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bookbrig's reviews
1771 reviews
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This has a lovely art style-it's so fluid with movement. I suspect it's also better picked up and leafed through randomly rather than read cover to cover. I think it's tricky for me to separate this from the animated short that won the Oscar because that was... not my favorite. It had the lovely art, honestly maybe even more lovely in action, but it was quite a bit longer than I needed. Also, I'm still bitter that My Year of Dicks didn't win because as a teen librarian it was far and away my favorite. ANYWAY that has very little to do with this book, so plz ignore and pick this up if you'd like a small cozy self-help type read. I love the mole.
Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena by Jason Hazeley, Philomena Cunk, Joel Morris
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Some laugh out loud moments, and a lovely reading style, but it's all over the place (...understandably, given that it's encyclopedia-ish), and feels easier to read than listen to. Also didn't love the immediate joke about how awful people are definitely fat because only ugly people are awful. Those types of "jokes" are stupid and turn me off media pretty quick, even if I'm enjoying other aspects. Hey world, stop equating physical appearance and morality/virtue! It sucks! And it's not funny! Get a new joke! Hmm apparently my patience is paper thin when it comes to this topic. Anyway, it's a single throw away line, so don't let it turn you off the whole book if you're interested in other bits. The part on ducks, for example, was delightful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
Untouchable by Talia Hibbert
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I need to stop starting these books before bed, because they're charming and sweet and have such lovable characters that I lose track of time and then I'm finishing the book and it's way too late (early?) and I have Regrets. I'm very sleepy today. I have holds on the other books in this series, and I am not going to read them on a week night this time. Anyway, do recommend if you like nuanced characters and romances that are as much about family as the happily ever after.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
I haven't read these since elementary school, but I received one as a gift recently so I thought I'd read a few of them again. As an adult reader, it has a bit of a time capsule quality to the story with the settings and the mannerisms. It's a quick read with satisfyingly unpleasant "bad guys." Honestly it reminds me just a touch of 101 Dalmatians. Anyway, I'll give a few more a try this year.
A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I found this series recommended in a comment on a Smart Bitches, Trashy Books post about books people re-read, and I'm so glad I gave it a try. The characters are fantastic and the romance is terribly sweet. It was the perfect read for me right now-fluffy and sexy and a little bit geeky. I'm going to try the rest of the series, and I'm happy I didn't skip it when I saw the very generic cover. I wish this had one of those cute illustrated covers with some of Ruth's PJs on it or something. Anyway, do recommend.
Championess by Tarun Shanker, Kelly Zekas
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
The story pulled me in quickly, and the main characters are really well drawn and feel real. I know this is based on a true story, but I couldn't tell from the book alone how much was fact and what was inference. After a bit of digging for more sources, I'm still not super clear, but either way it's a compelling read as much about the relationship between Elizabeth and her sister as it is about the boxing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Ancient Night by David Álvarez, David Bowles
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The art is wonderful, and I really love the cozy textured look it has. Plus it's a charming story and there's plenty of back matter to give extra context. I've read it more than once now, and I may need to buy this one.
The Unofficial Ghibli Cookbook by Thibaud Villanova
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Really lovely photography and illustrations, and a very cozy cute read! That said, I don't think there are many recipes in here that I would try, and I found it a bit light on instruction for some of the more complicated dishes. Still, fun to read and left me wanting to rewatch a bunch of the movies. Worth it!
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
This is a super breezy and cute romance. I picked it up because I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes and it looked like it had similar vibes. It was a fun read, with sweet characters, but I don't think I liked it quite enough to keep going with the series. It's fluffy and smutty, so probably a great fit for some readers. I think the contemporary language and dialogue didn't really land for me, and it was such a quick adventure it left me wanting a bit more conflict or drama in the story. Anyway, it's cute! Whatever!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
The Golden Girls: Cheesecakes and Cocktails! by Christopher Styler
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
This is a quick and cute cookbook, with lovely photos and plenty of cute nods to the series. But I really think a lot of the recipes seem plain or basic enough that I wasn't excited about any of them. Not a cookbook I'd add to my rotation, but I'm not sad I picked it up. Might work as a fun white elephant gift?