Normal People starts out beautifully. Marianne is a loner in high school with no friends, while Connell is the popular football player. His mom works as a cleaner at Marianne's house, so they run into each other when he stops by to pick up his mom. Over time, they start to thaw around each other, growing closer as they realize that they can be their true selves when they are together.

Rooney captures so well the vulnerability and awkwardness of teenage years, along with its exuberance and infinite possibility. It was sweet to follow along to Marianne and Cornell's developing relationship. Even though there is the stress of school and the pressure of being teenagers, when they are alone together, they can be free to express themselves and be who they really are.

Then they are off to college, and the dynamics change. Marianne becomes the popular one, and Connell becomes the loner with no friends. At this point, I start to realize Rooney captures a very black and white version of high school and college. You are either part of the popular obnoxious crowd or you are a nobody with no friends, and there is nothing in between. And everyone's ultimate goal was to be in the popular crowd. But that isn't the school experience I remember, so it became harder and harder for me to connect with this book. In my experience, people had several different groups of friends, and no one liked obnoxious people. Most were working so hard that they didn't have time to worry about popularity and how others regarded them, especially in college.

This story has a very YA feel to it, where the characters are filled with angst and lack emotional maturity. While that made sense when Marianne and Connell were in high school, as the story progressed through their college years, it didn't anymore. The two seem to love each other, and yet, they are so sensitive to perceived slights that innocent conversations would quickly escalate to a breakup. Honest communication would clear this up immediately, but they don't do that. Instead, they circle and prod each other until they are back together again. Then the cycle repeats. It's all very dramatic, but it left me pretty apathetic by the end of the book.

This book also tackles the subject of abuse, but I think it was a missed opportunity here. Rooney portrays abuse as if some people just want to be abused, so they will let anyone abuse them, and even go around looking for it until they find it. That's not right. Victims have trouble escaping because abusers are often the people they love most, who treat them well most of the time and express regret after an incident. But there is no love or good treatment in this book, so it doesn't make sense that the victim would just put up with it.

In the end, I thought the first half of this book was wonderful, but everything stagnated in the second half. The main characters never really grew up, so they repeated the same mistakes over and over again. Their lack of maturity and insight into themselves and their relationships grated on me. I went into this book with really high hopes, but ultimately it didn't live up to its potential.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

I'm not sure I completely understand Adèle. In it, the main character Adèle is consumed by an insatiable need for sex with random strangers, so she constantly lies and puts herself in dangerous situations in order to fulfill that desire.

I think my disconnect with this story is that I don't feel the main character's thoughts and actions jive into a cohesive person. On the one hand, Adèle looks down at her husband with disdain; on the other hand, she can't live without him. She can't stand the thought of living in the countryside, but weeps with longing when she isn't there. She is constantly searching for belonging, but looks down her nose at everyone. I just don't buy that this is all the same person.

Despite the book blurb, this isn't really a story about sex and it isn't at all erotic. The sex in here is mechanical, emotionless, and often appalling. If anything, this story seems to be more about someone suffering from crippling anxiety, addiction, and self-harm. I feel the author had a real missed opportunity here to take those and go somewhere interesting and insightful with them. But instead, this story was meandering, windy and tortuous without ever going anywhere.

This is a rather depressing read. It seems its message is that we are all at the mercy of our baser instincts, and nothing we do and no circumstances in our lives can change that. That's a rather pessimistic view of life, and one that I don't share, so this story isn't quite for me.

Readaroo Rating: 2 stars

Pandora's Lab examines seven scientific breakthroughs that ultimately lead us in the wrong direction, and considers what lessons we might learn from them so that we don't make the same mistakes again.

On the one hand, this is a fascinating and thought-provoking book. One of the highlights for me was the chapter about opioid addiction. Offit manages to succinctly describe the history of this class of drugs, starting from the opium poppy plant to its recent chemical formulations that have led to a staggering addiction crisis. This chapter puts into perspective and helped me understand this drug, its allure, addictive properties, and chemical evolution in a way that multiple standalone books in the past have not done.

Another chapter I really enjoyed is the one on margarine. I appreciated Offit's straightforward, scientific writing and the way he broke down the differences between the fats. In particular, he made it easy to understand what is so special and dangerous about trans fat, and what to watch out for when grocery shopping.

In general, I found most of the seven stories to be insightful, but the chapter on DDT was a huge exception. Offit argues that Rachel Carson, through her book Silent Spring, called forth a revolution against DDT that led to its eventual ban in the US and around the world. He harps on the fact that this anti-DDT movement was not backed at all by science. This surprised me, so I looked into it, and every article I found of reputable origin agrees that DDT does harm humans and animals, acting as an endocrine disruptor and thinning the eggshells of birds. The author didn't mention any of this, and it's clear he cherry-picked the data he included so that it supports his narrative. This chapter reads more like Offit's personal rant instead of the calm, scientific exploration it should have been.

Another part of the book that disappointed me was the epilogue. In it, the author attempts to argue that e-cigarettes are not harmful because they don't cause cancer as traditional cigarettes do (since they don't have tar). I'm really surprised to read that a scientist would take such a narrow point of view on what's considered harmful, especially when he should have known that nicotine addiction is a huge issue and should not be brushed aside so lightly.

Overall, this book is a mixed bag. There are some extremely informative and thought-provoking passages in here, and I learned a lot from reading this book. But at times, Offit commits the same sin he is writing about, where he lets his scientific expertise cloud his judgement and presents his personal views instead of what the data and science really shows.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

Oh ok, I get it now. I can see why everyone loves this book!

Federal agent Aaron Falk goes back to his hometown for the funeral of Luke, his childhood best friend. Luke, along with his family, had died in suspicious circumstances. After the funeral, Luke's parents beg Falk to stay and look into the family's death. And just like that, Falk is drawn back into the small town's web of hardship, suspicion, and small-mindedness.

I find Jane Harper to be a riveting storyteller and The Dry is no different. Her characters are interesting and fully-formed, while the mystery itself is intriguing. The unfurling of the plot is skillfully handled, with plenty of suspense and momentum. With a neatly compiled list of potential suspects, the reader's attention is directed one way, then another, but the reveal at the end still takes me by surprise.

As an aside, I don't know what it is with Harper's books, but the blurbs just never do anything for me. Small towns, gossip and secrets, hot dry weathers, landscapes of dirt, small-mindedness, these are all things that don't really appeal to me. And yet, her stories end up being so compelling! Either she needs to hire someone else to write her book blurbs or I just need to stop reading them and trust that Jane Harper hasn't let me down yet.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

Normally, I feel the need to apologize if I hated a book that everyone else loves. But in this case, my apology is for the opposite—I had so much fun with 99 Percent Mine, and it seems like I'm in the minority. Sorry!

Right then, onto the story. Darcy has adored Tom since they were eight years old, but he's been off limits because he's her twin brother's best friend. Now that Darcy and her brother have inherited a rundown cottage from their grandmother, Tom is the one hired to bring it back to life. During construction, Darcy and Tom are thrown together, and it looks like Darcy finally has the chance to make her heart's wishes come true.

If I had to sum up this story in one word, it would be charming. Darcy and Tom are so freaking cute in their interactions together. Darcy is sparkly and sarcastic, a tough girl with a soft heart. Tom is quiet and serious, always looking out for Darcy and taking care of her.

My favorite part of this book is the bold and cheeky dialogue, where Darcy says inappropriate things to Tom just to get him to unbend and relax a little. He obviously enjoys her attention, but tries to look disapproving and keep them on task. Their interactions make me giggle and swoon, and are the absolute highlights of this book.

With romance books, it's hard to say what would enchant one reader but not another. Just like we don't all fall in love with the same person, we don't all fall in love with the same romance books. We connect with the characters and stories that remind us of ourselves and our own experiences. For me, this book is a home run. It perfectly captures all the magical feelings in those first few glorious months of falling in love.

This book really cements Sally Thorne as a must-read for me. Her vivacious female character and spirited dialogue completely speaks to me. This is the second book I've read by her and they both feel unique, a little more vibrant and quirky than your typical rom-com. Sally Thorne, please keep writing, and I'll keep reading!

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

Miracle Creek is so raw and visceral in its tackling of people, their emotions, and all their flaws. It was hard to look away from this story, but at times, even harder to continue.

A small group of people are seeking an experimental treatment when the unthinkable happens—an explosion kills two and injures several. The mother of one of the dead is accused of killing her autistic son and is charged with murder. What follows is the four-day trial through the eyes of each person involved.

Right from the start, this story grabbed me. There is something in here for everyone. If you're an immigrant, you will understand the Yoos' relentless drive to create a better life for their daughter in America. If you are or have ever been a teenager, you will see yourself in Mary's urge to gain independence and become her own person. And if you're a parent, you will sympathize with all the agonizing decisions parents have to make for their children.

To me, one of the most interesting and well-done parts of this book is its exploration of morality. Given hard choices, what would you do? Do you step up and do the right thing, or do you hang back and take the easy road? What about when those choices affect the people you love the most?

To be honest, this book is so blunt and brutal in its portrayal of people that it was hard for me to keep reading at times. The characters felt so real, too real for just a book, and their problems hit close to home. Some of them are seriously flawed, and to read about the lies and deceit they carried out, which then led to even more lies, was really difficult. I had to take several breaks throughout because it felt so intensely uncomfortable.

This book encompasses so much in so little space. On the surface, it's a murder trial to find out if the defendant is innocent or guilty and what really happened the night of the explosion. But underneath, it's an unflinching look at human nature, with all of its ugliness and cowardliness, but there is also bravery and hope. It's a book guaranteed to leave you with more to think about than when you went in.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

In Washington Black, we meet George Washington Black when he's eleven years old, a slave on a sugar plantation in Barbados. Wash is quiet and timid, cowed by his cruel and unpredictable master. Then Titch, the master's brother, chooses him to be his manservant, and his entire world opens up. Soon, the two of them are working together on scientific pursuits and seeing the humanity in each other. But tragedy strikes not long after, and they are forced to flee to save Wash's life. What follows is partly an adventure tale through different locales, and partly the discovery of oneself through the harshest of conditions.

This book is unflinching in its portrayal of slavery, not just the senseless brutality and violence, but also how it robs someone of their agency and their sense of self. It's heartbreaking to see that being slaves hinders their ability to form even the most basic bonds of friendship and love. There were so many things Wash wanted to ask Big Kit, who was as close as a mother to him, but he often could not form his thoughts into the words he did not know.

When Wash breaks free from slavery with Titch's help, we feel joyous and hopeful for him, but redemption and true freedom do not come so fast. The book explores how someone who has been a slave all his life would adjust to the world outside. Wash still spends much of his time feeling afraid, constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for his old master to come calling and collect his property. He slowly breaks out of that fear, but he never fully escapes the crippling horror of his younger years.

Wash proceeds to live in a series of locations, first to better his living conditions, then to aid his pursuit of science and drawing. After many years, he lets his guard down enough to open his heart to a few people that really matter to him. As he finds peace and success through his longtime interest in science, his curiosity of why Titch chose to save him all those years ago never leaves him, and he starts to seek out the answers to all his questions.

Edugyan is a beautiful writer. Her passages are brutal, but also magical and uplifting. Reading her words, I am filled with both horror for Wash's past and hope and longing for his future. I'm so glad I picked up this book. It is a must-read, and will stick in my mind long after I am done.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

My Lovely Wife is advertised as a domestic thriller about a married couple who murders to keep their marriage alive. It sounds interesting enough, so sign me up. Except what I got was mostly a domestic drama with no thrills. Boo hiss.

The majority of this book reads like a play of a typical suburban family, starring the couple and their two teenage kids. We are treated to page after page of them getting ready, going to work/school, coming home, cooking and eating dinner, watching tv, and going to sleep. There are lots of teenage drama, angst, rebellion, and technology use. It's all so pedestrian and boring.

This couple has real communication issues between them. Since the story is told from the husband's perspective and the wife does most of the murdering, it's all done off-screen, which means the husband (and we the readers) don't know the details. The husband is curious about what the wife is doing, but for some odd reason, doesn't just come out and ask her. Supposedly this couple murders to keep the spark alive in their relationship, yet the husband is too squeamish to know the details. It doesn't make any sense.

It's also not clear to me why they do this. The book makes some pretty far-fetched jumps to tie a backstory together, but it isn't convincing. In fact, none of the main characters' actions really gel into real people with coherent personalities. They are all rather one-dimensional, with the only distinguishing characteristics being that the parents murder for excitement and their kids go through teenage issues.

It's always a risk to tell a story from an antihero's perspective, and in order for it to be good, the reader has to be able to understand and connect with that person. Unfortunately, I didn't really feel anything from this story. I wasn't excited or thrilled or intrigued. I mostly just read to see what happens in the end, and when I got there, I didn't really feel anything either. Considering how awesome the premise was, it's a shame this book was a solid meh for me.

Readaroo Rating: 2 stars

It's unpopular opinion time, you guys. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I didn't love Crooked Kingdom.

After I finished Six of Crows, I couldn't wait to start on this book, but I wonder if jumping into the sequel so soon had been a mistake. Without a doubt, this duology is complex and complicated, filled with a long and epic mission, lots of lovable if flawed characters, and so many twists and turns that you'll get whiplash. But it was just too much of a good thing and it felt never-ending.

Part of the issue for me is that the sequel is essentially an extension of the first book, but without its laser-focused mission. Instead, the mission of this book was meandering, cleaning up all the loose ends and getting to things that were not achieved in the first book. Now there are multiple purposes driving the gang forward: rescue, vengeance, money, reputation, and staying alive. And so the mission became muddled and rambling.

It didn't help that this is a huge book at 500+ pages. Our gang lays out elaborate plans, then things go wrong, then they lay out other elaborate plans, then more things go wrong, repeated ad nauseam. I think for someone who loves this universe and these people, having such a drawn out plot is a good thing, but it wasn't for me. I didn't need to read every little detail about this universe or what happens when things go wrong again and again. I feel this book could easily have cut out 200 pages, and still delivered the same story.

It took me so long to get through this book. Every time I thought about reading some more, I just got this feeling of fatigue. If I took any individual chapter of this book, I can say that it was great fun and well-written. But put together, it was just too much. Instead of feeling exhilarated by this ride, I felt exhausted and spent, and relieved to have reached the end.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars