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zenzi2read's reviews
697 reviews
The Spite House by Johnny Compton
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
The thing I like about this book is also the thing that stopped me from reading at five stars. It does not follow the normal format of a haunted house story.
We don’t spend a lot of time in the haunted house and I wish that we did. The parts that took place there were truly chilling. Instead, we spend a lot of time doing character development, forming relationships, and understanding the history of the town.
I like having additional background and getting to know the participants in their motivations, but I still wanted more time in the house. I also felt like the big secret that kept the family on the run. Wasn’t that big of a deal. I don’t quite understand why they were running and it felt like a bit of a bait and switch to keep me interested.
We don’t spend a lot of time in the haunted house and I wish that we did. The parts that took place there were truly chilling. Instead, we spend a lot of time doing character development, forming relationships, and understanding the history of the town.
I like having additional background and getting to know the participants in their motivations, but I still wanted more time in the house. I also felt like the big secret that kept the family on the run. Wasn’t that big of a deal. I don’t quite understand why they were running and it felt like a bit of a bait and switch to keep me interested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Violence, War
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book just wasn’t for me. It reminded me a lot of Dru McGarry and two of his books – the hike and post mortal. I think it’s extremely hard to write a book where the characters are plagued with a long and monotonous life without making a long and monotonous book. This book is short, but it feels long.
I feel like there are better books on this subject to be read. Including damned by Chuck Palanuik or sign here by Claudia Lux.
I feel like there are better books on this subject to be read. Including damned by Chuck Palanuik or sign here by Claudia Lux.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol
¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
These stories show the authors consistent search for love and relationships in a culture that over values hook ups. I wish that he’d concentrated on that and had stronger theming within this collection as a whole.
I also felt like the author did not feel as self-assured as you would need to be in order to give advice. It felt like he still had a ton to figure out.
My other issue is with the format. This book uses an advice column format, but the author never answers the fake writers questions directly. It felt like two people talking over each other and missing the point of a conversation.
I also felt like the author did not feel as self-assured as you would need to be in order to give advice. It felt like he still had a ton to figure out.
My other issue is with the format. This book uses an advice column format, but the author never answers the fake writers questions directly. It felt like two people talking over each other and missing the point of a conversation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel like this story wasted time attempting to be clever. The podcast and fever dream elements were the least successful. The straight narrative about two friends connected in life and death was the most interesting and contain the most tension.
All of the female characters were under developed stereotypes. I think that using them better or not using them at all would have improved the book.
The story shared in the podcast buried in quality. Some of them were really interesting and unique and others were kind of style.
All of the female characters were under developed stereotypes. I think that using them better or not using them at all would have improved the book.
The story shared in the podcast buried in quality. Some of them were really interesting and unique and others were kind of style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautyland was one of my favorite books of this year, so I was excited to read this author again. In many ways, the protagonist of this book is very much in the vein of the other book. For me what’s missing is the warmth and encouragement of friends and family. our main character feels cold and cut off and so does everyone else
That’s not to say that this focus completely joyless. But it is quite somber. In someways it reminds me of One ‘s Company. It was beautifully written, and I was attracted to the world that our main character resided in. People were quirky and awkward and eventually, I grew to appreciate the type of connection that was cultivated in this story.
The biggest challenge for me was maintaining tension. There were times that I felt like I wanted the author to get on with it! Ultimately the story was satisfying and enjoyable, but for me not as enjoyable as Beautyland
That’s not to say that this focus completely joyless. But it is quite somber. In someways it reminds me of One ‘s Company. It was beautifully written, and I was attracted to the world that our main character resided in. People were quirky and awkward and eventually, I grew to appreciate the type of connection that was cultivated in this story.
The biggest challenge for me was maintaining tension. There were times that I felt like I wanted the author to get on with it! Ultimately the story was satisfying and enjoyable, but for me not as enjoyable as Beautyland
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Transphobia
Moderate: Violence, Mass/school shootings
Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
I enjoyed the combination of Desire and suspicion between Riley and Ellis.
Riley, as a character is a person that I wasn’t sure if I could depend on. Is she a reliable source of behavior of victims of the remaining society? She was both sympathetic and disturbing as a main character.
Although this novel is relatively short in someways, I felt that it could’ve been shorter. The afterword explain that this novel grew out of a short story. I think the subject matter and story art make more sense as a much shorter work. This felt like a modern Gothic novel
Riley, as a character is a person that I wasn’t sure if I could depend on. Is she a reliable source of behavior of victims of the remaining society? She was both sympathetic and disturbing as a main character.
Although this novel is relatively short in someways, I felt that it could’ve been shorter. The afterword explain that this novel grew out of a short story. I think the subject matter and story art make more sense as a much shorter work. This felt like a modern Gothic novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Self harm
Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.5
I can’t say that I always agree with hooks, but I respect her well researched approach to delivering this information. I think she understood how important it was to make this information accessible and written in plain English.
There were a few times in this book where hooks asserted ideas with no proof with the assumption that these were universal feelings or beliefs. One example that stuck out to me was when she said that arguments over desirable women were main sources of disagreements and fights between male slaves. I would’ve liked some proof that that was the case. This is an idea I’ve never heard of before. Although it’s not impossible, it doesn’t seem realistic.
Her ideas about the evolution of feminism and the assumption that all Black people are male and all women are white are ideas that I’ve seen before, but it was far more well documented here by siding articles throughout history to support her idea.
hook’s final chapter of this book suggest that black women work to bridge the gap between feminism current use, and the needs of women overall. I think this is a Herculean effort for a race of women that experiences both racism and sexism to undertake. The offer seems not to understand, the power dynamic between the two groups of women. She seems to believe that by simply reframing feminist thought, and, as minorities, deciding that it shouldn’t be racism that it just won’t be. I think this is an oversimplification of what’s necessary.
There were a few times in this book where hooks asserted ideas with no proof with the assumption that these were universal feelings or beliefs. One example that stuck out to me was when she said that arguments over desirable women were main sources of disagreements and fights between male slaves. I would’ve liked some proof that that was the case. This is an idea I’ve never heard of before. Although it’s not impossible, it doesn’t seem realistic.
Her ideas about the evolution of feminism and the assumption that all Black people are male and all women are white are ideas that I’ve seen before, but it was far more well documented here by siding articles throughout history to support her idea.
hook’s final chapter of this book suggest that black women work to bridge the gap between feminism current use, and the needs of women overall. I think this is a Herculean effort for a race of women that experiences both racism and sexism to undertake. The offer seems not to understand, the power dynamic between the two groups of women. She seems to believe that by simply reframing feminist thought, and, as minorities, deciding that it shouldn’t be racism that it just won’t be. I think this is an oversimplification of what’s necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism
Confrontations by Simone Atangana Bekono
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
5.0
The pros in the book were beautiful! The exploration of family, identity, racial, trauma, and shame, and the criminal justice system were done in a very unique way.
Salome is both the perpetrator and the victim. She rightfully feels the injustice of her situation and also Phil‘s choice list. This is a character that I could identify with and feel much compassion for. She mirrors the behavior of the adults in her life, but can she grow into something else ?
Despite this being very character driven, it was compelling. It was difficult to put this book down.
Salome is both the perpetrator and the victim. She rightfully feels the injustice of her situation and also Phil‘s choice list. This is a character that I could identify with and feel much compassion for. She mirrors the behavior of the adults in her life, but can she grow into something else ?
Despite this being very character driven, it was compelling. It was difficult to put this book down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia
Christmas and Other Horrors: A Winter Solstice Anthology by Ellen Datlow
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
This anthology was a bit of a mixed bag. Some of these tales were kind of forgettable, but there were lots of interesting tales from authors that I normally enjoy – Tananarive do and Steve Graham Jones. There were also real stand out from folks that I’ve never read before. –m. rickert Lord of Misrule and kaaron Warren Grace of Small Birds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Domestic abuse
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
This book buzzed with tension! From the beginning as the community is introduced, you feel a great affection for its members. The anxiety ratchets up as they begin to understand the seriousness of their situation and you hope that everyone makes it safely to the end, but you know they won’t.
I think that the book is largely realistic and grounded, which makes for an effective setting for this apocalyptic story. Un excited to see the next book in the series.
The most challenging issue for me as a reader is that this is a man’s story. It is male centric, and it is about how they handle this event. The women, even the women who could potentially be most helpful like the elders, are in the background and rarely acknowledged. No thought is given to reproductive health or partner violence. In someways this book is a fairytale of women supporting men without complaint and women washing boxer shorts by candlelight – naturally, assuming traditional, gender roles.
In someways, it feels that the author would like a return to all traditional ways, including a woman’s place premodern society.
Ultimately, I have to accept his POV as it is not my culture. The writing and storytelling here are excellent and I still recommend this book.
I think that the book is largely realistic and grounded, which makes for an effective setting for this apocalyptic story. Un excited to see the next book in the series.
The most challenging issue for me as a reader is that this is a man’s story. It is male centric, and it is about how they handle this event. The women, even the women who could potentially be most helpful like the elders, are in the background and rarely acknowledged. No thought is given to reproductive health or partner violence. In someways this book is a fairytale of women supporting men without complaint and women washing boxer shorts by candlelight – naturally, assuming traditional, gender roles.
In someways, it feels that the author would like a return to all traditional ways, including a woman’s place premodern society.
Ultimately, I have to accept his POV as it is not my culture. The writing and storytelling here are excellent and I still recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide
Minor: Cannibalism