vasingca's reviews
124 reviews

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

challenging dark informative mysterious sad slow-paced

4.0

This is one of the most well research books I’ve ever read, with very few definitive conclusions to show for it. That’s partly what makes the Manson story so uniquely fascinating and also frustrating. It is easy to see why this took over 20 years to finish, even with all of the loose ends. I did feel that the story dragged at times, but in many ways that’s just the consequence of real journalism and research. I appreciate that the author didn’t force any conclusions where the evidence did not support them. It damages the narrative flow, but upholds the integrity of his work. I went into this book incredibly skeptical about the role of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the crime, but now feel that I am more willing to consider the possibility, if not outright accept it as factual. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone really interested in the 60s, the CIA, and true crime, but it is not for the faint of heart or the easily bored.

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

5.0

This is simply one of the most wonderful and profound books I’ve ever read. I could easily argue that this should be on reading lists in schools for the next 100 years at least. I loved each and every one of the storylines, and the way that they intertwined was so moving and lovingly crafted. This story will stay with me for a lifetime.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

2.0

I was a little disappointed in this book after learning Aiden is inspired by Ted Lasso. I didn’t really see much of him in Aiden quite honestly. The role reversal with Stella being an ex convict was interesting, though, and I really appreciate the nuance with which the author treated incarceration. I felt that that plotline was almost more compelling than the romance. 

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.0

I was a little bit let down by the end of the book, I felt like the ending really tried to wrap everything up in a neat little bow but it didn’t exactly fit with the rest of the book to that point. However, I did love the characters and I liked that the main female character had a lot of assertiveness and ambition unique to the romantic plot.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

The family dynamics and character studies in this book are certainly relatable, almost to an uncomfortable degree. If I were only interested in how realistically Moriarty can hold up a mirror to the average middle class suburban family of the day, then I would give this book 5 stars. However, I expected more from the plot as a domestic thriller. The ending was lackluster and missed the mark for me. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book, but in hindsight feel that the parts that dragged were not avenged by an ending that would’ve made it all worth the time.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.0

I thought for sure I was going to be enthralled by this book based on the beginning. The potential in this story is strong. Unfortunately, there was no payoff. The brother plot line was very sloppily tied up in a way that left things feeling unresolved, meanwhile the motives of the villains felt cartoonishly slapped together and just incredibly implausible. I especially disliked that the ending seemed to be trying to “make a point” about society but it was done without the deliberation and attention needed for that to actually be meaningful. Overall I was just disappointed in this book, especially after the high hopes I had for it. 

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

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

2.0

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Some aspects of the story are rather trite, but I was genuinely surprised by the ending and appreciated the open-ended nature of the conclusion. The characters are engaging and dynamic, although not necessarily likeable. 

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

challenging informative slow-paced

5.0

An incredibly informative and engaging book, Du Mez cogently explains but does not exculpate Evangelicals for their role in perpetuating a culture of patriarchal, masculine violence and militarism in America. I learned so much about the culture implications of the theology that I had never considered before. I appreciate the nuance with which the author approaches the subject as well, because she appropriately holds the leaders of this movement to accountability without condemning all Evangelics broadly.

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

dark emotional informative mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

It took me awhile to get into this book, but I actually found the plot twists unexpected and was really engaged with the ending, despite the fact that I found it to be slightly cheesy and simplistic. I also appreciate the research that was done into the history of Puritan colonies and early New England, it shows throughout the book.