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A New York Tate of Mind
A New York Tate of Mind
In which this reader and explorer reviews books, muses on literary (and other) matters, and shares some of her adventures.

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My 1-5 rating system:
1 = I did not like it and would not recommend it.
2= It was fine. Read it if the subject matter interests you.
3 = I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
4 = I really liked it, and think you should read it!
5 = One of the best books I've read.
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Review: The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
5/5 stars The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, by Stuart Turton (2018) I enjoyed this book SO MUCH! It is as thrilling as it is confusing,...
tatedecaro
Jul 21, 20213 min read


Review: Once Upon a River
3/5 stars Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield (2018) This book is a mythical fairy tale of magical realism. Suspenseful at times,...
tatedecaro
Jun 30, 20212 min read


Review: Southern Reach Trilogy
3/5 stars overall Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation, Authority, & Acceptance, by Jeff Vandermeer (2014) Rating this was tough because...
tatedecaro
Jun 25, 20213 min read


Review: The Near Witch
3/5 stars The Near Witch, by V.E. Schwab (2011) This is Schwab's first novel, originally published in 2011, then republished in 2019...
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May 6, 20212 min read


Review: The Ladies of Grace Adieu
3/5 stars The Ladies of Grace Adieu, and Other Stories, by Susanna Clark (2006) Favorite quote from the book: “The governess was not much...
tatedecaro
Apr 26, 20212 min read


Review: Piranesi
5/5 stars Piranesi, by Susanna Clark (2020) This book was such a fun mystery to unravel, and just a gorgeous story to dive into. If...
tatedecaro
Mar 29, 20212 min read


Review: House in the Cerulean Sea
3/5 stars The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T.J. Klune (2020) This book combines the magic (and, more specifically, Ministry of Magic) of...
tatedecaro
Feb 25, 20212 min read


Review: Nothing to See Here
4/5 stars Nothing to See Here, by Kevin Wilson (2019) My one-sentence review: This book is a rollicking good time! But I'll say more... I...
tatedecaro
Jan 29, 20212 min read


Review: The Library at Mount Char
4/5 stars ... I think? The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins (2015) Uhhmmm. So. THAT was weird. Honestly it's the weirdest book...
tatedecaro
Jan 26, 20212 min read


Review: Raybearer
4/5 stars Raybearer, by Jordan Ifueko (2020) "In the global empire of Aritsar, love-starved Tarisai is compelled by her mother to join...
tatedecaro
Jan 23, 20212 min read


Review: Empire of Wild
4/5 stars Empire of Wild, by Cherie Dimaline (2019) This is a really fun and unique YA fantasy/thriller... A fairytale-like story from a...
tatedecaro
Jan 12, 20212 min read


Review: The Night Tiger
2/5 stars The Night Tiger, by Yangsze Choo (2019) This book was solidly in the camp of "OK." The narrative follows two main characters in...
tatedecaro
Nov 8, 20202 min read


Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
4/5 stars The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E. Schwab (2020) "France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a...
tatedecaro
Oct 30, 20202 min read


Review: In the House in the Dark of the Woods
3/5 stars In the House in the Dark of the Woods, by Laird Hunt (2018) "Here be magic birds, killer swarms, tepid wells, glamor magic,...
tatedecaro
Aug 24, 20202 min read


Review: The Starless Sea
1/5 stars (is generous) The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern (2019) I am so, so sad to report that I did not like this book. I loved...
tatedecaro
Aug 9, 20204 min read


Review: Exhalation
2/5 stars Exhalation: Stories, by Ted Chiang (2019) I didn't love this collection of stories, but I did really enjoy some of them, and...
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Jul 28, 20202 min read


Review: Ninth House
4/5 stars Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo (2019) Dark magic, secret societies at Yale with world-altering powers, murder, mystery & mayhem!...
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Jun 19, 20202 min read


Review: The Astonishing Color of After
2/5 stars The Astonishing Color of After, by Emily X.R. Pan (2018) TW: Suicide & Depression Magical realism, with a deep dive into a...
tatedecaro
Jun 11, 20202 min read


Review: The Scribe of Siena
2/5 stars (for the shear enjoyment of mentally transporting me to back to beautiful Siena) The Scribe of Siena, by Melodie Winawer (2017)...
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May 16, 20203 min read


Review: Villains Series
4/5 stars The Villains Series - Vicious (2013), Warm Up (2013), and Vengeful (2018), by V.E. Schwab Warm up is a short story that goes...
tatedecaro
Apr 29, 20202 min read

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