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btlitell's reviews
72 reviews
The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski
5.0
There was a lot that happened in this one. I'm really curious to see what all of this leads to.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
5.0
"Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures."
"It seems to be a hallmark of the human species: abysmal communication skills.”
“Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying.”
“No, the deal is never anyone’s fault. But you control the way you play.”
I went into this book blind and unsure what to expect. Not far into it, I wasn't sure I liked it, didn't think I actually would finish it. I had no expectation that I would be bawling at 1030pm while listening to this.
When Tova handed Cameron Erik's class ring and said his name, that's when my eyes exploded into tears
Could there have been more Marcellus time and maybe a bit less Cameron time? Sure. I would probably have enjoyed that more. As it stands though, the ratio of Cameron:Marcellus seems fitting.
I am at a loss for any other words. This book, while a slower burn at the start, was marvelous.
"It seems to be a hallmark of the human species: abysmal communication skills.”
“Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying.”
“No, the deal is never anyone’s fault. But you control the way you play.”
I went into this book blind and unsure what to expect. Not far into it, I wasn't sure I liked it, didn't think I actually would finish it. I had no expectation that I would be bawling at 1030pm while listening to this.
Could there have been more Marcellus time and maybe a bit less Cameron time? Sure. I would probably have enjoyed that more. As it stands though, the ratio of Cameron:Marcellus seems fitting.
I am at a loss for any other words. This book, while a slower burn at the start, was marvelous.
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
5.0
I don't read non-fiction often (actually, I don't normally read non-fiction unless I'm forced to, and even then I will drag my feet doing so), but this book was wonderful. It was a beautiful mix between sarcastic remarks, heartbreaking stories, things that make me angry about life, and hopeful, true tales that help keep back the nihilistic gloom of overthinking, at least for now. If you follow John or Hank Green on social media or you have watched any of their content, you should enjoy this. It felt very much like John was sitting beside my desk telling me about things he likes and dislikes about life. Everything from diet Dr. Pepper to a hot dog place in Iceland to Hiroyuki Doi artwork.
This was my first John Green book, but it won't be my last.
This was my first John Green book, but it won't be my last.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
5.0
This was a nice read. I like that there wasn't the repetitive menu part like there was in Legends and Lattes which I probably only disliked because of the audio format. Also, in the overall fantasy sense, a bookshop makes a bit more aesthetic sense than a coffee shop so the overall setting felt more genre "appropriate", but that's splitting hairs honestly. It's nice to see Viv in action and not just in defense of her coffee shop. I also enjoy the idea of an orc warrior getting frustrated over physical therapy while also overdoing things repeatedly.
The characters felt as fleshed out in this story compared to Lattes, and I actually think I felt more connection/attachment to the characters in this story compared to the other. And who doesn't like a pug-like griffin cub?
The characters felt as fleshed out in this story compared to Lattes, and I actually think I felt more connection/attachment to the characters in this story compared to the other. And who doesn't like a pug-like griffin cub?
On These Black Sands by Vanessa Rasanen
5.0
Here there be pirates (and other pirate-related clichés and turns of phrase)
A great read that involves a full cast of complex characters, an intriguing story arc that takes turns where you don’t entirely expect them, and a setting that forced its way onto my “if I could visit a fictional world” list. The characters are all well-rounded and the ones who play a more pivotal role in the book are certainly beyond memorable. The pacing is also steady throughout the book and many times I wanted to not set the book down and continue reading. I’m quite thankful that book two (From These Dark Depths) is already out so I can start reading that and continue the story.
Declan is at the very least a burnt cinnamon roll. It’s really hard not to feel sympathetic with him. He is a pirate, so I doubt he would enjoy being wrapped up in a blanket and swaddled until he feels better, but I think that’s what he might need honestly. Blanket burrito and some coffee or tea should fix him right up.
Aoife, while naïve and too trusting, grows on you as a reader. I wanted to be mad at her for trusting people too quickly, but I can’t blame her for that at all. Maybe some more experience in the real world will help her grow.
Tommy… I’m not sure what to say about him at this point.
Cait is greatly amusing for the little bit that we see of her. I want more of her in the next book(s) and I really hope we get that.
A great read that involves a full cast of complex characters, an intriguing story arc that takes turns where you don’t entirely expect them, and a setting that forced its way onto my “if I could visit a fictional world” list. The characters are all well-rounded and the ones who play a more pivotal role in the book are certainly beyond memorable. The pacing is also steady throughout the book and many times I wanted to not set the book down and continue reading. I’m quite thankful that book two (From These Dark Depths) is already out so I can start reading that and continue the story.
Declan is at the very least a burnt cinnamon roll. It’s really hard not to feel sympathetic with him. He is a pirate, so I doubt he would enjoy being wrapped up in a blanket and swaddled until he feels better, but I think that’s what he might need honestly. Blanket burrito and some coffee or tea should fix him right up.
Aoife, while naïve and too trusting, grows on you as a reader. I wanted to be mad at her for trusting people too quickly, but I can’t blame her for that at all. Maybe some more experience in the real world will help her grow.
Tommy… I’m not sure what to say about him at this point.
Cait is greatly amusing for the little bit that we see of her. I want more of her in the next book(s) and I really hope we get that.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
5.0
I haven't read this since high school (well over a decade ago) and I still enjoy the story. Probably what sparked my love for sci-fi and worth a read
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
5.0
This is probably the heaviest book that I've read in a long time, but I was warned about that going into it. Even with this story being about such a heavy subject, Klune approached it lightly but without making light of the topic of death and grief and loss. There were so many great characters in this story and so many moments where, unexpectedly, I cried and had goosebumps. There were also moments where I chuckled because the characters were witty or played pranks. I cannot recommend this book enough but if you are sensitive to topics of death, suicide, lost love, etc. go into this expecting those topics to show up throughout. With mentions of death and grief being so frequent through the story, that helped with it showing up whereas if it was just big clumps in a couple places, this would have been harder to digest.
I wasn't expecting the ending. Nelson leaving Hugo was sad. Apollo? Completely tragic. While I appreciated at first that we didn't have to see a dog death, because Apollo is such a good boy, I did <b>NOT</b> expect or appreciate him leaving how and when he did. It was such a precious moment but gods above that hurt.
Read. This. Book.
Read. This. Book.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
5.0
This was a fun read. I didn't know before getting into this that I wanted to read a DnD meets baristas type of story, but here we are. I borrowed the audiobook from my local library and was surprised to see the author narrated the book, something I don't think is commonplace outside of non-fiction genres and likely not something encountered often aside from memoirs, autobiographies, etc.
One thing I wasn't a huge fan of, and this may be partially on the audiobook format, was the repeated menu for the shop. After the first couple times it got a bit old, but it fit with the rest of the story so I didn't really mind all that much.
Story was fast-paced and fun and while there wasn't a huge amount of action, it was still engaging and kept my interest all the way through. Definitely pick this up if you can.
One thing I wasn't a huge fan of, and this may be partially on the audiobook format, was the repeated menu for the shop. After the first couple times it got a bit old, but it fit with the rest of the story so I didn't really mind all that much.
Story was fast-paced and fun and while there wasn't a huge amount of action, it was still engaging and kept my interest all the way through. Definitely pick this up if you can.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
4.0
It was an interesting read. Not my first exposure to PKD and likely not to be my last.