thatweirdbookgirlie's reviews
714 reviews

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

Before I go it my review, just know that I am a diehard Stephen King fan. I've read most of his work and adore most of what I've read. Not everyone likes him, but I do.
Two Talented Bastards: A question of what separates a good artist and one that can make it their living. Of course there's a supernatural twist, it is a King story.
The Fifth Step: Be careful who you meet. What seems like an innocent setup of a person going through their AA steps turns dark. 
Willie the Weirdo: One of the stories I didn't like. A weird kid who is a bit obsessed with gross things. 
Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream: Would you believe someone if they had a bad dream /premonition about a bad occurrence? This story (the longest in the collection) explored that.
Finn: Someone who always seems to have bad luck. Another story that I just thought was okay.
On Slide Inn Road: a good quick story about the danger about going down the path less traveled just for a shortcut.
Red Screen: Something is taking over human bodies (or is the person just crazy),  and the police don't believe it while investigating a murder. 
The Turbulence Expert: Did you ever think about how planes get through turbulence? King gives a supernatural explanation. Although still doesn't fully explain it either. 
Laurie: Not a supernatural one, just how dogs can do so much good. 
Rattlesnakes: This is tagged as a Cujo sequel and while yes, it explored the  future life of one of the characters this can stand alone if you haven't read the book. What makes someone hang on after their body is gone, and what separates the good from the bad?
The Dreamers: I wish there had been more to this one cause I really didn't get the experiments that were taking place and what he was trying to figure out. 
The Answer Man: Always remember others have it worse. 

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

emotional reflective fast-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

3.25

If you want similar vibes to the cozy Before the Coffee Gets Cold, pick up this book. 
However for me it was a little bit too similar in the vibes of the story, and I don't think the astrology aspect did much for me in terms of impacting the story. I did really enjoy how this story intertwined the characters we met throughout the book, so we really got to know more and care more about them. The most important message of the book though is that

if you treat cats well, they'll help you out in return.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman

dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.5

Unfortunately what had some interesting plot points (the main one being a drug that can make you see ghosts) just felt sloppy. I love the way the book talked about addiction, and how hard it can be to pull away from that lifestyle. There were just too many elements that were cringe,

one of the biggest being this weird internal desire of Erin wanting nothing more than to have a baby with Silas.

The book also took way too long to get to the point, aka when they take the drugs together. Also - this may just be a me thing but I hate the word loam in all its forms now. 

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.5

A beautiful Japanese slice of life book. If only I could live in this world in which being prescribed the perfect cat would help me out in my personal life. In this story we get to see five different stories (although there is a little bit where they intertwine) and the impact a cat can make on a life. Simple and direct language (as these Japanese translations often have) that still somehow packs such an emotional punch. 

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

mysterious slow-paced

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

2.25

This was a book that was about 100 pages too long (example: a whole chapter wasted on a trip to Ikea to buy a new bed. This could have been done in a page) and tries to do something creative with a haunted house story that just ends up being a big letdown.

A paranormal entity lives in the house. Has it always lived there? Why did it draw on the parents to bring in people to kill? So many questions like these and more that never really get answered and just leave you annoyed.

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

What a ride this story takes you on. There are some things I wish were explained a bit better that may have helped me understand the world, but overall this story had me engaged throughout. However the conclusion left me a bit disappointed. There was all this buildup and the ending just didn't match up with that. Way too many red herrings that conclude in a completely lackluster ending.  

Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam

emotional informative medium-paced

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

4.0

Don't go into this expecting a true set of "short stories" as it follows the same set of characters showing snapshots of their lives as doctors. I really enjoyed the way these stories were told. They kept me engaged and helped me learn so much about these characters. It also shows a different side of the medicine and what it takes to be a doctor, without being too overwhelming with the necessity of medical knowledge. 

Waiting by Ha Jin

emotional reflective slow-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

4.0

The story of waiting to be with the one you think you love and what that does to you and the people around you. This gives an interesting look at life in China from 1963-1983. It takes seemingly average bits and pieces of this time and gives an impactful story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Stitches by Hirokatsu Kihara

dark fast-paced

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

3.5

Maybe it's just because they're short stories, but none of them felt "scary." While I wouldn't say they were bad, they did end up mostly being a bit dull. Ito's artwork is a nice addition to the stories. 

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.25

What a moving book, in which we explore mothers and daughters and their experiences in China and as Chinese-Americans. Don't expect the stories to be fully linked (there are bits and pieces that are), but rather a collection of eight different women's stories. Despite being written in 1989, it still feels like a relevant story of these everyday lives.