lili718's reviews
58 reviews

American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-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

4.75

I went into this book expecting a cheesy western romance novel, but received something so much more! 

This book was a a wonderful read based loosely on the life of famous outlaw butch Cassidy and his friend the Sundance kid. You see his internal struggles with the outlaw life and his want to get away from it but he keeps getting pulled back in. He tries to navigate this while also trying to navigate a budding relationship with a famous singer and her son, who also have a rough background. 

This book will have you go through a multitude of emotions. I definitely recommend!

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

5.0

I am in emotional distress after finishing this book. In shock and numb to the world. This book was beautiful from start to finish. M.L. Wang had me truly immersed in the world and invested in the characters. The last 2 chapters were chef’s kiss. I don’t think there could have been a better way to end the book. 10/10 book. I will definitely be checking out Sword of Kaigen and any future ones M.L. wang writes.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

50 cent gave us Curtis Jackson. This book was so informative while also funny. This was an amazing read learning about business while also getting an insight into aspects of 50 cents life when they related to the topic. I also really appreciated the quotes and historical anecdotes 50 gave within some of the chapters to set the tone. Phenomenal read. (Not sure I liked the ending though, it was kind of abrupt for me).

BEASTARS, Vol. 3 by Paru Itagaki

4.0

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? No

4.75

The fact that this book is set in 2024 -2027 is truly wild. Despite having been written in 1993, Butler was so on point about some of the environmental, political and drug issues we currently face as a society. Definitely a cautionary tale as to what could happen if we aren’t careful. Dare I say scarier than The Handmaid’s Tale. I look forward to reading Parable of the Talents some time in the future.