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bandysbooks's reviews
176 reviews
Mothtown by Caroline Hardaker
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I initially came across this book because of the cover and then when I read the summary it sounded just like the sort of thing I enjoy. Literary, speculative, horror. I’m here for all of it.
Mothtown is about a boy named David who has never really fit in. The only person who truly understands him is his grandfather, going as far as communicating with him in strange clicks and pops. When Grandpa disappears, David is curious about where he went and starts investigating the concept of other worlds. He’s certain grandpa found his doorway. But his family is scared that David will disappear like his grandfather and the many others who have chosen to leave society behind.
We see the story through David’s eyes and he’s clearly an unreliable narrator. He sees only part of the story, doesn’t have all of the information, and has a very specific perception of things. It creates a purposefully disjointed, fever dream kind of narrative (similar to Awad, Broder, etc)
Ultimately, this reads like a book about someone’s descent into mental illness and the contemplation of ending one’s life. While the concept of becoming a mother is unique, I have seen mental health treated similarly. I’m not sure that there is enough in this book to make it stand out spectacularly. The writing is lovely and dream like and there are some good ideas. I just found myself left wanting a bit more.
Mothtown is about a boy named David who has never really fit in. The only person who truly understands him is his grandfather, going as far as communicating with him in strange clicks and pops. When Grandpa disappears, David is curious about where he went and starts investigating the concept of other worlds. He’s certain grandpa found his doorway. But his family is scared that David will disappear like his grandfather and the many others who have chosen to leave society behind.
We see the story through David’s eyes and he’s clearly an unreliable narrator. He sees only part of the story, doesn’t have all of the information, and has a very specific perception of things. It creates a purposefully disjointed, fever dream kind of narrative (similar to Awad, Broder, etc)
Ultimately, this reads like a book about someone’s descent into mental illness and the contemplation of ending one’s life. While the concept of becoming a mother is unique, I have seen mental health treated similarly. I’m not sure that there is enough in this book to make it stand out spectacularly. The writing is lovely and dream like and there are some good ideas. I just found myself left wanting a bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really struggled with how to rate this book. I really loved some aspects of it, but struggled with other parts. Betty follows a young half white half Cherokee girl growing up in small town Appalachia as she deals with trauma after trauma.
Betty is the youngest daughter and she is curious about everything. She loves her father and his stories. She loves her siblings too, but it becomes clear quickly that Betty’s life is not destined to go the way she thinks it is.
Tragedy strikes the family one after another in unrelenting waves. At times, it made the book hard to continue. I felt like I had no time to process one traumatic event before the next one would hit. It left me feeling a bit numb as I was reading instead of emotionally connecting with what was happening.
All in all, if you like slow moving emotional explorations of coming of age on a traumatic situation you may like this book.
*Please, check the trigger warnings as there are a lot of them.
Betty is the youngest daughter and she is curious about everything. She loves her father and his stories. She loves her siblings too, but it becomes clear quickly that Betty’s life is not destined to go the way she thinks it is.
Tragedy strikes the family one after another in unrelenting waves. At times, it made the book hard to continue. I felt like I had no time to process one traumatic event before the next one would hit. It left me feeling a bit numb as I was reading instead of emotionally connecting with what was happening.
All in all, if you like slow moving emotional explorations of coming of age on a traumatic situation you may like this book.
*Please, check the trigger warnings as there are a lot of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I loved The Beekeeper of Aleppo, so I was really excited to read Lefteri’s most recent work. It was actually one of my most anticipated reads this year. It’s described as following an artistic family living out in the woods whose lives are destroyed by a forest fire and by a mother who does something shocking without thinking. I envisioned an eco-thriller with some emotional gut punches.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t really any of those things. It was a more quiet, reflective story that flashes between different POVs and different timelines. There isn’t really anything thrilling or mysterious. Everything is pretty straightforward, making for a read that sort of plods along.
Where this book does really shine is in its portrayal of post traumatic stress disorder and how it affects different people differently. I think Lefteri really captured some of the more subtle parts of PTSD effectively. She also illustrated just how hard it can be to break free of it.
I also appreciate that this book touches on the climate change that made the fire grow out of control, but I actually wish it delved even deeper into this issue. I wish it had been more straightforward in its criticisms.
All in all, this was a decent book and maybe it was hurt by the fact that it was following such a stunner in Beekeeper. If you like modern historical fiction with some current topics and portrayals of PTSD, you may enjoy this one.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t really any of those things. It was a more quiet, reflective story that flashes between different POVs and different timelines. There isn’t really anything thrilling or mysterious. Everything is pretty straightforward, making for a read that sort of plods along.
Where this book does really shine is in its portrayal of post traumatic stress disorder and how it affects different people differently. I think Lefteri really captured some of the more subtle parts of PTSD effectively. She also illustrated just how hard it can be to break free of it.
I also appreciate that this book touches on the climate change that made the fire grow out of control, but I actually wish it delved even deeper into this issue. I wish it had been more straightforward in its criticisms.
All in all, this was a decent book and maybe it was hurt by the fact that it was following such a stunner in Beekeeper. If you like modern historical fiction with some current topics and portrayals of PTSD, you may enjoy this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Malas by Marcela Fuentes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I came across Malas on a recent trip to San Diego. I was doing a bookstore crawl and in one of the shops I stopped in, Malas was prominently displayed. I was immediately attracted by the cover and title, but knew I was sold once I read the summary.
I love the supernatural feeling that weaves through the storyline in the past initially. There are mysterious things happening and not a lot of explanation, but it beautifully creates a creeping sense of dread.
The present day POV, which centers on a young woman named Lulu as her quinceañera approaches. She’s despondent over the loss of her grandmother and rage filled at her father’s irrational behaviors. She’s also figuring out her bodily autonomy and relationships. I found this POV a bit more tiresome than others as we are essentially trapped in the head of a teenager. What I will say is that I found it fairly realistic.
In terms of character development, both of our main characters grow quite a bit. There are definitely some messy family dynamics at play and seeing what changes that thrusts upon each of them was very interesting. In particular, Lulu experiences a sort of coming of age, being forced to deal with some things that most teenagers don’t have to reckon with.
That said, about halfway through the book, the conclusion becomes fairly obvious, so it sucks a bit of tension out of the narrative. I did still enjoy reading till the end. It just didn’t feel as urgent as it moved toward the conclusion.
All in all, I thought this was a solid debut novel with an interesting plot and believable characters. I will definitely read Fuentes’ future books and in particular, think this book would suit someone who enjoys complex family dynamics, coming of age, and the lightest touch of mystery.
I love the supernatural feeling that weaves through the storyline in the past initially. There are mysterious things happening and not a lot of explanation, but it beautifully creates a creeping sense of dread.
The present day POV, which centers on a young woman named Lulu as her quinceañera approaches. She’s despondent over the loss of her grandmother and rage filled at her father’s irrational behaviors. She’s also figuring out her bodily autonomy and relationships. I found this POV a bit more tiresome than others as we are essentially trapped in the head of a teenager. What I will say is that I found it fairly realistic.
In terms of character development, both of our main characters grow quite a bit. There are definitely some messy family dynamics at play and seeing what changes that thrusts upon each of them was very interesting. In particular, Lulu experiences a sort of coming of age, being forced to deal with some things that most teenagers don’t have to reckon with.
That said, about halfway through the book, the conclusion becomes fairly obvious, so it sucks a bit of tension out of the narrative. I did still enjoy reading till the end. It just didn’t feel as urgent as it moved toward the conclusion.
All in all, I thought this was a solid debut novel with an interesting plot and believable characters. I will definitely read Fuentes’ future books and in particular, think this book would suit someone who enjoys complex family dynamics, coming of age, and the lightest touch of mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
In 2024, I made it a goal to read more nonfiction books, so I’ve been on the lookout for books covering topics that interest me. I found out about Tias and Primas after receiving an ARC copy from Seal Press. I love books that reflect on the roles society forces people into and that’s essentially what this book does. It deep dives into the roles of the different women in a family.
Mojica Rodriguez is Nicaraguan and sometimes she speaks specifically on Nicaraguan cultural norms, but I think a large majority of this book will resonate with women of any cultural background: All too often women are shoe horned into specific roles to make the men in their life comfortable and Mojica Rodriguez explains how and why brilliantly. If the characters she draws in this book don’t resonate with you personally, you’ll at least be able to identify the people in your life who fit these roles.
I ended up alternating reading portions of this book in the hardcover and listening to the audiobook for other sections. I highly recommend the audiobook. It was narrated perfectly and helped further bring characters to life.
This will definitely be in my top nonfiction reads of the year. Thank you to Seal Press, Netgalley, and Priscilla Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez for the early copies!
Mojica Rodriguez is Nicaraguan and sometimes she speaks specifically on Nicaraguan cultural norms, but I think a large majority of this book will resonate with women of any cultural background: All too often women are shoe horned into specific roles to make the men in their life comfortable and Mojica Rodriguez explains how and why brilliantly. If the characters she draws in this book don’t resonate with you personally, you’ll at least be able to identify the people in your life who fit these roles.
I ended up alternating reading portions of this book in the hardcover and listening to the audiobook for other sections. I highly recommend the audiobook. It was narrated perfectly and helped further bring characters to life.
This will definitely be in my top nonfiction reads of the year. Thank you to Seal Press, Netgalley, and Priscilla Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez for the early copies!
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
3.5
I was originally drawn into this book due to the title and cover. It sounded so quirky and fun that I couldn’t resist. It follows Shesheshen, a shape shifting monster, as she meats a woman bound by her family to hunt her.
This was both what I wanted and not quite what I wanted. It does have some quirkiness and the concept is fun, however I actually wish this book would’ve delved a bit deeper. It felt superficial despite the fact that it was tackling themes like xenophobia, homophobia, war mongering, and more.
That said, Shesheshen is a fun character. I enjoyed getting inside of a literal monster’s head. The way she perceived things was amusing and made a lot of sense based on what we know of her life.
Ultimately, I think this would be a good book to read if you are looking for a fall/autumn read that’s on the lighthearted end of things with a few deeper topics sprinkled in.
This was both what I wanted and not quite what I wanted. It does have some quirkiness and the concept is fun, however I actually wish this book would’ve delved a bit deeper. It felt superficial despite the fact that it was tackling themes like xenophobia, homophobia, war mongering, and more.
That said, Shesheshen is a fun character. I enjoyed getting inside of a literal monster’s head. The way she perceived things was amusing and made a lot of sense based on what we know of her life.
Ultimately, I think this would be a good book to read if you are looking for a fall/autumn read that’s on the lighthearted end of things with a few deeper topics sprinkled in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Playground by Richard Powers
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have never previously read a book by Powers, despite owning a copy of The Overstory. I picked this particular book up in an effort to read the entire 2024 Booker Longlist. Upon finishing it, I’m not quite sure what to think.
Playground is a long, meandering journey. Nothing is straight to the point and at first everything seems disconnected, but the beauty is that as the story progresses everything seems to weave together through our 4 different main characters. It leaves the story feeling both fragmented and complete which is an odd combination.
For me, the best part of this story was Evelyne a forward thinking, deep sea scuba diver. I related very much to her for a multitude of reasons, but primarily in her breaking into the boys club attitude and her passion for the underwater world. As a scuba diver myself, I really loved the descriptions of the ocean.
I did struggle with following everything that was happening in the book. This is clearly really smart writing and I think it would be easy for the average reader to miss bits and pieces.
All in all, this was an interesting experience. I can’t say that I absolutely loved this book, but I didn’t hate it either. I appreciated a lot of its messaging around tech and nature in particular.
Playground is a long, meandering journey. Nothing is straight to the point and at first everything seems disconnected, but the beauty is that as the story progresses everything seems to weave together through our 4 different main characters. It leaves the story feeling both fragmented and complete which is an odd combination.
For me, the best part of this story was Evelyne a forward thinking, deep sea scuba diver. I related very much to her for a multitude of reasons, but primarily in her breaking into the boys club attitude and her passion for the underwater world. As a scuba diver myself, I really loved the descriptions of the ocean.
I did struggle with following everything that was happening in the book. This is clearly really smart writing and I think it would be easy for the average reader to miss bits and pieces.
All in all, this was an interesting experience. I can’t say that I absolutely loved this book, but I didn’t hate it either. I appreciated a lot of its messaging around tech and nature in particular.
Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Catalina is the story of a young woman who was born in Ecuador, lost both of her parents, was brought to the US illegally to be raised by her grandparents, and gets admitted to Harvard only to realize that she has no path towards citizenship and her grandparents might get deported. If it sounds like a lot going on, that’s because it is.
I was very excited to delve into Catalina because of the themes. I love deep explorations of complex subjects and this book is loaded with them. Not only does this book discuss immigration, but it also talks about how “illegal” status affects varying members of the community, sexism/misogyny, classism, fetishization, and femicide. I love a book that makes me think and this definitely does that.
That said, when I opened it and saw that it was a stream of consciousness, I groaned internally. This is one of my least favorite storytelling methods. As expected, I struggled a fair bit with it. It made the book read as rambling and I felt like I was jolted from moment to moment.
I also struggled a bit with Catalina. So she’s in a clearly difficult spot and despite her best efforts, she’s having a hard time. At times I felt it was hard to empathize with her because she was making some pretty toxic choices. I think that’s the point though. Essentially, look at this very smart girl and all the horrific choices she has to make to just exist.
All in all, this is a book that has good bones, but was not a stylistic match for me. I gave it a 3.5 because it covers so many important topics. That said, I think whether it resonates or not will depend on how you feel about the way it was written.
I was very excited to delve into Catalina because of the themes. I love deep explorations of complex subjects and this book is loaded with them. Not only does this book discuss immigration, but it also talks about how “illegal” status affects varying members of the community, sexism/misogyny, classism, fetishization, and femicide. I love a book that makes me think and this definitely does that.
That said, when I opened it and saw that it was a stream of consciousness, I groaned internally. This is one of my least favorite storytelling methods. As expected, I struggled a fair bit with it. It made the book read as rambling and I felt like I was jolted from moment to moment.
I also struggled a bit with Catalina. So she’s in a clearly difficult spot and despite her best efforts, she’s having a hard time. At times I felt it was hard to empathize with her because she was making some pretty toxic choices. I think that’s the point though. Essentially, look at this very smart girl and all the horrific choices she has to make to just exist.
All in all, this is a book that has good bones, but was not a stylistic match for me. I gave it a 3.5 because it covers so many important topics. That said, I think whether it resonates or not will depend on how you feel about the way it was written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism, and Deportation
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
5.0
After some really deep and emotional reads, I was looking for something light and fluffy to cleanse the palette. This is described as being for fans of House In The Cerulean Sea and Remarkably Bright Creatures, both of which I enjoyed, so I thought this might be just what I needed. I’m pleased to say that I genuinely enjoyed this.
The premise is that our MC is the Phoenix keeper at the local zoo, but their breeding program has long since been defunct. When a robbery at another zoo leaves the breeding program in danger, our MC steps up and suggests her zoo as the replacement. There’s just a few problems. The Phoenix center is decrepit and needs major updates in an insanely short period of time. But worse than that, the potential breeding program thrusts our MC into the spotlight and she has crippling social anxiety. In order to save this endangered species and have a shot at her dreams, she must overcome both physical and emotional obstacles.
So if you’ve read my previous reviews, you’ll know that I really appreciate books with deep themstic exploration. This is meant to be a fluffy read, so I wasn’t expecting a ton of depth. I was really surprised with its portrayal and handling of mental health. Our MC deals with severe social anxiety, but the book also touches on depression and burnout. It didn’t lean into stereotypes either.
I also loved the diverse cast of characters. I can tell that MacLean did her research when writing this book. It wasn’t jarring or forcefully shoved into the book for brownie points. Instead, the characters felt fleshed out and genuine. This is, imo, a really solid example of how to provide a realistic cast of characters reflective of the real world within a fantasy world.
Another thing that I thought was really good in this book was the amount of info about Phoenixes, griffins, kelpies, dragons, and other mythical animals. It really made the zoo environment come to life and helped me immerse in the world.
I’m typically not big into romance and there is a significant romance plot. It’s even a trope that I don’t traditionally enjoy, but I will concede in this instance that I did enjoy it. This is very sweet romance and its given plenty of time to develop over the course of the story. It felt closer to what real life love can be like.
All in all, I’m really happy that I picked this book up. It was just the right mix of fuzzy, cozy, and a touch of deep themes to make for a satisfying read.
The premise is that our MC is the Phoenix keeper at the local zoo, but their breeding program has long since been defunct. When a robbery at another zoo leaves the breeding program in danger, our MC steps up and suggests her zoo as the replacement. There’s just a few problems. The Phoenix center is decrepit and needs major updates in an insanely short period of time. But worse than that, the potential breeding program thrusts our MC into the spotlight and she has crippling social anxiety. In order to save this endangered species and have a shot at her dreams, she must overcome both physical and emotional obstacles.
So if you’ve read my previous reviews, you’ll know that I really appreciate books with deep themstic exploration. This is meant to be a fluffy read, so I wasn’t expecting a ton of depth. I was really surprised with its portrayal and handling of mental health. Our MC deals with severe social anxiety, but the book also touches on depression and burnout. It didn’t lean into stereotypes either.
I also loved the diverse cast of characters. I can tell that MacLean did her research when writing this book. It wasn’t jarring or forcefully shoved into the book for brownie points. Instead, the characters felt fleshed out and genuine. This is, imo, a really solid example of how to provide a realistic cast of characters reflective of the real world within a fantasy world.
Another thing that I thought was really good in this book was the amount of info about Phoenixes, griffins, kelpies, dragons, and other mythical animals. It really made the zoo environment come to life and helped me immerse in the world.
I’m typically not big into romance and there is a significant romance plot. It’s even a trope that I don’t traditionally enjoy, but I will concede in this instance that I did enjoy it. This is very sweet romance and its given plenty of time to develop over the course of the story. It felt closer to what real life love can be like.
All in all, I’m really happy that I picked this book up. It was just the right mix of fuzzy, cozy, and a touch of deep themes to make for a satisfying read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Less is a book that seems like a contradiction. It’s a not-so-serious reflection on the life of a just-past-middle-aged author who has recently had his heart broken. He is having a sort of existential crisis and is on a trip around the world trying to find himself. It has some romcom elements to it without being explicitly focused on romance. And this not so serious book somehow won a Pulitzer Prize. I knew I had to read it.
This book ended up being a mixed bag for me. In some ways, I really related to Arthur Less, the main character. His anxieties and insecurities were particularly realistic. So were his heartbreaks. I could imagine Less being a good person to have a cup of coffee with.
That said, at times I found the book a bit slow moving and dull. We meandered from location to location without much happening. The whole focus was Less reminiscing about his ex and it got a bit tedious. One single conversation could’ve fixed the whole thing and to me that is the most frustrating romance trope.
All in all, Less was enjoyable and light, a nice break from the heavier reading. If you’re looking for something easy with a bit of humor, this might be a good read for you.
This book ended up being a mixed bag for me. In some ways, I really related to Arthur Less, the main character. His anxieties and insecurities were particularly realistic. So were his heartbreaks. I could imagine Less being a good person to have a cup of coffee with.
That said, at times I found the book a bit slow moving and dull. We meandered from location to location without much happening. The whole focus was Less reminiscing about his ex and it got a bit tedious. One single conversation could’ve fixed the whole thing and to me that is the most frustrating romance trope.
All in all, Less was enjoyable and light, a nice break from the heavier reading. If you’re looking for something easy with a bit of humor, this might be a good read for you.