tisalwayssunny's reviews
259 reviews

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A good thriller is absolutely bonkers with a whiff of plausibility. This is exactly that. A lot of fun & tightly paced!

Penance by Eliza Clark

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Next to “Kill The Boy Band”, I feel like this is the only other novel that really nails Tumblr. Both involve murder so not sure what that says a about the website. This novel is less funny and more uncomfortable. I liked the use of the “journalist” narrator and I thought Clark did a great job in building the story of each of the perpetrators (+1 innocent bystander). I almost got lost in the stories and forgot it was fictionalized even in the novel’s world. Clark interpolates class, social media, crime, and true crime with precision. 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

5.0

It’s amazing how Tartt avoids being derivative — especially when her successors have not been able to do the same . Despite launching a whole genre of “dark academia”, the book is all about the limitations and dangers of living for an aesthetic.  Yet, there’s a tumblr post w/1000+ notes where the OP says “Fall is my favorite season not in a pumpkin spice way but in a ‘the snow in the mountains was melting and bunny had been dead for several weeks’ kinda way”.  Which is funny because only 1/3 of the book is spent in the fall & winter. In fact, the crux and climax of the book is set in spring!! Tartt, despite her critiques, is just that effective at pulling you in & creating an ambiance. It’s quite a long book but the story never feels stretched out. In fact, I’m left with more questions despite the nice little wrap up. Truly so much to enjoy and unpack with each read! I look forward to my next re-visit.

Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg
Did not finish book.

I just ran out of time on this one! Will have to return.

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

Sharp and funny. DeWitt really nails the smugness of knowing you have better taste. There’s also so much packed in here for such a short story. From the vampirism of publishers to the inconsistencies and inadequacies of language and translations. Lots to chew on! 

Foster by Claire Keegan

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

A straightforward story that is so excellently unraveled. Very precisely written and tackles the emotions beautifully. The beach scene was so lovely and made me realize, like the main character, I was holding on to the unspoken tension and guilt of accepting the privilege of being loved. 

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

informative sad medium-paced

4.0

Truly devastating level of exploitation the people of the Osage nation experienced. I thought the first half focusing on their stories was the strength of the book. The FBI aspect was less compelling personally.

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

Did not care for the main characters so this was a slog to get through.

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

5.0

A hard read as always Patrick Radden Keefe!! It’s actually amazing how this book never loses pace. I think it would have been easy to get bogged down in who was right and what was justified during The Troubles but the book stays above that. The focus on individuals affected by the movement is a great choice and allows the reader to come to their own uneasy conclusions. 

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

slow-paced

2.0

Nothing constructive to add here. I wish I knew this was the author of the Hillary Clinton fanfic book before I picked it up. Would have saved me the irritation.