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laurenleigh's reviews
634 reviews
What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Once you get over the fact that Gordon doesn’t narrate this herself lol (this was before Maintenance Phase really took off), this is a wonderful, insightful read. I wish I had read this years ago. For those of us who have never experienced what it’s like to live in a fat body, this should be required reading. Gordon does an excellent job of weaving memoir in with cultural critique. It brings her points home in a much more visceral way. After this, go read Gordon’s latest book, and if you can, find a way to stream the recent documentary about her, Your Fat Friend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve absolutely loved the other two Hazelwood novels I’ve read, but this one wasn’t quite as strong for me. I found myself not connecting to the characters as much. Maybe that’s because the main character starts out as an extremely apathetic person. Her lack of strong feelings I found alienating. I thought it was an interesting choice to remove the immortal aspect from our supernatural creatures. I think this is the first mortal vampire I’ve read. I give Hazelwood points for trying something different and stepping outside her box, but I think her box is just so good for me, I don’t need more than that!
Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I’m starting to get slightly bored of Poirot mysteries, but there’s also something comforting in the expected. What I loved most in this one was the dog character! He reminded me a lot of Olive, so obviously I’m going to be obsessed. I loved the mini POV’s we got from the dog, and the narrator did them excellently. Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face! The plot overall felt a bit contrived and slightly unbelievable, but I’m not reading Christie for strong verisimilitude. I’m just here for a good time!
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I understand why everyone has been reading this book! Very approachable and appealing to a wide audience. I think this book did a great job of balancing lightness and depth. The characters were extremely real and relatable. I definitely recommended it to my mom, and I’d probably recommend it to just about anyone! It would be a great palette cleanser between more intense genre reads.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
Slow start to this one, but it definitely picked up and got its footing with the midway plot turn. (Not a real twist, just a major development.) Fantastic discussion of gender politics within a witchy version of our world. The characters were strong and compelling, and our villain was quite entertaining to read. Not sure if that’s because of or in spite of her despicableness. However, there were multiple plot points at the very end that just really frustrated me. I was seriously considering reading the sequel, but I don’t think I will now. Also PS DO NOT read the sequel’s blurb if you don’t want spoilers for this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Transphobia
Moderate: Violence
People Like Us by Dana Mele
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you’re looking for a mindless Pretty Little Liars knockoff, this will do it. Sometimes you need a read that doesn’t require brain cells! Still, I couldn’t ignore that this was pretty lame writing. Almost every character was immensely unlikable. They make choices or use language that make zero sense or would never happen in real life. It gets some stars for decent narration and bisexuality representation.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Once again, I’m in awe of Kuang’s talent. The hard magic system in this story was excellent and so interesting. It’s really more magical realism than fantasy, as this book is firmly set in Victorian era Oxford. I have a soft spot for books set in famous old colleges. I was super engrossed in the middle of this text (academic settings, secret societies, all my faves), but the ending really dragged. It took me way too long to get through the last 5 hours. There was also a major event in the end that I felt deserved more attention, more reaction. I think I was more invested in the characters than the plot at that point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Terminal illness
Intuitive Eating, 2nd Edition: A Revolutionary Program That Works by Evelyn Tribole, Elyse Resch
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I needed a fun palette cleanser book, and this was perfect! I think the print has some pictures that would be cute, but the audio was so fun. There were some mini appearances from Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Ellie Kemper, and more! Creed sings a song! Angela even recreated an exchange with Oscar and Brian Baumgartner (Kevin). It was very nostalgic and definitely a must read for any Office fan. It seems like it was a really fun set to be on. I really appreciated the chapters that focused on the women on set and what it’s like to be a working mom in entertainment. Even though they both clearly loved their time on this show, they didn’t shy away from mentioning some things in this industry that could be improved for women.
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
dark
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This series really does deliver. It’s as good as everyone says it is! The third book here is definitely darker with higher stakes. Nonetheless, there’s still banter and punchy one-liners like the other books. The pacing got a little slow for me in the middle, but the last third or so was so engaging. Schwab is excellent at writing morally grey characters that I truly adore. They really come to life, and I feel like I know them all. I’m so happy there’s a new series in this world so I don’t have to say goodbye to it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death and Death of parent