spongebobbiii's reviews
659 reviews

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.

Just not for me. Maybe a bit too sci fi for my liking.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

4.0

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

3.25

The Wedding People by Alison Espach was an enjoyable read, though not one that left me in awe. It’s the kind of book I’m glad I picked up after all the hype last year, but it’s definitely a one-time deal for me—not something I’d re-read.

What stood out was the author’s ability to take serious topics, like suicidal thoughts and infertility, and weave them into a story so absurd that it brings much-needed comedic relief. Espach strikes a balance between addressing heavy themes and lightening the tone with humor, which is no easy feat.

While it didn’t blow me away, it was still a solid, entertaining read, and I can see why it resonated with so many people.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

3.5

Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

medium-paced

1.5

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

emotional reflective slow-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

4.75

Has your life ever been changed by a chance meeting?

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi beautifully explores how a single encounter with the right person at the right time can completely change the course of your life.

Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist, takes readers to 1930s Bombay, India, with a vivid and immersive narrative. The story centers on Sona, a 23-year-old biracial nurse (British and Indian), whose life intertwines with Mira Novak, a renowned biracial painter famous for depicting Indian women. Their meeting sparks a transformative journey for Sona, filled with emotional growth and self-discovery.

What I Loved:

• Sona’s character: I adored her growth arc, especially her evolving relationship with her mother. Joshi writes such multidimensional characters that they feel like real people you’d want to know.
• Historical depth: Joshi brilliantly captures the political tension between India and Britain in the 1930s. Her research shines through, and the author’s note adds even more depth—Joshi traveled to every country featured in the book to ensure accuracy.
• Mira Novak’s inspiration: Mira is based on Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian painter and pioneer of modern Indian art. Her richly colored paintings, many of which were self-portraits, are legendary. Joshi says, “Amrita Sher-Gil is my inspiration for this novel, and it’s important to me that she and her work are not forgotten.”
• SCU connection: As an alum of Santa Clara University, I loved seeing a shout-out to an SCU history professor in Joshi’s author’s note!
• The ending: Wow, just wow. It kept me on my toes and completely surprised me.

What I Struggled With:

• The pacing: The first half of the book felt a bit slow. While I was never bored—thanks to Joshi’s stunning writing and well-developed characters—it did take some time for the main plot to fully unfold.

Themes:

• Trial and error of emotional growth: After meeting Mira, Sona embarks on a journey of emotional self-discovery.
• Courage to live the life you want: Sona learns to step into her dreams, even when it means doing so with fear in her heart.

Six Days in Bombay is another gem from Alka Joshi, blending history, art, and deeply personal journeys in a way that’s unforgettable.

I was provided a copy via the publisher through NetGalley, but all thoughts are my own.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

What I liked: 
Sariyah, the main character, is the heart of this book. Her ability to intuitively know what others need is  woven into the story in a way that feels believable and grounded, rather than over-the-top or distracting. The representation of disabilities and mental health is another strong point. Desamours includes conditions like Sickle Cell Anemia, depression, and ADHD. The book’s exploration of racial disparities—especially in how missing persons cases are handled depending on race—was impactful and discussed an important message to readers.

What is disliked:
The twist, while functional, didn’t leave much of an impression. It wasn’t bad, but it lacked the impact.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for ALC. These thoughts are my own.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

slow-paced

3.25

This was a difficult one to get into. In general the story was interesting and the final hour of the audiobook was really great, yet, I never developed an attachment to any of the characters. The only one I sorta liked was Libby, yet it was more her dynamic with Nico I found entertaining.

The ending of book was really enticing so I might read book 2 but I’m undecided.

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Looking for a book to mess you up? Madwoman is the one.

This book was a wild ride for me. You know how some books show up at exactly the right time, just when you’re meant to read them? Madwoman was that book. I’m in a season where old wounds—particularly the ones inflicted by my mom—are resurfacing, and this story arrived in my hands like a punch to the gut. To make it even spookier, the book is set in Portland, the city I just moved to.

Madwoman does a hauntingly beautiful job of portraying the effects of childhood trauma and growing up around domestic violence. The protagonist’s descent into holistic and wellness practices as a trauma response—an effort to control her surroundings—felt incredibly on point and believable. For me, this book captures the reality of domestic violence far more effectively than It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

What really stood out in the writing was how the main character would seamlessly converse with her mother, who wasn’t physically there. It felt raw and real, as if she was carrying on the same internal dialogue we often have in our own heads—a battle between the past and present.

The only reason this book lost 0.25 stars for me is the ending. With decades of trauma, grief, anger, and shame laid out so powerfully, the resolution felt a little too neat. I expected something more complex emotionally, but instead, it felt smoothed over. How do you move so quickly from all of that pain to just hopeful?

That said, Madwoman is a deeply impactful read. It’s important to check the trigger warnings beforehand, but if you’re ready to face some heavy themes, this book will leave a mark on you.