graywild's reviews
575 reviews

Mickey: The Cat Who Raised Me by Helen Brown

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reflective fast-paced

3.0

I got this as an ARC.  Memoir of Helen Brown growing up in New Zealand and her 1st cat, Mickey.  Her dad gave her Mickey as a stray he found at work.  Her mom is not a big fan of cats so early on Helen had to hide Mickey.  Quirky story about growing up but still worth the read.  Good vacation type read. 
Plays Well with Others by Sophie Brickman

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challenging emotional fast-paced

3.0

I received this as an ARC. Annie and her husband Dan have 3 small children.  They are in the process of applying to very prestigious schools for their oldest, who will be going into kindergarten. The process is highly competitive and ridiculous.  The story follows the anxiety Annie feels and the craziness of parents now.  Somewhat of a beach read for me.
De facto Pathfinder by Cesare Giannetti

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I received this as an ARC.  Chris Longo is a veteran that is bored with this job at Veteran Services so he quits and tries to find something else.  He is contacted by the DoD to do a trial program to help troubled veterans.  Throughout the book he meets 6 veterans in different cities.  I felt like it was implied that Chris could meet with these veterans for a month and figure out how to solve their problems even though no one else had done it to date. One of the veterans he got to stop drinking  which seemed unrealistic to me for the character who had the drinking problem his whole like. Just couldn't get past that plot hole.
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku

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challenging emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I received this book as an ARC. The story revolves around Temi who wants to get a Brazilian Butt Lift because she is unhappy with her body. The story explores the complex relationship women have with their bodies and how men in Nigeria treat women (which is not great in many instances).  The stories explores the complexity of relationship with different generations.  The characters are somewhat superficial for me and while parts are interesting, overall I didn't like the story.
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Sequel to The Housemaid.  Millie is hired as a maid to Douglas and Wendy Garrick.  Wendy may or may not have some health issues so Millie is hired to help out.  No spoilers but just like the 1st novel the good people probably aren't and the bad people probably are as well.  I didn't really like either book.  Characters are not fleshed out enough and the twists can be seen no that I know the author's style. 
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Millie is desperate and needs a job.  She interviews with Nina and is hired as a housemaid.  Nina has a 9 year old daughter, CeCe, and husband Andrew.  Lots of weird stuff happens in the beginning and it appears that Nina has some mental illness.  Twists and turns at the end but was just ok for me.  I already have the sequel from the library but will see if it is more of the same just repackaged in a different way.
My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

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emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0

I enjoyed reading about Barbra's life in music, film and activism.  The rating might lean to 3.5 or even 4 but it is almost 1000 pages.  She goes in to alot of detail on a couple of movies giving interesting backstory but it makes for a very long book.  Recommend if you like autobiographies
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

Story of Chicken Hill, PA in the mid-1930's.  Centers on Chona and Moshe, a Jewish couple, who own the Heaven & Earth Grocery Story and a couple of theaters in a part of town that has mainly Jewish and African American residents.  Chona is kind to all and makes many friends in both communities. She also calls out corruption and members of the KKK.  Story talks about interconnection between many characters.  There are alot of characters to keep track of but well written so that is possible.  Although I like the characters and the general progression of the story it is just an ok overall story.  Recommend but not my favorite this year.
Crazy by Han Nolan

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Jason lives with his dad who is mentally ill.  His mother has passed away so Jason must take care of his dad.  Jason has no friends so he has voices in his head that take that role.  Jason ends up in a student support group at school and through this group he finally finds real friends that can help him cope with his issues.  Well written.
Drive: Stories from Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere by Sharon Wheatley

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

I like the writing style of Sharon Wheatley so this was a fun and easy read for me.  Sharon tells the story of her mother's passing, her life with her wife Martha during COVID and their travels during that time in a RV.  Many of her stories are told in a humorous way and makes you feel like you are along for the adventure.  Recommend.