w_r's reviews
148 reviews

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

1.0

Yet another lie Booktok told me. Heralded as a "cozy fall read", this book was 7 hours of miscommunications between dull, uninteresting people in a dull, uninteresting setting. I liked it as much as I like PSLs irl, which is not at all - 1 star for the latte, 1 star for the book. 

Spiced apple cider supremacy, always - should have trusted my gut. 

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

5.0

Elif Shafak is a master of storytelling. I wasn't sure this could live up to 'The Island of Missing Trees', but it certainly did. 

Weaving through 3 stories and 4 timelines, binding together people and culture and nature despite their differences through harmonious prose and incredibly well-researched history. So well done are the historical aspects of this book, that I haven't stopped thinking about clay tablets since I read it - and I purchased my own copy of the translation of 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'.

This book is sprawling and fascinating and a timely parallel to what is happening in the world today. #freepalestine

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

5.0

I knew this book would be important, powerful, and moving - I did not know that it was going to be the world's introduction to an incredible writer. Chanel Miller's narrative is gripping and honest, and if she's going to write children's books well then, I'll read them, too. 

The cover of the book was immediately recognizable as kintsugi - a powerful indicator of the message inside.

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

2.0

Not as gross, but just as stupid.

Could not care less about these characters.

Literally cannot believe there’s going to be a 3rd one of these.

I’m sorry they dragged you into this, Keanu. You deserve better. 

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

4.5

This one is worth the hype, this one is good. Whitaker is such an evocative writer. From (short) chapter to (short) chapter, I would forget to think about what I just read - not because it was unimportant, but because each new passage careening through time sinks its hooks and pulls you along to the next twist. So many revelations, but none seem unrealistic or cringey. 

Super character-driven, gripping marathon of a novel about trauma, friendship, family, obsession, loss, grief, faith, and the everlasting - love.

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath

3.0

This was exactly what you expect from an Emily Rath book. The Jackson Rays series are my favorite 3-star books which sounds like an insult but isn't - they just are what they are. Not much plot, lots of spice, and the most excellent/open communication I've ever read from any couples ever tbh. Perfectly enjoyable, always gonna be a HEA, never gonna be a 5-star because no matter how fun they are, they're never gonna be in the same category as Austen, Yanagihara, Patchett, Hawthorne,  Hosseini - and that's okay.

Summer Island by Kristin Hannah

2.5

idk, it was fine. Mother-daughter relationships are complicated, blah blah blah. Repetitive and predictable but as usual, KH gets ya in the end with at least one little tearjerker moment. (it was the kid's name... which she's done in at least 2 other books that I've read.)

I do love the PNW though, so I enjoy those little tidbits.

Behind the Wand: The Life and Times of Tom Felton by Tom Felton

4.0

I loved this! He was really honest about so many things, even when they were unflattering to him. The behind-the-scenes insights into HP filming were so interesting, and the way he talked about his costars was incredible! I read most of this but listened to about an hour of Tom narrating the audiobook as well, and I think the whole thing would be a good listen.

Very nostalgic, very charming, surprisingly sincere. Several pages of BTS photos as well!

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

3.0

This was... fine? I read it over 2 days in airports/on planes, and it was an easy enough read for exactly that. I didn't have to think too hard, and I wasn't crying in public.

Here's an annoying thing about me - I find golden retriever man and insta-love tropes unbelievable and silly in these contemporary romance books EVEN THOUGH I insta-loved my actual real life husband, because he is an actual real life golden retriever lololol. I don't know why I get so cynical about it in writing, it's very hypocritical of me.

I do like a found family trope, though!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

3.0

I wanted to love this - I absolutely LOVED 'Cerulean', but this kinda felt like Toy Story 4 where it's too much of some characters and not enough of others, and maybe not necessary - it feels good to be back with the crew, but did we really need it? I'm not sure. It is so whimsical and sweet and inclusive, but it just felt really fan service-y and 2D.

I really like the world Klune created and I understand him wanting to go into this safe space to write, but it's not exactly subtle, and I feel like the people who are reading this book don't really need to be whacked over the head with the messaging - we're the choir, we don't need the preacher.

idkidk, I'm sorry!