readerpants's reviews
1876 reviews

More Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

3.0

Re-reading after many years. My hot take: much better than book one. 

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

I first read this circa 1994, when I for whatever reason had a weekend to myself because my family was out of town and I somehow read the entire series back to back. My standards were not high, my access to queer culture was limited to the shelves of the Radnor Memorial Library, and the PBS series was prob the first queer thing I'd ever seen on TV. (Though I read the books before the show, so that must have been 1993??) 

Since then I've come back to it a few times, probably most recently about 20 years ago. I picked it up again yesterday because my friend was heading to SF for a wedding and I rec'd it as perfect plane reading on the way to San Francisco. I did a quick reread just to make sure that it held up, and ooof. I hate to say this, but it really doesn't hold up on a first read in 2024. The casual overt and subtle racism, the weird-ass problematic storylines, the lack of character development... it's really hard to enjoy, like the rocky first season of a dated but beloved geeky tv show. 

I read More Tales again right after, and thank goodness that one is a little more on track with what I remember enjoying... with the wacky Episcopalian cannibal cult amnesia storyline (love it) instead of child pornography, a character faking being Black, and the lying about rape. Also just more character development in general instead of a series of "first this happened, then this happened, then these bitchy queens happened." I might consider rereading the rest? But I texted my friend to say to skip this and go straight to book two (or skip them altogether). Though oof, book three has Jonestown...

The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee

3.0

Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

A fast-paced space romp, with almost as much banter as plot (a lot). Ada is running a con -- she tells us, dropping clues throughout -- to find Space Tech for Space Reasons that are only vaguely explored. There's a friendly crew, a hot yet sharply observant government operative who's up for some bangin', and a space suit she loves a lot. (The hot government investigator man is named Rian, and it's hard not keep thinking of Rian Johnson, because this is bringing some heavy Glass Onion puzzle vibes ) The chemistry between Ada and her space suit is much stronger than between her and Rian; I would actually be intrigued by a version of this that removes the "romance" altogether. 

The worldbuilding may be a little thin, but this is a zippy, undemanding read that will appeal to YA readers who would rather go along for the ride than the feels. 

Copy generously provided by the publisher.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.75

THERE'S that Six of Crows energy. Warning: cliffhanger!! 

Loved the switching POV (very effective esp for pacing!), the heist-y details, the fuck colonialism worldbuilding, and the filled-out side characters. Honestly the pacing was EXCELLENT, and the different sections worked super well for me. I'd have loved to spend more time with Spindrift, like in the tea house, but I can see how that could have gotten in the way of the tight plotting. 

The Friendship Study by Ruby Barrett

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

No villains on the page, two people juggling pain and uncertainty and insecurity, and good friendships - lots that I like here. My heart is always a little broken and tender for women characters who are certain they talk too much and stress about it.

Something Like Love by Beverly Jenkins

adventurous

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I love Henry Adams, the historical information, and the characters. The writing style of the older titles like this one don't totally work for me emotionally but YMMV!

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective

• 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

Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

A quick and easy charmer. 

Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru

3.5

3.5 stars, rounding up for all the representation and the setting! The romance didn't really land, probably because in general there was a lot of info dumping and just telling what the characters were thinking. Def didn't pack the emotional punch of Six of Crows. But a fast paced and interesting enough read.