thekuster's reviews
397 reviews

A Promised Land by Barack Obama

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

A difficult 29 hour long "read" - consuming this as an audiobook probably helped quite a bit. Obama was incredibly informative, eloquent and thoughtful, not to mention - his deep, soothing reading voice was great... but it didn't dull the emotions and frustrations conjured up by the recounting of 8 years of US politics and knowing ultimately, what followed after his time in office. 

Evolving Vegan: Deliciously Diverse Recipes from North America's Best Plant-Based Eateries—for Anyone Who Loves Food by Mena Massoud

informative slow-paced

2.0

Becoming - Chất Michelle by Michelle Obama

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

Fire by Kristin Cashore

adventurous medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

4.25

Solid 4.25 stars! Emily Henry is quickly becoming my preferred contemporary romance author (along with Helen Hoang). 

This one was a great slow burn, single POV, friends-to-lovers story. The flashbacks to past summers was a good way to reveal the history of Poppy and Alex without feeling tedious. Both characters were lovable despite their shortcomings and actually felt like real people.

There were still minor annoyances, including the always necessary final misunderstanding which felt rather forced, but overall a really enjoyable summer read.

Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.5

Exciting, gripping return to the Graceling world - though, as Kristin Cashore seems to be adding new fantasy elements to every single installment, calling it just the Graceling world is slightly under selling it.

Winterkeep introduces new characters but brings back a group of familiar faces. I was initially surprised that Giddon was so prominently featured and only minor mentions went to Katsa, Po and the Dells. However, I was quickly engrossed in this new land of Winterkeep and its politics /society.

This was an action-packed, fast pace story and upon reflection, probably my favorite of all 4!

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

Ina Garten’s 12th cookbook - I’m as surprised as she is that she has written this many (she expresses this sentiment in her acknowledgements section). As with her last few cookbooks that I’ve read - her friendly, warm and easygoing voice comes through. The recipes range from a bit too fussy to try, a few interesting dinner mains I’m up for and quite a number of humdrum ones the I quickly flipped through. 

Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over by Alison Roman

funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

This is the first cookbook that I have actually read cover to cover - not just flipping through pretty pictures, browsing lists and skimming recipes, but reading every little excerpt and footnote. I first discovered Alison Roman during 2020 pandemic lockdowns on some NYT cooking Youtube videos and found her unfussy and approachable attitude rather charming, but nothing I'd write home about. I made a note of a few of her recipes to try (Caramelized Shallot Pasta? Creamy Farro with Crispy Mushrooms...maybe?), but honestly never got around to cooking any.

Fast-forward to 2021, amidst a reading slump (caused by indecisiveness) and a cooking slump (caused by trying out a decent mealkit service but unwilling to continue with the cost and excessive packaging), I thought I'd sign out a few cookbooks from the library to possibly alleviate both slumpy issues.

Perhaps it was because it was the first cookbook I'd ever read as an e-book (rather hard to skim), or perhaps it was the scarcity of pretty food photos, but I found myself reading through the pages rather thoroughly. And well, gosh darn if Alison Roman's writing/voice didn't feel like hanging out with an old friend! A friend who enjoyed throwing unfussy house parties for people she loved, which brought on so many heartwarming reminders of pre-pandemic life and hope of a post-pandemic gathering.

Now, despite how much I enjoyed reading Nothing Fancy, I realize it can't really be a 5-star cookbook without some amazing recipes. And I am here to ensure you - THERE ARE!
#1) Coconut-braised chicken with chickpeas - INCREDIBLE! Make this, just do it! (I've already made this twice in the last 3 weeks)
#2) Spicy pork meatballs in brothy tomatoes - "Best meatballs you've ever made" says my husband (and I've tried A LOT of meatball recipes)
#3) One-pot chicken with dates and caramelized lemons - scrumptious with just the right balance of sweetness.

I cannot wait to try more recipes out of this book - including some rather interesting sides that normally would not be in my repertoire. I am rather confident when I say this is and probably will continue to be my favourite cookbook for a very, very long time. 

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

So heartwarming! The book equivalent of a cup of hot tea, while wrapped in a blanket sitting by the window on a rainy day... 

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

adventurous hopeful informative reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

 There's so much to unpack from this novella - so much to love, so much to reflect on and so much to ponder. The notion of "crowdfunded" space travel, the enzyme patches for adaptability, torpor-state... I loved thinking about these possibilities - well researched by Chambers and given just as much thought as the character building. And speaking of characters, Ariadne provides such a thoughtful POV; the relationships among the 4 astronauts is so interesting and the changes caused by their mission, Chambers makes it so easy to empathize with and understand them.

I cannot recommend this novella enough - whether or not you enjoy sci-fi, this is an absolute must-read. And at only 153 pages, pick it up - there's no excuse not to!