sarahkorn's reviews
192 reviews

I enjoyed The Roundhouse, and wanted to like this one more. Erdrich's writing is extraordinary, there were just too many characters that I had a hard time getting invested in any of the storylines.

Reread. I liked it even better than the first time. Big fan of travel escapism and the dialogue was great. Maybe not my absolute favorite MCs but there's a lot to like that other contemporary romances don't always offer. Emily Henry is always worth reading.

A powerful exploration of the relationships and generational divides between Black fathers and sons, but also just a beautiful exploration of Black manhood and masculinity. While Isaac is gay, there's no real romance in this book nor is much time spent on describing the real painful realities of the gay community in the 1980s, so I interpret his homosexuality as primarily a plot device to create tension with his much more conservative father but also to demonstrate the many ways Black men can love each other. Just a beautiful book!

"The hardest part was exposing black men's hearts...I knew what I felt, what we felt, but I never wanted to surrender our vulnerability for public pleasure. Yet by exploring the lives of these precious brothers, I discovered that all men want the same things: validation, worth, purpose. They just never say it. That's why some men dislike me -- I'm willing to say it. That's also why I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers can't sing. But I can."

I was not familiar with the 8 Passengers before reading this, what a terribly sad and upsetting story on many fronts. Shari is an incredible young woman for all that she went through but also the way she fought (and continues to fight) for her younger siblings.

Part of me wonders what it would be like/how different Shari's reflections would be if more time had passed and she had more time to process, as her mother's arrest was so recent, especially considering when this book was likely written.

Better than average romcom with themes of anxious avoidant attachment and trauma. Emma could sometimes be annoying but by the end the reader understands that it is all part of her growth. The romance was cute and I enjoyed this one a lot.

I'm not a huge sports book fan, but the thing about sports books is that the stakes are believable. There are clear stakes and natural villains (even if the villains change multiple times). Loved the twists and the brooding romance. Easy first 5⭐ of 2025

Kelly Bishop is a real class act, a real artist. I loved hearing her read her biography!