Reviews and Comments

Rainer

rainer@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 6 months ago

Pronouns: he/him Reading is my escape. Books are my love language.

This link opens in a pop-up window

Zaina Arafat: You Exist Too Much (2020, Dialogue Books) 4 stars

A novel of self-discovery following a Palestinian-American girl as she navigates queerness, love addiction and …

An exploration of love addiction

4 stars

This story gripped me in a way where I really cared about the main character and her well-being, but it was quite difficult at times because I internalized some of the stress and anxiety that were woven so deeply into her relational struggles.

In the end, a well-written story that explores some important topics and themes.

Bryan Washington: Family Meal (2023, Penguin Publishing Group) 4 stars

Growing up, TJ was Cam's boy next door. When Cam needed a home, TJ's parents …

A great book for book club

4 stars

I read this one for my book club and at first didn't particularly enjoy it, but the more I started thinking and talking about it the more that I started to appreciate the depth and the humanity of the characters.

Also, there's a trigger warning at the beginning of this book and its 100% necessary. It's not a lighthearted read, and the trigger warning is there for a reason.

R. F. Kuang: Babel (Hardcover, 2022, Harper Voyager) 4 stars

From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History …

An Anticolonial Classic

5 stars

I am having trouble finding words to describe this book. Great? Profound? Fantastically entertaining and terrifying? All of the above?

Do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as you can.

Glenn Boozan, Priscilla Witte: There Are Moms Way Worse Than You (2022, Workman Publishing Company, Incorporated) 4 stars

A hilarious and reassuring gift for every mom: because we’re all doing the best we …

Important conversation starter

4 stars

It's important to name and acknowledge that we often feel like shitty and subpar parents. Somehow though, this book kind of gave off the vibes of a person who tells their depressed friend "there are people who have it way worse than you". Not saying this book is as problematic as all that, but its a deep problem that requires some real emotional work, and not just a "stop being so dramatic" kind of thing.

Lily Chu: The Stand-In (2022, Sourcebooks, Incorporated) 4 stars

Gracie Reed is doing just fine. Sure, she was fired by her overly "friendly" boss, …

It's fine

4 stars

Content warning spoilers