story. It would've been enough just have a kitty wake up as a ghost, watching the world change around him. But this was just over complicated and weirdly done. Bummer. 
**I received a free eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

4.0

Glad I finally got to this one! I enjoyed it. I think I would've appreciated more about Elizabeth's relationship with her daughter but that's a pretty small critique.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2.0

Good concept but poorly executed. All of the MCs were either awful or bland cardboard. Hannah is whiny and just not a good person. She says she feels bad about sleeping with a married man but I don't believe it for a second. Ugh. I'm glad TJR's writing has improved cause I wouldn't read more of her if this had been my introduction.