Scan barcode
thepaperbackplanner's reviews
335 reviews
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
5.0
Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This audiobook was absolutely perfect for another long drive this summer! The narrator (Natalie Naudus) nailed the balance between engaging enough to keep me entertained for 12 hours and soothing/level enough not to wake me if I nodded off. And although Harrow has said she intended the book to give spring/summer, I'm getting in the line of folks insisting it's giving autumn 😄 I mean, how could it not, considering one of the main characters is a spooky house with its own personality? It's also got a strong-willed, back-talking woman and a self-sacrificing disaster bi of a man — what more could you want? Add it to your TBR!!
This audiobook was absolutely perfect for another long drive this summer! The narrator (Natalie Naudus) nailed the balance between engaging enough to keep me entertained for 12 hours and soothing/level enough not to wake me if I nodded off. And although Harrow has said she intended the book to give spring/summer, I'm getting in the line of folks insisting it's giving autumn 😄 I mean, how could it not, considering one of the main characters is a spooky house with its own personality? It's also got a strong-willed, back-talking woman and a self-sacrificing disaster bi of a man — what more could you want? Add it to your TBR!!
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
4.0
Before heading off to a no-cell-service-or-wifi weekend trip, I grabbed this off the shelf, and I started reading it one cool morning on a screened-in porch by a tiny creek. (Please imagine that's where I took my book picture lol.) I have to say, I'm kind of annoyed about how much I enjoyed this! Maybe because it's popular and also very straight. But I'm a real sucker for a funny narrative voice, and Emily Henry delivered. She also incorporated several romance tropes I love, including the always- great "there's only one bed" and "I'll take care of you while you're sick." I guess this means I need to read more Henry!
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
5.0
I, like, don't even know how to review this novel. It made me sick to my stomach, it made my heart ache, it made me so, so angry. I wish I could put this novel in the hands of every person who has ever looked at me funny or said "that's unrealistic" when I told them I think we should abolish police and prisons. This quote in particular sums up my feelings perfectly: "I thought of how the world can be anything and how sad it is that it's this." This novel is essential reading. It's terrible, it's incredible. It blew me away.
Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
2.0
I am very sad to report that, for me, this novel didn't live up to its premise. I thought it was going to be an undercover fight against capitalism and colonialism in the face of irreversible climate change, but it turned out to be capitalism all the way down. Unfortunately, rooting for the main character wasn't enough to pull me in when the main plot lines weren't super interesting to me. I did like the White Alice chapters, however, and would probably have enjoyed a novella of just that perspective more than this full novel. BUT, just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean this novel isn't for you!
Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents by Alexandra Petri
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for access to this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I requested this audiobook ARC because I love following author Alexandra Petri on Twitter, and I was interested in hearing her narrate her own book. I enjoyed hearing Petri narrate her made-up US history tales with the emphasis she intended, and I liked most of the stories themselves. I do think I might have stayed more engaged if I was reading myself instead of listening, only because I could have gone through them a bit faster, keeping the bit interesting throughout. But that's just personal reading preference, no knocks against Petri at all! I think this would make a great gift or TBR add for fans of satire and history alike!
I requested this audiobook ARC because I love following author Alexandra Petri on Twitter, and I was interested in hearing her narrate her own book. I enjoyed hearing Petri narrate her made-up US history tales with the emphasis she intended, and I liked most of the stories themselves. I do think I might have stayed more engaged if I was reading myself instead of listening, only because I could have gone through them a bit faster, keeping the bit interesting throughout. But that's just personal reading preference, no knocks against Petri at all! I think this would make a great gift or TBR add for fans of satire and history alike!
System Collapse by Martha Wells
5.0
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for access to this galley in exchange for an honest review!
Murderbot's back and better than ever, folks! Well, that's not strictly true, is it. Murderbot is actually experiencing [redacted]. And as much as it wishes it could go watch some media in a bunk, there's human-saving to do. And this time it involves… a home movie?? You'll have to read it to believe it. I absolutely loved returning to the world of Murderbot and picking up where we left off after Network Effect. I read this installment across the span of a single travel day, getting a few pages in here and there on two planes and three airports. I already can't wait for the next entry in the series!
Murderbot's back and better than ever, folks! Well, that's not strictly true, is it. Murderbot is actually experiencing [redacted]. And as much as it wishes it could go watch some media in a bunk, there's human-saving to do. And this time it involves… a home movie?? You'll have to read it to believe it. I absolutely loved returning to the world of Murderbot and picking up where we left off after Network Effect. I read this installment across the span of a single travel day, getting a few pages in here and there on two planes and three airports. I already can't wait for the next entry in the series!
Prophet by Sin Blaché, Helen Macdonald
4.0
Thanks to Grove Atlantic for access to this galley in exchange for an honest review!
What a weird book! And I mean that in a good way. It gave me a real case of the bookworms, aka, I could not stop thinking about it. I simply had to figure out what was going on here, and what everyone's whole deal was, because everyone had a whole deal. Our main characters, a guy who knows what is true and a guy who is extremely good at his military job, have the slowest of slow burns. I'm really glad I chose to reach out about this book and that Grove Atlantic chose me to read this arc — I loved it, and if you like scifi, you might, too!
What a weird book! And I mean that in a good way. It gave me a real case of the bookworms, aka, I could not stop thinking about it. I simply had to figure out what was going on here, and what everyone's whole deal was, because everyone had a whole deal. Our main characters, a guy who knows what is true and a guy who is extremely good at his military job, have the slowest of slow burns. I'm really glad I chose to reach out about this book and that Grove Atlantic chose me to read this arc — I loved it, and if you like scifi, you might, too!
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
5.0
Ahhh I don't even know where to start! I absolutely adored this story of a retired pirate getting the band back together for the enticing "one last job" that will set them up for life and beyond. The criminal found family vibes are impeccable! The ex-husband is both terrible and hot! The hijinks are wild! It's everything you could want in an adventure on the high seas. My only gripe is that the very supernatural diversion in the last third-ish of the book felt a bit too long, but because it sets up future books and I would die for more, I forgive it!
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
5.0
OK, I know. I know I said I'm pretty done with straight romances, but sometimes something is just too cute! The small town on the river vibes were too much for me to resist, and Georgie's quest to find out what she wants for her life hit a little close to home. Also, I'm a huge sucker for the grumpy, quiet guy who you know has emotions if you could just get him to open up, so it was over for me as soon as Levi entered the picture. Overall, was this novel, pretty predictable, extremely straight, and a little tropey? Yes. But was it also fun and heartwarming and I loved it? Yes again!
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
5.0
O.M.G. OMG. What a fucking ride from start to finish. Like an accident you simply cannot look away from. This is a horror story, no doubt about it. It's a horror story about the publishing industry, about whiteness and cultural, appropriation, about friendship, and so much more. R.F. Kuang's writing is so sharp throughout, and her description of June's feelings and reactions to the consequences of her actions are so visceral. Kuang does not pull a single punch. The hype around this book is real, and you should get to your library or app or local bookstore ASAP to pick up a copy!