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reneelyons

reneelyons

Joined May 2016

3 kids and not enough time for books (or sleep). 🇨🇦https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com Goodreads: reneelyons | Instagram: reneereadsbooks
review
reneelyons
The Discomfort of Evening | Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
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Mehso-so

This is a nearly impossible book to review. If you‘ve read this book, please share your thoughts! A study of grief in some ways, grotesquely exploitative in others. Deeply conflicting and controversial. I‘ll give it 3/5 stars, but with the potential to have been 5/5 stars for me.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/book-review-the-discomfort-of-e...

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reneelyons
What Moves at the Margin: Selected Nonfiction | Toni Morrison, Carolyn C. Denard
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Pickpick

A heavy, dense book, but completely worth the effort. 5/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/04/09/book-review-beloved-by-toni-mor...

18 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
If Beale Street Could Talk | James A Baldwin
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Pickpick

A beautiful, heartbreaking, and painfully relevant story. A young couple in love and newly pregnant fall victim to racism and a corrupt police force. Like every Baldwin I‘ve read before, 5/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/

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reneelyons
Radicalized | Cory Doctorow
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A really great read! 4 novellas that are astute satires of very real issues, 4/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/book-review-radicalized-by-cory...

Suzze I just bought that the other day! 4y
reneelyons @Suzze Awesome, enjoy!! 4y
17 likes2 comments
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reneelyons
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Pickpick

A powerful, inspirational memoir. 5/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/03/08/book-review-from-the-ashes-by-j...

18 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
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Pickpick

My first Lars Kepler! 3/5 stars

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/3942/

14 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
Son of a Trickster | Eden Robinson
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Loved this book 🖤 A coming of age story, a trickster story, and a story of multi-generational trauma. Can‘t wait to read some more Robinson. 4/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/23/book-review-son-of-a-trickster-...

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reneelyons
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Pickpick

A compulsively readable memoir. Habib has lived life of intense experiences - some good, and some very bad. This is her journey to discovering her identity and redefining her faith. 4/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/book-review-we-have-always-been...

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reneelyons
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Pickpick

A book for the #metoo movement. It‘s ultimately about imbalances in power and wealth, and how this impacts the health of a community. An unrelenting look at poverty and addiction, set in St. John‘s Newfoundland. 4/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/13/book-review-small-game-hunting-...

15 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
The Institute | Stephen King
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Pickpick

Reading Stephen King is always fun, even when the story is about kids being kidnapped, incarcerated, and forced to undergo brutal experiments and punishments. 4/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/book-review-the-institute-by-st...

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reneelyons
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Pickpick

I adored this book. A perfect #ownvoices alternative to American Dirt. 4/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/02/01/book-review-the-book-of-unknown...

reneelyons @MyBookSwapClub It‘s so good! 4y
25 likes2 comments
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reneelyons
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Mehso-so

An extreme difficult book to review. Those who contemplate the meaning of life, society, and the point of anything – you may find some value here. Crime fiction readers looking for something completely different may enjoy this too. That said, I can‘t say I‘d recommend this to anyone else.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/01/30/book-review-nothing-important-h...

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reneelyons
Unspeakable Things | Jessica Lourey
Mehso-so

A coming of age / dysfunctional family / domestic thriller / mystery. It was ok. CW: descriptions of sexual assault involving children, domestic abuse.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/01/26/book-review-unspeakable-things-...

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reneelyons
Darling Rose Gold | Stephanie Wrobel
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Mehso-so

This is, more or less, a fictional account of the Gypsy Rose Blanchard story. With a twist. 3/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2020/01/13/book-review-darling-rose-gold-b...

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reneelyons
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

Perfection. I adored this book from the first page to the last 5/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/12/31/book-review-olive-again-by-eliz...

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reneelyons
The Nickel Boys: A Novel | Colson Whitehead
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Whitehead shines a light on a dark and painful part of American history in The Nickel Boys. I‘m grateful to him for telling this story.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/12/31/book-review-the-nickel-boys-by-...

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reneelyons
Find Me | Andr Aciman
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If you‘ve read Aciman you‘ll know that he has an ability to tap into desire like no one else, and Find Me is no exception. However those looking for a continuation of Call Me By Your Name May be left wanting more. 4/5 stars

Full Review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/11/25/book-review-find-me-by-andre-ac...

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reneelyons
Correspondents | Tim Murphy
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With characters you get deeply invested in, Correspondents is a perfect read for anyone looking for humanity in an extremely polarizing time. 5/5 stars

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/11/13/book-review-correspondents-by-t...

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reneelyons
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5/5 stars.

Kim delivers family drama, intrigue, and poignant insights with Miracle Creek. This was a fantastic read for me, and I‘d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a moving story to get lost in.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/book-review-miracle-creek-by-an...

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reneelyons
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Craig Davidson continues to surprise in this work about the power and fragility of memory, and the lengths we go to to protect those we love. 4/5 stars.

Full Review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/book-review-the-saturday-night-...

16 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
Pet Sematary | Stephen King
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My favorite King (to date)! It‘s dark and disturbing, and utterly terrifying. 5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/book-review-pet-sematary-by-ste...

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reneelyons
Give Me Your Hand | Megan E Abbott
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With perfect pacing and tension, this was a home run for me. 5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/11/09/book-review-give-me-your-hand-b...

Joanne1 Sounds great!! 5y
reneelyons It is!! 5y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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reneelyons
Heart-Shaped Box | Joe Hill
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Pickpick

Not my favourite Joe Hill to date, but still a totally fun ride!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/book-review-heart-shaped-box-by...

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reneelyons
Sabrina | Nick Drnaso
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A grim take on the ways in which we process violent crime, this story truly surprised me. 4/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/10/14/book-review-sabrina-by-nick-drn...

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reneelyons
The Water Cure | Sophie Mackintosh
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Mehso-so

A unique work of fiction, but not one that is likely to stay with me.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/?p=3814

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reneelyons
The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

This one sort of hit in the middle for me - an important read, but lacking in emotional connection. A interesting choice for Man Booker!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/?p=3809

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reneelyons
White Teeth | Zadie Smith
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Mehso-so

Razor sharp wit, yet a narrative that felt disjointed. So close to greatness, but it fell a bit short for me. Still a worthwhile read!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/book-review-white-teeth-by-zadi...

Reviewsbylola Such a cheerful cover! 6y
26 likes2 comments
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reneelyons
The Outsider | Stephen King
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Pickpick

So damn close to being a home run, but a tie-in to the Bill Hodges trilogy and a supernatural twist took away from it a little. Still a great read! 4/5 stars

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/08/18/book-review-the-outsider-by-ste...

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reneelyons
Snap | Belinda Bauer
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Whew, what a journey! If you enjoy crime fiction or police procedurals, this is a must read. 5 stars.

Fill review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/08/12/book-review-snap-by-belinda-bau...

29 likes2 stack adds
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reneelyons
Find You in the Dark | Nathan Ripley
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Pickpick

While not a masterpiece in terms of writing quality, this was a unique and fun thriller that kept me flipping the pages. 3/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/08/09/book-review-find-you-in-the-dar...

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reneelyons
Fire Sermon | Jamie Quatro
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A book that asks complex questions without surmising a moral standpoint. Jamie Quatro is a phenomenal writer. 5/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/book-review-fire-sermon-by-jami...

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reneelyons
There There: A novel | Tommy Orange
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Pickpick

A culturally significant take on a multiple narrative storyline; these are stories of the “urban Indian”. 5/5 stars

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/book-review-there-there-by-tomm...

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reneelyons
Comedown | Rebekah Frumkin
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Mehso-so

A good book that suffers from over complication (read: too many characters named Leland or Lee).

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/book-review-the-comewdown-by-re...

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reneelyons
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Pickpick

This boos isn‘t good for true crime, it‘s just a damn good book. Chilling, but so worth the read. 5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/?p=3762

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reneelyons
Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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A book that poses the question: if you knew the date of your death, how would you choose to live your life? Heartbreaking and refreshing - 5/5 stars.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/07/21/book-review-the-immortalists-by...

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reneelyons
Hidden Bodies | Caroline Kepnes
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Pickpick

A biting satire that is equal parts scary and funny - it‘s way better than “You”.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/07/02/book-review-hidden-bodies-by-ca...

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reneelyons
Foe | Iain Reid
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Fantastic new speculative fiction from one of my favorite emerging writers. Release date: August 7, 2018

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/05/30/book-review-foe-by-ian-reid/

BarbaraBB Sounds really good! 6y
reneelyons @BarbaraBB Thanks for the comment! It was a really enjoyable read! 6y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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reneelyons
Giovanni's Room | James Baldwin
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Pickpick

Stunningly beautiful and painfully tragic. James Baldwin continues to astound me.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/05/02/book-review-giovannis-room-by-j...

Nute Yes! 5y
21 likes1 comment
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reneelyons
Talented Mr. Ripley | Patricia Highsmith
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Deliciously creepy. Absolutely amazing. Loved it!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/book-review-the-talented-mr-rip...

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reneelyons
Tangerine: A Novel | Christine Mangan
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Mehso-so

An OK book that wanted to be The Talented Mr Ripley. Enjoyable, but all too familiar.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/book-review-tangerine-by-christ...

Penny_LiteraryHoarders Yes. Said exactly the same thing. 😣 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Great review - was curious about this one and now I don‘t have to wonder anymore. 👍 6y
reneelyons @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Thanks! Happy reading :) 6y
KateFulfordAuthor @reneelyons & friends: If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. 6y
24 likes5 comments
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reneelyons
The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah
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Pickpick

Both stunning and devastating, an epic story that captivated me from the first page. 5/5 stars!

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/book-review-the-great-alone-by-...

morgan_krahn I loved this one 😍 6y
reneelyons @morgan_krahn It‘s so great! 6y
25 likes2 comments
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reneelyons
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Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant if you‘re willing to dig beneath the surface. It‘s dark and heavy, and perfectly atmospheric. 5/5 massive stars for me.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/08/book-review-im-thinking-of-endi...

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reneelyons
Harvard Square | Andr Aciman
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Pickpick

Another great Aciman read! In this one, the friendship is explored rather than romantic relationships (though those are in here too).

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/book-review-harvard-square-by-a...

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reneelyons
Favorite Sister | Jessica Knoll
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Bailedbailed

I was really looking forward to this one, but decided to put it down at 31%. It just didn‘t work for me.

My thoughts: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/book-review-the-favorie-sister-...

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reneelyons
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Mehso-so

In our divided political climate, books like this are important. Bala questions the immigration process and asks tough questions of both her readers and her characters. A valuable Canada Reads contender.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/book-review-the-boat-people-by-...

25 likes2 stack adds
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reneelyons
The Marrow Thieves | Cherie Dimaline
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Pickpick

A dark and fantastic YA that needs to be in Canadian classrooms.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/book-review-the-marrow-theives-...

Lindy 👍 6y
TheLudicReader It‘s in my classroom.😀 6y
23 likes3 comments
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reneelyons
American War | Omar El Akkad
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Mehso-so

A solid dystopian contribution, but not my favourite.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/book-review-american-war-by-oma...

Reviewsbylola I was so disappointed by this one. 6y
reneelyons @Reviewsbylola Me as well. There were some great moments but it was just ok overall. 6y
11 likes2 comments
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reneelyons
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25 likes2 stack adds
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reneelyons
An American Marriage | Tayari Jones
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A moving story about loosing the American dream, what it means to be black in America, and the search for love and loyalty.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/book-review-an-american-marriag...

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reneelyons
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Not the most unique story, but fun and absorbing regardless.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/book-review-the-woman-in-the-wi...