vert_bean_casserole's reviews
251 reviews

Pod by Laline Paull

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is not a cute book about magical spinning dolphins. It's:

brutal
misogynistic 
hierarchical 
political 
full of rape culture
murderous

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

slow-paced

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

2.0

No, thank you.  I've been holding on for the nuggets of nostalgia, but it's just not there. Not easy to follow...at all 😵‍💫 

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

A collection of thoughts (dark short stories) that everyone thinks about but doesn't address out loud because it's socially unacceptable.  Bazterrica has an interesting mind, I'm a big fan!  If you haven't read, Tender is the Flesh, then start there.

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

3.0

This book totes "buried secrets" but I'm not sure what those secrets are...🤷‍♀️

Business Casual by B.K. Borison

medium-paced

4.0

Well...that escalated quickly! 🌶
😏 Lots of  LOL moments, too.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

fast-paced

4.0

Scandalous but tender.  Love the choice of narration.  Watching next!

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A M A Z I N G writing & storytelling rooted with biblical undertones (good vs evil).

Catherine/Cathy/Kate is my favorite character -- she knows what's up. 😏



On a personal note:  this book has been on my physical TBR for more than 17 years and has traveled with me from Japan to Hawaii to California, and now Washington.  Would I have appreciated this novel if I had read it before now?  NO, I don't think so.  Is there a lesson here?  I'm not sure, but I do recommend buying the books you want to read as a placeholder and read them at the time that's right for you. 

Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente

3.0

Dystopian & bizarre 😳 

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

3.0

How one is seen but also overlooked. I believe, a testament to the author's life.