sarahrahrah's reviews
98 reviews

Birds Every Child Should Know by Neltje Blanchan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

DNF only because it was at an Airbnb so I only had the weekend, and as it's independently published, I don't imagine it will be easy to find elsewhere. I enjoyed the lyrical writing, and also insight into birding in 1907 (the original pub. date). I also found some of the antiquated language and anecdotes amusing

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thought this was gonna be just a silly/guilty pleasure read that I'd roll my eyes at and be embarrassed to tell others I was reading. But instead I found an amazing story that was funny, interesting, and entertaining, with loveable characters and excellent romantic chemistry/tension (bomb-dot-com tasty). I absolutely LOVED reading this, and especially adored Everett (the ghost) and his banter/relationship with Gretchen (plus his love of TV and constant refe ences to shows - "You know I can't leave the property, much less follow Charlie around like I'm Magnum P.I., from Magnum P.I.") Another great book to start off the year, and a title going on my to-buy list immediately! 

The Faculty Lounge: A Novel by Jennifer Mathieu

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This novel is a love letter to educators and all people who work within a school to keep it running. I could not have picked a better book to start off 2025. I loved it, and I think all of the character vignettes wove together in an interesting way. The varied perspectives allowed for reflection on multiple facets of education, past present and future. I highlighted so much of this story as I read, because so much was relevant to my own teaching journey or sparked recognition and reflection. Eager to buy this someday to add to my home library

You'd Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace

challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

The bookstore recommendation blurb of this being "a delightful mixture of Dexter and Killing Eve" (both of which I've never actually watched) is what drew me in. The wit and humor, along with a compelling story and complex serial killer narrator who you can't help but root for, are what kept me hooked as I devoured this over 2-3 days.

Not only is it a fun serial killer story (fun is probably not the right word here 😅) , but the author masterfully explores themes of grief, trauma, dementia, and elder care/abuse through a cast of kooky characters and Claire's hilarious narration and observations of "ordinary people"

...deciding I quite like Ben. Anyone who describes murder and suicide as a funny turn gets my vote.

Pumpkin Head Deb who literally never sits is sitting in an armchair and smiling at me

Sniffing out the compliment, Pumpkin Head Deb who literally never sits down is at his side in an instant, sitting down on a dining room chair.

There's no cure for dementia and when the only destination is death, would you choose a long, meandering path through indignity and confusion or a more direct one? I know Dad would have preferred the direct route. I think Frank would too. I think anyone in their right mind would.

Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Britney Spears story if she was a nerdy theatre kid having a second-chance romance arc

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Cosy, smart, and funny! If you like Netflix's adaptation of Bridgerton, you'll like this

Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain by Dasha Kiper

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

Impactful read; the WSJ blurb says it all "Deeply moving... With understanding comes the permission for, and perhaps a chance at, self-forgiveness."

It's quick and easy to read because each chapter is focused around a case-study, and Kiper does a great job of presenting the stories and research hand-in-hand.

Summertime Punchline by Betty Corrello

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I enjoyed it, and especially liked the uniqueness of the premise and the glimpse into the standup comedian experience. That said, the pacing of their relationship felt contradictory, like when she apologizes for not coming to hangout/work in the afternoon as he appears to be on his way home, and then he drops everything to take her for a drive turned full on carnival date (turned forced proximity overnighter). It just seemed like a forgone conclusion that yeah they still love each other, versus actually developed through their adulthood interactions. I did love the high school flashback depictions though - I think she did a great job expressing the angst and irrationality and friendship dynamics that come with that age.

Some small/overly nit-picky critiques:

• I must have missed it, but I did not understand where the Patty nickname came from... 

• It felt a bit odd to include the full versions of her comedy songs at the end of the book? I'm sure it was difficult to show the comedy skills just by writing it out, especially because her new set was also song-based, but I do think including the songs within the plot detracted from it. Like when she does the song for her dad and then afterword he was laughing too loud for her to ask for his blessing to include it - the song just didn't feel belly-laugh worthy (again probably because it's hard to "read" a song or grasp what's meant to be an oral performance just from the script) 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Glerk is love and Glerk is life.

What a lovely novel to end my reading slump! Very mysterious and enrapturing (& enmagicking). I loved the cyclical connections and how they converged at the end, though it did feel like the story wrapped up too fast compared to the build up. Finished with lots of questions and lots to think about. Maybe I'm just stupid, but this felt a bit complex in the writing style for a YA audience (but maybe that's because I was picturing reading it out loud to a 4th grade class versus like middle schoolers 😅). So glad I finally read this; I think I kept passing on it at book stores because I thought it was more for kids, but all ages can enjoy and get something out of it! 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

The letters at the end were super sweet and emotional to read. I enjoyed the concept and execution of this story which I myself would not take as a beach read haha