thekuster's reviews
397 reviews

Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier

informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

I lost interest less than halfway in unfortunately, but powered through to the end. The narration was just not the right voice and the material wasn't that engaging even though the points were all valid. The material was also a bit dated having been written before the pandemic. 

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous challenging mysterious 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? No

3.5

The dates are accurate - it took me 2 years to finish this book due to a combination of cycling through library renewals (this audiobook is extremely popular) and just a lack of interest or engagement on my end.  An interesting concept and as expected, N.K. Jemisin's writing style is flawless. Plus, Robin Miles - the audiobook narrator is extremely talented and had the ability to bring each character to life, but the story itself just did not draw me in. I'm actually surprised I finally finished it and did not leave it as a lingering DNF.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing this series. 

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Finished this in one solid late night reading session - haven't done that in a long time! A heartwarming, wonderful story for anyone who's loved a book series when they were children. For some reason, I thought this was going to have some magical realism, but no - just very likable characters facing very real problems. Really, really liked this one. 

Sweet Enough by Alison Roman

informative lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

4.25

I love listening to Alison Roman chatter away while she cooks and all of her cookbooks have this similar quality in its writing. It’s like hanging out with a friend who you find slightly ridiculous but love all the same (given that at times, I find myself ridiculous too). 

Why did it take me a year to get through this one? Well, similar to Roman herself, I am very much a savoury eater with the very occasional sweet tooth, plus I don’t make desserts (much to the chagrin of my husband). So there wasn’t a delicious-sounding pork stew or grilled veggie dish to nudge me further along. I would simply sign this out from the library whenever it became available and read a few pages here and there as the fancy struck. 

Like Roman’s other cookbooks, I enjoyed reading it cover to cover. Unlike the others, I don’t see myself trying any of the recipes (except maybe the banana bread) and will not be picking up my own copy. 

A Kiss, For Real, Vol. 9 by Fumie Akuta

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-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

3.75

Ended up being a cute, wholesome teen romance with interesting intro to art school in Japan! 

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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? No

4.75

Just as fun as the first book! It was like hanging out with old friends - Emily and Wendell are both so lovable, and I even enjoyed the addition of Ariadne and Rose. I'm still surprised at how much I love this series!

But now, how long do I have to wait to read the next installment?! 

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0

Super fun, really enjoyable fantasy novel - not 100% "cozy", but so easy to read, so engaging and the characters were all loveable. No annoying plot points or characters, no stupid decisions or forced conflicts. The story and the world were super interesting - I have absolutely no complaints! Loved this! 

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

4.25

Starting the year off with the series I will always come back to - Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children. This book picks up where Lost in the Moment and Found left off with Antsy's story. Unfortunately I forgot a lot of what happened in Where the Drowned Girls Go, and could not remember the new characters we picked up in that installment.

This 9th book was another quest-centric book, which I generally like less, but did enjoy overall. 

A Kiss, For Real, Vol. 4 by Fumie Akuta

3.0

A Kiss, For Real, Vol. 3 by Fumie Akuta

4.0