The Terminal List by Jack Carr A Mystery/Thriller, 2018 by Atria, 408 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Very detailed descriptions. This isn’t a negative for everyone, I know. But if you don’t like very wordy paragraphs packed with tons of details, consider this a content warning. Torture, which is a content warning of sorts. It... Continue Reading →
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson YA Contemporary, 2014 by Dial Books, 371 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Jarring switch between chapter 1 and chapter 2. You seriously feel like you missed so much you’re almost in a different world. Of course, I think that was the point. But it’s jarring. REALLY long... Continue Reading →
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris A Paranormal, 2003 by Orbit, 279 Pages What I Didn’t Like: The ending leaves way too much unresolved (and that’s coming from me). This felt like the first half of a book, you’ll want to add the next one right to your list. The Bubba stuff was funny in book... Continue Reading →
Misery by Stephen King A Horror, 1987 by Viking Press, 370 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Fat shaming. Not new for King, especially not in the late 80s, but this one definitely gets hung up on Annie’s weight and eating habits in a judgmental way a few times. Content Warning: Graphic scenes of violence, blood,... Continue Reading →
The Magician King by Lev Grossman A Fantasy, 2011 by William Heinemann, 548 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Pacing is strange. Some parts really drag while others seem to zoom by, making the entire journey almost feel like limping. There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this world. A few who... Continue Reading →
Like Father Like Son by James Patterson MG Mystery/Thriller, 2021 by jimmy patterson books, 304 Pages What I Didn’t Like: I think I said this about book 1, but the voice is so strange. It doesn’t feel authentic for a kid of this age, it feels forced. As it was in book 1, I’m shocked... Continue Reading →
Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter A Mystery/Thriller, 2001 by HarperTorch, 418 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Plumbers don’t have emergencies? <laughs in plumber’s daughter> Some old school “boys will be boys” behavior that irritates (although it is called out by a character who also hates it). Dark and disturbing. I read a lot of mystery/thrillers and... Continue Reading →
Weekend by Christopher Pike YA Mystery/Thriller, 1986 by Scholastic Press, 240 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Over the top dramatization of teens behaving badly. Funny how this used to be the norm and yet now it feels so fake. Obsession with sex. Again, it feels over the top. Strangely, I’ve noticed this a lot on... Continue Reading →
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate MG Contemporary, 2012 by HarperCollins, 307 Pages What I Didn’t Like: Punctuation is accurate. That’s a weird thing to list as a negative but it’s a question I had. If this is a 1st person story from a gorilla, wouldn’t it be badly punctuated? Of course, he... Continue Reading →
Sanctuary by Caryn Lix YA Science Fiction, 2018 by Simon Pulse, 480 Pages What I Didn’t Like: The “oh no he’s so cute” stuff is a bit annoying, although not excessive. The voice feels awkward and fake, more like an adult trying to write like a teenager than an actual teenager. I didn’t love our... Continue Reading →
