This has sat on my TBR list for ages, probably since it was first published in 2020, and I have no reason for not having picked it up earlier other than the fact that five books are added to the ‘to be read’ list for every one I read. I start with this sad saga…
Category: 8
My Brilliant Friend
I once saw this book ranked at the top of a “Best books of the 20th century” list by publishers and editors. That’s a large claim in its own right, let alone a list created by people within publishing. While I tend to be skeptical about these lists (my parents will tell you I was…
First Lie Wins
I’ve been meaning to write this review for quite a while now, which I think is quite a recommendation in itself because it means the novel has stuck with me enough to still review (and still want to). I would classify this as “cozy thriller”, for any of my easy-going, “no intense reads for me” readers out…
Still Life
I’ve recently had my notion of a “good” book challenged and realized the criteria I had been using focused on quick, dynamic plots, compelling character arcs, and big twists. I’m glad that I read this book during my process of re-evaluation because it would not have stacked up to my previous criteria, and the book is…
Tom Lake
Ann Patchett, in my experience from reading Commonwealth and The Dutch House, is a queen of narratives centered around relationships, and Tom Lake is no exception. Set on a cherry orchard in Northern Michigan in the spring of 2020, Lara is coaxed by her three grown daughters to, once again, regale them with the tale…
Lessons in Chemistry
My dear 2% reader, I come to you with my head hung low. I have ~once again~ dismissed a title due to its buzz and bandwagon-ness, only to discover two years after the fact that the buzz was worthwhile and I love it. Will I ever learn and get over my fear of the bandwagon?…
A Court of Thorns and Roses series
Apologies for the delay, I know it’s been a bit quiet on reviews recently but I’ll go ahead and blame that on the series you see above. Disclaimer: there is one more book in the ACOTAR series (The Court of Silver Flames) which I haven’t read, so this will only be covering the first four….
Dopesick
This account of the opioid crisis in the United States is eye-opening, heartbreaking, and has radically altered the way I see drug addiction. In a feat of investigative journalism, Macy takes the reader into the heart of Appalachia, where affluent and poor communities alike are struck by the impact of opiods. Digging into the science behind…
Hidden America
You know the aspects of life you’re only aware of when they’re not working correctly? How you never think of air traffic controllers until your flight is delayed (speaking from personal experience on this one)? In Hidden America, Laskas does a deep-dive into the industries that don’t sit front-and-center of the American conscious, illuminating what…
Yale Needs Women
In honor of the Barbie movie coming out this last weekend, I wanted to share one of my favorite ‘how cool are women?’ reads. In this PhD-thesis-turned-book, Anne Gardiner Perkins skillfully uses countless interviews to bring to life the story of when Yale began admitting women and the numerous, unexpected logistics that would entail. I’ll…