25 Mini Book Reviews

I realized 2021 slipped by without me reviewing any of the books I read this year. So I’m going to do quick, mini, book reviews of everything I read this year. It will be in the order of when I finished the book. I will start with a few sentences about the plot and another paragraph about my thoughts. Enjoy my 25 Mini Book Reviews!

1. The Boy Between: A Mother and Son’s Journey From a World Gone Grey By Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse

• Genre: Memoir
• Publication Date: November 1st, 2020
• Pages: 286
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This is a non-fiction story written by a mother and son about his struggle with depression. The point of view jumps back and forth between the two during their most difficult times.

Thoughts: I loved this book! It made me cry and any book that can make me cry is automatically 5 stars. We read this for Quill Quotes Book Club and there were mixed reviews. Seemed like people either loved it or hated it. See discussions here. Definitely recommend especially if you know someone struggling with depression.

2. The Rabbit Girls by Anna Elory

• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Publication Date: September 1st, 2019
• Pages: 396
• My Rating: 2.5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Miriam is caring for her ill father when she discovers he has an Auschwitz tattoo. Also, during one of his episodes, he calls out for another woman who is not her mother. She decides to do more digging to unravel the complete story.

Thoughts: We also read this one for Quill Quotes Book Club and again there were mixed feelings. Some liked it more than others. See group discussions here. This one wasn’t for me. I felt there was too much going on, too much shoved into one short book. I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you really like WW2 historical fiction.

3. The Lost Man by Jane Harper

• Genre: Mystery
• Publication Date: October 23rd, 2018
• Pages: 340
• Listening Length: 11 hours 3 minutes
• Narrator: Stephen Shanahan
• My Rating: 4/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: A brother is found dead in the Australian outback. Was it an accident, did he kill himself, or was he murdered?

Thoughts: I’m actually surprised I gave this one 4 stars because I remember it being kind of long in the middle. I listened to this one on audible and really liked the narrator’s voice and the ending was good too. Looking back though, I feel neutral on this one. Mystery lovers may enjoy this one.

4. Eldest by Christopher Paolini

• Genre: Fantasy
• Publication Date: August 23rd, 2005
• Pages: 704
• My Rating: 4/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: The second book in the Inheritance Cycle Series. This is a continuation of the first book. A boy becomes a dragon rider, learns magic, and needs to save the world.

Thoughts: I started reading this series because it’s one of Kevin’s favorites. Check out his in-depth review of Eragon and Eldest. It’s a little long-winded but I find most fantasy books that way. It’s exciting and entertaining enough that I will finish the series. I recommend this one for dragon lovers!

5. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

• Genre: Romance
• Publication Date: May 7th, 2019
• Pages: 296
• Listening Length: 10 hours
• Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller
• My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: The second book in The Kiss Quotient series but can be read as a standalone. Khai has trouble with relationships and his mother wants to set him up with someone from her home country of Vietnam. Esme decides to take the opportunity to come to America for the summer to try to make Khai fall in love with her.

Thoughts: Another I’m surprised I rated so highly. I think I tend to rate audiobooks higher, especially if I like the narrator’s voice. This book was fun and steamy. I think I will read the next book in the series, another standalone, The Heart Principle. This one is definitely for romance lovers. See my full review of The Kiss Quotient.

6. Her Final Words by Brianna Labuskes

• Genre: Mystery
• Publication Date: August 1st, 2020
• Pages: 343
• My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: A girl confesses to murdering a boy but won’t say anything else. FBI agent Lucy Thorne needs to figure out what really happened.

Thoughts: We also read this for Quill Quotes Book Club. Kevin actually gave it 5 stars, which is saying a lot because mysteries are not his go-to books. Some thought it was a little predictable but it’s definitely a page-turner. See the discussions here. I would recommend this one for mystery lovers!

7. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa Terkeurst

• Genre: Self-help
• Publication Date: November 13th, 2018
• Pages: 256
• My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This is a self-help book meant to inspire you when things do not go your way.

Thoughts: Self-help is my least favorite genre. This was my grandma’s book and I only picked it up after her passing. It was nice to see her highlights and notes. Even though it wasn’t for me, it was a quick read and I would recommend it to someone looking for a religious self-help book.

8. Circe by Madeline Miller

• Genre: Mythology
• Publication Date: April 10th, 2018
• Pages: 393
• My Rating: 4/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Circe is a witch and exiled to a deserted island. On the island, she hones her skills and must choose between the gods and mortals.

Thoughts: I love Greek Mythology, which is probably why I gave it four stars. The Quill Quotes Book Club had mixed feelings. Check out the Circe discussions. I would read another of Madeline Miller’s books in the future. If you love Greek Mythology you should pick up this book.

9. Under Lying by Janelle Harris

• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• Publication Date: November 1st, 2019
• Pages: 295
• My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: A little girl goes missing at a housewarming party. Did she drown or was she kidnapped?

Thoughts: It’s a page-turning mystery thriller but it’s a little predictable and I wasn’t super happy with the ending. I read this on a plane so it was a good time killer but I don’t know if I would recommend the book.

10. American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan

• Genre: True Crime
• Publication Date: July 1st, 2019
• Pages: 285
• My Rating: 4/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: A true crime book about a notorious serial killer from Alaska.

Thoughts: This was the first true crime book I have ever read. We also read this for Quill Quotes book club. See the discussions here. I found it interesting and pretty scary. I would recommend it to people who are obsessed with serial killers.

11. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

• Genre: Classic
• Publication Date: January 1st, 1952
• Pages: 601
• Listening Length: 25 hours
• Narrator: Richard Poe
• My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: The story follows two families in the Salinas Valley and is loosely based on biblical stories. I have no other idea how to describe it without going too in-depth.

Thoughts: I really didn’t like this book and probably shouldn’t have finished it. I listened to the audiobook and it was 25 hours long and there were some really weird parts. Maybe I don’t know my biblical stories well enough because I did not get it at all. I loved Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath but this book almost makes me not like John Steinbeck. I would not recommend this audiobook.

12. A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clark

• Genre: Classic, Science Fiction
• Publication Date: September 1, 1961
• Pages: 224
• My Rating: 3/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Captian Harris is in charge of the tourist boat, Selene. They are cruising across the moon when suddenly they get stuck and start to sink into the moondust.

Thoughts: This was Kevin’s pick for Quill Quotes’ Book Club. See the discussions here. I find classic sci-fi interesting because I like to compare how much they got right and wrong. This was written in 1961, so there was quite a bit that isn’t accurate but they wouldn’t have known at that time. Aside from that, it was a short quick book. I would only recommend it if you like classic sci-fi or Arthur C. Clarke a lot.

13. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

• Genre: True Crime
• Publication Date: Febuary 27th, 2018
• Pages: 352
• Listening Length: 10 hours 7 minutes
• Narrator: Gabra Zackman
• My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: A true crime book about the Golden State Killer. The majority of the book is written by Michelle McNamara but she passes away suddenly before finishing. Her husband, Patton Oswald, and everyone pulls together to complete her book and tell her story about her decades-long obsessions of the serial killer.

Thoughts: I really like this one. It’s easy to see how she was pulled down the rabbit hole. They even made an HBO mini-series based on the book. Highly recommend this one to true crime lovers!

14. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

• Genre: Mystery
• Publication Date: January 1st, 1988
• Pages: 421
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This is the second book in the Hannibal Lecter Series. FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, is investigating the Buffalo Bill murders. Part of her assignment is to interview Hannibal Lecter for any leads.

Thoughts: This is a reread for me. I first read it in high school back when I didn’t know it was part of a series. So last year I read the first book, Red Dragon. I remember the book scaring me a little in high school and it’s just as good as I remember. Highly recommend this to those who love detective novels!

15. The Library Book by Susan Orlean

• Genre: Nonfiction, History
• Publication Date: October 16th, 2018
• Pages: 317
• My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This nonfiction book is about the Los Angeles Public Library fire in 1986. It also discusses the importance of libraries in communities and the challenges they face.

Thoughts: Since I had lived in LA and been to the LA Public library a couple of times, I really enjoyed the book. It was interesting to learn more about LA’s history and how everyone came together to help after the fire. I would recommend this one if you like books about books or enjoy history. Check out our book club discussions of The Library Book.

16. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

• Genre: Fantasy
• Publication Date: October 17th, 2005
• Pages: 1061
• My Rating: 3/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: The fourth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. Tommen is King and the game of thrones continues. This book focuses on only half of the main characters.

Thoughts: At first, I was annoyed that some of my favorite characters weren’t in the book. But I actually ended up liking it more because it wasn’t jumping around all of the time and I could get to know those characters more. Even with that being said, George R.R. Martin is wordy and long-winded so I have a love-hate relationship with the books. I would only recommend, to those who love very long and detailed fantasies. Everyone else should just watch the HBO series, A Game of Thrones.

17. The Rosewater Insurrection by Tade Thompson

• Genre: Science Fiction
• Publication Date: March 12th, 2019
• Pages: 374
• Listening Length: 13 hours and 13 minutes
• Narrator: Bayo Gbadamosi
• My Rating: 3/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This is the second book in the Wormwood Trilogy. Kaaro, a sensitive (someone who can reach into other’s minds and extract information) is back with his government agent girlfriend and together they must save a woman who is key to human survival from the alien invasion.

Thoughts: I found the first book, Rosewater, interesting but I wasn’t in love with it. However, I found a lot of quotes I liked and thought maybe the first book was just setting up the next book. But I am on the fence about this one as well. There are some really unique ideas and exciting parts but I found it hard to follow at times. I listened to both of these books on audible and maybe reading them would have been better? I’m not sure if I will finish the series. Kevin is currently listening to Rosewater and I’m excited to hear his thoughts. See my full review on the first book, Rosewater. I would only recommend Rosewater Insurrection to sci-fi lovers who really enjoyed the first book.

18. Recursion by Blake Crouch

• Genre: Science Fiction
• Publication Date: June 11, 2019
• Pages: 329
• Listening Length: 10 hours and 47 minutes
• Narrator: Jon Lindstorm, Abby Craden
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Helena is a neuroscientist who wants to preserve memories so no one has to suffer from memory loss anymore. Barry is a cop investigating cases involving False Memory Syndrome, a disease that makes you think you lived a life you never had. Can they stop humanity from destroying themselves?

Thoughts: I LOVED this one! I will definitely listen to it again. It was duel narration and both narrators were great! This is the type of science fiction I love. We read Dark Matter by Blake Crouch for Quill Quotes Book Club last year (see discussions) but I love this one even more! I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t say anything else. I would recommend this book to sci-fi and thriller lovers!

19. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

• Genre: Fantasy
• Publication Date: July 12th, 2011
• Pages: 1125
• My Rating: 3/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: The fifth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. This book runs in parallel with the fourth book so all of the characters that were left out are in this one. The timeline eventually catches up by the end.

Thoughts: Out of all of the books in the series I read this one the fastest, still took me almost 3 months though. The books are very descriptive and when I get to a chapter about a character I don’t care for, it makes it hard for me to pick up the book again. I have very mixed feelings about the series. There are characters I absolutely love and absolutely hate. If another book ever comes out in the series I will read it but I will probably never reread the series. Again, unless you are really into fantasies I would just watch the series, A Game of Thrones.

20. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

• Genre: Science Fiction
• Publication Date: May 4, 2021
• Pages: 476
• Listening Length: 16 hours and 10 minutes
• Narrator: Ray Porter
• My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Ryland Grace wakes with no memory of where he is or who is. Will he remember in time to save Earth? Is his unexpected visitor here to help?

Thoughts: Another great sci-fi! We listened to this on our drive from California to Texas. This was fitting because we listened to The Martian by Andy Weir on our drive from Iowa to California. I liked The Martian slightly more while Kevin liked this more. If you like a lot of math, science, and problem-solving in your books you will definitely like Andy Weir’s books.

21. The Last Resort by Susi Holliday

• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Publication Date: December 1st, 2020
• Pages: 299
• My Rating: 2/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Seven people are brought to a private island for an all-expenses-paid luxury vacation. One thing they all have in common is a guilty secret. Immediately things start to go wrong and they realize they are trapped.

Thoughts: There was so much going on in this book and it wasn’t fleshed out very well. Mild spoilers: Chapters jump between characters and a timeline of events that happened earlier on the island. It was pretty obvious which character’s childhood it was about. Then they throw in this science fiction memory projector device, that they are all just willing to put on after their “plane crashed”. This book could have been really cool if done properly but it didn’t seem like it fit together well and the ending was very abrupt. It could make a good B sci-fi movie though. There are better mystery thrillers out there so I would not recommend this one.

22. Phantom Limb by Lucinda Berry

• Genre: Psychological Thriller
• Publication Date: December 16th, 2016
• Pages: 260
• My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Identical twins were abused as children and now are trying to live a normal life in college. When Elizabeth wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there and her last memory being Emily lying dead on the bathroom floor, she is forced to remember her terrible childhood.

Thoughts: This one is kind of dark. While I liked the twists, I was able to guess some of them. This is the second book I read by Lucinda Berry. Fun Fact: The Perfect Child was the first book I reviewed on Quill Quotes, check it out. Lucinda Berry is a child psychologist so both of these books deal with childhood trauma. I can’t read dark books like these all of the time especially when they don’t have happy endings. It was interesting but I would only recommend if you like dark psychological thrillers.

23. The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne

• Genre: Mystery
• Publication Date: May 1st, 2020
• Pages: 328
• My Rating: 4/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: This is the first book in the Underwater Investigation Unit series. Sloan is a Florida police officer and her main job for them is diving to recover evidence and bodies. During one of her personal dives, she discovers a fresh body. She soon realizes she is being followed and maybe it wasn’t an accident she found the body.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this one. There were a few stereotypical parts but it didn’t bother me too much. I felt the diving and the treasure hunting made it unique. It intrigued me enough that I will pick up the next book eventually. I would recommend if you like detective novels and treasure adventures.

24. Dreamcatcher by Stephen King

• Genre: Horror
• Publication Date: March 1, 2001
• Pages: 688
• Listening Length: 22 hours and 47 minutes
• Narrator: Jeffrey DeMunn
• My Rating: 2/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Four childhood friends have to help save the planet from an alien invasion.

Thoughts: I hated this book. It’s probably the worst Stephen King book I have listened to. It reminds me a lot of IT (See my review of IT.) but nowhere near as good. I didn’t really get it and didn’t really like the narrator’s voice so it was hard to pay attention. I actually sped the audiobook up so I could finish and get it over with. Probably would have been better off not finishing it. I don’t recommend this one. There are better Stephen King books out there.

25. The Man Who Played with Fire: Stieg Larsson’s Lost Files and the Hunt for an Assassin by Jan Stocklassa

• Genre: True Crime
• Publication Date: November 2nd, 2018
• Pages: 495
• My Rating: 3/5 Stars
• Buy Now: Amazon

Summary: Stieg Larsson, an investigative journalist and the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, died before he could publish any of his work about the assassination of the Sweedish Prime Minister in 1986. Jan Stocklassa tries to pick up where Stieg Larsson left off with his research.

Thoughts: I was a little disappointed with this one. I feel the title is misleading and a name grab. While the book does talk about Stieg Larsson, it was not as much as I liked. I would only recommend this book if you are really into the assassination of Olof Palme.

25 Mini Book Reviews Conclusion

There you have it, 25 mini book reviews! These were all of the books I read in 2021. As you can tell, I liked some much more than others. Hopefully, I won’t let my reviews pile up again. Have you read any of these or are you interested in reading any? Let me know if you want an in-depth review of any of the books or would like to discuss them!