Literary Fiction

It's Just Hockey

When I read a book that I love, I often find it difficult to write a review. How am I supposed to put into words the way this book made me feel? What could I possibly say to properly express the most brilliant parts of it? I can't, really, which is why I rarely write reviews for my 5 Star books. I wanted to try with Beartown, because I think it's an amazing work of art.

Kendall Carroll

Jan 265 min read

World's Most Eventful Grocery Store

The description of this book makes it seem like it's going to be a mystery, and it's not. It's a good story, but if you're looking for a mystery and want to watch them investigate to solve whose skeleton was found, you're going to be disappointed. Honestly, I spent the first bit a little disoriented about this. Once I found my actual footing, though, I did enjoy the story for what it was. I just think it could've used some refining around the start.

Kendall Carroll

Sep 25, 20253 min read

The Weakest Friendship In Berlin

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, and it took me a long time to read it because it just wasn't grabbing my attention. In a lot of ways the book was just fine, but the execution was really lacking.

Kendall Carroll

Aug 26, 20252 min read

All This Over a Fungus

This book was a bit bizarre, but I found it very charming in its uniqueness. It made some bold narrative choices, but it felt confident in itself, and ultimately it paid off.

Kendall Carroll

Aug 2, 20252 min read

All Questions, No Answers

I just simply did not enjoy this book. And it was far too long, which gave me a lot of time to ruminate on all its flaws. It may not have been the worst book I've ever read, but with an irritating main character, shallow political messaging that overpowered the already-weak plot, and a personality that doesn't know what its trying to be, there were very few things about this book that helped redeem it for me.

Kendall Carroll

Jul 16, 20255 min read

Some Secrets Are Better Kept

I wanted to love this book so badly. I loved "If We Were Villains," and this book often gets recommended in hand with that, so I was ready to find a new obsession. And, honestly, I really had hope for Book 1. It wasn't perfect, but I was enjoying it an awful lot. And then we get to Book 2.

Kendall Carroll

Jul 15, 20252 min read

The Purpose

This was a really charming story. It's another story that reminds me of something you'd read in an English class — a little out there and largely contemplative, but full of heart.

Kendall Carroll

Jul 14, 20252 min read

When Nuance Gets Lost

Full disclosure: I started this book at the very beginning of the month, and then I didn't pick it up again until just recently. I was just never that engaged with it. The concept was super cool, and there were certainly moments that I liked. Overall, unfortunately, I found the characters very unlikable and the writing not strong enough to make up for it.

Kendall Carroll

May 31, 20253 min read

Hamlet, the Origin Story

I really enjoyed this book, although I was curious whether I liked it because it's about "Hamlet" or if I liked it because I truly thought it was a good book. But with how beautifully written and highly emotional it was, I think it's fine to say I just liked it.

Kendall Carroll

Apr 29, 20252 min read

A Remarkably Good Book

I knew I was going to love this book, but it's taken me such a long time to read it. I'm so glad that I finally did, though. It's a very unique book, and I never would've guessed that an octopus having a point of view would be endearing instead of silly, but it worked really well.

Kendall Carroll

Apr 19, 20252 min read