Kelley > Recent Status Updates

I’m enjoying the audiobook narrator for this one. It really does sound like a young Obi-Wan! Fun music and sound effects come standard with any Star Wars book, which helps set the scene. I also find it funny but sad that Obi-Wan is a teenage ball of anxiety. Honestly very relatable.

After book 2, I was so hyped. But to go out with such a bang, only to jump back in with an underwhelming start and no Orion? I’m sort of bummed. He was one of my favorite characters, so to sit through so much of the story without him just makes me sad.

Got this book for $1 from a library sale so I have no excuses left. Finally time to try another epic sci-fi. People say this is a rip-off of Dune but I’m not seeing it yet. I’ll report back.

This feels like a D&D campaign in novel form. And I love it. It’s giving Honor Among Thieves or The Adventure Zone. There’s always an unexpected solution to a problem or a small action in a quiet moment that leads to a big payoff later. My favorite thing so far is how each member of the team was happy to be back together. I love to see depictions of older men with strong friendships.

I’m enjoying this way more than I thought I would. The world-building is so interesting, I could see reading a whole series just to learn all the lore. So far, it reminds me of A Deadly Education, Percy Jackson, and Attack on Titan somehow all got blended together.

Liking this more than I thought I would. Glad I took the time to feel ready for dark academia again. The characters are interesting and charming in an eccentric way. The mystery plot is kicking into gear too!

Not grabbing my attention like I expected. The writing is very easy to understand, but some of the world-building could have been introduced through the MC experiencing it directly or uncovering it during the plot instead of…having an awkward lore-dump conversation with a side character. I liked the found family sisterhood vibes at the beginning much more! Bring that back!

This might be the only true execution of enemies to lovers I’ve seen this year. Impressive. Can’t wait to have my heart ripped out and stomped on…I know it’s coming.

When I saw people crying on tiktok after finishing manacled, I was morbidly intrigued. I would love a book to bring me to tears. And so, after a year of waiting, I finally have a version that is not associated with the hp fandom. Going in blind, wish me luck.

I don’t know how she does it. I would read anything Ann Liang writes. There’s something addictive about her books. I just fly through the pages, giggling and kicking my feet. What a treat!

:( Goodreads is forcing me to read a mystery/thriller and this is the only one I own. What a bummer! It’s only like the most popular book of 2024. And I will probably love it. Listen, if it’s over 400 pages, it triggers my fight or flight response, okay?

Didn’t know McClintock was a musician too! A multi-talented icon.

I saw this book at Cold Spring Harbor and knew I had to get it as a keepsake from my visit. I did a presentation on Barbara McClintock’s work once and took quotes from this book, but never got to read the whole thing. Now is my chance!

Not sure about this one. It makes me sad when I listen to it. The narrators are definitely bringing the story to life, but do I want this story brought to life??? I’m not used to reading about child neglect. There’s an unexpected twist of…magical realism I guess? Hearing animals thoughts? I like that part.

Every time I like a character, they leave after two chapters. Please let me get attached! Immortality is so lonely :’(

For once, I feel like an author is delivering on what the book was pitched as. It is sapphic in the best way. It’s real, it’s messy, it’s passionate and a little selfish. And the vampires are dangerous but also delightfully magical. Reminds me of Baldur’s Gate 3 (which I love)

Liking this more than I thought I would, considering that it leans toward historical fantasy.