en-US Tue, 31 Dec 2024 07:01:44 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review7143696998 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 07:01:44 -0800 /review/show/7143696998 Erin gave 5 stars to 84, Charing Cross Road (Audiobook) by Helene Hanff
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
I cannot effuse more strongly about this book. Utterly charming, delightful, heartbreaking. Perfection. ]]> Review7138881972 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 06:57:55 -0800 /review/show/7138881972 Erin gave 4 stars to This Is How You Lose The Time War (Audiobook) by Amal El-Mohtar
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
I actually started this in 2020, got 25% in, and realized I wasn't following it at all--I was maybe a bit distracted? Anyway, finally picked it back up (started over) and was struck by the clarity this time. The characters were so perfectly different, their story so compelling. ]]> Review7138865182 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:58:41 -0800 /review/show/7138865182 Erin gave 4 stars to Hum (Hardcover) by Helen Phillips
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
Maybe 3.5 stars, but since I read this all in one day and never got bored, I'm rounding up.

So dark, so dystopian, but also so near-future it's scary. Reminded me a bit of I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself, but not nearly as gut-wrenching. (not NEARLY.) ]]> Review7138846002 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:55:13 -0800 /review/show/7138846002 Erin gave 4 stars to The Suitcase Clone (Audiobook) by Robin Sloan
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
I simply love Robin Sloan's storytelling. This felt directly born out of Sourdough. Short and sweet and just wonderful. ]]> Review7138827757 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:53:34 -0800 /review/show/7138827757 Erin gave 2 stars to Blubber (Audiobook) by Judy Blume
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
OMG what!? My only memory of this book from childhood was that I did not like it, and for some reason I found the cover scary (it was a chalkboard, into which I imagined scary images.) But reading it now as an adult and it's 90% spending time in the mind of a bunch of bullies?! The balance is SO off in this story--the comeuppance lasts so little time and it feels a lot like "well, it'll come for you too." I just did not enjoy being in this book at all. ]]> Review7138827757 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:49:37 -0800 /review/show/7138827757 Erin gave 2 stars to Blubber (Audiobook) by Judy Blume
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
OMG what!? My only memory of this book from childhood was that I did not like it, and for some reason I found the cover scary (it was a chalkboard, into which I imagined scary images.) But reading it now as an adult and it's 90% spending time in the mind of a bunch of bullies?! The balance is SO off in this story--the comeuppance lasts so little time and it feels a lot like "well, it'll come for you too." I just did not enjoy being in this book at all. ]]> Review7138799409 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:43:11 -0800 /review/show/7138799409 Erin gave 3 stars to Such Charming Liars (Audiobook) by Karen M. McManus
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
Karen M. McManus is such a good YA mystery writer because ultimately, she knows that ADULTS have to come into play. I would be interested in reading an adult novel by her, too, because she really nails characters in both age ranges.

This story had a few too many "really?" reactions for me, but it did pull together nicely and it was just a fun "locked room" mystery. ]]> Review7138783719 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:39:26 -0800 /review/show/7138783719 Erin gave 3 stars to I Hope This Finds You Well (Audiobook) by Natalie Sue
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
A series of ever-more-absurd debacles, and yet, I was engaged and enjoyed this book. Being this entrenched in corporate life during the week of Xmas and New Year's was a little weird but it hit all the stereotypes on the head. The way she ultimately disengaged from the problems felt real. ]]> Review7138749569 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:31:25 -0800 /review/show/7138749569 Erin gave 3 stars to The Life Impossible (Audiobook) by Matt Haig
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
This was a sweet little story to pass the time. I like magical realism and I think this was handled well. Also I LOVE that the author never for a second forgot that the premise is that an old woman was writing a letter to a former student, much younger than her, and didn't get too weird on details. HOWEVER, why was this the letter she wrote to him? That I feel like was never really explained or justified.

This book, however, took FOREVER to end. It felt like it was at its conclustion so many times, but then had to go back in and reiterate the message over and over. WE GET IT. ]]> Review7111725037 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:11:35 -0800 /review/show/7111725037 Erin gave 4 stars to The Patron Saint of Liars (Audible Audio) by Ann Patchett
bookshelves: 2024, audiobook
I absolutely cannot articulate why I enjoyed this book--the subject matter is largely not of interest to me--and yet, I immediately clicked with the characters (except Son, honestly--his back story was hum-drum) and was engaged with the storytelling. I suppose it's just Ann Patchett being a masterful writer. ]]>