_readwithash's reviews
106 reviews
Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire
4.0
Seanan McGuire's world is absolutely incredible, and I simply wish to be a part of it. Every concept become personified, and in this book it's the seasons. Her creativity knows no bounds, and I will devour every word she writes in this world.
The Future by Naomi Alderman
4.5
Naomi Alderman does it again!
This book is incredible, it address the problem of tech billionaires ruling our lives, it has a wonderful romance subplot, and it has the end of the world!
Alderman continually tackles really tough societal issues with creativity and care, and once again she does it with expertise.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is incredible, it address the problem of tech billionaires ruling our lives, it has a wonderful romance subplot, and it has the end of the world!
Alderman continually tackles really tough societal issues with creativity and care, and once again she does it with expertise.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Change by Kirsten Miller
2.0
This book really missed the mark. It had the potential to be an incredible book that teaches women how to claim the power they hold, and how to use that to uplift women everywhere. Instead, the characters in this book continually went too far. They became the men they were fighting against, and it felt yucky, and i didn't like it. The magic was great though.
My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee
5.0
This book is one hell of a ride.
I don't want to try to boil down this plot, or set expectations for future readers, so I'm just going to leave it as:
If you're looking for a book about finding yourself, this is a great one.
If you're looking for a book that keeps you on your toes, this is a great one.
And if you're looking for a book that makes even the most mundane things beautiful, this is the one
Check those triggers though because this book can be rough at spots.
I don't want to try to boil down this plot, or set expectations for future readers, so I'm just going to leave it as:
If you're looking for a book about finding yourself, this is a great one.
If you're looking for a book that keeps you on your toes, this is a great one.
And if you're looking for a book that makes even the most mundane things beautiful, this is the one
Check those triggers though because this book can be rough at spots.
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
4.5
Despite the chokehold that The Fault in Our Stars had on the internet back in the day, I had never read anything by John Green until this anthology. And like most anthologies, some of these essays were better than others. That said, I still found this collection to be incredibly moving, poignant, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and I would recommend it to anyone.
It is pretty pandemic heavy, so reading it sooner rather than later is a great move, but I would 100% recommend this to everyone.
It is pretty pandemic heavy, so reading it sooner rather than later is a great move, but I would 100% recommend this to everyone.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
2.0
I wanted to love this novel after reading The House in the Cerulean Sea, but ultimately it just didn't do it for me.
I love a book where nothing happens, as long as that book has something to say, but it seemed like this story's message was mostly, "it doesn't matter what you do in life, you can learn to not be an asshole after you die," and that message was displayed by like the first 15%. Then nothing happened for another 70% of the book, and then finally the last 15% was actually interesting and things happened.
I'm sure this book will be loved by some, and I'm sure that it is a really good match for where some people are in their lives, but I don't think it holds universal appeal.
I love a book where nothing happens, as long as that book has something to say, but it seemed like this story's message was mostly, "it doesn't matter what you do in life, you can learn to not be an asshole after you die," and that message was displayed by like the first 15%. Then nothing happened for another 70% of the book, and then finally the last 15% was actually interesting and things happened.
I'm sure this book will be loved by some, and I'm sure that it is a really good match for where some people are in their lives, but I don't think it holds universal appeal.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
4.0
After Survive the Night, I told myself that I was done with Riley Sager. I'm glad I lied to myself. Ultimately, the first twist in this book really shocked, me but the ending was predictable. I appreciated that though, because I hate when thriller authors feel the need to hit us with twist after twist with no foreshadowing. This one made sense and was fun. I thought the atmosphere in this book was phenomenal, the autumnal lake was perfect. Mr. Sager's books all feel sort of similar, but I enjoyed this one, and I look forward to another one.
The Betrayals by Bridget Collins
2.5
This book is certainly unique. The entire book is written around the idea of the grand jeu, which is never fully explained, but to perform it well generally takes years of study and mastery. That part of the book, combined with the setting of the school, were the best parts.
There were a few things that didn't sit well with me. The first is that there is a genocide happening around the characters, that has clearly been inspired by real life genocides, yet those who are persecuted are Christians, which feels particularly violating right now as Christians are the ones who are the driving force behind the persecution happening to women and the LGB, particularly T, QIA+ community.
The second is very spoiler-ey, like definitely don't read this part if you're going to read this book, but This wouldn't bother me so much, if it didn't feel like the author was trying to appeal to a certain demographic, but then pulls a bait and switch.
Overall, the story was compelling, but it left me feeling uncomfortable.
There were a few things that didn't sit well with me. The first is that there is a genocide happening around the characters, that has clearly been inspired by real life genocides, yet those who are persecuted are Christians, which feels particularly violating right now as Christians are the ones who are the driving force behind the persecution happening to women and the LGB, particularly T, QIA+ community.
The second is very spoiler-ey, like definitely don't read this part if you're going to read this book, but
Spoiler
this starts as a queer book, featuring a MM romance, but then it turns out that the boy the main character loved in his youth has actually been the man's sister the entire timeOverall, the story was compelling, but it left me feeling uncomfortable.
Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker
3.0
This book felt more like a fever dream than a fantasy book.
I was so so so excited for this spin off series because I LOVED Middlegame. Seanan McGuire's mind is incredible. Unfortunately, I just didn't get the point of OTWW. It was too unreal for me to get a good grasp on it, and I'm really unsure if I'm going to continue the series.
I was so so so excited for this spin off series because I LOVED Middlegame. Seanan McGuire's mind is incredible. Unfortunately, I just didn't get the point of OTWW. It was too unreal for me to get a good grasp on it, and I'm really unsure if I'm going to continue the series.
Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Törzs
4.0
This book was ultimately a fun journey through a very very fun magic system. It probably won't stay with me very long, but it was an incredible reading experience. I highly recommend it for anyone who is itching for a cozy fall read.