thekuster's reviews
397 reviews

Glass Town: The Imaginary World of the Brontës by Isabel Greenberg

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

 Isabel Greenberg's illustrations are not the style I am normally drawn to, but her choice of story always sparks my interest. There's a roughness and quality to her art that makes the fantastical aspects seem real and historical; not to mention, she just tells her stories so, so well. I think I may have liked this even more than The One Hundred Nights of Hero! Isabel Greenberg is quickly becoming one of my must-read graphic artists/authors.

 

소년과 두더지와 여우와 말 by Charlie Mackesy

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

 I went into this book hoping for some heartwarming vignettes like the closing pages of Winnie the Pooh or Love You Forever by Robert Munsch... but perhaps I was hoping too much for some nostalgic happiness that just doesn't translate outside of childhood memories. This read like some sort of doctor's office inspirational quotes or motivational Instagram posts placed next to beautiful minimalist paintings. (If nothing else, I did love the illustrations!)

Unfortunately to me, it all felt so disjointed, forced and contrived. I'm sure this will be an unpopular opinion and the author's opening does feel very sincere... but I'm afraid, one person's emotional, heartfelt children's book is another's cringe-worthy ramblings. 

Barely Functional Adult: It'll All Make Sense Eventually by Meichi Ng

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

So relatable and hilarious - sometimes combining those aspects in such a perfect balance to become painfully accurate, but no matter - I’m still laughing!

My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This little graphic novel invoked so many feelings of nostalgia - from spending my early childhood being raised by my grandma, spending sweltering summers in Beijing when my parents sent me back as a young teen, to returning and working there while I was in university. The stories were sweet and steeped with magical realism which added to a feeling of fleeting memories. The setting and personalities are so typical of a traditional Chinese family where parents are busy working, so the children are raised by grandparents. I can’t imagine these Beijing stories would have an effect on everyone, but to me - this felt like home from a lifetime ago. 

False Knees: An Illustrated Guide to Animal Behavior by Joshua Barkman

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

 Having followed False Knees for a number of years now, there weren't any new additions in this book for me. However, it was still a solid dose of funny, existential ramblings made extra hilarious by being spouting from Ontario wildlife (I'm from Ontario myself!). The expression of exasperation/annoyance/pure dread on a bird, sometimes spouting profanity, honestly never fails to amuse me.

Reading for the first time, I guarantee there will be laugh out loud moments, and even on a second/third/fourth read - expect consistent chuckles! 

Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind (Vol. 1) by Yuval Noah Harari

informative medium-paced

5.0

 The most informative graphic novel I've ever read - I would recommend this to anyone with even a slight interest in anthropology, human history, environmental science... the list goes on. Some very complex topics are explained in easily digestible and understandable terms. I absolutely loved this and am compelled to read the original, non-graphic format - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.

Additionally, this is labeled as "Volume 1", so sign me up for Volume 2! 

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Shana Knizhnik, Irin Carmon

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

3.25

Maybe 3.5* audiobook? I think this was not the best format to consume this book. The progression felt very unorganized, so overall it was a bit jarring. Like I was constantly wondering what point in time I was at. However, RBG's career was so fascinating, I did not lose interest. In the end, this has undoubtedly motivated me to learn more about RBG life and career.

Additionally, I've come to prefer a first-person perspective for memoirs, I'm not sure I enjoy the inference of meaning from a biographer - I can never know if that inference or interpretation is actually accurate. Regardless of how reliable/unreliable one can be while telling the story of one's own life, I still think I prefer it. 

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by ND Stevenson

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.25

 I love Noelle Stevenson's art style, but have never followed her outside of reading Nimona and Lumberjanes. This memoir was a collection of past blog postings it seems and it paints a very personal, though at times vague picture of her recent life and career. A beautiful mix of humour and poignancy; there were a few times I could feel tears threatening to form. Stevenson has lead such a brilliant career so far, producing projects that I've thoroughly enjoyed, this is a chance to look at the person behind it all. 

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

adventurous 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? Yes

4.25

Thank you Seanan McGuire for another prequel portal story! I do so enjoy these more than the quest tales which start at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children.

Regan is a very interesting character to follow and her centaur herd is also delightful. The Hooflands, though not my favourite of the worlds, is still fascinating and incredibly fun to explore. Although the reveal of the villain and their true nature is very predictable, it doesn't make the story any less enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing more of Regan and all these interesting equine characters again - as promised the forthcoming untitled book #8. 

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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? No

4.25

 

4.25... maybe 4.5*

I thought this was book 2 in the Seven Kingdoms trilogy and read this before Fire... crap. Good thing each novel can almost functions as a standalone without too many spoilers.

I never wrote a review when I first read Graceling back in 2017, and although I gave it 5 stars - I think I probably enjoyed this installment better. I remember being annoyed with certain aspects of Katsa's stubbornness and the progression of Katsa and Po's relationship. Nothing grated on me in a similar sense in Bitterblue, but I think I've become more restrained in my Goodreads ratings (for better or worse).

What I do continue to love about Kristin Cashore's fantasy is how she doesn't feel the need to tie all relationships into a neat, traditional package by the end of her narrative. I love the relationships that don't require marriage to exemplify their character's dedication to each other (or children to exemplify happiness) and how relationships can be beautiful, but also end in separation and still feel complete.

The mystery in Monsea at first felt to me like it hinted at some supernatural lingering of it's previous horrific ruler - and I kept expecting Leck to reappear somehow and hoping he wouldn't. I'm glad my fears were unwarranted and it was actually a more realistic narrative of how trauma can continue to haunt, impair and affect it's victims.

I appreciated Cashore's writing style which was unembellished and straightforward, allowing all the twists and turns came from the narrative itself. I think that's what I need right now - a clear, well laid out story with no floral language or melodramatic flair; just a story of how good people can endure, survive and continue on with hope for a better future.