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thatweirdbookgirlie's reviews
757 reviews
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A story of race relations in the south in the 1960s as told by a 14 year old white girl.
So much of this story is Lily struggling; to find out what really happened to her mom, to escape her abusive father, to stand up for the African American people in her life when so many people tell her she shouldn't. I also appreciate how smooth and easy the story is to read (or at least it was for me) despite dealing with some really intense topics.
So much of this story is Lily struggling; to find out what really happened to her mom, to escape her abusive father, to stand up for the African American people in her life when so many people tell her she shouldn't. I also appreciate how smooth and easy the story is to read (or at least it was for me) despite dealing with some really intense topics.
Horns by Joe Hill
This statement beautifully sums up both works.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hill has once again crafted an amazing story and world. An interesting take on the "deal with the devil story". Was it even a deal? And this story will make you feel something, as you learn more about Ig, the power of the horns, what really happened to his deceased girlfriend Merrin, etc. There's so much going on yet you won't be overwhelmed.
My edition came with a short story by Hill at the end: The Devil on the Staircase. In his preface to the story Hill says:
You have just finished a story about a devil who still believes in and fights for humanity (his own and others). The narrative that follows concerns a devil who sees humanity as the punch-line of a very old, dirty joke. Ig roots for us; the devil on the staircase doesn't.
This statement beautifully sums up both works.
Visitations by Corey Egbert
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A beautiful memoir about a period in Corey's life when he must face what he thought he believed and the truth of things. He grew up in a family of the Mormon faith. Now he must deal with the reckoning of what his mom has been teaching him as she has visions that tell her that she must take her children away to protect them.
The story is a quick read despite being such a heavy topic. The art is also very simplistic but in a way that works well to tell the story.
Thanks to the publisher for the physical galley at NYCC.
The story is a quick read despite being such a heavy topic. The art is also very simplistic but in a way that works well to tell the story.
Thanks to the publisher for the physical galley at NYCC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Generally not my genre, as I am a romantasy hater. However this was one where I felt like the romance took a backseat to an actually good plot and I appreciated that. Clearly this book is a set up for a series, but also leaves you with a somewhat satisfying end although I fully predicted Kenna was somehow gonna become part of blood house early on rather than a cliffhanger. There is so much great world and character build up, and while some pieces are a bit predictable (see previous spoiler note), it doesn't hinder a great story. If fantasy is your genre I definitely recommend giving this one a go!
Thanks to the publisher for providing this galley at NYCC 2024!
Thanks to the publisher for providing this galley at NYCC 2024!
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was absolutely heartbreaking in the best possible way. A look at bullying from the eyes of a fourteen year old boy. In this story we see the why of the bullies as well as the why of why he just "accepts" the bullying. Despite such a heavy topic it was an engaging read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Echoes of my Soul by Robert K. Tanenbaum
challenging
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.0
This book reads really well. While it is extremely informative about the (real) case, it also uses lay language. I'd never heard of the case, but it is one of the ones that helped the Miranda rights become law. Overall a good, quick true crime read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Murder
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
This is one of those books that show that sometimes the scariest things are those that are based in real life. This story follows a group of pregnant unwed girls in a home, where they are waiting to give birth and give up their children for adoption. This story is less about the witchcraft and more about what it means to be a woman struggling under patriarchy.
Also I appreciate the librarian being the coven leaderalthough in this story the witches are the bad guys and she turns out to be a bit evil.
Thanks to the publisher Berkley and Netgalley, and the folks at NYCC for bringing Hendrix to sign ARCs as well! ( I finished the digital galley and the signed physical book will hold a permanent spot on my shelf. )
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It is only by failing that magic works. The alchemists knew they were unlikely to turn lead into gold, but they also knew that in their attempts they would make profound discoveries. Nothing in magic is gained by aiming straight for it. As in life, it is the failures that prove to be most valuable because it is in failure that you learn anything useful, about the world or about yourself.
This is one of those books that show that sometimes the scariest things are those that are based in real life. This story follows a group of pregnant unwed girls in a home, where they are waiting to give birth and give up their children for adoption. This story is less about the witchcraft and more about what it means to be a woman struggling under patriarchy.
Also I appreciate the librarian being the coven leader
Thanks to the publisher Berkley and Netgalley, and the folks at NYCC for bringing Hendrix to sign ARCs as well! ( I finished the digital galley and the signed physical book will hold a permanent spot on my shelf. )
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
Moonbound by Robin Sloan
slow-paced
2.0
This book was one that just never really "clicked" for me. I love Sloan's writing style which is probably why I finished it despite never really fully getting into the story.
The Haunting Returns (Goosebumps: The Season 1 Novel) by Kate Howard
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
After watching the TV series, I wanted to read this book to get a resolution to that cliffhanger ending, which was the whole point of this novel being made. Instead over 90% of the book was just the events of the show with no new material added and that ending was horrible and left us with yet another cliffhanger so what even was the point? Definitely go out and watch the show, but don't bother reading this.
Alley: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
dark
emotional
4.75
I seem to be going against the grain, but to me this collection was a hit. I really enjoyed most of the stories, and as always Ito's style of art make even a mediocre tale a bit creepy.
Alley: The title story. A quick mystery solved of what is making those noises the boarder is hearing in the alley.
Descent: I've read a lot of Ito, and I feel as if I've read something similar before, where some strange occurrence has people floating and then falling.
The Ward: Hospital stories always get to me, because I naturally find them a bit disturbing. Something strange is happening with Hashimoto's ward mates in the hospital.
The Inn: A father is obsessed with creating an inn, around a hot spring the ancestors told him to dig up. Creepy story but makes you question the guy who goes to check it out.
Blessing: One of my favorites in the collection. The importance of getting a father's blessing for marriage.
Smokers' Club: A very short story about a suspicious tobacco plant.
Mold: This one is so gross. Some of the best art in the collection.
Town of no roads: This one was a bit too weird for my liking. Started out with the creepy "Aristotle method" which was actually a cool idea and then just led to a weird somewhat unrelated story.
Memory: A girl and her strange memory of her "twin."
Ice Cream Bus: Another weird one about the dangers of getting into an ice cream van.
Alley: The title story. A quick mystery solved of what is making those noises the boarder is hearing in the alley.
Descent: I've read a lot of Ito, and I feel as if I've read something similar before, where some strange occurrence has people floating and then falling.
The Ward: Hospital stories always get to me, because I naturally find them a bit disturbing. Something strange is happening with Hashimoto's ward mates in the hospital.
The Inn: A father is obsessed with creating an inn, around a hot spring the ancestors told him to dig up. Creepy story but makes you question the guy who goes to check it out.
Blessing: One of my favorites in the collection. The importance of getting a father's blessing for marriage.
Smokers' Club: A very short story about a suspicious tobacco plant.
Mold: This one is so gross. Some of the best art in the collection.
Town of no roads: This one was a bit too weird for my liking. Started out with the creepy "Aristotle method" which was actually a cool idea and then just led to a weird somewhat unrelated story.
Memory: A girl and her strange memory of her "twin."
Ice Cream Bus: Another weird one about the dangers of getting into an ice cream van.