shetef's reviews
119 reviews

What You Are Getting Wrong about Appalachia by Elizabeth Catte

Go to review page

informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

This really made me miss my hometown.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Go to review page

adventurous funny reflective 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

4.75

Murderbot turns out to be surprisingly relatable. Excited to read more!
Bismarck's War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe by Rachel Chrastil

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

An excellent overview of a conflict that should be more widely remembered and understood. Chrastil connects technological and social advances to later European political developments very effectively. A sobering analysis.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Super excited to have this as my first book of 5785. I haven't read Jasper Fforde since I was a teenager and damn does it feel good to be back.

Shades of Grey is one of the smartest, funniest, most layered books I've ever read. Can't wait to read Red Side Story now 👀
Gollitok: A Horror Novel by Andrew Najberg

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.75

I had to wait a long time to read this one and I may have overhyped it in my head a little bit. The premise and worldbuilding are very good but everything seems a bit rushed. I would have appreciated this one being a bit longer and slower to really drag out the tension. That said, I did have fun with it - just not quite as good as some other things I've read lately.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Paying the Land by Joe Sacco

Go to review page

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

5.0

The Martian by Andy Weir

Go to review page

adventurous funny inspiring tense medium-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? No

4.5

This was a lot of fun! I haven't read a lot of "hard" sci-fi like this before. Feels kind of weird and corny to describe a book like this as "inspiring" but that's honestly the way it made me feel.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-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

Bit of a slow burn but very effective. There are occasional bits of dialogue that don't read to me as authentic. Moreno-Garcia's use of patriarchy and colonialism as driving forces for horror works well here.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Harold Schechter, Eric Powell

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Chilling but fascinating. Hard to look away, like most good true crime stories. Powell's art enhances the stark horror of Gein's crimes without feeling lurid or exploitative. Best read while blasting hard rock on a tape deck.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

this gave me a lot to reflect on with my own gender journey. a must read.