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dyslexzak's reviews
212 reviews
Talking with Serial Killers: The Most Evil People in the World Tell Their Own Stories by Christopher Berry-Dee
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Each chapter follows a different serial killer. It starts by laying out their childhood, then runs through crimes one by one clearly stating the graphic details of the killings in as least sensationalistic way possible. Then, it takes you through the timeline of arrest, sentencing and execution (if relevant). Finally, there is a short discussion of what nature and nurture might have pushed these people into acting as they did.
This formula was great and allowed the stories to be told concisely without giving up on detail.
This formula was great and allowed the stories to be told concisely without giving up on detail.
James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal by Andy Weir
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Three short stories following Moriarty as a consultant to fellow criminals. What a fantastic premise with near unlimited possibilities.
Although it had some interesting ideas, I found the stories fairly one note and straightforward with few unforeseen twists or any of the surprises a story of this type sets you up to expect.
Moriarty has really no personality of his own (nor do any of the character for that matter) and instead he and his narrator-companion have the fairly boring rehashing of the Holmes/Watson dynamic we see all over the case of the week crime TV.
Moriarty has really no personality of his own (nor do any of the character for that matter) and instead he and his narrator-companion have the fairly boring rehashing of the Holmes/Watson dynamic we see all over the case of the week crime TV.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
The concept is excellent and I found reading this book was really motivating. I put some of the suggestions into practice straight away and suspect that some version of them will continue to become a part of my daily routine.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
This was a fascinating book. There were a few tips and opinions on the craft of writing, but mostly it was a subjective story of one man’s experience with it at different stages of his life.
I haven’t read much Stephen King. I’ve tried, but rarely seem to connect with his stories (though when I do, I really do). Despite only having read a few of his novel length works, I really really enjoyed getting a view into how and why he tells stories.
Sometimes the stories of stories are the most interesting part to me, and this definitely one of those times.
I haven’t read much Stephen King. I’ve tried, but rarely seem to connect with his stories (though when I do, I really do). Despite only having read a few of his novel length works, I really really enjoyed getting a view into how and why he tells stories.
Sometimes the stories of stories are the most interesting part to me, and this definitely one of those times.
Berserk, Vol. 23 by Kentaro Miura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
This volume felt a bit slow at the start, but towards the end, it really picked up with some interesting developments moving forward.
No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This is a unique feeling entry into the crime genre. It felt grounded and down to earth.
The characters felt real and as though they had lives of their own even when we couldn’t see them.
When we start the story, the main character — Max — is just getting out of prison and is convinced that this time, he won’t be going back.
Finally wanting to go straight gives Max fresh eyes to look at the world through and he slowly sees how hard it is for a man with a criminal past to get a second chance.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
The characters felt real and as though they had lives of their own even when we couldn’t see them.
When we start the story, the main character — Max — is just getting out of prison and is convinced that this time, he won’t be going back.
Finally wanting to go straight gives Max fresh eyes to look at the world through and he slowly sees how hard it is for a man with a criminal past to get a second chance.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
The Tales of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was an interesting listen.
I loved the variety in the cases and investigations Carrados found himself in.
If you’re a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories (especially the Stephen Fry narrated audio collection), you’ll like this.
I loved the variety in the cases and investigations Carrados found himself in.
If you’re a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories (especially the Stephen Fry narrated audio collection), you’ll like this.
Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I bought this book on the recommendation of Slowly Red on YouTube. He had it in his Grimdark Reading Guide video.
I have to say, it didn’t feel like true Grimdark to me.
It is a dark fantasy with a focus on characters over magic. Back alley business over royal politics. And gang warfare over epic battles.
Slowly Red likened it to Peaky Blinders, but with magic and I think if a dark, low fantasy version of Peaky Blinders sounds appealing to you, you won’t be disappointed by this book.
I have to say, it didn’t feel like true Grimdark to me.
It is a dark fantasy with a focus on characters over magic. Back alley business over royal politics. And gang warfare over epic battles.
Slowly Red likened it to Peaky Blinders, but with magic and I think if a dark, low fantasy version of Peaky Blinders sounds appealing to you, you won’t be disappointed by this book.
The Throne of Bones by Brian McNaughton
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.5
I found this collection quite hit and miss. The names for people and places were quite strange and hard to follow.
I took notes and read very consciously and still didn’t find it easy to follow all the connections of characters and timelines, though it did help.
Some of the stories were interesting. It was humorous to see all the ways women could end up naked for extended periods of time.
All in all, the writing style felt like it could have been from a century before it was and that made it hard to get through. It will be great for some, but not for me.
Hard to recommend.
I took notes and read very consciously and still didn’t find it easy to follow all the connections of characters and timelines, though it did help.
Some of the stories were interesting. It was humorous to see all the ways women could end up naked for extended periods of time.
All in all, the writing style felt like it could have been from a century before it was and that made it hard to get through. It will be great for some, but not for me.
Hard to recommend.
This is Not America: Why Black Lives in Britain Matter by Tomiwa Owolade
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
This is interesting, but I found it slow at the start.