Scan barcode
takarakei's reviews
486 reviews
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
*keep in mind I say 'rivals' here for lack of a better term. The two MCs fall out of touch in college and upon coming back in contact years later Gene our MC is just a bit salty about how all that went down. He is kinda over hearing about Luis' semi successful career. Any 'rivalry' is totally one-sided is what I mean lol
I know for sure if I actually cared even a smidge about baseball this book would've completely knocked my socks off. Alas I am decidedly not a baseball fan - BUT this was still such a good read! On audio the baseball parts reminded me of listening to games on the radio as a child. I just kinda let the baseball parts wash over me lol [also note the audio narration is by a trans narrator!]
This book is also set in Portland area (where I live) in like an alternate reality where pdx has a MLB team and a minor league team. It was nice to read a reality in which a trans person is out and playing baseball (and there is not too much pushback about that). Gene and Luis are just two sweethearts and I love them so much. The representation in this book is just so well done. These are characters with so much depth and nuance, which made them feel supremely real. What a fantastic debut novel! I will def be looking for more from this author!
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
- trans MC
- gay couple
- panic attack/adhd rep
- Portland area setting
- college friends/teammates to rivals* to current teammates/friends to lovers
*keep in mind I say 'rivals' here for lack of a better term. The two MCs fall out of touch in college and upon coming back in contact years later Gene our MC is just a bit salty about how all that went down. He is kinda over hearing about Luis' semi successful career. Any 'rivalry' is totally one-sided is what I mean lol
I know for sure if I actually cared even a smidge about baseball this book would've completely knocked my socks off. Alas I am decidedly not a baseball fan - BUT this was still such a good read! On audio the baseball parts reminded me of listening to games on the radio as a child. I just kinda let the baseball parts wash over me lol [also note the audio narration is by a trans narrator!]
This book is also set in Portland area (where I live) in like an alternate reality where pdx has a MLB team and a minor league team. It was nice to read a reality in which a trans person is out and playing baseball (and there is not too much pushback about that). Gene and Luis are just two sweethearts and I love them so much. The representation in this book is just so well done. These are characters with so much depth and nuance, which made them feel supremely real. What a fantastic debut novel! I will def be looking for more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Deadnaming, Car accident, and Death of parent
Transphobia is mainly mentioned in passing and mostly from dumbasses on twitter (ya know the type)
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
TBH I often struggle with Historical Romances which is why I don't read a ton of them. I did really enjoy the conversations around women in science and art. Especially the discussions about what is 'fine art' *spoiler: whatever men say ~eye roll~
Those inclusions definitely helped keep my attention in this book beyond just the cute romance.
Those inclusions definitely helped keep my attention in this book beyond just the cute romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual violence
former (now deceased) husband was abusive which is discussed
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
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? Yes
3.25
Unfortunately a bit of a book two slump for me. It's the whole: the two main characters are separated from each other the whole book, which is often not fun to read. I also felt like not a ton really happened for like 90% of the book? There was a lot of characters just talking, but not in a super politically interesting way? Sometimes I wonder if there are too many sides to the political intrigue. I did like the expansion of some character's involvement (Iktan). It just felt like a LOT of setup... Can't wait to see where Serapio and Naranpa go together...
I really loved the first book and I am still excited to read the third, final, book to see where this whole series ends up.
I really loved the first book and I am still excited to read the third, final, book to see where this whole series ends up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
lighthearted
medium-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
3.25
I found myself more invested in the parent's romance story. I also got a bit annoyed at Beth and Gwen with how simple the solution to their problem was, and I just kept screaming at them to figure it out when it was so obvious (just get the parents together!).
I will say I also really enjoyed the side characters and I'm excited to read the sequel for James and Bobby!
I will say I also really enjoyed the side characters and I'm excited to read the sequel for James and Bobby!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a super quick read. Especially since I watched the first season of the tv show way back when it first came out, so that helped a lot with the worldbuilding, but I had enough distance to not remember a lot of detail.
Onward with my Grishaverse journey!
Onward with my Grishaverse journey!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Classism
Minor: War
a mystical deer is hunted/killed
How Change Happens by Cass R. Sunstein
slow-paced
This read like a textbook in a way that was not engaging for the average reader. There was terminology used that was not defined (so I had to google it). Overall it felt like a book written for people who are already studying this field and so therefore it was not approachable.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
(reread on audio)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Biphobia, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
There were multiple points while reading this book when I was actually screaming out loud, on the edge of my seat, and crying. This is only my second 5 star book of 2024 so far.
Honor is dead... but I'll see what I can do
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Slavery
animal death/cruelty: A mc's horse dies during war. Besides that all animals are made-up species: there is an animal fighting ring, a zoo visited by characters, and other animals killed.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was going through something when I read this that might have affected my feelings towards it. Despite being in a bad place, it did make me laugh out loud which her books always can. But I think it's maybe my least fav Em Hen book?? only because compared to her other books (I've read all but PWMOV) it was more rom-com focused without any other plot going on. There was Daphne befriending her co-worker, but idk something didn't hit quite the same. I just compare everything to Happy Place which is my favorite (a god tier book)...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity