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maggies's reviews
622 reviews
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Truly a wonderful end to the original series. I had forgotten just how emotional it all was, but this series more than holds up on re-read as an adult. The ending is bittersweet and pitch perfect, and I'm glad there's more to read now!
I Love It. What Is It?: The Power of Instinct in Design and Branding by Turner Duckworth, Gyles Lingwood
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Super engaging look at the power of intuitive branding and design through essay from clients and designers at the agency that brought us the Amazon smile. I particularly loved:
- "Giving a Shit: Branding a legendary metal band" by Jamie McCathie - discussing how the best work is done when you care about it through his collaboration with Metallica
- "Sticky Moments: Having pun at work" by Chris Garvey - sharing quick and unrefined Post-It Note puns that nurtured her creativity
- "Room to Breathe: The positive effect of physical spaces" by John Anthony Dumey - exploring how space design can support and cultivate and express ideas without words
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Action-packed with heart, but I found it a bit hard to follow the world-building at times. I probably won't read anything more in the series, despite enjoying this one enough to finish it, because the darkness was a bit much for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by the romantic skill with which this book was written. I had steeled myself for a romantic-heroine-as-written-by-a-man, but Zentner avoided some terrible pitfalls by creating female characters that stand up on their own. The dual timelines of the story worked, and the jumps were perfectly situated for maximum emotional impact. Sometimes Colton felt a bit whiny to me, but I can forgive it. I'm a little salty that these people all seem to be the best at whatever they try, though. Unfair.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Read because I'm going to see Jon Ronson speak soon and I wanted to get a sense of his writing compared to his podcasts—I found them to be very similar, but there was something about this book I just didn't really like that much. Can't put a finger on it. Will reflect more and update if I figure it out.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
What a lovely story about belonging, finding community, loving and allowing yourself to be loved, and being yourself. Mika's growth was heart-warming, and the family of misfits at Nowhere House were everything you could want. I love them all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This to be one of the most interesting setups I've read recently. With that title, it's easy to imagine The Husbands is a romance, but it is emphatically not. A little bit parallel universes, a little bit philosophical examination of the power of choice and fate. I never connected with Lauren, or maybe I connected too much, since I can see myself behaving similarly (if my attic ever started producing an endless supply of husbands) and it's not a flattering image. Highly recommended, just the same!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Boy oh boy do I love romance and baseball and baseball romances. Mark and Eddie made me laugh and cry and fall in love! This is a great example about how in-universe series should work—allowing the previous characters to make an entrance every once in a while but introducing new, interesting characters to steal the spotlight. The Robins baseball team was so cute, and George felt so lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent