Entry tags:
- 3 stars,
- 4 stars,
- 5 stars,
- bonnie garmus,
- book review,
- childrens,
- classics,
- cozy fantasy,
- cozy mystery,
- cs lewis,
- dystopian,
- economics,
- education,
- fantasy,
- feminism,
- greek mythology,
- historical fiction,
- history,
- horror,
- jeremy clarkson,
- joanne fluke,
- memoir,
- mira grant,
- natalie haynes,
- non-fiction,
- novella,
- queer,
- science fiction,
- sports,
- travis baldree,
- zombies
April-May Reviews Round-up
I've finished reading quite a lot of books lately and written the reviews for them but haven't quite found my schedule with posting them. I've got reviews going back to books I finished in April that aren't posted yet. So I figured I'd do some drive-by mini reviews just to catch myself up and then see if I can figure out more of a schedule going forwards.
Mira Grant - Feed (Newsflesh #1)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, dystopian, horror, science fiction, zombies
Zombies, politics, blogging, and a slowly unfolding conspiracy - Feed is one of those books I’d heard about for ages, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. Yes, it’s a bit slow in places, and at times the political detail lost me a little — but wow, the rest of it more than made up for it.
The world building is sharp and believable, with a post-zombie-apocalypse society shaped by fear, media, and control. Add in a deep-dive conspiracy, tense horror moments, and characters that feel fully lived-in, and you’ve got a chillingly smart take on the zombie genre.
It's clever, creepy, and so compelling when it hits its stride. If you like your horror with a side of social commentary and smart journalism, this one’s for you.
Joanne Fluke - Peach Cobbler Murder (Hannah Swensen #7)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, cozy mystery
There’s just something irresistibly comforting about diving back into Lake Eden with Hannah Swensen. Peach Cobbler Murder delivers all the cozy hallmarks I’ve come to expect from this series: small-town gossip, delicious-sounding desserts, and a heroine who can’t help but find herself at the center of another murder mystery.
This installment sees a rival bakery open up shop, tensions rising, and, of course, a suspicious death. While the mystery itself isn’t the most tightly plotted of the series, it’s still engaging enough to keep the pages turning. I’ll admit the real draw here is less the murder and more the comforting rhythm of Hannah’s world: baking, sleuthing, and navigating her (increasingly chaotic) love life.
As always, the recipes included sound mouthwatering (I may or may not have bookmarked the actual peach cobbler one), and there’s something deeply nostalgic in the tone and structure of these books. They’re not high-octane thrillers, and they don’t pretend to be—they’re cozy, warm, and a little bit bonkers in the best way.
This one didn’t reach the heights of my favourite installments, but it still hit the spot. 4 stars, a hot drink, and maybe a baked good or two recommended for reading.
Travis Baldree - Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, cozy fantasy, queer
If Legends & Lattes was a warm hug in book form, then Bookshops & Bonedust is the slightly dustier but equally heartfelt origin story that makes you fall in love with Viv all over again.
This cozy prequel delivers everything I hoped for - a quieter kind of fantasy, low-stakes but rich with character. Watching a younger Viv begrudgingly rest up in a sleepy seaside town was a joy, especially as she slowly warms to the quirky bookshop owner, a scatterbrained gnome, and the town's soft-hearted baker. The writing is funny, gentle, and full of affection for found families, good food, and the small comforts that matter most.
What truly made it a 5-star read for me was how much heart Baldree pours into these characters - there's a tenderness here, even amid pirates, skeletons, and secrets. It’s a story about healing, connection, and learning to slow down. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, cinnamon rolls (both literal and metaphorical), and books about books.
A love letter to small bookshops, unlikely friendships, and the magic of taking a breath before the real adventure begins.
Bonnie Garmus - Lessons in Chemistry
⭐️⭐️⭐️, historical fiction, literary
I went into Lessons in Chemistry expecting something sharp, funny, and empowering - and while it does have those elements, it didn’t quite come together for me as a whole.
Elizabeth Zott is a fascinating character, and the book’s premise — a brilliant woman navigating 1960s sexism with stubborn resolve — is compelling. But the tone is unexpectedly flat at times; the matter-of-fact narrative voice suits Elizabeth’s character but left the emotional beats feeling a bit distant for me. It’s not that I didn’t care, but rather that I often felt I was being told, not shown.
That said, there’s a lot here to appreciate: from commentary on misogyny and science to a charming dog and found family moments. I just don’t think it was quite the book it set itself up to be. Still enjoyable, but I didn’t love it the way I hoped to.
Mira Grant - Rolling in the Deep (Rolling in the Deep 0.5)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, horror, novella, science fiction
A perfect mix of horror, sci-fi, and deep-sea dread, Rolling in the Deep is the kind of novella that grips you by the throat and drags you down... fast. Mira Grant takes the familiar premise of a documentary voyage gone wrong and spins it into something chilling, clever, and deeply unsettling.
The faux-scientific structure, the layered tension, the way the dread builds—it's everything I want in a horror novella. You know where it’s going, but that doesn’t stop the descent from being absolutely riveting. And the mermaids? Not the whimsical kind. These creatures are sharp, brutal, and terrifying in the best way.
Short, sharp, and brilliantly executed, this is oceanic horror done right. I couldn’t put it down - and then I didn’t want to sleep.
Natalie Haynes - Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, non-fiction, feminism, greek mythology, history
This is exactly the kind of feminist myth retelling I’m here for — sharp, witty, and unflinchingly clever. Pandora’s Jar digs deep into the stories of the women in Greek mythology who are so often sidelined, misrepresented, or outright vilified, and Natalie Haynes doesn’t just reclaim their voices — she rewrites the whole conversation.
The tone is conversational and accessible, sometimes almost stand-up in its delivery, which works brilliantly... most of the time. There were moments where the humour slightly undercut the emotional weight of what was being discussed, but overall, it made what could’ve been a dense read feel breezy and inviting.
Each chapter focuses on a different figure — from Pandora to Medea to Clytemnestra — and Haynes draws connections across ancient texts, pop culture, and modern feminism without ever sounding preachy. It’s a powerful reminder that the way stories are told matters just as much as the stories themselves.
Jeremy Clarkson - Driven to Distraction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, non-fiction, economics, education, memoir, sports
Look, I couldn't tell you the difference between a V8 and a vacuum cleaner — and honestly? I don't care. But that’s the magic of Clarkson: even when he’s ranting about obscure car models or driving on winding country roads, I’m still completely entertained.
This collection is sharp, ridiculous, and occasionally delightfully petty. You’re not here for the car reviews (well, I’m not) — you’re here for the grumpy wit, the vivid metaphors, and the sense that you're listening to your most opinionated uncle let loose over dinner.
A fun, fast read that made me laugh out loud more than once — even when I had absolutely no idea what he was on about.
C.S. Lewis - The Voyage of the Dawntreader (The Chronicles of Narnia #5)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, childrens, classics, fantasy
Revisiting childhood favourites is always a gamble — sometimes the magic doesn’t hold up, or the things you loved as a kid don’t quite land the same way. But I’m glad I took the chance on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
There’s still so much wonder in this seafaring quest: dragons, islands, curses, and that sense of wide-open adventure that made Narnia so captivating the first time around. Some parts felt slower than I remembered, and some of the narrative voice feels dated now, but there’s no denying the charm.
What surprised me most were the parts I remembered vividly — Reepicheep, the dragon, the dufflepuds — versus the bits I’d forgotten entirely. It felt like reading something familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, and that was half the joy.
And it still has one of the best opening lines ever: There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
Mira Grant - Feed (Newsflesh #1)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, dystopian, horror, science fiction, zombies
Zombies, politics, blogging, and a slowly unfolding conspiracy - Feed is one of those books I’d heard about for ages, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. Yes, it’s a bit slow in places, and at times the political detail lost me a little — but wow, the rest of it more than made up for it.
The world building is sharp and believable, with a post-zombie-apocalypse society shaped by fear, media, and control. Add in a deep-dive conspiracy, tense horror moments, and characters that feel fully lived-in, and you’ve got a chillingly smart take on the zombie genre.
It's clever, creepy, and so compelling when it hits its stride. If you like your horror with a side of social commentary and smart journalism, this one’s for you.
Joanne Fluke - Peach Cobbler Murder (Hannah Swensen #7)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, cozy mystery
There’s just something irresistibly comforting about diving back into Lake Eden with Hannah Swensen. Peach Cobbler Murder delivers all the cozy hallmarks I’ve come to expect from this series: small-town gossip, delicious-sounding desserts, and a heroine who can’t help but find herself at the center of another murder mystery.
This installment sees a rival bakery open up shop, tensions rising, and, of course, a suspicious death. While the mystery itself isn’t the most tightly plotted of the series, it’s still engaging enough to keep the pages turning. I’ll admit the real draw here is less the murder and more the comforting rhythm of Hannah’s world: baking, sleuthing, and navigating her (increasingly chaotic) love life.
As always, the recipes included sound mouthwatering (I may or may not have bookmarked the actual peach cobbler one), and there’s something deeply nostalgic in the tone and structure of these books. They’re not high-octane thrillers, and they don’t pretend to be—they’re cozy, warm, and a little bit bonkers in the best way.
This one didn’t reach the heights of my favourite installments, but it still hit the spot. 4 stars, a hot drink, and maybe a baked good or two recommended for reading.
Travis Baldree - Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, cozy fantasy, queer
If Legends & Lattes was a warm hug in book form, then Bookshops & Bonedust is the slightly dustier but equally heartfelt origin story that makes you fall in love with Viv all over again.
This cozy prequel delivers everything I hoped for - a quieter kind of fantasy, low-stakes but rich with character. Watching a younger Viv begrudgingly rest up in a sleepy seaside town was a joy, especially as she slowly warms to the quirky bookshop owner, a scatterbrained gnome, and the town's soft-hearted baker. The writing is funny, gentle, and full of affection for found families, good food, and the small comforts that matter most.
What truly made it a 5-star read for me was how much heart Baldree pours into these characters - there's a tenderness here, even amid pirates, skeletons, and secrets. It’s a story about healing, connection, and learning to slow down. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, cinnamon rolls (both literal and metaphorical), and books about books.
A love letter to small bookshops, unlikely friendships, and the magic of taking a breath before the real adventure begins.
Bonnie Garmus - Lessons in Chemistry⭐️⭐️⭐️, historical fiction, literary
I went into Lessons in Chemistry expecting something sharp, funny, and empowering - and while it does have those elements, it didn’t quite come together for me as a whole.
Elizabeth Zott is a fascinating character, and the book’s premise — a brilliant woman navigating 1960s sexism with stubborn resolve — is compelling. But the tone is unexpectedly flat at times; the matter-of-fact narrative voice suits Elizabeth’s character but left the emotional beats feeling a bit distant for me. It’s not that I didn’t care, but rather that I often felt I was being told, not shown.
That said, there’s a lot here to appreciate: from commentary on misogyny and science to a charming dog and found family moments. I just don’t think it was quite the book it set itself up to be. Still enjoyable, but I didn’t love it the way I hoped to.
Mira Grant - Rolling in the Deep (Rolling in the Deep 0.5)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, horror, novella, science fiction
A perfect mix of horror, sci-fi, and deep-sea dread, Rolling in the Deep is the kind of novella that grips you by the throat and drags you down... fast. Mira Grant takes the familiar premise of a documentary voyage gone wrong and spins it into something chilling, clever, and deeply unsettling.
The faux-scientific structure, the layered tension, the way the dread builds—it's everything I want in a horror novella. You know where it’s going, but that doesn’t stop the descent from being absolutely riveting. And the mermaids? Not the whimsical kind. These creatures are sharp, brutal, and terrifying in the best way.
Short, sharp, and brilliantly executed, this is oceanic horror done right. I couldn’t put it down - and then I didn’t want to sleep.
Natalie Haynes - Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, non-fiction, feminism, greek mythology, history
This is exactly the kind of feminist myth retelling I’m here for — sharp, witty, and unflinchingly clever. Pandora’s Jar digs deep into the stories of the women in Greek mythology who are so often sidelined, misrepresented, or outright vilified, and Natalie Haynes doesn’t just reclaim their voices — she rewrites the whole conversation.
The tone is conversational and accessible, sometimes almost stand-up in its delivery, which works brilliantly... most of the time. There were moments where the humour slightly undercut the emotional weight of what was being discussed, but overall, it made what could’ve been a dense read feel breezy and inviting.
Each chapter focuses on a different figure — from Pandora to Medea to Clytemnestra — and Haynes draws connections across ancient texts, pop culture, and modern feminism without ever sounding preachy. It’s a powerful reminder that the way stories are told matters just as much as the stories themselves.
Jeremy Clarkson - Driven to Distraction⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, non-fiction, economics, education, memoir, sports
Look, I couldn't tell you the difference between a V8 and a vacuum cleaner — and honestly? I don't care. But that’s the magic of Clarkson: even when he’s ranting about obscure car models or driving on winding country roads, I’m still completely entertained.
This collection is sharp, ridiculous, and occasionally delightfully petty. You’re not here for the car reviews (well, I’m not) — you’re here for the grumpy wit, the vivid metaphors, and the sense that you're listening to your most opinionated uncle let loose over dinner.
A fun, fast read that made me laugh out loud more than once — even when I had absolutely no idea what he was on about.
C.S. Lewis - The Voyage of the Dawntreader (The Chronicles of Narnia #5)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, childrens, classics, fantasy
Revisiting childhood favourites is always a gamble — sometimes the magic doesn’t hold up, or the things you loved as a kid don’t quite land the same way. But I’m glad I took the chance on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
There’s still so much wonder in this seafaring quest: dragons, islands, curses, and that sense of wide-open adventure that made Narnia so captivating the first time around. Some parts felt slower than I remembered, and some of the narrative voice feels dated now, but there’s no denying the charm.
What surprised me most were the parts I remembered vividly — Reepicheep, the dragon, the dufflepuds — versus the bits I’d forgotten entirely. It felt like reading something familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, and that was half the joy.
And it still has one of the best opening lines ever: There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
Jeremy Clarkson - Diddly Squat: Pigs Might Fly
Austin Kleon - Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Alix E. Harrow - Starling House
Freya Sampson - The Girl on the 88 Bus
Cathy Glass - Nobody’s Son
Guy Shrubsole - The Lost Rainforests of Britain
Lex Croucher - Infamous
Jennette McCurdy - I'm Glad My Mom Died