LPL_LeahN's Completed Shelf
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LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 27, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 24, 2023
Comment:
This was super dense and took me forever to read, but I'm glad I did. A sequel of sorts to the familiar tale of Hansel and Gretel, this was a very imaginative (but also oddly believable) take on what came after the witch in the woods. Rich and sumptuous, a nearly perfect cozy fall read.This was super dense and took me forever to read, but I'm glad I did. A sequel of sorts to the familiar tale of Hansel and Gretel, this was a very imaginative (but also oddly believable) take on what came after the witch in the woods. Rich and…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 18, 2023
Comment:
This is my second Christopher Golden and I enjoyed it more than Road of Bones, which I had so many issues with, I almost didn’t pick this one up. But All Hallows has an interesting premise that he kept on the rails. The 80s Halloween setting and the family drama helped maintain my investment in the story, and he *does* know how to creep a reader out.This is my second Christopher Golden and I enjoyed it more than Road of Bones, which I had so many issues with, I almost didn’t pick this one up. But All Hallows has an interesting premise that he kept on the rails. The 80s Halloween setting and the…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 16, 2023
Comment:
Reminiscent of The Four Winds (still my favorite Kristin Hannah book), this is impeccably researched historical fiction about the service of a US Army volunteer nurse during Vietnam, and the aftermath of a war that polarized the entire country. I think my favorite thing about this story was Hannah's dedication to capturing the nuance of the time, how public opinion bumped up against political power, how conflicted the veterans felt, how far away the country was from fully understanding the ramifications of war, at home and abroad.Reminiscent of The Four Winds (still my favorite Kristin Hannah book), this is impeccably researched historical fiction about the service of a US Army volunteer nurse during Vietnam, and the aftermath of a war that polarized the entire country. I…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 16, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Oct 09, 2023
Comment:
The inspiration for this book is a centuries old automaton called Tipu’s Tiger. It was commissioned by Tipu Sultan a few shorts years before his defeat by the British in 1799. The people responsible for this marvel are unknown, but it’s thought to be a collaboration of Indian and French engineers and woodcarvers.
Tania James wove them a story worthy of the highest praise and I was fascinated by it. Fans of Maggie O’Farrell’s poetic historical fiction will love this.The inspiration for this book is a centuries old automaton called Tipu’s Tiger. It was commissioned by Tipu Sultan a few shorts years before his defeat by the British in 1799. The people responsible for this marvel are unknown, but it’s thought to…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 29, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 25, 2023
Comment:
Super fun start to a promising series! I love just being dropped in the middle of something and left to slowly figure out how the world works.
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 18, 2023
Assistant to the VillainAssistant to the Villain, Book
by Maehrer, Hannah NicoleBook - 2023Book, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 11, 2023
Comment:
This was silly, cozy fantasy with a sweet instead of spicy romance. It features a delightful cast of co-starring characters, a plot that splutters a bit but comes together in the end, and a very intriguing arch for the protagonist, Evie. I'm intrigued enough to be on the lookout for the next installment!This was silly, cozy fantasy with a sweet instead of spicy romance. It features a delightful cast of co-starring characters, a plot that splutters a bit but comes together in the end, and a very intriguing arch for the protagonist, Evie. I'm…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 11, 2023
Comment:
Taylor Jenkins Reid certainly knows how to deliver a stylish drama. The documentary format of this book was perfect for the story it told and I can't recommend the fully casted audiobook highly enough! I was *obsessed* with these people, even the ones I didn't like.Taylor Jenkins Reid certainly knows how to deliver a stylish drama. The documentary format of this book was perfect for the story it told and I can't recommend the fully casted audiobook highly enough! I was *obsessed* with these people, even the…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 11, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Sep 01, 2023
Comment:
"You will be a great lover, not a great hero, Prometheus told me once. He was wrong. I would be both."
A retelling of the myth of Psyche, a mortal (although remarkable) woman and Eros, the God of Desire cursed to love her. This read like an accessible Bronze Age parable and I love McNamara for that."You will be a great lover, not a great hero, Prometheus told me once. He was wrong. I would be both."
A retelling of the myth of Psyche, a mortal (although remarkable) woman and Eros, the God of Desire cursed to love her. This read like an…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 28, 2023
Comment:
I wanted to hate this book and going into it, I was 99.9% sure I *would* hate it. Reader, I did not.
What Nabokov has done with the unreliable narrator here is truly brilliant. His use of the English language, which is not even his native tongue, is also astonishing. Was I deeply disturbed for much of the story, yes. Did my perception of the author's intent shift throughout it, also yes. This was not a glorification or romanticization of a pedophile at all, in my opinion. I didn't feel an ounce of empathy for bumbling Humbert at any point. He was a monster and I saw his deluded version of events for what it was.
Perhaps most surprising in my experience reading this was the humor. The wordplay and Humbert's oblivious foibles made me laugh out loud at points.
Disgusting, ingenious book.I wanted to hate this book and going into it, I was 99.9% sure I *would* hate it. Reader, I did not.
What Nabokov has done with the unreliable narrator here is truly brilliant. His use of the English language, which is not even his native tongue,…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 28, 2023
Comment:
So much about this reminded me of The Stand, which is still in my top 3 SK reads. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much but still think the breadth and depth of the characters in this is something no one does better. It was absolutely devastating but hopeful, unbelievably dark, but funny, more specialties of his that make me read everything he writes. I listened to the audiobook and am blown away by the talent of Raul Esparza! I often forgot the fact that he did it all himself as he represented all of the MANY characters so well.So much about this reminded me of The Stand, which is still in my top 3 SK reads. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much but still think the breadth and depth of the characters in this is something no one does better. It was absolutely devastating but…
Just Another Missing PersonJust Another Missing Person, Book
by McAllister, GillianBook - 2023Book, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 28, 2023
Comment:
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Wrong Place, Wrong Time but I still think Gillian McAllister has a winning formula here. She does two things skillfully: Using timelines to carry the bulk of the twists, and writing about parenting in a way that feels very raw and real.I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Wrong Place, Wrong Time but I still think Gillian McAllister has a winning formula here. She does two things skillfully: Using timelines to carry the bulk of the twists, and writing about parenting in a way that…
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of FaeriesEmily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Book
by Fawcett, HeatherBook - 2023Book, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 21, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 18, 2023
Comment:
A standout in a market saturated with feminist Greek retellings, this story of Andromache, Rhea, and Helen of Troy benefited from the inclusion of obscure characters who stole the show. The writing managed to be abstract but also richly detailed, filling me with that familiar sense of dread I experience any time I read a novel of Troy, but it also inspired a mad kind of hope, a fierce pride in the women of this story. I've searched high and low and not found anything conclusive, but I feel strongly that this novel is begging for a sequel...A standout in a market saturated with feminist Greek retellings, this story of Andromache, Rhea, and Helen of Troy benefited from the inclusion of obscure characters who stole the show. The writing managed to be abstract but also richly detailed,…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 15, 2023
Comment:
Established fans of Tracy Wolff's Crave series rejoice! This delivers on her MO of compulsively readable, adventurous, romantic romps into the fantastical, or in this case, the science fictional. Don't be daunted by the length, the short chapters make for light, fun reading.Established fans of Tracy Wolff's Crave series rejoice! This delivers on her MO of compulsively readable, adventurous, romantic romps into the fantastical, or in this case, the science fictional. Don't be daunted by the length, the short chapters…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 07, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 07, 2023
Comment:
In the far distant future, in a city of vice called Tenebrium, a government corrupted by an underground sect of elitists sets a coup into motion. Detective Thea Williams and her partner (who also happens to be her elicit lover) Walter James are seemingly the only people willing and able to stop it.
A thrilling noir crime drama, this was an utterly original read. Rich in plot, a strong cast of characters, excellent pacing, I can't really find any fault with it at all and am super excited for its follow-up, Caligo.In the far distant future, in a city of vice called Tenebrium, a government corrupted by an underground sect of elitists sets a coup into motion. Detective Thea Williams and her partner (who also happens to be her elicit lover) Walter James are…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 02, 2023
Comment:
The more I sit with this one, the more conflicted I am. I enjoyed reading it. It was compelling. But one of the "twists" just rankles me to no end and I can't get past it. Twists are only fun if the reader could *conceivably* figure it out, even based off of super vague clues. And that's all I'll say about that.The more I sit with this one, the more conflicted I am. I enjoyed reading it. It was compelling. But one of the "twists" just rankles me to no end and I can't get past it. Twists are only fun if the reader could *conceivably* figure it out, even…
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Aug 01, 2023
The Last Tale of the Flower BrideThe Last Tale of the Flower Bride, BookA Novel
by Chokshi, RoshaniBook - 2023Book, 2023
LPL_LeahN's rating:
Added Jul 17, 2023
Comment:
Oh hello unsung hero of a book that came out in FEBRUARY and that I feel so fortunate to have picked up on a whim. I’ve read A LOT of gothic fairytales and this is unlike any of them. It was like reading The Craft if it were about faerie girls instead of witches. It has an eerie mystery, a moody manor house, a delicious love story, and the writing is SO dreamy. Pretty easily in my top 5 books this year.Oh hello unsung hero of a book that came out in FEBRUARY and that I feel so fortunate to have picked up on a whim. I’ve read A LOT of gothic fairytales and this is unlike any of them. It was like reading The Craft if it were about faerie girls…
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