woodiefrog's reviews
138 reviews

Cedar and Salt: Vancouver Island Recipes from Forest, Farm, Field, and Sea by DL Acken, Emily Lycopolus

3.5

A City on Mars: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through? by Kelly Weinersmith, Zach Weinersmith

challenging funny informative

4.0

Step by Bloody Step by Mateus Lopes, Simon Spurrier

challenging dark emotional medium-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

4.5

A graphic wonder piece like no other. I applaud especially the choice of not using any known dialogue in its entirety. 
A tender, cinematically drawn story almost too heart wrenching at vol.3. What is it really about? I think it’s many things but I recognized the solace in cycles of life, in unending hope in the face of needless cruelty and suffering. Would recommend 💯 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, and War

Minor: Body horror

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-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

4.0

A quick, wholesome, comforting read. A bit of cozy fantasy vibe but historical setting, the prohibition era city as backdrop. 

Look at the Lights, My Love by Annie Ernaux

reflective

3.75

Considering, thoughtful tone as her usual. This very short one on consumerist reality has more touch of the warmth in our messy humanity  than usual. Comforting night read.

Atana and the Firebird by Vivian Zhou

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.25

The cutest graphic novel I’ve read in a while. Zhou showcases her storytelling skills with simplistic yet compelling and dynamic frames. Love the nods to Ghibli and Moebius! 

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I think the review describing this as weird lit fic is pretty right. High concepts relatable to today’s serious social media effect on our societies, but execution falls a bit flat. Some storylines are considerably weaker than others and do not contribute enough to the book imo, and ends abruptly in an unresolved manner. But overall I think it’s worth reading for at least another two years just bc of the tech talk aspect. We srsly need to get our acts together and soon. 

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.

I really really wanted to love this book. All the premises are my cuppa 🍵 but gosh there’s just, such slagging narrative voices. I think the Memory Librarian is not a great choice to open with, def burned most of my mental energy. 
Great dust jacket writing, lukewarm take from theory to practice (falling back unto very cliched ideas of Big Bro technocratic dystopia), okay execution. And sadly, I was so sure the audiobook performance by Monáe would lift up the writing, it is not so imo in this case. 

Most Dope: The Extraordinary Life of Mac Miller by Paul Cantor

challenging emotional funny informative

4.75

Very considerate bio for Macmiller. Writing goes quite far back to illustrate the historical context of his childhood place, goes on to several important points of his life and career. Respectful written with elegant prose (but down to earth when needed). So glad we got this for Mac.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.0

Strong narrative voice, fantastic worldbuilding, weak romance? (Why does it there to be a romance when there’s so little attempts at building a chemistry? Publishing quota? I think it would have worked very well to have the protagonist ending up in this book being alone and happy, with friends instead of plus one forced lover. Come on it’s 2024.)