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anna_curlyquotesediting's reviews
179 reviews
Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I give Absolution 4 stars literally just because of Part 3. From about 68% to 76%, the book is almost unreadable with the f-bombs. I don't care about the cursing; it's the almost-every-other-word frequency of it that drove me batty. After that 76% way through the book, the narrator chills out somewhat, but not entirely.
The rest of the book is really cool, as usual from Southern Reach titles. Creepy, strange, and sometimes horrifying, this book feels more like a companion book to the original three than a prequel, which I liked.
The rest of the book is really cool, as usual from Southern Reach titles. Creepy, strange, and sometimes horrifying, this book feels more like a companion book to the original three than a prequel, which I liked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness and Violence
Too Wyld for Comfort by Shelley White
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Alcohol
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A decent book for creatives. There were some things I agreed with and lots more I agreed with but only to a point. More of an "I understand and agree with the message but not as much the method."
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so sad; prepare to be devastated. If you're familiar with the myth of Achilles, then you won't be going in completely blind, but Madeline Miller brings life to these heroes from myth in a way I haven't seen before. She makes them so human, and it's honestly bittersweet, heartbreaking, and hard to watch all at once.
I loved Circe too, and I hope to see lots more work from Madeline Miller in the future.
I loved Circe too, and I hope to see lots more work from Madeline Miller in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. I think I might like this one more than I liked Children of Time.
Without spoilers, I'll say this book treads much darker than its predecessor, which I was happy with. Its themes were either built upon from the first book or totally new. I think Children of Ruin left me with more to think about, but I'm a big fan of cosmic horror, and this book dips its toes directly into that.
Without spoilers, I'll say this book treads much darker than its predecessor, which I was happy with. Its themes were either built upon from the first book or totally new. I think Children of Ruin left me with more to think about, but I'm a big fan of cosmic horror, and this book dips its toes directly into that.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
The only real reason I rated Daring Greatly slightly less than five stars is because if you've read The Gifts of Imperfection already, this book won't contain too much new information.
Because I read The Gifts of Imperfection right before listening to this book, I recognized some lines and paragraphs that were taken word-for-word from that book to this one. While that's not necessarily a bad thing--sometimes you land on the best way to say something and should stick with it--I felt the repeat of information without new insights a little grating.
I will say that at about 75% of the way through, when Brown focuses more on parenting, the information becomes more focused and actionable. This is a book I'd like to reread before becoming a parent.
It's all still wonderful information! Brown's research will hopefully help the world change.
Because I read The Gifts of Imperfection right before listening to this book, I recognized some lines and paragraphs that were taken word-for-word from that book to this one. While that's not necessarily a bad thing--sometimes you land on the best way to say something and should stick with it--I felt the repeat of information without new insights a little grating.
I will say that at about 75% of the way through, when Brown focuses more on parenting, the information becomes more focused and actionable. This is a book I'd like to reread before becoming a parent.
It's all still wonderful information! Brown's research will hopefully help the world change.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Honestly an incredible book. If you'd like to explore how evolution might work with another species and how desperate humans might interact with that, read on.
There's so much detail of technology and evolution here that it's almost hard to swallow, but Tchaikovsky balances so well on that thin line between believable and unreal science. The POV swaps between civilizations in a meaningful way that makes sense. And it's imperative that it makes sense, because this one book spans thousands of years.
There's so much detail of technology and evolution here that it's almost hard to swallow, but Tchaikovsky balances so well on that thin line between believable and unreal science. The POV swaps between civilizations in a meaningful way that makes sense. And it's imperative that it makes sense, because this one book spans thousands of years.
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Never have I felt so seen by a book. I have so many notes and highlights and comments in this one, and I feel like I could read the book again and make a thousand more marks.
Brené Brown is insightful, honest, gentle, and kind. Not a single word in this book is meant to make you feel bad about yourself or your habits, just aware. And then not alone.
Brené Brown is insightful, honest, gentle, and kind. Not a single word in this book is meant to make you feel bad about yourself or your habits, just aware. And then not alone.
Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present by Nick Trenton
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Anyone struggling with anxiety and overthinking should read this book at least once. Take notes, try some of the ideas out for a couple weeks, and see if they help you. Even if you require professional help (and so many of us do, and that's okay) to manage your overthinking, spiraling, anxiety, or rumination, the information is useful and eye-opening.
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The Art of Asking is a book far more people need to read, especially women. Amanda Palmer's life is an interesting one, sure, but the point of this book is to remind people that it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to lean on others. It's okay to mess up. It's okay to feel. It's okay to be human. And it's okay to be told no.
A no isn't a rejection of you, it's just a no for that ask.
This book has been eye-opening for me in many ways, and I'm definitely still processing. Probably will be for a while. But I can say with certainty that more people need to read and internalize the message in this book.
A no isn't a rejection of you, it's just a no for that ask.
This book has been eye-opening for me in many ways, and I'm definitely still processing. Probably will be for a while. But I can say with certainty that more people need to read and internalize the message in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Sexual harassment