I'm Glad My Mom Died (Jennette McCurdy)

I'm Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
⭐: 5/5

Calling all children of truly difficult parents: this book is for us. We are not alone. Also, this review will not be my standard pro/con format. (For those of you who know me and my mother, it is what it is. Talk to me, not about me, if you don't like this review.)

Initially, I was skeptical. The title is a bold thing to say, but I knew deep down it wasn't without reason. As I listened to Jennette tell her story, I felt the little girl in me being drawn to her. I was a plethora of emotions throughout the whole ride.

I related to the hoarding issues, to the mother being emotionally reliant on everyone but herself, to the struggle it takes to face oneself, and to the eating disorder. I still struggle with the latter, though I've had more control than it has for more than a decade now. I loathe that Jennette had to go through all she did, but damn it, I'm also really proud of her for being willing to go head first into all the traumas that followed her into adulthood and to show them who's boss! I'm proud that she's continuing to do what it takes to find peace and happiness. I admire her for being true to herself, even when it's difficult.

I also loved how raw she was. She says what every kid probably does when we're little, but that we never admit to. She's hilarious and I giggled more than a few times, too.

I don't normally get star struck, but I think I wouldn't mind having coffee (or a drink) with this girl! I totally understand dysfunctional relationships with mothers, as well as overcoming oneself and eating disorders. I also love how raw, blunt, and unfiltered she is.

Jennette, thank you for sharing your story! I'm sure you've gotten a lot of flack, but I'm here cheering you on for what it's worth! Even if the world doesn't like it, this stuff still happens, so it needs to just deal with it!

The Crowns of Croswald (D.E. Night)

The Crowns of Croswald
D.E. Night
⭐: 5/5

Let me begin with the fact that fantasy is not typically a genre I’m easily drawn into. I knew within two chapters that I absolutely wanted to read and review this book for Night! 

Pros: It’s a bit Harry Potter reminiscent in some ways, but the plot itself is original and captivating. There’s plenty of foreshadowing, but not so obvious that it gives the plot away. Night also is a brilliant wordsmith - I cannot count how many times I giggled or smiled seeing wordplay! I also was intrigued with how well she built not only Coswald, but the characters and even inanimate objects such as quills and bottles (both are very important to the storyline). 

There isn’t a detail in this book that doesn’t belong! Every last description, personification, and scene all work together as a cohesive whole! I especially love that the ending wasn’t rushed, given the enormity of building that went on for the world, characters, their interactions, and plot itself. I truly cannot wait to read the next few books in the series!

Cons: There were a few times I was slightly confused, but those moments were answered in time. I just had to exercise some patience. Otherwise, I really don’t know that there are any cons I can think of, truthfully. 

Conclusion: If whimsy, original, similar to Harry Potter, and magical are your things… this is a book you need to try out. I feel it’s not a story that’s been said before, so open the cover for yourself and see if you agree!

P.S.: There's a bit of an Easter egg with one of the Scrivenist's names. See if you can figure it out! If you haven't by the end, message me and I'll tell you! So clever!

P.S.S.: If you're interested, the author is looking for readers! You can obtain the email addresses to contact from her Instagram if interested!

Circe (Madeline Miller)

 Circe
Madeline Miller
⭐: 5/5

Okay, usually I do a pros/cons format, but I don't have any cons. Can't think of a single one!

I loved this book. This is my first "big" exposure to Circe, so I don't have much to go on as far as accurate mythology. Heads up for that if it matters to you. I personally enjoyed it from start to finish and didn't want it to end.

The Odyssey is one of my favorites (I need to brush up on it) and it took a hot minute for it to click that she played a role in that epic. That made it even more exciting for me!

I absolutely fell in love with Circe, her struggles, and how raw her character was. Though I'm obviously no goddess, the abandonment she experienced and the way she coped was personal for me, making all her emotions that much more relatable. 

Go read this if mythology is your thing!

Brazen (Julia Haart)

 Brazen
Julia Haart
⭐: 5/5

Where to begin with this review? 

Pros: Though I've never had to escape an ultra religious lifestyle, nor am I into fashion, I still saw myself in so many ways in Brazen.

Julia is not only stubborn and driven, but focused and funny. She's headstrong and isn't afraid to challenge the norm - something I found myself relating to. It was such a sense of... camaraderie... To be able to do so. 

For those of us who have left worlds full of indoctrination and conservative upbringings, riding the coattails of our ancestors, and then who have found ourselves in a brand new setting exactly opposite of what we knew our whole lives... Julia is the example we've created inside ourselves but who has told her story to the world. Like Julia, I also left on my own. Well, I had my faithful Shih Tzu and best friend in tow, but still! It was her and me against the world: two small town girls headed for the big city.

I also adored how she essentially had "imposter syndrome", something I, too, struggled with when going into my dream career I never thought I'd accomplish. I knew I wasn't alone, but seeing someone else be as fierce, bold, and focused was inspiring.

I don't say this often, but I would LOVE to meet and have a drink with this woman! Her audacity and love for life and authenticity is contagious and something I relate to endlessly! I also have traumas of my own, as well as can relate to family estrangement. 

Cons: So, all my reviews are p/c format. The only "con" I can think of is that if you're not the type to question, you shouldn't read this. 

Conclusion: If you ARE the type to question and think for yourself, you will love this book! Julia, if you see this... I would LOVE to chat if possible! I absolutely will be adding this to my personal library after listening to it via the library!

Shadowspeak (Raven Eckman) - Review

Shadowspeak
Raven Eckman
⭐: 5/5
Purchase your copy here!
To see an interview with Raven, click here!

This book hit me right in the "feels"! 

Pros: from the very start, I immediately resonated with the "others", shadows, and abandonment. I KNEW I HAD to read Shadowspeak! 

At first, I got a kind of Hunger Games vibe, but as the story progressed, the plot became something original and enticing unlike anything I've seen or read before (and I read a LOT).

Until the very end, I felt myself falling in love with Rune, her struggles and triumphs alike, as well as the entire world Eckman created. In ways, it even helped me to understand my own world and experiences that “shadow” Rune’s.

The characters are wholly consistent, Eckman is a true wordsmith (one of my most FAVORITE things about this book is how well written it is), and there are scenes I just didn't see coming but that were more than welcomed and needed for a cohesive, unrushed ending. I always love when authors take their time with tying everything up and make it worthwhile to read.

Cons: I had a little trouble at first understanding this world, but the more I read, the easier it was to get. It was complicated, not unlike our own, but well worth the time reading. 

Conclusion: if you're looking for a read that's original, has action, is well written, and will still manage to grab your heartstrings (with its shadowy threads), this is IT.

(You'll get the shadowy reference once you give this one a read!)

Queer Drunk Punk (Zehava Frieman) - Interview

*Note: contains content from the book, but shouldn't be considered as spoilers. 

Purchase your copy of Queer Drunk Punk here !

Queer Drunk Punk

Zehava Frieman

This book was one that gave me a "book hangover"! Frieman really knows how to capture an audience despite this being her debut to the world and her having felt a little nervous about it. I enjoyed interviewing her and seeing her thinking process quite a bit! 

Per my review: I adored everything about Quinn. I resonated with the inner growth she had to endure, the many losses she faced, and the way that she constantly went after what she wanted even when it was like pulling teeth. I was present in every scene, rarely thinking of what was to come, and played the "just one more chapter... yeah right" game (finished in one day). 

This work has all the makings for an "un-put-downable book": love, loss, heartache, recovery, grief, endurance, joy, and resilience. It isn't just about being queer in the 80's, but also is about a woman coming of age in a tough world (something many of us can relate to.) Five stars out of five, yall!

1. What was your inspiration to write QDP?

QDP began as a memoir, but while I was driving, Quinn (MC) took over. This girl was in my head every day for 9 months! She jumpstarted this project and helped me to get back into writing. 

2. Has writing always been your passion?

Yes, but life took over. I wanted to get back into it. As a kid, I had all these fake meetings with all these huge celebrity bands and loved writing stories. Again, life took over, but then Quinn, my muse and "alter-ego" entered the picture. I lived vicariously through her since I never got to really interview these people. I also used my love for writing as inspiration for Quinn's writing career both in high school and after.

3. What did you feel while writing this?

It was sort of therapeutic for me. I really lived through Quinn and enjoyed the process.

4. What do you want readers to take away from QDP?

I'd like them to feel surprised (in a good way) and not feel like it's too predictable. I want them to know they can make whatever they're going through against all odds, that they can achieve their dreams like Quinn did, and to learn how to be true to themselves as she did. I also want them to be inspired to be true to themselves and to be sure to surround themselves with other authentic people to be the best they can be.

5. Any plans for future works?

Yes! The next book should be out within a year or so. It will take place in '93 and Ashley from QDP will be the MC this time.

6. Advice for new writers?

Learn to self-edit, that not everything is a good idea, that your story will grow and evolve over time (what you begin with may be totally opposite than what you end with), and to be sure you create a community of honest people during this process. Mentors were a big thing for me and I think helped the most, probably. Don't forget to exploit your resources like Googling, traveling to locations to get the layout of the land, and talking to others. I read a lot about writing and I feel that helped, too. I'd encourage other writers to do similar.

7. What have you learned during the process of writing this?

To stay true to myself, to be willing to learn and research, and to also be willing to grow.

8. Favorite character and why?

Quinn. She's my muse, my "alter-ego" as my sister says, and I lived vicariously through her in a lot of ways. She experiences some similar things to what I did, but she also did things I never did. She's definitely got a special place in my heart!

9. What were the purposes for both Missy and Debby? 

Both were there to be lessons. Missy was a toxic person and was the epitome of the 80's girl in high school like in Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club. She was needed to help Quinn come into herself and grow.

Debby has another spot in my heart and was there to show Quinn how to love and be loved. She was also there to help her grow as a person, especially since she'd been through so much. Debby was to Quinn what Quinn was to me: a muse and inspiration to be the best she could.

Ricky was also there for a lesson and encouragement.

10. Who has inspired you while writing this book?

My mentors, Scott Parisien and Megan Kruse. They really taught me a lot about character development, setting scenes, and making sure I stay on point.

If you'd like to contact Zehava Frieman for more questions or to learn more about her thinking while writing Queer Drunk Punk, send me an email (wordynerdreviews@gmail.com) with her name as the header. You can also follow her on Goodreads (include link) and Amazon (include link). Be on the lookout for her next book in the next year!

Thank you, Zehava, for taking the time out of your day to amuse an enamored reader and deal with my nerding out over your work! I also appreciate you dealing with my communication during the reading and for being so open with any question I had!

Click here to read Nerdy Words Reviews review of Queer Drunk Punk!

The Perfect Place to Die (Bryce Moore) - Review

The Perfect Place to Die
Bryce Moore
⭐: 3/5

This one has me on the fence. On the one hand, anything H.H. Holmes fascinates me, but on the other, the plot itself didn't have me playing the famous "just one more chapter" game. I hardly thought about it between reading sessions, even.

Pros: this book is fairly well written, the plot is centered around Holmes and the World's Fair, and it was nice to read some historical fiction about it finally! All I've been able to find are fiction or documentary reads, so I welcomed this one. I appreciated the MC's resilience and growth, though. That was nicely executed. There are also excerpts at the start of every chapter written by Holmes himself. I absolutely loved those.

Cons: maybe it was the mood I was in, but it felt a little predictable overall. I also felt like the MC did a lot more thinking and calculating than anything and it felt drug out. I understand some investigations in real life could take a while, but I skimmed over these thinking parts the last 40% of the book. By 50% in, I was ready to have an answer already.

Conclusion : if you're interested in historical fiction based on the content above, as well as a not so quite murder mystery but still one with intriguing details in The Castle, this book could be for you. Just be aware that it can feel a little repetitive and like a slow burn at times. The ending is also pretty predictable, which is fine if that's your thing, but I was hoping for something a little less easy to see coming.

The Breakdown (B.A. Paris) - Review

The Breakdown
B.A. Paris
⭐:5/5

Okay, WOW. I've been seeing Paris recommendations all over, but now I see what the hype was and have no regrets! As usual, let's head into the pros/cons style.

Pros: the character development was on par. Everything was believable about them and their interactions. The plot itself absolutely blew me away. I'm usually able to sort of predict where something is going, but I was blindsided in this one! I will tell you, if you're the one who talks to themselves through a book, especially when it's crazy, you're probably going to be saying, "what... the... __" more than just a few times!

Cons: my only big con here is sometimes the writing isn't easy to follow, especially when there are text message exchanges. I had to reread a few times to be sure the right messages matched the right people, but was pretty positive it mixed up at one point.

Conclusion: first, I get the hype and think more of you than not will, too. Second, if you're looking for a medium-paced book with plot twists and turns, as well as a "who in the world did this?" The Breakdown is your go-to!