sebrittainclark's reviews
1790 reviews

A Sick History of Medicine: A Warts-And-All Book Full of Fun Facts and Disgusting Discoveries by Jelena Poleksic, Neon Squid

informative fast-paced

4.0

This is a collection of interesting and somewhat gross facts about how medicine was practiced in the past, and occasionally even now. I liked the audio effects, and I think it will certainly entertain any kids who listen.

Thanks to Neon Squid and Netgalley for an early copy.

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

adventurous lighthearted 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

4.5

Theodosia might be the wicked stepsister to Princess Beatrice, but when her mother tries to marry her off to an ancient duke, she knows she has to save herself. She finds Beatrice's notes for summoning a fairy, and make her own deal to escape her upcoming marriage. Of course nothing is easy when you're wicked, so Theo is tasked with completing three selfless tasks to prove that's she's worth of fairy magic.

I really loved the narrator and the way she brought Theo's attempts to be a good person to life.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the twists and turns were so good, and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes Theo.

Thanks to netgalley and orbit for an early copy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Violence

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

I thought this was a really lovely essay about what we can learn from the serviceberry and ecology more broadly about gratitude, reciprocity, community, and gift economies. I found it's message very inspiring.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Together, a Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature's Diversity and Our Own by Roz MacLean

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

This was a lovely audiobook that illustrates that idea that diversity in nature, as well as in ways of thinking, creates a beautiful and functional ecosystem. I think it's a great book for helping kids see the beauty if different ways of experiencing the world around them.

I liked the audio extras, which made the book feel more substantial as an audiobook.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

A Natural History of Empty Lots: Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places by Christopher Brown

hopeful informative slow-paced

3.0

Christopher Brown was inspired by the nature and wildlife he began to notice within his city when he purchased an empty lot in an industrial area in Austin to build his home. He began to document the ways that nature reclaims the places humans abandon.

I thought this book was beautifully written and the topic was very interesting. It was also very dense and I had difficulty focusing on the overall message.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Fall for Him by Andie Burke

lighthearted 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

4.0

Dylan's bad relationship with his neighbor Derek isn't improved when he literally falls through the floor between their units. Their lives get more and more entwined as Dylan helps repair both the damage he caused and the underling plumbing issues in Derek's apartment.

I really enjoyed this romance that built from dislike to love. I really enjoyed the growth of each character on their own and together.

I really loved the distinctives voices the narrators gave each character.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin

lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.0

After Ursula was left at the altar, she wishes to change up her life in Freya Grove. Xavier is a Fae prince who comes to Freya Grove to find a solution after he is cursed to find the perfect kiss. Ursula and Xavier realize they can work together to find what they need.

This got off to a very slow start, and I had trouble getting invested in Xavier's storyline.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

The Slowest Burn by

lighthearted

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

4.0

When Ellie is brought in to ghost write Kieran's debut cookbook after his recent win of a cooking competition, they immediately get off on the wrong foot. But as they're forced to work together, they both learn that maybe Kieran could benefit from Ellie's groundedness and Kieran could help Ellie break out of the routines that have become suffocating after her husband's death three years earlier.

It's a great romance that builds slowly.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks

lighthearted

3.5

After losing her husband, her best friend, and her job, Lark takes a job in Ireland to give herself a new start and a break from her life. When she learns her neighbor, Callum, needs to get married within the next few months or lose his family's funeral home, she decides to find him a perfect match, since she knows she can't get married again.

It was a read. I particularly liked the romance between Lark and Callum. I was occasionally frustrated by the choices Lark made, but I thought it all made sense in the context of her grief.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.