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tc_booksandmore's reviews
1231 reviews
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve been hearing about the Murderbot series for a while now and a couple of friends convinced me to give the series a try, and I have to say I’m intrigued by what I’ve read so far.
I understand that the books are all novellas except one, so I’m looking forward to the snack sized meals, oops I mean, adventures of Murderbot after how this one ended.
I can see where this would not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed reading this, and am giddy to keep reading.
I understand that the books are all novellas except one, so I’m looking forward to the snack sized meals, oops I mean, adventures of Murderbot after how this one ended.
I can see where this would not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed reading this, and am giddy to keep reading.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
hopeful
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Sometimes short stories hit just right, especially when you’ve been reading thick heavy fantasies and just need a little snack break. This is a super cute romance with a forced proximity due to accidental stair removal meet cute with an arborist and a panicked female dealing with a stalker.
Seth and Charlotte are decidedly not looking for love, he’s freshly divorced, she’s got a stalker, and now they are stuck for Valentine’s Day weekend in their second floor apartments. I thought the story was adorable, and the romance that blossoms is helped by Seth being a giant walking green flag.
I would love to have the story of Seth and Charlotte’s best friends because they are a hilarious addition and I loved them.
Highly recommend for a short holiday romance read.
Seth and Charlotte are decidedly not looking for love, he’s freshly divorced, she’s got a stalker, and now they are stuck for Valentine’s Day weekend in their second floor apartments. I thought the story was adorable, and the romance that blossoms is helped by Seth being a giant walking green flag.
I would love to have the story of Seth and Charlotte’s best friends because they are a hilarious addition and I loved them.
Highly recommend for a short holiday romance read.
Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
I became entranced by Libba’s writings back when A Great And Terrible Beauty came out 20 years ago (holy hell 20 years??!!) and so when I saw that she had a new historical fantasy, I jumped at the chance at listening to it, and when I saw the first edition on the shelves I grabbed it, because it's stunning!
Short synopsis:
Three time periods, three teens, three turning points in the world, and a mystery stretching across time.
My thoughts:
I was intrigued by the premise, and enchanted by the story telling and mystery weaving throughout the book. I was interested in the teens as they faced massive upheavals in their lives and in the world. The late 1930’s in Germany, 1980 in West Berlin, and 2020 in NYC. The story talks about propaganda and the dangers of falling for it, the problem with sitting on the sidelines, the dangers of not being true to yourself, and the power of friendship. I think that this story is incredibly timely given the current state of the world.
The narration by January LaVoy, Major Curda, and Jeremy Carlisle Parker was incredible, each narrator brought the characters to life and sucked me into the stories. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to scream along with Sophie Scholl, I could feel the energy of the protest, and vividly recalled the terror of getting sick during 2020.
Highly recommend and probably my favorite read of February so far!
Short synopsis:
Three time periods, three teens, three turning points in the world, and a mystery stretching across time.
My thoughts:
I was intrigued by the premise, and enchanted by the story telling and mystery weaving throughout the book. I was interested in the teens as they faced massive upheavals in their lives and in the world. The late 1930’s in Germany, 1980 in West Berlin, and 2020 in NYC. The story talks about propaganda and the dangers of falling for it, the problem with sitting on the sidelines, the dangers of not being true to yourself, and the power of friendship. I think that this story is incredibly timely given the current state of the world.
The narration by January LaVoy, Major Curda, and Jeremy Carlisle Parker was incredible, each narrator brought the characters to life and sucked me into the stories. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to scream along with Sophie Scholl, I could feel the energy of the protest, and vividly recalled the terror of getting sick during 2020.
Highly recommend and probably my favorite read of February so far!
Les Normaux by S. Al Sabado, Janine Janssen
emotional
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
My thoughts: this was a super sweet story filled with friends from all walks, magic gone awry, a hot make out session with oops your new next door neighbor, all set against the magical backdrop of Paris. I really enjoyed Sébastien and Elia’s meet cute, and their growing friendship, as well as the bunny Pierre’s hilarious takes on the happenings going on. Also appreciated that the characters aren’t teens, they have lived some and are in their upper 20’s.
Highly recommend the first volume of this fantastic queer graphic novel.
Highly recommend the first volume of this fantastic queer graphic novel.
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Read if you enjoy:
- queer love story
- rivals to lovers
- gaming conventions
- player tournaments
- road trips
My thoughts: this is a cute story, easy read with memorable characters, a map of the road trip, illustrations throughout the book, talks about card gaming strategies, reveling in the nerd culture but make it obviously queer, and Conrad and Alden are very flawed but ultimately real characters, the dual perspectives help a lot with understanding them.
- queer love story
- rivals to lovers
- gaming conventions
- player tournaments
- road trips
My thoughts: this is a cute story, easy read with memorable characters, a map of the road trip, illustrations throughout the book, talks about card gaming strategies, reveling in the nerd culture but make it obviously queer, and Conrad and Alden are very flawed but ultimately real characters, the dual perspectives help a lot with understanding them.
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had to break out Apple Maps to track the journey that these kids made from being abandoned in Connecticut to Maryland. Holy hell, that trip was something else. How I managed to miss reading this as a kid/teen is beyond me, especially since I know I read the next book in the series, Dicey’s Song.
Anyways, this story is about 4 siblings who are abandoned in a mall parking lot by their mother and they make their way to a great aunt’s house in Bridgeport Connecticut only to be met with confusion. Then the second half of the book they make their way to a grandmother’s house in Maryland. I’m not certain what year this was set but definitely when things were a lot less expensive, and people didn’t question why kids were working for quarters.
This book is a trip and a half and is filled with family drama, dealing with mental illness, and a desire for a home.
Anyways, this story is about 4 siblings who are abandoned in a mall parking lot by their mother and they make their way to a great aunt’s house in Bridgeport Connecticut only to be met with confusion. Then the second half of the book they make their way to a grandmother’s house in Maryland. I’m not certain what year this was set but definitely when things were a lot less expensive, and people didn’t question why kids were working for quarters.
This book is a trip and a half and is filled with family drama, dealing with mental illness, and a desire for a home.
The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle isn’t a memoir but according to the author notes closely resembles Sarah’s own memories of high school and the desire to just be done, and get out. Winifred’s close friends have left, and now she’s essentially friendless, enter the issues of depression, self hatred, body dysmorphia, weight, crushes on a former friend and potential new friend, sexual identity crisis, and not knowing what to do. The one thing Winifred has going for her is her ability to tell stories.
This is a fascinating story that dives into the ideas that pass through the brains of teens.
Highly recommend.
This is a fascinating story that dives into the ideas that pass through the brains of teens.
Highly recommend.
The Last Phone Booth In Manhattan by Danielle Modafferi, Beth Merlin
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
4.0
Avery is in heaven, her boyfriend just gave an over the top showy proposal…then everything comes undone and in a moment of scared anxiety she ends up at the last phone booth in Manhattan.
I loved all of the Broadway mentions, and the literary notes sprinkled in this story about a girl at rock bottom and every step she takes that lead her to a new future.
Can recommend!
I loved all of the Broadway mentions, and the literary notes sprinkled in this story about a girl at rock bottom and every step she takes that lead her to a new future.
Can recommend!
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Harper Collins for my e-review copy. My opinions are my own.
Dragons, alternate history, 1920’s, class system, London, and a plot to over throw the government… and did I mention dragons?
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading this story and regret not reading it sooner. It’s fast paced, filled with interesting characters, dragons that aren’t necessarily good or bad guys, borderline bad guys, out right evil people, a social class system that is a slippery slope, multiple languages, and code breaking. I was interested in the story and then hooked when the characters met up at Bletchley and more of the history of what is actually going on came to light.
I liked the dragons, especially since they have their own languages, Viv has the audacity to want to be a dragon translator, and then figures out a massive secret regarding the dragons. I'm intrigued as to what will happen next given where the story ends.
Highly recommend!
Dragons, alternate history, 1920’s, class system, London, and a plot to over throw the government… and did I mention dragons?
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading this story and regret not reading it sooner. It’s fast paced, filled with interesting characters, dragons that aren’t necessarily good or bad guys, borderline bad guys, out right evil people, a social class system that is a slippery slope, multiple languages, and code breaking. I was interested in the story and then hooked when the characters met up at Bletchley and more of the history of what is actually going on came to light.
I liked the dragons, especially since they have their own languages, Viv has the audacity to want to be a dragon translator, and then figures out a massive secret regarding the dragons. I'm intrigued as to what will happen next given where the story ends.
Highly recommend!
How to Stop Trying: An Overachiever's Guide to Self-Acceptance, Letting Go, and Other Impossible Things by Kate Williams
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my audio review copy. My opinions are my own.
Having the author narrate their own books sometimes doesn't it work, but I have to say that this time it worked really well. Kate is personable, informative, and real. In listening to Kate talk about her life and all the traps that she found herself in, really resonated with me, especially since she and I are the same age, and were doing some of the same things at the same time. I appreciate her thoughts about the hustle culture, and the constant pressure to go, go, go, can't take a break because you have to be productive for the full time you're on the planet.
The deeply ingrained need to be productive comes at a very heavy cost, we are constantly burned out, fried to a crispy crackly crunch. But god forbid that we take a break to relax... she talks about the type A driven personality and the curated views of influencers, the pressures to belong, the pressures to be the perfect parent, and what does it mean to be happy. I kept pausing to examine what my thoughts were, because I recognized myself in the descriptions that she gave, down to the post partum depression, the undiagnosed ADHD, and the desire to be the perfect parent (hint - I am decidedly not a perfect parent).
I highly recommend this for the elder millennials, not for a nostalgia look back at the past, but for the acknowledgement of what we have gone through and what we can do (or not do) going forward to break some of the destructive cycles that we are caught in.
Having the author narrate their own books sometimes doesn't it work, but I have to say that this time it worked really well. Kate is personable, informative, and real. In listening to Kate talk about her life and all the traps that she found herself in, really resonated with me, especially since she and I are the same age, and were doing some of the same things at the same time. I appreciate her thoughts about the hustle culture, and the constant pressure to go, go, go, can't take a break because you have to be productive for the full time you're on the planet.
The deeply ingrained need to be productive comes at a very heavy cost, we are constantly burned out, fried to a crispy crackly crunch. But god forbid that we take a break to relax... she talks about the type A driven personality and the curated views of influencers, the pressures to belong, the pressures to be the perfect parent, and what does it mean to be happy. I kept pausing to examine what my thoughts were, because I recognized myself in the descriptions that she gave, down to the post partum depression, the undiagnosed ADHD, and the desire to be the perfect parent (hint - I am decidedly not a perfect parent).
I highly recommend this for the elder millennials, not for a nostalgia look back at the past, but for the acknowledgement of what we have gone through and what we can do (or not do) going forward to break some of the destructive cycles that we are caught in.