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jdw

jdw

Joined February 2020

moved over to goodreads to better document my reading journey 🫡 @jdwall if you wanna follow!
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The Crossing by Michael Connelly
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jdw
The Cage: A Novel | Bonnie Kistler
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Mehso-so

An easy read that unfortunately missed the mark of being noteworthy in any sense. The plot idea is unique and unlike anything I‘ve encountered before, but it was not properly executed. The whole book I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting to figure out what happened that fateful night of February 2nd, and when it was finally revealed, I felt so majorly disappointed. Lackluster in all aspects. Pick this up if you need something easy

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jdw
Peaces: A Novel | Helen Oyeyemi
Bailedbailed

This book made me fall out of love with reading for several months. Absolutely no point to this plot.. read 100 pages and had no clue what was going on. No likable characters, the writing is mediocre.. don‘t waste your time with this

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jdw
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Pickpick

What an amazing story with a VERY satisfying ending- I found myself smiling as I read the last sentence. The book being written from two perspectives (Ruth‘s in the past, Dorothea in the present) is both powerful and immersive. Hearing Ruth‘s story slowly align with Dorothea‘s reality was genius. Every character, no matter how small a part, holds an important role in both protagonists‘ stories. What a wonderful read, cannot recommend enough.

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jdw
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Pickpick

A significant book that discusses how significant (and insignificant) everything is and can be. A fun, novelty read that went by quickly and kept me invested. One of the main takeaways that I feel is important is to celebrate your differences and don‘t settle for normal - who even defines that word anyways? Also, the big author reveal at the end made me gasp, but then after a minute of reflection, was the perfect ending

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jdw
Negative Space | B R Yeager
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Pickpick

This book has left such an impact on my being. So so deep, I can‘t even muster the energy to put it into words. I simultaneously feel wholly changed yet closer to the person I was before picking up this novel. A piece of art that tackles who we are, where we go, and what we do along the way. Everything and yet nothing matters all at once. Cannot recommend this expertly-crafted masterpiece enough. Just.. read at your own risk. It‘ll make sense soon

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jdw
Londonstani | Gautam Malkani
Bailedbailed

Got 8 pages in and couldn‘t bring myself to read another sentence. Structurally, this book is a mess. Grammatically, another huge mess. I understand what the writer was going for, almost “Requiem for a Dream” dialect vibes, but it missed the mark completely and just created a book that‘s not salvageable. Avoid at all costs

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jdw
Stay Close | Harlan Coben
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Mehso-so

Writing came off as mediocre and cringe at times, but the overall plot flowed pretty decently. The ending left me shocked and the author did a solid job of typing up all of the loose ends that were present within the story. However, would only recommend this book if you‘re desperate and just want something to keep you busy. Very hard to feel a genuine connection with any of the characters. Would honestly rate it a 4.5/10.. read at your own risk

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jdw
The Drop | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Too tired to write a full review, but another solid book by Connelly. The Bosch series is a treat to read, even if I am doing it out of order. The one thing I will say is that the way the two cases in this book are seamlessly weaved together was genius and perfect. Bravo

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jdw
The Survivors | ALEX. SCHULMAN
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Pickpick

Wow… I can‘t even think of where to start. The layout of this book, the past and present weaving together.. it‘s so genius in so many ways. The plot was compelling, immersive, and had me guessing until the very last pages. The ending hit me fast and hard- did not see it coming. This is one of my favorite books and now that I know the entire story, the whole plot, I will be reading it again. Cannot recommend this book enough.

2 likes2 stack adds
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jdw
Dead Dead Girls | Nekesa Afia
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Panpan

I did read the book in its entirety despite me contemplating stopping multiple times (which I do not recommend doing). The writing felt childish & inexperienced - almost every chapter ended with some dramatic sentence that felt out of place. The ending was anticlimactic, giving the sense of a Hallmark movie where there is a lot of build-up and then minimal resolution at the end. This book felt like a genuine waste of time - very disappointing

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jdw
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Pickpick

A true masterpiece that had me holding my breath til the very end. The way Cosby humanized these characters is so heartbreakingly beautiful and a reminder that everyone is human despite their differences. Well, almost everyone.. you‘ll understand if you read it. Excellent work, easy read, insanely immersive.

4 likes1 stack add
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jdw
Cut to the Bone: A Novel | Ellison Cooper
Pickpick

I am wholeheartedly obsessed with the Sayer Altair series, and this book (not shockingly) exceeded all of my expectations. The characters are beautifully crafted to make the reader feel as though you know them personally. And while some hard-hitting book series questions were answered here, there are yet so many more that were born. Cooper is quite easily one of my all time favorite authors. Cannot recommend this series more

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jdw
The Lady Upstairs | Halley Sutton
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Pickpick

A random pick at the library turned into one of the best decisions I‘ve made in a while- this book qualifies as one of the better reads I‘ve had in the last few months. The plot felt dynamic and hard to trace as it it shaped itself and molded into something completely different every chapter. I was guessing until the very last page. Excellent storytelling coupled with extravagant character detail makes this book a must. Highly highly recommend

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jdw
The Gods of Guilt | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Words cannot describe my love for this book. The storytelling was perfect as it connected a tangled web of lies, corruption, and past cases. Connelly has written yet another masterpiece, and the Lincoln Lawyer continues to be my favorite book series

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jdw
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Pickpick

The Bosch/Ballard duo is magnificent. Connelly writes both their characters so well, adds enough depth to keep them ever-changing while also managing to keep their morals in tact. I used to be huge on the Lincoln Lawyer series, but I think Connelly may be steering me away to focus more on these two. Very excited for the next addition!

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jdw
Pierced: A Novel | Thomas Enger
Bailedbailed

Got roughly 55 pages in and couldn‘t go on. The writing style is basic and lacks any personality. Additionally, it‘s hard to feel close with any of the characters due to lack of depth. This is one that‘s getting tossed into the “get rid of” pile for my books

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jdw
In at the Deep End | Kate Davies
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Panpan

This book was pretty disappointing. Davies portrays being a lesbian as some hip trend where you don‘t experience any of the discrimination that‘s actually present in a queer person‘s life. The writing was cringe at times and did not immerse me in the plot at all. Additionally, the unnecessary crudeness of Julia‘s sex life made me feel like this book was a cheap erotic novel. Didn‘t enjoy the read and would not recommend this to others

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jdw
These Women | Ivy Pochoda
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Pickpick

This book was straight-up phenomenal. Heartbreakingly and beautifully written, this story follows five women who, on the surface have next to nothing in common, but share a deep bond of being chewed up and spit back out by the world. Every perspective had its own unique voice and had me me fully immersed in every page. Even though the world is a dark, haunted, and gritty place, this book reminds you to never let it dull the person you truly are.

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jdw
Falling | T J Newman
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Pickpick

Great debut novel from Newman. A compelling storyline coupled with likable characters and subtle immersion had me speeding through this book until the very end. I think Sam and Ben‘s characters were well-written and well-developed, although I would‘ve loved to have more background on their childhoods, especially Sam‘s little brother Ahmad. All in all, a great ready that was simple yet equally refreshing and thrilling

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jdw
Fair Warning | Michael Connelly
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Mehso-so

I‘m not the biggest fan of this genre written in first person, especially since Connelly usually doesn‘t in his other books. However, I thought the story was pretty decent, despite it not captivating me like some other stories. I never truly felt immersed in the story. Additionally, I felt the ending was anti-climatic & was tied up similarly like a Hallmark movie. The one thing I will praise this book for is basing Fair Warning off a real website.

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jdw
Nine Perfect Strangers | Liane Moriarty
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Panpan

The plot of this book would have been so much stronger if the author had the ability to actually change her writing style to fit each character. While the liberal use of exclamation points was warranted and fitting for Frances, I don‘t believe the same could be said for Yao or Tony. I kept waiting for the book to get better, but unfortunately it did not. The only reason I finished it is because I didn‘t have another book to read. I don‘t recommend

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jdw
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Pickpick

I‘m obsessed with Rooney‘s casual writing style that oozes unique takes of everyday life. While admittedly the romanticization of such an age-gapped relationship that falls under the category of affair was a tad too much for me, the general message of the book still stands strong. At the end of the day, no one really knows what they‘re doing or the direction they‘re going, and sometimes it‘s okay to just listen to your heart a bit.

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jdw
The Third to Die | Allison Brennan
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Panpan

I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn‘t do it for me. It had so much potential in terms of storylines, but I am personally not a fan of forced relationships between two characters that don‘t forward the plot in any way, and that‘s exactly what it felt like with Kara & Matt. Additionally, the writing had cringe moments, especially during Glen‘s point of view when exclamation points were used way more than necessary. I don‘t recommend

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jdw
Two Kinds of Truth | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

I haven‘t read the Bosch novels in order, usually due to finding them in a second-hand shop and deciding to pick them up on a whim. However, this one was, once again, fantastic. I love Bosch‘s relationship with SFPD and how his partnerships, both new and old, form around him. It‘s also nice to see the origin story of Elizabeth Clayton, as well as how absolutely heartbreaking it is. I can tell that I‘m going to be a fan of Connelly for a long time.

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jdw
Perfect on Paper | Sophie Gonzales
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Pickpick

This book was so surprisingly wonderful in every way. I happened to find out about it from a Twitter interaction that randomly appeared on my timeline involving Sophie Gonzales, but I am SO thankful I went ahead and blindly took the recommendation. I finished this book in 72 hours. The representation, the diversity, the pure humor and wit.. everything was perfect. I cannot recommend this book enough. It has surrounded my heart with comfort.

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jdw
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Pickpick

This book is so heartbreakingly beautiful in so many ways. The depth of Cameron‘s story demonstrates the real inner struggles of finally accepting who you are. Every character in this story is special in some way. No filler here- every single small detail matters to some degree in some way to some person. I think I may have found my favorite book. Cannot recommend it enough

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jdw
Did I Say You Could Go | Melanie Gideon
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Bailedbailed

This book is atrocious. The writing lacks any type of emotion whatsoever, there are a multitude of run-on sentences, and the verbiage makes it sound like a sixth grader wrote it. That was all in the first 32 pages. Thankfully I got this book for free, but PLEASE do not waste your money on it. You‘ll be severely disappointed. I didn‘t even bother skimming any more pages- I saw what I needed to determine it wasn‘t worth my time.

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jdw
Reconstructing Amelia | Kimberly McCreight
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Pickpick

I finished this book in 24 hours. I was completely captivated by McCreight‘s unique structure and wonderful character portrayal. I think I was invested to the point I was because I related so heavily with Amelia- young, scared, and trying to navigate high school when you don‘t even know yourself. The many red herrings threw me off multiple times, but I think the book ended in such a tragically beautiful way. It has become my go-to comfort read

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jdw
Reconstructing Amelia | Kimberly McCreight
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Read 166 pages so far of this book.. it‘s been one day. I am grossly invested in Amelia‘s storyline of discovering her and her sexuality. It brings me back to that age and how I shared those same exact feelings at that point in my life. This is already a comforting book. Can‘t wait to see what unfolds

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jdw
The System: A Novel | Ryan Gattis
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Pickpick

This book is amazing. Based in post-King riot 1993, it sheds the real light on gang crimes and racial profiling, both on the streets and within the system itself. The way this book is constructed is genius- written from 8 or 9 different perspectives, it never feels repetitive. It truly feels like you‘re living in the person‘s head. Gattis is a phenomenal writer, and simply put, I‘m going to read more of his work. You just got a new fan, sir.

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jdw
The Lost Man | Jane Harper
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Pickpick

This author, once again, blew me out of the water. Originally heard of Jane Harper after I read “The Dry.” Was a huge fan of the writing and storytelling so I decided to give this book a whirl. Super stoked I did. The characters are relatable, warm, and genuine. Harper manages to flawlessly intertwine multiple themes that are sometimes hard to bring to light. The best part about this book is that it will have you guessing until the very last page

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jdw
Then She Was Gone | Lisa Jewell
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Pickpick

Wow. That‘s all I can really say to summarize the book. The many twists and turns, the amount of times my mouth fell open.. incredible. This book is a work of art. All I can manage to type out is that you will not be disappointed. It will take everything you think you know about the plot and then turn it upside down within seconds. The end, both beautiful and tragic, shows how sinister and yet wonderful the world can be.

Carlie_jc I just read this the other day and it was heart breakingly good! 4y
8 likes1 comment
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jdw
Such a Fun Age | Kiley Reid
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Pickpick

Completely blown away by how wonderful this book is. Chose it on a whim when at my local bookstore and I am definitely not disappointed. Reid writes in a way that‘s both witty and entertaining while also being able to depict the true nature of her characters. By the end, I even felt emotionally invested in some side characters. The ultimate message of who‘s right and wrong doesn‘t necessarily matter- what‘s most important is who you become after.

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jdw
Cherry: A novel | Nico Walker
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Pickpick

Holy shit, what to say about this book? The easiest read of my life. The dialogue flows nicely and yet rugged at the same time. I went into this book knowing nothing about it and I ended it changed. Finding out that it is actually a memoir made me gasp. I appreciate Walker and his vulnerability to put out something like this. Do yourself a favor and read this right now.

britt_brooke This is such a great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4y
Leftcoastzen Rough but amazing! It‘s been awhile & I haven‘t forgotten it. 4y
4 likes2 comments
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jdw
The Wrong Side of Goodbye | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Connelly does it again. The way he manipulates stories and makes you naturally believe one idea and then completely destroys the possibility of that actually being real is amazing. He had me on my toes the entire time. I can‘t wait to continue with the Bosch series and see where he goes next. Highly recommend this masterpiece!

TrishB It‘s a great series 👍🏻 4y
2 likes1 comment
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jdw
The Law of Innocence | Michael Connelly
Pickpick

I love Connelly and everything he puts out- this book is no exception. A well-crafted tale that kept me guessing and trying to figure out who was the mastermind behind it all. While semi-anticlimactic at the end, it sets up the plot of the next story perfectly. Mickey Haller is one of my favorite characters in any book series, and I look forward to what‘s next for him and his crew.

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jdw
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Pickpick

At first, I was on the fence about this book. It started slow, I didn‘t understand the pace that was being set, the narrations were all over the place. However, as I got further into the writing, I realized that the book is sort of a masterpiece. Maddie sits in the middle of everything that happens in her life. The different stories told, however brief, show just how small the world is.. and how easy it is to ruin someone else‘s.

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jdw
The Liar's Room | Simon Lelic
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Mehso-so

I‘ve been trying to come up with something to say about this book, but the truth is it‘s just severely average. The writing is pretty good at times, but other times it‘s cringey and hard to get through. There are no likable characters in the book, and maybe that‘s the point, but it was hard to connect with anyone who was introduced. The book itself is fine, but I wouldn‘t recommend the read to anyone unless they had no other options.

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jdw
The Late Show | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Renee Ballard may be my new favorite detective. Well-written, a total badass, and an intriguing back story. Connelly did not disappoint with this book, that‘s for sure. When the true killer is discovered (after many red herrings), I gasped and was shaken. I never saw the twist coming, and this book has had a number of those. Highly highly recommend this read

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jdw
Dark Sacred Night | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Another genius book by Connelly. The ending was bittersweet and further reminded myself that there is no perfect scenario to please every party involved. My only complaint is that I wish there was slightly more background on the Cortez portion of the book- that ending felt a little stale to me, but not enough to avoid recommending this work. This only convinced me to pursue the series of Bosch and Ballard.

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jdw
Burning Room | Michael Connelly
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Pickpick

Superb writing like always. Started in the middle of the Bosch series and was not disappointed. Lucy is a great addition, and although her actions upset me to some extent, I found that I felt more connected to her by the time I turned the last page. Unsure where this book falls in the Bosch timeline, but it was still a fantastic read regardless. Highly recommend.

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jdw
The Chain | Adrian McKinty
Bailedbailed

This book was a huge disappointment. Right off the bat I wasn‘t impressed with the writing, as it felt cheesy and stereotypical. I only got 4 chapters in before I had to put the book down and accept the fact that I would not enjoy this. A little bummed because the idea of this book piques my interest, but the writing is somewhat unbearable for me to get through.

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jdw
Before the Fall | Noah Hawley
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Pickpick

One of my favorite books to-date. The story itself wasn‘t how the plane crashed, but how everyone was there collectively- how it was both inevitable and yet avoidable, in some way or another. I found myself not obsessed with what happened, but how every character got to that exact point in their lives. A mere coincidence, existing within several people, creates this type of bond that is unspoken and sometimes unknown. Bravo, Hawley. A masterpiece

7 likes1 stack add
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jdw
There There: A novel | Tommy Orange
Pickpick

A fast page-turner that keeps you guessing on the next direction it‘s going to take. The stories were all weaved together expertly and effortlessly, and by the end my hand was over my mouth. A painful reminder that someone‘s sacrifice is someone else‘s loss, but also someone else‘s gain. I‘m still trying to wrap my head around the ending, and just the feeling of not knowing how anything ever pans out. A true tragedy. Highly recommend

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jdw
Normal People | Sally Rooney
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Pickpick

How can a book tear open your heart so viciously??? This is one of the most accurate portrayals of a continuously growing and complicated love. Rooney‘s way of writing dialogue, making it feel so conversational and simple, made this book such an easy read. While the ending was maybe a little lackluster for some people, it highlights not only the individual growth of Connell and Marianne, but their growth together as one. Highly highly recommend

Blaire I loved it too! 4y
15 likes1 comment
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jdw
Buried | Ellison Cooper
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Pickpick

Ever since reading Caged, I was craving another story by Cooper. This did NOT disappoint. Cooper writes characters excellently, and I feel as though I am family with them all. The twist at the end was just as good as Caged‘s, but had me feeling shaken to my core. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the Agent Altair series.

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jdw
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Pickpick

Although my coming out journey was nowhere similar to Koets‘ own struggle, I related to the specific emotions a little too much. Loved the way this book was formatted and how everything had a double meaning, right down to The Rib Joint itself. Both loving in secret and losing that person are some of the hardest things one will ever do, and I‘m grateful Koets was able to share her experience as openly as she did.

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jdw
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

An easy read that kept me turning pages since I first started it. It kept me on my toes the entire time, from who killed Sean to it Rick could truly be trusted. I experienced several emotions simultaneously, and although the ending was a little lackluster for my liking, the overall story did not disappoint. I will make a point to read more of Miranda‘s stories, as I am a fan of her style of writing and twisted mind.

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jdw
IQ | Joe Ide
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Panpan

While I suppose the story came full circle to an extent, the writing was pretty horrible and the plot felt all over the place. It didn‘t seem like there was an idea for an ending, and that Ide wrapped everything up without giving it a second thought. Additionally, something about a non-black person continuously using the N word in his writing doesn‘t sit well with me. Don‘t waste your time with this book.

Cathythoughts I liked it , but I‘m not going to follow it up ( I think there‘s a second book ) 5y
5 likes1 comment
blurb
jdw
IQ | Joe Ide

98 pages into this book and not really enjoying the writing style of Joe Ide.. feels like I‘m missing something?? Not a fan of the way he sets up chapters that are from multiple perspectives and times of day. Hoping the book itself gets better, but am having doubts so far