Smilepal
20-some archivist who can't read enough books. I love fantasy, crime novels and non-fiction, but always open to suggestions! If I’m not reading, I’m probably gaming 👾🏳️🌈
8242 points
Smilepal commented on a post
i'm so happy we have Quests like the Starter Packs!! i'm primarily a nonfiction reader, but nonfiction is often one of the hardest things for readers to get into because it seems so daunting and boring, so i'm glad there are such accessible titles on this list
i'm someone who tends to get stuck in my same niche, and the Starter Packs have been such a good way for me to get out of my comfort zone and explore books i wouldn't have picked up otherwise. even though nonfiction is my preferred genre, this Quest and its second volume have me interested in new books in my preferred genre. even if i think i won't like them, i'm interested because i'll get to explore, learn, and think 🙂↕️🙂↕️
personally, i really love The Warmth of Other Suns, Braiding Sweetgrass, and i enjoyed Everything Is Tuberculosis! are there any books on this Quest you've enjoyed? have you been introduced to new books, or inspired to pick up books you moved past, thanks to Starter Packs?
16Smilepal commented on a post
"'When you’re as old as me you’ll regret working the way you do,' Beto grumbled. The so-called old man—twenty-seven to Néstor’s twenty-two—smelled like his incurable tobacco habit. Mesquite wood smoke, cold night. A white curl of steam rose from the coffee as he offered the mug to Néstor. It was hot against his calluses."
God I LOVE the descriptions in this book--they're such a sensory treat. You almost feel as if you can smell the smoke and horses and coffee right along with the characters.
3Post from the Vampires of El Norte forum
"'When you’re as old as me you’ll regret working the way you do,' Beto grumbled. The so-called old man—twenty-seven to Néstor’s twenty-two—smelled like his incurable tobacco habit. Mesquite wood smoke, cold night. A white curl of steam rose from the coffee as he offered the mug to Néstor. It was hot against his calluses."
God I LOVE the descriptions in this book--they're such a sensory treat. You almost feel as if you can smell the smoke and horses and coffee right along with the characters.
3Smilepal commented on a post
While I'm a little hesitant about this novel, given what I've seen in the reviews and forums, I will say the audiobook narrator is FIRE--Adam Lazarre-White could read the phone book at this point, and it would sound amazing. Definitely makes me want to get all the Sinners Bleed on audio as well (and gives me an excuse for a re-read!)
17
Smilepal commented on CaitlinByHerShelf's update
Smilepal started reading...
Vampires of El Norte
Isabel Cañas
0Smilepal wrote a review...
Both interesting and informative, I'd highly recommend Geisha, A Life if you're interested in a better alternative to Memoirs of a Geisha, or just want to learn something new! It's not a nail biting thriller, but a lovely read to sit and enjoy slowly.
0Smilepal finished a book
Geisha, a Life
Mineko Iwasaki
0Smilepal wrote a review...
A heartwarming story of an uncle bonding with his niece and nephew and a surprisingly poignant view on grief and the non-linear process of healing. I was expecting a light-hearted, and fun "found" family adventure, but wasn't expecting to have such an emotional response--definitely worth a read if you like family stories, humor, and a good dose of introspection. I did feel as if the pacing was a bit inconsistent (the beginning is very slow), and the kids weren't always the most realistic but overall, this didn't impact my enjoyment of the story much, and it still managed to hold my attention.
0Smilepal commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum
For the gamers here: what’s your favorite video game, and why does it stand out to you? Do you think the elements you love in games - like world building, storytelling, exploration, or character depth - also influence the kinds of books you enjoy?
65Smilepal finished a book
The Guncle (The Guncle, #1)
Steven Rowley
0Smilepal commented on Smilepal's review of Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing
I wanted to give this the benefit of the doubt, and try to remain empathetic towards the author but she made it awfully hard. There's a huge lack of acknowledgment of the personal damage and privilege of the writer, and her mention of harm done registers more as lip-service. She tries to paint herself as a naive victim, and while yes, people do fall victim to mlms there's no personal accountability. (Also complaining vehemently about how hard it is to make money when she has FIVE kids, and acknowledges that it's because she's bad at taking birth control. Let me pull out the world's smallest violin for you, and your privilege of being white, cis-gender, centrist, and having a well-off husband.)
I wanted more facts and a deeper dive into MlMs, along the line of Cultish, and it definitely wasn't this. While it might not be the worst book on the subject out there, there's plenty that are written better, are far more interesting, and provide less congratulatory takes on the topic.
2Smilepal commented on a post
“Money is tight.”
Girl you have five kids 🙄—that’s a choice. I think the narrator is going to drive me nuts. Very privileged white woman vibes already. I was expecting something like Cultish but it’s been more about her fam and motherhood so far
4Smilepal commented on moski's update
moski completed their yearly reading goal of 60 books!
moski's 2026 Reading Challenge
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