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binreads's reviews
72 reviews
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
One of the rare cases where the movie is exponentially better than the book. Christmas with The Kranks is my absolute favorite Christmas film so I was super excited to read this. Unfortunately, it's quite disappointing.
Even though I clearly hold the movie to a high standard, I tried to be open with my thoughts on the book. The problem with the book is that there's no magic or charm, and I would've felt that even if I never saw the movie. Luther, really shows no redeeming qualities. And Nora, has no personality. Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen really brought the life, quirks and fun to the characters.
The emphasis on the diet they were on and weird comments regarding Enrique & Peru weren't very holly jolly.
I think what they took from the novel was the perfect blueprints for the movie. The movie added so many iconic and memorable moments, i.e the hickory honey ham! However what I did enjoy, was learning more about the neighbors that you don't really get in the movie.
Even though I clearly hold the movie to a high standard, I tried to be open with my thoughts on the book. The problem with the book is that there's no magic or charm, and I would've felt that even if I never saw the movie. Luther, really shows no redeeming qualities. And Nora, has no personality. Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen really brought the life, quirks and fun to the characters.
The emphasis on the diet they were on and weird comments regarding Enrique & Peru weren't very holly jolly.
I think what they took from the novel was the perfect blueprints for the movie. The movie added so many iconic and memorable moments, i.e the hickory honey ham! However what I did enjoy, was learning more about the neighbors that you don't really get in the movie.
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Always love reading a holiday spicy book. I did enjoy the characters a bit more in this one than the first one in A Merry Little Meet Cute, but I liked how those characters came back in this book as side characters, i.e Bee, Nolan, Sunny, etc.
The first half is fun, lighthearted and mostly believable but the second half loses that spark sadly, which is why I couldn't give this 5 stars. In part 2, I felt like the characters were making decisions that didn't feel genuine to them? It didn't take away from how much I was rooting for them though but I think the direction of the story was lost.
Spoilers:
Whyyyyyy did she need to get pregnant? I didn't hate it but it also just felt thrown in there. I also don't think Winnie would've stopped perusing Kallum over the whole pole dancing incident. Why wouldn't she just communicate how she was feeling about it instead of outright leaving him? It felt like they dumbed down his character at that moment. She began questioning his character as if she didn't know exactly who he was.
And the parents? Her parents were EVIL, that was crazy. I think they could've done without bringing Michael back too for one chapter, could've been like a phone call lol.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the next book about our 3rd member of INK!
The first half is fun, lighthearted and mostly believable but the second half loses that spark sadly, which is why I couldn't give this 5 stars. In part 2, I felt like the characters were making decisions that didn't feel genuine to them? It didn't take away from how much I was rooting for them though but I think the direction of the story was lost.
Spoilers:
And the parents? Her parents were EVIL, that was crazy. I think they could've done without bringing Michael back too for one chapter, could've been like a phone call lol.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the next book about our 3rd member of INK!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was reading the physical copy of this book but I was having a real hard time getting through it. I switched to the audiobook version and I'm so glad I did because I adored the narrator. She did a great job keeping me engaged in the story and it really gave Dev her personality.
I liked how different and unique this book was. People who eat books and retain the knowledge is something I would've never thought of. It did give some Game of Thrones vibes with the families. I loved the main character, and really enjoyed the chapters with Jarrow. Lots of twists and turns, great read.
I liked how different and unique this book was. People who eat books and retain the knowledge is something I would've never thought of. It did give some Game of Thrones vibes with the families. I loved the main character, and really enjoyed the chapters with Jarrow. Lots of twists and turns, great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Religious bigotry
Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
It wasn't until the twist was staring me right in the face that I understood.I was a bible study kid, so I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner but once Cascavel started laying it out I was like waaaaaaaaait a second, is this about adam & eve!?! I had to go back and skim it after I finished and it was all right there, I just didn't see it. All the rules and neighbors and odd things, even the names of the neighbors.
Definitely started out giving me some Don't Worry Darling vibes. I enjoyed that it was so quick though, because honestlyif this was a long read that turned out to be biblical, I would've probably been highly annoyed lol
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I highly recommend going into this blind like I did! You'll either love it or hate it.
It wasn't until the twist was staring me right in the face that I understood.
Definitely started out giving me some Don't Worry Darling vibes. I enjoyed that it was so quick though, because honestly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Religious bigotry
The Inbetween Days by Eva Woods
I adored this book and was surprised by how much I loved it. It felt like watching a movie. I'm not a fan of duel POVs, mostly when it comes to romances, but this one worked perfectly with the two sisters perspectives, one in the real world and one battling limbo. The story kept me on my toes, wondering what was going to happen to Rosie in the end. I was rooting for her the entire time.
Someone on here said it reminded them of A Christmas Carol and I completely agree, with the ghosts visiting Rosie and showing her her memories.
There was actually quite a lot of twists and turns which I appreciated.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
I picked this up in a Walmart bin for $6 and I'm so glad i did. This is a classic case of don't judge a book by it's cover, because normally I would not go for a book with this kind of cover.
I adored this book and was surprised by how much I loved it. It felt like watching a movie. I'm not a fan of duel POVs, mostly when it comes to romances, but this one worked perfectly with the two sisters perspectives, one in the real world and one battling limbo. The story kept me on my toes, wondering what was going to happen to Rosie in the end. I was rooting for her the entire time.
Someone on here said it reminded them of A Christmas Carol and I completely agree, with the ghosts visiting Rosie and showing her her memories.
There was actually quite a lot of twists and turns which I appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth
i was expecting more of a ghostly and haunting type of horror book like it marketed as but it actually leans heavily towards a disturbing, psychological horror. i went back and forth whether i was rooting for Abby or hating her. she is WEIRD okay, sometimes i had to reread something she said because i was like "is this girl fr..?" but also she was funny, which is why i'd also be like "okay real"
by the end, I couldn't decide of Laura was a ghost, haunting them all along and purposely causing Abby slowly go crazy andcause Abby to slice up Janet, which i still can't decide if it was real in the end.. or if Ralph was truly just dealing with the trauma of his mother dying, and began to spiral back into a depression. which then manifested onto Abby's possible delusions of her mother-in-law haunting them...it's all very interesting to think about.
i keep wondering if this all would've happened if Abby hadn't of had STOLEN THE RING IN THE FIRST PLACE
not for those who get squeamish at bodily functions, gore, blood...things of those nature.
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this truly is the type of book that when you finish it, you think "what the heck did i just read?" I quite literally threw my book at the other side of the couch afterwards.
i was expecting more of a ghostly and haunting type of horror book like it marketed as but it actually leans heavily towards a disturbing, psychological horror. i went back and forth whether i was rooting for Abby or hating her. she is WEIRD okay, sometimes i had to reread something she said because i was like "is this girl fr..?" but also she was funny, which is why i'd also be like "okay real"
by the end, I couldn't decide of Laura was a ghost, haunting them all along and purposely causing Abby slowly go crazy and
not for those who get squeamish at bodily functions, gore, blood...things of those nature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Infertility, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book just kept getting better the more you read it. I see other reviewers referring to this book as a 'warm hug' and I absolutely agree.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of time travel that I haven't really seen before. I liked the idea of all these events taking place in this cozy, basement cafe. As a coffee lover, I honestly thought that using the temperature of the coffee as a time travel device was really clever. You never know how quickly your coffee is gonna get cold, I for one always forget I have a cup, then my coffee is freezing cold! So the use of that as a timer for such a delicate action of traveling through time for something extremely important made it very intense.
I did like that it takes place with the core group - the workers at the cafe - and the addition of the characters who seek out the cafe. It made me cry at points. Very moving, I already purchased the second one and I can't wait to start reading it.
The one thing I didn't care for was how often the author refers to the character Nagare's size, like we get it the man is big. And my thing is like it wasn't done in a way that was like, oh he's just really tall.....it was like he's not 'normal sized' or he's a 'big man'...it was overdone.
I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of time travel that I haven't really seen before. I liked the idea of all these events taking place in this cozy, basement cafe. As a coffee lover, I honestly thought that using the temperature of the coffee as a time travel device was really clever. You never know how quickly your coffee is gonna get cold, I for one always forget I have a cup, then my coffee is freezing cold! So the use of that as a timer for such a delicate action of traveling through time for something extremely important made it very intense.
I did like that it takes place with the core group - the workers at the cafe - and the addition of the characters who seek out the cafe. It made me cry at points. Very moving, I already purchased the second one and I can't wait to start reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Fatphobia
Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A quick and fun read, I honestly wish this was a series! It was unique and fun, and I loved the illustrations.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Finally diving into the world of Agatha Christie and the fantastic Hercule Poirot. I was not disappointed! It's also the first time listening to a fiction audiobook and Hugh Fraser really is a fantastic narrator, I was never bored, he kept me completely immersed in the story.
Great little mystery, had me guessing until the very end.
Great little mystery, had me guessing until the very end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely a great book to analyze and research afterwards. The more I think about it, the more I want to re read it now that I know the exact context. Extremely disturbing and sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting