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Audiobook Review – Under the Whispering Door

What I liked about this book:

  • The thought of a whimsical halfway tea house on your way to the afterlife
  • Lovely writing
  • Most of the supportive characters were engaging and likable
  • The audiobook narration was good

What I disliked:

  • The main character, Wallace. At the beginning he is awful, and I thought his redemption and personality shift was way too quick. Honestly, I think the ending he got was completely undeserved, and the speed in which he changed everything about himself made his relationships with the other characters seem shallow.
  • The pacing. For me, this book progressed very slowly, with the characters 0ften waxing poetic on life and death.

So overall, I didn’t really think this one was for me, but if you’re looking for a philosophical, whimsical paranormal that takes its time, this could be for you!

⭐⭐⭐½

Another recommendation from my coworker. I love the idea of a magical tea house for obvious reasons, but I can’t even with Wallace.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – See You Yesterday

I’m a sucker for a time loop, and I liked Solomon’s Today, Tonight, Tomorrow, so I picked this one up. Overall, I think it was a satisfying new adult romance with slowburn type of romance, but I also thought it was on the slow side and kind of predictable. The audiobook was well-narrated, so if you’re looking for a college time loop story very similar to Palm Springs with sweet but awkward protagonists, give this one a try.

⭐⭐⭐½

Where are all my breakneck pace books at? I need you in my life.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Library at Mount Char

This was… a very weird book. My coworker begged me for months to read it so that we can talk about the end. So finally, here we are. First of all this book is very dark, so watch the content warnings, and I can honestly say that throughout, I had no idea where it was all going, but I thought the end suitably fit to complete the picture.

While I did appreciate how unique the premise and set up was of this world, my biggest issue was that I didn’t really care or connect with any of the characters, so I felt like I witnessed their bizarre, almost-trippy plight in a kind of detached way. And because of the way this is set up, I felt like the climax was extremely understated. That said, if you’re looking for a dark, strange tale of powerful Gods that feels a “out there,” this might be for you.

⭐⭐⭐½

Yes, you were right, coworker, that book was definitely weird.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Tipping Point

I didn’t find this one quite as compelling or novel as some of Gladwell’s other books, but the breakdown of how ideas are spread and the case studies illustrating the points are interesting. The audiobook is only 3 hours, so definitely worth a listen if you’re interested in the nature of virality. Though it doesn’t mention the influence of social media on these ideas, the afterword does include other interesting applications inspired by the principles.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Totally ready for my books to hit the tipping point over here, just saying. (A girl can dream.)

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – None of This is True

This is my second Lisa Jewell book, and it gave me a very similar feeling to the first one. (The Night She Disappeared.) Although it held my attention, I couldn’t quite connect with the characters and didn’t find the (not-so-happy) ending to be as satisfying as I would’ve hoped. However, if you like unreliable main characters and a domestic mystery that runs a bit on the grittier side, check this one out!

⭐⭐⭐½

Ehh… probably not for me, but this could be for you!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Talking to Strangers

So when I picked this book up, I don’t think I knew exactly what I was getting into. Covering recent high-profile events of violence, rape, pedophilia, and torture in detail—this is a stomach-turning and uncomfortable read.

And though the accounts Gladwell brings to the table are interesting, for the first 95% of this book, I didn’t actually know what the punchline was or how these topics connected.

At first this seemed to be a book about how difficult it is to actually detect when someone is lying. But then we also delved into topics of both coupling and alcohol. Disparate strands that I’m still having trouble trying together into the final conclusion.

Which (I think) is that in 99% of cases it doesn’t pay off to expect the worst of people, and we cannot turn murky grays into black and white. Honestly, I’m still chewing it all over. But if you’re looking for a different perspective to provoke thought (and you don’t mind dark topics), you might try this one. Though I do believe you have to read to the very end to see what he’s trying to get at.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Watch those content warnings, my friends.

Thanks for reading!

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Book Review – The Maiden Ship

Definitely enjoyed this heartwarming, magical adventure on the sea with its huge found family vibes, colorful cast, a sweet slow-burn romance, and old lore. Will definitely be reading book 2!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m a sucker for an adventure on the high seas!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Bomber Mafia

Malcolm Gladwell is one of the few nonfiction authors that can really draw me in. The way he writes and narrates his audiobooks makes me feel like I’m sitting across the table from him and he’s telling me a story and teaching me a history lesson at the same time. He showcases so much depth to the figures of history, their motivations, and the chain of events that led to huge world events in a way that’s both incredibly intelligent but also so accessible, I’m always drawn in. The actual audio of the interviews too ranging back fifty years were also a really awesome addition to this. My only critique is that the overarching story or theme of this book feels a little lost. It feels like, in a way, he was pitting LeMay and Hansell against one another, but that narrative feels a little murky. Then again, history is murky, so maybe he hit it just right.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Gladwell is one of the *very* few that can interest me in a nonfiction book, so cheers to that.

Thanks for reading!

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Book Review – A Daughter of the Trolls

Beautiful writing with an imaginative and unique fairy-tale-like adventure in an atmospheric world both cozy and dark. Lovable characters, a sweet romance, and a few twists along the way. Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read book 2!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heartwarming and creepy at the same time. I’m here for it!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Only When It’s Us

What I liked:

  • The narration
  • Ryder was very sweet and overcomes a lot

What I didn’t like:

  • Willa. The mental gymnastics she does to convince herself that Ryder has wronged her and not to really communicate is super frustrating. Especially when she’s relatively aware she’s the problem, but continues to be the problem.
  • The “frenemies” thing here didn’t quite work for me, since I thought it was pretty clear they were friends/into each other from the start.

In general, there were lot of good elements here that just didn’t quite gel for me. If you’re looking for a new adult college romance with some spice though, you might want to give it a try.

⭐⭐⭐

Not for me, but if could be for you!

Thanks for reading!