whattaylorreads's reviews
336 reviews

Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

XOXO by Axie Oh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.

This is the second YA K-pop idol romance I attempted to read this year, but I think I'm just not enjoying high school romances anymore. Maybe it's the fact that I turned 27 on Friday so I'm ten years older than any of the characters.

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

3.75

Working on a Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell

challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

If you are a fan of musicals, especially Hadestown, this book was a fascinating look at the process of writing and rewriting a show. Not every show goes through this process, but for an original idea to be formed, make several stops along the way, and finally reach the destination over a decade later is a testament to the dedication it takes to be creative.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

The Women by Kristin Hannah

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional 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? No

5.0

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous lighthearted 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? No

3.25

A delightful prequel to Legends and Lattes, one of my favorites from last year. It wasn't quite as fun and cozy because Viv is at a different point in her life, but I still liked it regardless. 

Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke

adventurous informative medium-paced

4.0

Such an interesting story detailing the stories of flight attendants on Pan-Am. I knew nothing about Pan-Am and the Jet Age of aviation before listening to this. I was primarily expecting a story of working women empowered by travel, which was certainly there, but I was surprised to learn how intertwined the commercial flight industry was with US Cold War politics in many different countries around the world.