Take a photo of a barcode or cover
srm's reviews
1146 reviews
To Go on Living: Stories by Narine Abgaryan
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Gorgeously written, painful, hard to read, and brilliant. This novel of interconnected stories (and my, but the structure connecting them is remarkable) tells the story of the people in an Armenian village and how their lives are changed forever by the war with Azerbaijan. An extraordinary book.
And I should add, that I took many breaks while reading this. It's not a book for the reader to rip through. It takes time, but it's worth it.
And I should add, that I took many breaks while reading this. It's not a book for the reader to rip through. It takes time, but it's worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
Not to be cliched (I'm about to be cliched af), but I laughed, I cried, I couldn't have loved this more. This story of a Gen X obit writer having a middle life crisis while maintaining his dark sense of humor is, honestly, such a me book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A fun fantasy school story that I did not realize was a series starter, but I guess I'm on board now. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Beartooth by Callan Wink
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A story about two adult brothers living in the Montana wilderness on the edges of Yellowstone, this novel was never quite what I was expecting, much to its benefit. It's not really a thriller or quite a western, and just as soon as I assumed the story would play out a certain way, it would head off in a different direction. The characters are compelling and the writing excellent. I'll admit I was skeptical heading in, but I ended by being completely won over.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent
The Tales of Newel and Doren: The Gorgon's Fury by Brandon Mull
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A fun kids fantasy, perfect for folks who like magic creatures, but anyone who knows anything about Fablehaven already knew that. ;)
Allegro: A Novel by Ariel Dorfman
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Young Mozart finds himself wrapped up in a mysterious tale surrounding JS Bach, father of his mentor, JC Bach, an eye doctor, and Handel. The resolution of the mystery isn't necessarily typical if you're a mystery reader, but this novel is really all about the power of music.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
Such a remarkable tale, if it were fiction, it would be hard to believe. But this memoir of how the son of one of the founders of Hamas became an Israeli spy and then a Christian is exceptionally compelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Police brutality, War
Europa, Europa by Solomon Perel
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Antisemitism
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not as compelling as previous books, and I don't love some of the choices. Also, the new characters aren't as interesting as the supporting cast in the earlier books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
The Suicides by Antonio Di Benedetto
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Minor: Sexual content