shetef's reviews
78 reviews

The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-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

5.0

I almost want to go back and retroactively knock Consider Phlebas down to 4.5 or 4.75 after reading this. An excellent step up from the previous book in the series. This book is marvelously complex and really sucked me in.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

Go to review page

dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

A compelling account of one of this country's forgotten evils. I had a little trouble keeping track of who's who at first.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Anansi's Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World by Yepoka Yeebo

Go to review page

informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

This started a bit slow but once it got going I couldn't put it down. Blay-Miezah's story should be more well-known not just because it's fascinating on its own merits, but because of what it says about the broader colonial systems at play that allowed him to flourish.
The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution by Jonathan Eig

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
I find the subject matter here really interesting but between my unlikeliness to finish this before it returns on Libby and the author's weird choices re: the more pernicious parts of this story (soft apologia for Sanger's racism and eugenics, etc.) I just don't feel that motivated to finish it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Star Trek vs. Transformers #1 by John Barber, Mike Johnson

Go to review page

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

4.5

These two go surprisingly well together, especially with the TAS art style. Excited to read more!
Jughead Vol. 1 by Chip Zdarsky

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

pretty fun light read. I'm a big fan of the way newer runs reinvent the Archie gang and this is no exception.
Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring by Brad Gooch

Go to review page

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Fascinating look at the life and work of an artist whose influence has only grown within my lifetime. Achingly sad at times. I do wish the audiobook had a PDF supplement - including the pictures from the print edition would enhance this significantly.
Simpsons Comics Meltdown by Matt Groening

Go to review page

funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Simpsons are back...but now in comic form
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has been on my radar for fifteen years at this point. I first became aware of it while working as a page at my hometown library around the time it was written.

This story hits especially hard at this point in my life - figuring out what Jewishness means in a world that often doesn't care about it, an uncertain future. The mystery is well-constructed and this Sitka feels very real, very lived in. I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Vital reading for antifascists everywhere. Talia Lavin's work here is both heartfelt and brave. Very excited for her next book to come out in October.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings