hermusings's reviews
270 reviews

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Go to review page

4.5

I think the press revolving this book and Coates lending his prestigious reputation to write it in the first place, is doing wonders to keeping Palestine in mainstream media in an accurate way. Which is the main reason I picked it up.
This book is like a stream of consciousness of Coates on a few adventures (Senegal, Palestine, etc.) in which he grapples with his involvement in facilitating oppression, how the US’s history is interlinked with oppression across the globe and most importantly, how language/words matters.

However, a year into a genocide this book is not adding any new information nor insight but services as a great reminder of how intricate the web of oppression is weaved. 
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

Go to review page

  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

Cara Bastone wrote this sweet book about grief and loss that is honest and raw. I think anyone that’s experienced life-altering loss (specially in their 20s) will resonate with this one.
I enjoyed that the romance takes a backseat and is almost used as a plot device. It allowed for the story to feel genuine and focused on how main character Lenny will handle all-consuming grief.
The proses were lovely and the overall message profound. I wish I could time travel and give myself this book in 2021.


Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.25

I would like to preface this by warning other readers that this book is 95% BJL’s memoir/dealings with a cult and 5% one tree hill.
Marketing aside, dinner for vampires, is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Lenz writes in tremendous detail about her thought process and believes as she navigates her twenties in a small cult. Her writing submerges you, almost like a diary entry being written with the wisdom of hindsight, as her personality shines through the story. 
The things that occur to her will infuriate you and make you reflect.  
I would defiantly recommend to those who enjoy learning about cults but more to those who have been in any sort of high demand group and may want a cathartic read.


Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

Quick fun ride. Felt a bit like two books put together but engaging none the less. Wouldn’t call this a mystery as much as a series of events coming together in a slight thriller manner.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.25

I was hater at first (partly the tediously descriptive world building & initially senseless nature of the plot) but it won me over.
Heavy on the Plato’s allegory of the cave and the nods to other philosophers/philosophical questions; the whole thing felt like an early Christopher Nolan film (I.e. memento or the prestige).
I liked that it touches on the pursuit of knowledge — Is it worth it? Can it be done without exploitation? 
It also felt like I was reading someone realized they are in a cult and trying to navigate leaving  & what reality looks like after. In Piranesi’s case, the “house”.
Medea by Blandine Le Callet

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m a sucker for a good Greek myth retelling. This one was interesting as Le Callet chose to not involve the gods at all. Which made the story more feminist, modern and dare I say, girlbossy.

The illustration by Peña was impeccable and elevated the story. 

Once again we are reminded to never fall in love with a man with a “J” name.
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Go to review page

  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

“Family lore” is the perfect title for this book. It’s deeply rich in what this family has gone through the past generation and how combined with the family's Dominican culture, they’ve become who they are today.

It was a slow start but then I could not put it down. Each character was crafted with care and felt real. The interchanging chapters allowed for us to view the characters through their own self-reflection and not just what the others say. Which I personally loved how it made multiple events more comprehensible.

I learned loads about the history of DR and origins of cultural norms. 
It’s also a book about sisters, mothers & daughters which added extra depth and complexity to these characters.
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

Go to review page

funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Merry-Go-Round by Sergio Rossi, Agnese Innocente

Go to review page

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? Yes

2.75

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

At surface level, this is a book is a love letter to sisters but when you dig deeper you find that it’s also about grief, addiction and the lingering effects of how our families shape us (both good and bad). 
This has some of the most beautiful, painful & reflective proses. Mellors is a phenomenal writer who captured the essence & dialogue of how sisters are with each other. I’m excited to see more from her.

The alternating perspective of the chapters was interrupting to me. Which may have contributed to how long it took me to finish this. However, no chapter was wasteful. Each character was grounded and felt real. 

I’d recommend this book to those who enjoyed Writers and lovers by Lily King, have/are sisters and want to cry (!!!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.