Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tracithomas's Reviews (1.05k)
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
There were parts of this book that really worked. Parts that didn’t. Overall I think Crosley hits on the friendship well and the grief of friends. Also the ways those who lose a loved one to suicide rack their brains. Personally I loved the glimpse into book publicity life and mindset.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Alison Roman has top tier recipes. Her food pretty much always turns out good. Her writing style is so cutesy though, it grates.
mysterious
tense
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
I liked this book for the most part. It has lots of twists. The second half was really fun and wild. I finished the book and was like "what in the hell" (though I did guess the twist with about 50 pages left) It also has so much on vestments and scripture and the murals, which sure, but not needed to that extent. The book attempts to do some things (which I won't say bc spoilers) but also, it is pretty racist and all sorts of phobic. Tough to overlook that. Still a wild ride.
dark
informative
fast-paced
This book was a bit all over the place. The stuff on Marty Goddard and the rape kit was good and really engaging but the narrative structure was wonky and a bit confusing. What I really didn't care for in the book were the pieces of memoir that Kennedy added in about her own sexual abuse. It felt like a totally different book. The clarity of vision was not there. I also think because this book came from a successful piece in the NYT Kennedy just added to the book whatever fit instead of really fleshing out a strong book that added (personal or not) elements that were missing from the article. My sense, this could've just stayed an article.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this book as a kid and loved it -- i just reread it with my kids on audio and found there was hardly any there there. The book felt so disjointed to me. We spend way more time with Charlie pre-factory than I remember and that part drags and then we're hardly in the factory at all. It is a cute story but as an adult it didn't hit the same. The main lesson seemed to be don't be spoiled and listen to adults, which sure, and also, you never know, stay the course.
informative
medium-paced
The first 3/4 of the book is so good. It does falter toward the end. Mainly because Boot refuses to contextualize any of Reagan's policies on American culture. He glosses over racism and AIDS in favor of tons of text on Ruso-American relations. Even that he doesn't fully make clear what it all means instead he just recites information. Reagan was apparently hard to get to know, but after spending 32 hours with his book I don't feel like I have a better sense of the man. It is a good biography because it is an interesting way to look at the history of American but the ending is so abrupt and let me wanting
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this novel. Moved fast. Characters behaving badly. It’s a fun ride and these people are a mess.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A really ambitious debut book that mixes memoir with cultural reflection. The questions here are so good and compelling. Some of the structure is confusing or clunky—needed a touch more focus. Overall interesting with some fantastic bits.
reflective
fast-paced
I appreciated this trans memoir from an older perspective— a person transitioning late in life. The writing is good but extremely cold and removed. Matter of fact. I struggled with the straightness of the narrative and who the audience might be and why the book has become so beloved. I think it’s a solid memoir but it didn’t really resonate with me because of the remove.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book but was ahead of the author for much of it. I like the way it all rolls out but was annoyed by the dialogue being full of fits and starts with much unsaid. I don't like that choice in novel because there are other ways to do that. It is a good book and a very good debut.