fireplacebookworm's reviews
413 reviews

This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Family Farm by Ted Genoways

slow-paced

2.5

This book took far too long for me to get through. At roughly 200 pages, it is dense and not a leisure read. I struggled to be invested in the history of farming. Some of it was interesting, like when it was interspersed with the story of Rick and his farm. But the textbook like chapters had me bored. I think this one could have been a bit more engaging had the writing style had more narrative. If you like farming and it's history, you will definitely enjoy this memoir. 

The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle

dark inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was entertaining, at times, and boring in others. The MC was annoyingly ignorant by choice and that annoys me. The setting was beautiful in Paris and it definitely brought me back to my travels there. I enjoyed the overall plot and storyline. It was unique. I wish it wouldn’t have lagged so much in the middle. But I did enjoy how the author wrapped up all the loose ends in the end.

The September House by Carissa Orlando

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I haven’t read a lot of horror but this is by far the strangest book I’ve ever read. My review is hard to write because the “issues” I had were intentional by the author and not oversights so really how can I critique that? I can’t. So really they are things that made me feel uncomfortable as a reader. In the end, the writing is fabulous, the characterization was on pointe for the author’s intentions, and the imagery was horrifying. The end definitely had me in its grips unable to put it down. This was also a very unique plot that I haven’t heard of or read before.

Thanks to Berkley for this arc!

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Even reading this one third, I struggled through it. It didn’t have the stories I wanted. I wanted a different background story. I wanted to really connect with Celeana. These stories did add depth to her character but again it wasn’t what I wanted. I don’t want to tell you the stories I do want because well those are spoilers. So if you want to know, message me 😆

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’m hooked. Yall are right. SJM you’re Queen 👸. This book kept me up past my bedtime for multiple nights in a row. And the ending 🤯. 

Okay for the real review. This one started as most SJM do, it took me awhile to get into. I’m digging Celeana and really starting to become attached to her, her characterization is chefs kiss 💋. I’m not a huge fan of the love triangle (sorry if that’s a spoiler for anyone) but that trope just isn’t my thing. The corruption and the action I am digging though. I definitely didn’t figure out the riddles and clues but did enjoy the ride. The plot twist, I figured it out a few pages before the reveal, but I’m here for it. 

Next up, Assassin’s Blade! I’m ready to be recked.

Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Okay, I’m not sure how to write this review because I’m not entirely sure what I just read. This book was so discombobulating. The first person POV mixed with the short, incomplete sentences made it so so hard to know what was happening. I felt like Jacy was drugged, and maybe she was? That was never quite resolved. The plot, what I got of it, was engaging. I just wish it would have been told in a different POV. This is my first read from Megan Abbott so maybe it’s just her writing style. I’m not sure. 

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

inspiring reflective slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

I didn’t love this one but I didn’t absolutely hate it. I enjoyed the plot line of Hank and Ben and Amie but other than that no other characters connected with me. I didn’t love the pacing of time in this one, jumping months in advance really threw me off. The amount of internal dialogue also wasn’t for me. But the ending was worth working my way through all of that. I cried ugly tears. 

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Shari Lapena is the author who got me back into reading and will forever be an autobuy for me. I absolutely love her twisty books. This one did not disappoint. I particularly loved how she played with a new POV and different methods. I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end. My guess was way off. The plot line of the teacher definitely gave me the ick and leaves me wondering why writers are using this more and more? The way Lapena developed the characters was genius. Everyone was a suspect, but not at the same time. If you like twist murder mysteries, this one is for you!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

sad tense 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

3.5

I won’t lie this one started off slow for me but once it got going I was invested! I started off the series with TOG per many recommendations. I enjoyed the characterization of Celeana and even how the plot twists came out in the end. The world building is interesting and not as hard for me to comprehend as ACOTAR. I’m very interested to see where this story goes! 

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This one took me so long to get through and honestly I probably should have just DNFed it because the reveal was not worth the time I put into this book. I enjoyed the back and forth timeline and how Sagar took us through the possibility of every suspect. I also enjoyed the premise of discovering what happened to this missing boy but that’s really the only part that worked for me.