The Curator: one star reviews of my favorite books
haters gonna hate and we love them for it
The world can be a scary place, but there is nothing scarier than the one-star review section of Goodreads. I’ve been saving up these reviews for some time, and they had me wheezing all over again writing this. While I cannot take credit for the idea (I participated in the challenge on Bookstagram in 2023), I certainly can revel in the hilarity. As Mr Lamar teaches, hating can be fun and profitable, so here we are with…
Let’s start out with a banger.
I believe Ms. Tartt would be delighted you find it so relatable. Families, amirite?
Shoutout to Jennelle who THREW HER BOOK IN THE TRASH
Sheri seems fun
Long live Jonas the Cat
At least Abby got some practical life tips out of it
Don is not so very cool, but at least the movie is.
Rebecca, I really hope you are still with us
no not the BOOMER VIRUS say it ain’t so David
And lastly, Ms Tracy who would prefer childbirth to the pain of reading this book
I wish all the reviewers much happiness and better selections for the future!
reading 📖→
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. I know I am really behind here, but if you haven’t, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. My god it is phenomenal. It’s like The Hunger Games mixed with a bit of X-Men for adults. I am blown away by Jemisin’s ability to keep you riveted while also conjuring up some remarkable world-building and top-notch social commentary, especially when it comes to race and class. Somehow, she makes it exciting rather than pedantic. A+++++
I started another true crime audiobook, When a Killer Calls by John Douglas, who also wrote Mindhunter. It’s dark but interesting to hear about the first criminal profilers, even if all their names are things like Bill, Tom, and Robert1.
book news and restacks📰→
The LA Times released a list of finalists for their 2024 book prize, and no surprise the list includes James and All Fours. I do love that they give Mystery/Thriller and Sci-Fi/Spec their own categories! (LA Times)
Really looking forward to
‘s Pulitzer Project (Substack)I was inspired by
‘s piece On Talking About Reading to start paying attention to new words and start building my vocabulary (Substack)
consuming📽️🎧→
A friend shared this podcast, History of the 90s, and it is perfect for all my millennials who want all the tea on their favorite nostalgia-inducing moments of the decade. It is well-researched, juicy, and will have you pining for VH1 Pop-Up Video to make a comeback.
I don’t share a lot of products here, but two things that have recently changed my life
A mini portable Crockpot. All week I tested this thing out, bringing my work lunches and letting it slowly heat my food throughout the day. Damn if it didn’t make a huge difference in taste and texture! You will never look at a microwave again.
A coffee mug warmer. I got this one on Amazon (sorry) at the recommendation of a coworker, but you can probably find something similar at any major retailer of your choosing. It is LIFE CHANGING for my hot coffee friends.
and cats 🐈⬛→
Regal Rizzie
let’s chat 👻→
Have you ever looked at bad reviews for books you love or are you not sadistic?
What is the last random purchase that changed your life?
What are you reading currently, and is it any good?
in case you missed it 🖤
The Curator: you're either reading Onyx Storm or you're reading Middlemarch, and it's all the same
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See you around the bookshelf!
very white, very male. It is what it is!
The way I belly roll laughed at these reviews. Incredible. I love it when people are brutally honest about what they don't like. This was such a treat.
As always, I want to be your kitties. They always look HIGH AS A KITE from love and coziness.
That mini crockpot is ADORABLE. I work from home but if I didn't, I would def make that purchase.
Two things that have changed my life are an electric tea kettle that has controlled water temps digitized for convenience. I use it to make matcha, herbal tea, and French press coffee. It is LIFE changing. I'm literally giddy when I wake up in the morning. Shout out to my sister for gifting it to me for my bday. The other is a Loftie alarm clock. I can't/won't shut up about it. It's also a sound machine. It has this setting called a "Bed Signal" that plays a gorgeous tune letting you know when it's time to wind down for bed. That is when we put our phones across the room and pick up a book/Kindle. I stopped using my phone as an alarm clock and my attention span, creativity, and mind bandwidth has changed significantly. I'm going to write about it in more detail for my next Caught In My Web newsletter. Cannot recommend it enough!!
“i prefer childbirth” SAVAGE!!!!!!!!
also thank you so much for the shoutout! i am forever honored