thepeachmartini's reviews
211 reviews
Sign Here by Claudia Lux
5.0
CW: abuse, death, some body horror
I read the description of this book and was all in. It's such a clever storyline - Hell, but make it like an office setting (which, I mean, it is...but I mean LITERALLY Hell). Each floor is a different level of Hell; the lower floors are the most dreadful and gruesome levels...the upper floors are like the penthouse of Hell. I just realized I got so excited thinking about this book again that I completely forgot to explain a bit more about the plot. Peyote (yes, his name is Peyote. Peyote Trip, to be precise) works in Hell. Literally. He is in the department that signs the deals. You know the kind...your soul for whatever you could possibly want. It's a bargain, really. Only...it's not. But this story isn't necessarily about those who sign their souls away...this is about the people who make the deals happen. Always Be Closing, they say...it works in Hell, too.
I felt connected to each of the characters - even the ones with ulterior motives. Some reviews I've come across for this book mentioned they didn't like the multiple storylines...but they really are intertwined with each other and it needed to be told this way - if you would have kept each story separate it wouldn't have painted the full picture...which will change many times over the course of the book. And just when you think you have things figured out, PLOT TWIST and it's so good.
Hide by Kiersten White
4.0
The cover and premise drew me in. At first I was worried it would be like Signs or The Village (something terrifying is happening but as they start to reveal what it is it just gets so ridiculous and dumb…) and it started out that way shortly before I got to the 50% mark last night (erm, this morning)…but it wasn’t as bad as all that. I mean, it’s not where I would have taken things, but after reading the author’s reason for writing this, I can forgive it. It’s a thoughtful commentary on how we just perpetuate cycles of fear, danger, poverty, etc.
The cast of main characters was diverse, and mostly tolerable save for a couple who remind you of the dicks you went to high school with and can’t wait to prove their prowess by humiliating those they feel are inferior.
The cast of main characters was diverse, and mostly tolerable save for a couple who remind you of the dicks you went to high school with and can’t wait to prove their prowess by humiliating those they feel are inferior.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
3.0
I am really trying to challenge myself this year by reading things outside of my comfort zone. While I do struggle to sit through slasher flicks (mostly because I don't like the jumps scares, but a little gore goes a long way...I don't need to SEE the severed head to know that's what you did, m'kay?) reading is a bit of a different experience. I was worried because I have a very active imagination (what a surprise, right?!) and since I do most - if not all - of my reading at night before bed....well, you can see where that might have been an issue.
I have never read a book where I disliked EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. By design, maybe? I dunno. Before you accuse me of being heartless and callus, I fully admit that I have no idea what it's like to be terrorized like these women were. I have no idea what it's like to watch your friends and family be tormented and killed and not being able to do a damn thing about it. I know there would be levels of trauma that are beyond my understanding, and I can't imagine how that would shape my path forward...but I feel like for someone to have gone through all that and to take the precautions she did to protect herself, Lynnette sure did some stupid shit. I know it's easy for me to say that having not lived (or not lived) in her world, but I just found some aspects of this to be absurd. One thing I did like, though, was the emphasis on the victim and their families. All too often the killers are glorified and idolized - even the most well-meaning true crime fan can get carried away with their passion for specific killers; this shed a light on the victims and how it impacts them AFTER the fact. Movie deals, book deals, tourism...do people stop to think about how that impacts the survivors and the victims' families?
I have never read a book where I disliked EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. By design, maybe? I dunno. Before you accuse me of being heartless and callus, I fully admit that I have no idea what it's like to be terrorized like these women were. I have no idea what it's like to watch your friends and family be tormented and killed and not being able to do a damn thing about it. I know there would be levels of trauma that are beyond my understanding, and I can't imagine how that would shape my path forward...but I feel like for someone to have gone through all that and to take the precautions she did to protect herself, Lynnette sure did some stupid shit. I know it's easy for me to say that having not lived (or not lived) in her world, but I just found some aspects of this to be absurd. One thing I did like, though, was the emphasis on the victim and their families. All too often the killers are glorified and idolized - even the most well-meaning true crime fan can get carried away with their passion for specific killers; this shed a light on the victims and how it impacts them AFTER the fact. Movie deals, book deals, tourism...do people stop to think about how that impacts the survivors and the victims' families?
The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy
4.0
I had to give myself a couple days to reflect on what I'd read, just to gather my thoughts, but I'm still digesting this one. I would recommend this one if you like strong female characters (both good and bad), witches, gothic literature. It was very well-written and the story was captivating. I've seen some reviews mention it was hard to keep track of all the characters because they had such similar stories but that's the basis of the novel - the generational ties of these women and what they'll do to protect and defend their family and loved ones.
This book addresses some very sensitive topics, and goes to some dark places. The author gives a pretty thorough content warning, but it bears repeating. "While potentially triggering content is mostly referenced and not depicted explicitly, this novel contains references to child abuse and neglect, including sexual and physical abuse. Sexual assault, dubious sexual consent, self-harm/suicide, addiction, alcoholism, death and dying, racism, homophobia, murder, attempted murder, fire/arson, and abortion, adoption, and childbirth are also mentioned within this novel."
This book addresses some very sensitive topics, and goes to some dark places. The author gives a pretty thorough content warning, but it bears repeating. "While potentially triggering content is mostly referenced and not depicted explicitly, this novel contains references to child abuse and neglect, including sexual and physical abuse. Sexual assault, dubious sexual consent, self-harm/suicide, addiction, alcoholism, death and dying, racism, homophobia, murder, attempted murder, fire/arson, and abortion, adoption, and childbirth are also mentioned within this novel."
Born to be Mild by Rob Temple
5.0
I am well aware this book is the easiest reading ever, and it's not everyone's cuppa...but if you follow the SoVeryBritish account on Twitter, you know EXACTLY what you're getting into. (It even says on the cover "a refreshingly unpolished memoir"...)
This book reads like a stream of consciousness at some points, but it's kind of comforting to me because it feels very familiar. My brain works in much the same way as Rob's - for better or worse - minus the battle with alcohol and debilitating depression that left him bed-ridden and borderline agoraphobic. It's silly and light, and just what I needed to get me between books (I started this after Devil in the White City and have picked it up on and off until I finished last night. It literally made me laugh out loud - in fact, I had to stop reading it some nights because I didn't want to wake my husband up with fits of giggles.
Underneath it all, there is a bit of a lesson to be learned - there's a fine line between carpe-dieming your way through life and forcing yourself into very uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) situations; it's good to have adventures and do things and enjoy the world around you...but you don't have to make everything a grand affair. Book a local walking tour or class on Groupon (is that still a thing?) instead of forcing yourself to participate in things you dread just for the sake of having something to do.
This book reads like a stream of consciousness at some points, but it's kind of comforting to me because it feels very familiar. My brain works in much the same way as Rob's - for better or worse - minus the battle with alcohol and debilitating depression that left him bed-ridden and borderline agoraphobic. It's silly and light, and just what I needed to get me between books (I started this after Devil in the White City and have picked it up on and off until I finished last night. It literally made me laugh out loud - in fact, I had to stop reading it some nights because I didn't want to wake my husband up with fits of giggles.
Underneath it all, there is a bit of a lesson to be learned - there's a fine line between carpe-dieming your way through life and forcing yourself into very uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) situations; it's good to have adventures and do things and enjoy the world around you...but you don't have to make everything a grand affair. Book a local walking tour or class on Groupon (is that still a thing?) instead of forcing yourself to participate in things you dread just for the sake of having something to do.
I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny by Bob Newhart
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author. It was a very quick listen, but delightful. Delivered in his trademark cadence and style, Bob Newhart shares stories of his life, how he fell into comedy, and stories of working with the likes of Don Rickles and Richard Pryor stealing his album.
Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray
3.0
This was the 3rd and final installment in the Chicago World's Fair series from Shelley Gray, and this seemed...out of place. I liked it the best of the three - I found the story more interesting (albeit far-fetched and ridiculous at some points), and still cringey with the seemingly forced Christian fiction elements (really - it just seems weird to have people suddenly reflecting on Bible passages or prayer when they've made no mention of their faith until that moment). The World's Fair did not factor into this story at all - there is one scene that takes place in an empty building since the fair has closed; it was not a key element to the story at all, and the even could have taken place on Michigan Ave for all the reader cares.
Two characters carry over from the 2nd book, but aside from that it could be read outside of the other two books. I tried not to get too caught up in the inaccuracies (minor though they may be), but some of the mannerisms of the characters made me roll my eyes. Also, it would seem that the author had recently read Pride and Prejudice before writing this, as that is a very heavy theme throughout.
TL:DR: Glad I read it because I could finish out the series and I love the time period. Decidedly not a literary masterpiece.
Two characters carry over from the 2nd book, but aside from that it could be read outside of the other two books. I tried not to get too caught up in the inaccuracies (minor though they may be), but some of the mannerisms of the characters made me roll my eyes. Also, it would seem that the author had recently read Pride and Prejudice before writing this, as that is a very heavy theme throughout.
TL:DR: Glad I read it because I could finish out the series and I love the time period. Decidedly not a literary masterpiece.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Scott Brick, Erik Larson
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
This was hard for me to get into in the first 1/3 of the book, which is basically the background of the architects and the lead up to starting the building for the fair. There are three stories tangled together. The chapters bounce between the two main stories - the fair itself, and the story of H H Holmes, and the story of Prendergast just feels...out of place. It's tacked onto the end of some of the other chapters; the whole tale could take one chapter if filled with the writers flowery language and over-descriptive explanations. It feels like it was an afterthought... "Hey! it's kinda kooky...let's just squeeze it in here."
I skimmed a LOT of pages about the architects, their gout, bad teeth, and overall poor health. Once we get to actually building the fair and such, it starts to pick up a bit. Once the fair is in full swing, things are interesting - the exhibits, the events, etc. And of course Holmes' story is interesting and could have easily been a separate book (which may have been a better idea than trying to meld the two).
I skimmed a LOT of pages about the architects, their gout, bad teeth, and overall poor health. Once we get to actually building the fair and such, it starts to pick up a bit. Once the fair is in full swing, things are interesting - the exhibits, the events, etc. And of course Holmes' story is interesting and could have easily been a separate book (which may have been a better idea than trying to meld the two).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Confinement and Abortion
Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology by Marc Headley, Marty Rathbun
challenging
slow-paced
2.75
This took me FOR.EV.ER. I don’t know why I struggled with this one so much - it was the audiobook and I even had it set to 1.3x speed…maybe if I’d have read it instead it would have been easier.
The story itself was fine - yet another sordid, abusive tale of CoS and how manipulative and evil they are. I wouldn’t read this if you’re newer to the topic, as it’s pretty heavy with terminology and such.
The story itself was fine - yet another sordid, abusive tale of CoS and how manipulative and evil they are. I wouldn’t read this if you’re newer to the topic, as it’s pretty heavy with terminology and such.
Perfectly Clear: Escaping Scientology and Fighting for the Woman I Love by Michelle LeClair, Robin Gaby Fisher
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Another harrowing and horrific tale of the cult of Scientology and its mistreatment and abuse. Not only does this book discuss the abuse by the 'church' but a good portion of this book discusses domestic abuse (including s*xual assault), so proceed with caution if you are sensitive to that kind of thing.
Michelle's story did cause me to roll my eyes a time or two, namely any time there was reference to wealth. While she earned the money rather than being born into it (OK - she had wealthy clients, so that certainly helped), or being a celebrity, it was still ridiculous that she could just hire a helicopter to fly somewhere because it would have taken too long to drive with the traffic (granted, there was a domestic abuse situation in progress, but...telling your assistant to hire a helicopter and having it ready in mere minutes is just...silly).
This book shines a light on the homophobic and misogynistic views of the CoS - while women are permitted to hold high positions within the org, they're pressure into behaving as the perfect wife and catering to their husband's every whim.
...Speaking of women...where's Shelly?
Michelle's story did cause me to roll my eyes a time or two, namely any time there was reference to wealth. While she earned the money rather than being born into it (OK - she had wealthy clients, so that certainly helped), or being a celebrity, it was still ridiculous that she could just hire a helicopter to fly somewhere because it would have taken too long to drive with the traffic (granted, there was a domestic abuse situation in progress, but...telling your assistant to hire a helicopter and having it ready in mere minutes is just...silly).
This book shines a light on the homophobic and misogynistic views of the CoS - while women are permitted to hold high positions within the org, they're pressure into behaving as the perfect wife and catering to their husband's every whim.
...Speaking of women...where's Shelly?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse