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bookbrig's reviews
1771 reviews
The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I'm not sure what I expected, but this is one of the more enjoyable monster romances I've found. I definitely liked it more than the shifter romances I've read, and part of it was that it didn't feel like it took itself to seriously. The characters were fun, it was short, and I think I'll give more of the series a try.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Not my favorite, but I did enjoy the overall story. I think I may like it more once the series eventually concludes and I can read this one in context of future and past again.
Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.5
I laughed out loud several times while reading this, and I fell in love with Kumiko. I don't think I quite got the full picture of the ending, but it was still such a great read! It's a mixture of humor and worry and care and irritation all bound up in one fairly simple story. I particularly loved the art style for the shadow and its creatures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I learned so much reading this! I love watching ballet, but I only knew the names of a small handful of dancers, including Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince. It was fascinating to read about these dancers, Arthur Mitchell, and the Dance Theater of Harlem, and I particularly loved the audiobook as several of the ballerinas narrated some of their portions of the story. Each dancer was painted so vividly that I feel like I really got to know them and so much of their remarkable hard work and exceptional talent comes across in these pages. It's just a wonderful book, and I'm glad I know so much more now about the Black dancers who carved out a place in ballet before the dancers I've been more familiar with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Racism
Moderate: Cancer
Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist by Jasmin Graham
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This is an enjoyable memoir with great ocean and shark info, and would be an excellent choice for a teen reader too. I loved that the author read the audiobook, and she did a great job. The focus moved between her life and shark/ocean facts with a nice balance and pace. That said, I always want more shark facts, so I wouldn't have minded a few more details about the creatures she worked with. But that's just a personal preference. Overall, this is a great choice if you're looking for a read about sharks, academia and Blackness, or following your passion to shape the right workflow for yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
The writing here is gorgeous with such a poetic flow. I can't recommend the audiobook enough, because Hanif Abdurraqib reads it. This is a moving and beautiful mix of sports and memoir and just... I don't know. So many things! Anyway it's great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimentel
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Brendan O’Hea, Judi Dench
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is a stunning audiobook experience, and I found myself lingering in the car to listen just a little longer after my commutes. It's also a fascinating look at so many things beyond the Shakespeare too, from plays to Judi Dench's career to costumes and more. The audiobook is playful and full of laughter and joking, personal asides and banter. Highly recommend even if you're not a Shakespeare person, though if you like any of his plays this is a real treat!
Shark: Why We Need to Save the World's Most Misunderstood Predator by Paul de Gelder
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Great audiobook read by the author, and it has some truly interesting shark facts. I also think it could be an excellent fit for a teen reader interested in sharks or the ocean. But I think this suffered for me because I read it so soon after The Devil's Teeth which focused on scientists' interactions with sharks rather than those more on the activism or entertainment side. The differences were particularly stark when it came to shark viewing based tourism. Anyway, still interesting, just not quite as engaging as my last sharky read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death