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sarahetcetera's reviews
182 reviews
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
2.0
thought terminating… more on that in part 4.
meandering overview of “cultish” groups and businesses that may also fall into the scam category and yes confident, persuasive language is linked to all of these things. didn’t vibe with the author’s voice and random ruminations much personally. probably spent too much time on r/antimlm and reading about fundamentalists to appreciate it.
meandering overview of “cultish” groups and businesses that may also fall into the scam category and yes confident, persuasive language is linked to all of these things. didn’t vibe with the author’s voice and random ruminations much personally. probably spent too much time on r/antimlm and reading about fundamentalists to appreciate it.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
4.0
now that I've sat with this one awhile I can lay down some thoughts.
Demon is not really one person's story but an amalgamation of stories, and grows with the people he encounters. it was hard to get through, honestly, having grown up in the valley of appalachia to two appalachian parents, one from Wise county, the other from deep Kentucky.
most depictions of appalachia are pretty bad, but the majority of this sure conjured up some memories of things I heard or people I knew or the people they knew that affected them so... insanely. the combination of complete misery laced with comedy is perfectly suited to appalachian stories in my experience. some parts get a little OTT, a little fantastical, but this is fiction right???
I have the luxury to have a (LOT) of distance from that life now, all things considered.
Demon is not really one person's story but an amalgamation of stories, and grows with the people he encounters. it was hard to get through, honestly, having grown up in the valley of appalachia to two appalachian parents, one from Wise county, the other from deep Kentucky.
most depictions of appalachia are pretty bad, but the majority of this sure conjured up some memories of things I heard or people I knew or the people they knew that affected them so... insanely. the combination of complete misery laced with comedy is perfectly suited to appalachian stories in my experience. some parts get a little OTT, a little fantastical, but this is fiction right???
Spoiler
the end in particular really hit me, as he drives through my valley, a kinda gate into and out of hell, and moves on to Virginia Beach. I wonder if my mom felt the same way moving further up north, being the only hillbilly in class (her words), and ending up on Virginia Beach for her honeymoon. heartemojiI have the luxury to have a (LOT) of distance from that life now, all things considered.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
4.0
thrilling, trails a bit into a caricature at some point but it feels intentional. spirals out of control, almost slapstick.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
3.0
3.5 - very readable (listenable) thriller and joins the list of books that feel designed for audio format. didn't enjoy it at first but was worth sticking around.
Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
3.0
enjoyed it at the start but it got repetitive (literally, reiteration of same passages and phrases), felt like the shtick got played out. there were redeeming moments, but I just wanted to be done with it.
2.5 but I’ll give him benefit of the doubt God help me will I bother with Haunted now …
2.5 but I’ll give him benefit of the doubt God help me will I bother with Haunted now …
Harmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
4.0
beautiful writing. a life of penance for imagined inadequacy. bonus emotional therapy cat.
Her teeth hurt. Her gums hurt. The insides of her bones felt cold, as if she had some sort of inner draught.