michelles_book_nook's reviews
252 reviews

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

⚠️ CW: gaslighting, sexual assault, rape, abuse, violence, suicide, murder ⚠️ If you're looking for a mind blowing non-fic read then this one is for you! What makes 'cults' so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join, and more importantly, stay in these extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has. Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of brainwashing. However, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community and us vs them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear and are influenced by every single day. Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities 'cultish', revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups such Peloton leaderboards and Instagram feeds. This addicting take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of 'cultish' everywhere. This book was so incredibly mind blowing and interesting that I could not put it down! It has easily become one of my favourite non-fiction reads. Overall, I absolutely loved this one and I highly recommend that everyone reads this book!
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The Drowning Isle by Simon McCleave

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challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: drug use, paedophilia, alcoholism, domestic abuse, murder, parental death and suicide ⚠️ If you love crime fiction reads then I highly recommend checking out Simon McCleave! When a teenage boy goes missing on a camping trip with his friends, the close-knit community of Anglesey is shaken. DI Laura Hart is brought in to lead the murder investigation and instantly feels the pressure, not least because her colleague’s son was the last to see the missing boy alive. Laura’s investigations force her to delve into the tangled web of relationships and personal lives of her own neighbours. The trail leads her to uncover a religious cult called The Fair Men, who locals say have a dark history and still hold their ceremonies on the island where the boys were camping. Amongst all the mysteries and lies, Laura is sure about one thing, the island will not give up the truth easily. This was such a great read that had me staying up late just to finish reading because I could not put it down and I was absolutely hooked until the very end when I was hit with the jaw dropping twist and finale. I've loved this series from the beginning and this one definitely didn't disappoint. I love how Simon McCleave weaves the current case of the book with the updates of DI Laura Hart's life and history regarding her deceased husband and past life in Manchester. Overall, I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one!
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The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation by Robert Rand

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challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

5.0

⚠️ CW: murder, child abuse, domestic abuse, suicidal ideations, homophobia, sexual abuse, paedophilia, rape and incest ⚠️ If you like true crime and psychology then this book is definitely for you, but please be warned it's very dark and heavy! The Menendez saga has captivated the public since 1989. The killing of José and Kitty Menendez didn’t make the cover of People magazine until the arrest of their sons 7 months later, and the case developed an intense cult following. When the first Menendez trial began in July 1993, the public was convinced that Lyle and Erik were a pair of greedy rich kids who had killed their devoted parents, but the real story remained buried beneath years of dark secrets. Journalist Robert Rand, who originally reported on the case, has followed the Menendez murders from the beginning and has continued investigating for 28 years. Rand is the only reporter who covered the original investigation as well as both trials. With access to the Menendez family and their history, Rand has uncovered extraordinary details that would have changed the fate of the brothers’ first-degree murder conviction and sentencing to life without parole. Rand shares these never before revealed findings, including a deeply disturbing history of child abuse and sexual molestation in the Menendez family going back generations. This case has always fascinated me because its always made me question my ethics when it comes to the justice system and this book really showcased every aspect, even down to the horrific realities that the Menendez brothers faced. I think everyone will always have their own opinions about this case, but no matter where you lie on their convictions and what happened I think this book is an incredible read. Overall, I highly recommend this book and I think it become one of my top 5 favourite true crime reads!
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A Soul for a Soul by Carol Wyer

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mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: murder, rape, spiking and mentions of sex trafficking ⚠️ If you love gripping and suspenseful crime fiction then this book is for you! DCI Kate Young never meant to shoot Superintendent John Dickson at the reservoir that night. But now Kate has photographic evidence that someone else knows her terrible secret. Tormented by guilt and the voices of the dead, Kate is desperate to unmask the rest of the corrupt officers before her own sins catch up with her. When DI Harriet Khatri, awaiting trial for the murder of Kate’s mentor, claims she was framed by Dickson’s syndicate, Kate reluctantly agrees to help in the hope of finding answers. Meanwhile, DI Emma Donaldson finds herself on the hunt for a double murderer, a man who incapacitates his victims with a powerful narcotic called Devil’s Breath. Desperate to measure up to her role model boss, Emma finds herself hurled into the deep end in more ways than one. While Kate’s grip on reality wavers and the syndicate closes in, and with the mystery killer taking a special interest in Emma, could this be the case that defeats them both? This book had me hooked until the very last page and left my brain reeling with all of the jaw dropping twists and turns. This is one of those reads where you just think you've figured things out and then yet another genius twist is thrown into the mix. I've always loved Carol Wyer's writing style but the final chapter was perfection for me (iykyk). The only reason I dropped it down a star is because even though the pacing was very climactic, in parts it did feel a little slow and the ending did feel somewhat rushed but not to a point that it hugely impacted me enjoying the read. Overall, I highly recommend this book, and the series as a whole!
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Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: racism, violence, bullying, homophobia, murder, mental health, suicide, abortion, incest, rape, sexual abuse, paedophilia and child death ⚠️ If you're looking for a beautifully devastating and complex coming of age story then this one is for you! Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a white mother and a Cherokee father, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit in the rural town of Breathed, Ohio, is one of poverty and loss, of lush landscapes and blazing stars. Despite the hardships she encounters, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters and her father's brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination. And in the face of everything she witnesses, including the horrors of her family's past and present, she discovers an escape in writing. This book was everything I hoped for and more. It is so tragic, but also so beautiful and I don't really know how to explain what I mean by that right now but if you've read this you'll understand. Betty is the most incredible character who will stay with me for a very long time. A lot of the themes running through this book really hit hard for me and I definitely needed some tissues to get through it, but the resilience Betty built through her own will and the teachings from her father about life in general and her Cherokee ancestry were just so incredibly powerful. To put it simply I adored this book and it may easily be my favourite of the year. Overall, I highly recommend this book but please check the CW's before diving in.
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What We Did In The Storm by Tina Baker

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

⚠️ CW: domestic abuse, alcoholism, eating disorder, sexual violence, murder and mentions of incest, abortion and suicidal ideations ⚠️ If you love books with isolated settings that are filled with suspense then this one is for you! On the beautiful and windswept island of Tresco, two worlds live side by side. The wealthy visitors come by helicopter to stay at their lavish time-share properties, whilst the estate staff travel by boat and work all hours to keep them happy and to keep the money flowing in. But while the blue skies and savage waves make the island seem a wild paradise, under the surface the inhabitants are concealing more than they dare reveal. The truths about their marriages, their love affairs, and what they do in the darkness while their neighbours are sleeping. As black clouds come rolling in and a storm hits the island, truths and rumours begin to tumble out, wreaking terrible damage. In the midst of the storm, two women are attacked and one goes missing. The secrets of this fragile community can no longer be hidden if it hopes to survive. The islanders must finally reveal what they did in the storm, no matter the cost. This book had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning and kept me up way past my bedtime reading it because I just couldn't put it down. I've always wanted to visit Tresco since I first learned of its existence in my early teens, and Tina Baker's incredibly atmospheric writing made me feel like I was really on the island. This book has such a complex and intricately woven plot that is so hard to review without giving spoilers but I absolutely loved every chapter, especially the ending and how it all wrapped up so well.  Overall, I highly recommend this book and if you haven't already dived into Tina Baker's books then I highly recommend checking out her out!
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People to Follow by Olivia Worley

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

⚠️ CW: murder, sexual assault and grooming ⚠️ If you're a fan of reality TV then this one is for you! They're used to being followed, but not like this. Ten social media stars think they're about to join the cast of a hot new reality show. But the production crew never shows up, and the influencers find themselves stranded on a deserted Caribbean island with no contact with the outside world, except for messages from the mysterious 'Sponsor', who is threatening to expose their darkest secrets. When one of them winds up dead, things start to get more real than they ever bargained for. And with the body count rising, the influencers must figure out who is trying to get them cancelled before their number one follower strikes again. This book had a really good hook and delivered the thrilling storyline that I wanted. Unfortunately though I just didn't seem to like any of the characters which dropped down my rating. Also with so many characters I did struggle to keep track at certain points but I think that's more of a me problem than a problem with the book. Despite this I did find it really interesting though and it kept me guessing until the end as to who the 'sponsor' could be. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and recommend it if you're looking for a thrilling remote island getaway.
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Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

⚠️ CW: paedophilia, sexual assault, rape and suicide ⚠️ This is one of the most difficult, uncomfortable, emotional and thought provoking books I've ever read. Meet Noah, an honor roll student, award-winning swimmer and small-town star destined for greatness. There weren’t any signs that something was wrong until the day he confesses to molesting two little girls during swim team practice. He’s sentenced to 18 months in a juvenile sexual rehabilitation center. His mother, Adrianne, refuses to turn her back on him despite his horrific crimes, but her husband won’t allow Noah back into their home. In a series of shocking and shattering revelations Adrianne is forced to make the hardest decision of her life, but just how far will she go to protect her son? This book is so incredibly hard to review, it challenges everything you think you know about teenage sexual offenders. I was in a weird state of not being able to put it down but also needed time to process it as I read it, and even now I still can't stop thinking about it and the immensely thought provoking topics that it tackles. It's so disturbing and uncomfortable and truly takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, and is written in such an intelligent and captivating way that makes you question your own beliefs and what you'd do in Adrianne's situation. Even now, I'm still conflicted on my thoughts but it's definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time and likely become a classic in relation to complex psychological mother and son relationships alongside Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin. Overall, I highly recommend reading this book but please research it first because its not a book you want to dive into blindly.
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Something is wrong with Micah by Jamison Hill

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

⚠️ CW: ableism, parental death, grief, medical trauma and brief mentions of suicide ⚠️ As someone who is also a disabled wheelchair user with complex health conditions, this book meant so much more to me than I thought it would. In the wake of a devastating car accident, sixteen-year-old Micah Hunter’s world begins to unravel. A mysterious illness leaves him unable to pursue the football dreams that he once shared with his father. At the peak of his illness, Micah bumps his wheelchair into Evie Thompson, a headstrong fifteen-year-old living with her own challenges. Coming of age and coming to terms with their disabilities, Micah and Evie find solace and companionship in each other. As their connection deepens, Evie helps Micah discover the truth about his illness, allowing him to reconnect with his past. But, in doing so, Micah fails to discover Evie’s deteriorating health, which she keeps hidden. When Micah finally realizes the gravity of her situation, he must make the most difficult decision of his life, get Evie the help she needs or respect her wishes and risk losing her forever. This book is filled with amazing disabled and chronic illness representation and does an incredible job of expressing the whirlwind of emotions that you go through when becoming disabled or chronically later in life and the grief you experience for your 'old life'. Some parts were really hard to read, especially the medical trauma as it really hit hard for me, but they were all unfortunately very common experiences for disabled and chronically ill people and I think they were handled and written about so well. Overall, I highly recommend this book!
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Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

⚠️ CW: kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, violence, murder, physical abuse, emotional abuse, child abuse, mental health, suicide and child death ⚠️ If you're looking for a fast paced thriller that will leave your mind reeling at the end because of all the twists and turns then this one is for you! A windowless shack in the woods. Lena's life and that of her two children follows the rules set by their captor, the father, meals, bathroom visits and study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He protects his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world and makes sure that his children will always have a mother to look after them. One day Lena manages to flee, but the nightmare continues. It seems as if her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. And then there is the question whether she really is the woman called 'Lena', who disappeared without a trace over thirteen years ago. The police and Lena's family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn't quite seem to fit. This book had me gripped from start to finish and I just could not put it down and even when I did, it was still living in my head rent free. The twists and turns were so incredible and the multiple pov's made it feel almost claustrophobic and so chilling. The only reason I dropped it down a star is because I kept losing track slightly due to some translation issues. Overall, I highly recommend this book but please read over the CW's beforehand because it is a hard hitting read.
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