cookehcrumbla's reviews
20 reviews
Scarred by Emily McIntire
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unsouled by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
Unwholly by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
tense
medium-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
3.5
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber by Jamie Gehring
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
If you are looking for a book strictly about Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, this is not the book for you. As much as this is about him, this is not his story. This is an autobiography of his neighbor, Jamie Gehring, and her search to understand her neighbor "Teddy"--the man who made her handmade gifts when she was young; the man who held a nation captive for 17 years.
This is very much a story of healing and resistance. Gehring carefully and honestly walks readers through the community's interactions with Kaczynski as she revisits her once innocent childhood memories, now tainted by the knowledge of Kaczynski's doings.
The book includes passages from FBI files, court proceedings, Kaczynski's autobiography, letters, and so on. In a number of spots, I questioned why a particular personal anecdote was included, but they all wrap back to Kaczynski or the community (trust that she'll get to it because she does). While it is well organized, I found it too repetitive in places, and there were some statements made that I don't know that I necessarily buy into, but I fully acknowledge the validity of Gehring's thoughts and feelings. This is, after all, her story.
This is not an easy read. Please know that acts of terror and emotional testimonies are featured in this book. This is not a read for everyone.
This is very much a story of healing and resistance. Gehring carefully and honestly walks readers through the community's interactions with Kaczynski as she revisits her once innocent childhood memories, now tainted by the knowledge of Kaczynski's doings.
The book includes passages from FBI files, court proceedings, Kaczynski's autobiography, letters, and so on. In a number of spots, I questioned why a particular personal anecdote was included, but they all wrap back to Kaczynski or the community (trust that she'll get to it because she does). While it is well organized, I found it too repetitive in places, and there were some statements made that I don't know that I necessarily buy into, but I fully acknowledge the validity of Gehring's thoughts and feelings. This is, after all, her story.
This is not an easy read. Please know that acts of terror and emotional testimonies are featured in this book. This is not a read for everyone.
Slaves of New York by Tama Janowitz
There were a few stories that I didn't love as much as others, but all in all, this was a fun read. There is a bit of blunt/off-color language that was more commonplace when this was written, so do keep that in mind (though I can only think of two occasions that this happened, one of which is done intentionally to make a specific point).
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I laughed and cringed my way through this collection of short stories.
Slaves of New York follows artists, designers, saints, and prostitutes, on their journies to shake off dead-end careers and make it be in the city and in life . . . whatever that means.
What I loved:
Slaves of New York follows artists, designers, saints, and prostitutes, on their journies to shake off dead-end careers and make it be in the city and in life . . . whatever that means.
What I loved:
- Unlikeable characters that are still relatable.
- Satire, sarcasm, and witty humor.
- Brilliantly weird descriptions.
There were a few stories that I didn't love as much as others, but all in all, this was a fun read. There is a bit of blunt/off-color language that was more commonplace when this was written, so do keep that in mind (though I can only think of two occasions that this happened, one of which is done intentionally to make a specific point).