thekuster's reviews
397 reviews

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

I feel like I now know what to expect from TJ Klune - heartwarming, found family narratives that undoubted make me tear up at the end. I liked this novel less than The House in the Cerulean Sea especially since I found the romance more sudden and therefore less believable. The start was also a bit slow and didn’t pull me in but overall it had a nice Christmas-Carol-vibe to it all and that made it perfect to read in December. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

lighthearted medium-paced

3.25

Never watched anything with or by Mindy Kaling but heard on a podcast that this memoir was better  than her new one, so I picked it up out of curiosity. It was an easy listen, but the humour was rather cliche - maybe it was just of its time and not aging well. 

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

Fun and very steamy - really enjoyed the last Brown sister's story.

Similar to the 2 previous installments, that final conflict is tedious and feels like it negates their understanding of each other, but the quick turnaround from both sides makes it less annoying. Plus, having both sides feel like they were in the wrong was definitely redeeming.

 

What a great series from Talia Hibbert! 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

The focus on the "heartless city partner" trope so often maligned in romance novels was clever and a good twist to build a romance around. The whole thing was really fun except Nora's overreaction at the thought of people simply moving away from New York - I understand it ties to emotional baggage, but I couldn't help rolling my eyes (come'on, it's not that hard to jump on a flight within the US!)

Another enjoyable read from Emily Henry! (3 for 3 so far!)

 

In Mercy, Rain by Seanan McGuire

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.0

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

adventurous challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.75

 I don't think I've read a more brilliant, interesting and thought-provoking author than Ted Chiang. His short stories always leave something behind - a thought or concept that nags at you and makes you wonder. Something you can't shake - like a small crack in the baseboard you never noticed before, but now you can't help glancing at every time you walk by.

Even though I'm quite certain I've read 80% of these short stories before (not sure when/how...talk about the fallibility of memory, right?) - I still thoroughly enjoyed reading (re-reading?) this collection. Chiang's story notes at the end shows just how much thought he put in each one - citing references, quotes, inspirations - making you appreciate them even more.

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

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

4.25

An addictive, engrossing story - surprised that this is my first V.E./Victoria Schwab novel! Her writing style is atmospheric, but not overly embellished. The story was not fast-paced, but I found I couldn't put it down and even the jump between timelines felt cohesive and well-balanced. Thoroughly enjoyable read; likeable, layered characters and what I would categorize as a 'light touch of fantasy' overall. 

I did have one nagging thought that kept pulling me out of the story however - the movie "Age of Adaline". Honestly, how are they connected? Adaline/Adeline is not a particularly popular name and although the only similarity is the immortality - my brain could not stop trying to connect them. (I didn't even like the movie that much!) 

Let's Make Ramen!: A Comic Book Cookbook by Hugh Amano, Sarah Becan

informative medium-paced

3.25

Beautiful illustrations and lots of interesting information, but the recipes were rather repetitive. 

The Hilarious World of Depression by John Moe

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Audiobook, read by John Moe.

Not sure why I waited an entire year to review this book - but perhaps, it was because it gave me a lot to ponder after finishing it. There were moments where I scrunched up my face in confusion and/or scrutiny and there were moments where I heard realized I was seeing things in a whole new light. And though I honestly can't remember the details of any of it - I can remember the feeling of honesty, empathy and understanding that permeated the entire experience. 

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Out of all three novels - this one hit closest to home and was the most heartbreaking to read. I've never really understood the need to feel represented in romance novels ... but I think The Heart Principle just showed me what I was missing all along.

I am not on the autism spectrum, but the culture, the family hierarchy, the feeling of responsibility, that need to prove that you're a good daughter to friends and relatives - it was all so relatable and so frustrating real. I didn't ever question why Anna would choose to behave a certain way or do something contrary to her own will - I already knew she had to.

That's why it was so wonderful to have a slow, recovery ending - not all relationships were mended, not everything fell back perfectly in it's place. This is my favourite of all three ... perhaps even one of my favourite romance novels ever.