The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 18: New Books to Make Your Heart Race

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 18: New Books to Make Your Heart Race

A great sampler of some upcoming new releases in the mystery/thriller genre. Standouts for me were:

-Wreck Your Heart - about a country singer in Chicago (strong sense of place) navigating murder and family drama

-How to Get Away with Murder - following a Scotland Yard detective recovering from a trauma hunting down a serial killer who published a self-help book on murder

-Murder Will Out - another story with a strong sense of place, this time in Maine, investigating the mysterious death of her estranged godmother

These stories give me enough of a taste to determine which books I wish to go back and read in full. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (NetGalley ARC, pub 10/28) ⭐⭐⭐ I struggled with this book. I really liked the idea of it and the writing was good, but I found the time loop descriptions overly repetitive and in need of much stronger editing. I also didn't find that the romance worked all that well for me. While there were elements I liked, this book took a lot of effort to get through with the last 30% being the most interesting to me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (NetGalley ARC, pub 10/14) ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 This was an interesting take on grief and the holidays and I stayed up late to finish the second half of the book in one go. I found the timeline confusing and unbelievable and I was annoyed with some of the repetitive and crude references to old holiday movies, but otherwise I appreciated the storytelling and character development. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Menu of Happiness (Kamogawa Food Detectives, #3) by Hisashi Kashiwai

The Menu of Happiness (Kamogawa Food Detectives, #3) by Hisashi Kashiwai ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed the first two books in the Kamogawa Food Detectives Novel series, so was excited to see this third one. This book stays true to form, but in this case it keeps it from progressing. In the first two novels there was a little more development of the Komogawas, but this book did not advance there stories and began to feel repetitive. I still enjoyed the lush food descriptions and the poignancy of food and memories and complex human emotions. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Joyride by Susan Orlean

Joyride by Susan Orlean - I've only read one of Orlean's books in addition to seeing the film Adaptation (based on her novel The Orchid Thief) so I wasn't sure if I was the right audience for this book, but once things got moving I really enjoyed it. There were some beautifully written lines that I bookmarked and will add to my commonplace book. The memoir really highlighted a theme she described in her own writing of finding topics or people that seem ordinary ("hiding in plain sight") and then really getting into them and finding something fascinating. As she writes: "My task, always, is to override your misgivings, to keep you t pinned to the page long enough that you fall in fully, and then you become as captivated as I am in this unlikely story..." I appreciated what she shared about storytelling and writing and the evolution of the literary world over the course of her career. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau

A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed the characters and the storyline for this historical fiction mystery and I think it will evolve into a nice series. I questioned the historical accuracy of some elements of this story but appreciated how they set up the characters' backstories and the experiences of women, and particularly queer women, at this moment in history. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood (NetGalley ARC, pub date 9/16) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This took me a minute to get back into the story, but once it got going it felt pretty strong. It leaned very heavily on Judith and kept the reader guessing on different explanations for the murder at the center of the story. I enjoyed the setting of "the theatre" and the development of various personalities (and suspects) in the town. The side story about Becks' daughter didn't do much for me, but otherwise I thought it all came together nicely. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder by Jay Cooper, Maureen Johnson - I think this is a really interesting format and would certainly lend itself better to hard copy than the digital format in which I read it. I found the characters interesting and enjoyed the setting (1930s London). but due to the mixed media format and interview transcripts, it was hard for me to follow at times. You can treat the story as a puzzle and try to review the clues and form a hypothesis as to who the killer is before reading the final chapter reveal. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Beattie Cavendish and the White Pearl Club by Mary-Jane Riley

Beattie Cavendish and the White Pearl Club by Mary-Jane Riley - This book took me a while to warm up to as it felt somewhat slow and meandering for the first third or so. Once the story found its footing, I was excited to keep going and read the rest quickly. I enjoyed getting to know the two main characters who I anticipate will appear in a sequel. I also enjoyed the backdrop of the start of the Cold War and the treatment of the Irish in London. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 17 multiple authors

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 17 multiple authors (NetGalley ARC) ⭐⭐⭐ One of the excerpts was too crude for my taste so I bailed, but I liked the 1950s historical mystery and the game tracking detectives. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols

This was a cute story with a strong sense of place. and the theme of found family. But I felt it had too many characters with too many side stories to keep track of and it dragged on and at times became confusing and hard to follow. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter (NetGalley ARC, pub date 8/5) ⭐⭐⭐  I really enjoyed the Blonde Identity, so was really excited for the sequel, but this one did not retain the magic. I think the biggest issue was the decision to make the storytelling so choppy as it bounced back and forth between present day and 8 years ago, with each chapter being about 3-5 pages long. Between the time and location jumps, the story was hard to follow and with so much of it being backstory, there wasn't much dramatic tension or stakes until the final pages. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Dear Miss Lake by AJ Pearce

Dear Miss Lake by AJ Pearce (NetGalley ARC, pub date 8/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oh how comforting it was to be back with these beloved and familiar characters. This book made me cry several times, but in a good way. I appreciated the issues it raised while also offering a view of how humans persevere through the most difficult of circumstances.

The Creative's Mind: How Exceptional Artists Think, Make, and Perform by Jim Afremow; Phil White

The Creative's Mind: How Exceptional Artists Think, Make, and Perform by Jim Afremow; Phil White ⭐⭐⭐ Some of the chapters feel like they were written by publicists. I thought there would be a bit more about overcoming challenges and less gushing. The recaps at the end of each chapter felt like too much and were redundant and reductive. I think my favorite chapter was on Erik Larson, author of narrative nonfiction. There were some interesting tidbits but there was a ton of repetition.

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel - I really liked The Sweet Spot and loved Musical Chairs by this author, so I was ready for some madcap adventures. But this book I had trouble enjoying - some parts were funny, but I a lot of time annoyed by the characters’ behaviors rather than charmed by them. Around 75% in, it finally started to pull things together and that last part I really enjoyed, so the experience overall ended up feeling mixed. 

One Final Turn (Electra McDonnell #5) by Ashley Weaver

One Final Turn (Electra McDonnell #5) by Ashley Weaver ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The only reason I didn't finish this sooner was because I was "saving" it. I enjoyed the change of setting with most of the book taking place in Portugal. I also appreciated how the action kept going through most of the book and I thought "how will they resolve these storylines in time" but it did so and provided the satisfying ending I wanted. I will be exploring the author's backlist and I hope she will create more stories with characters that I enjoy as much as these. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King -

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King - This is a tough one for me to review as reading this was a really mixed experience for me. I liked the premise and the settings, but as the book went on it started to drag for me. I became somewhat tired of the two younger characters. I wanted more to be offered from Meng's perspective which was only brought forward near the end and was too brief. I thought the total lack of explanation for Monica's mother's behavior was really odd, and didn't really understand her father at all either. I also thought too much time was spent on repeatedly describing the physical nature of the Reforging process which felt like an unnecessary and unpleasant detail to repeat over and over. There were aspects of this book I really enjoyed but overall my experience was frustrating. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton

The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton - I first heard about this book as I follow the author's "Hill House Vintage" Instagram account and enjoy the style and gardening. The book seemed to borrow heavily from the author's life. Unfortunately, I found this book to be a slog. I was simply not invested in the characters or story, and would often feel like I had spent a long time reading without getting very far. I liked the premise and the sense of place, but most of the characters were bored miserable rich people and their darling children. The descriptions felt repetitive and the story dragged on.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

The Love Haters by Katherine Center - The meet cute is as usual, a little too convenient, but I was able to roll with it. I enjoyed the description of the bright colors of the Florida Keys and appreciated as more of the nuance and backstory unfolded for the main characters. I laughed out loud quite a bit. I was telling myself "oh this is so predictable" and yet I stayed up late to read the last 60% of the book, so I guess we can call it propulsive! I think that Katherine Center is officially my favorite romance writer. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. 

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 16: New Books to Make Your Heart Race by Cathy Pegau, Mariah Fredericks, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Ragnar Jónasson

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 16: New Books to Make Your Heart Race by
Cathy Pegau, Mariah Fredericks, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Ragnar Jónasson - Another fun sampler collection to get a taste of some upcoming releases. There were some formatting issues where chapters appeared in the wrong section (within a different book's sample!) which created some confusion for this reader. The four stories contained a range of characters, settings, and time periods. The two I enjoyed the most took place in early 20th century America. Historical fiction + mystery is a favorite genre combo of mine. I will be most interested to read Cathy Pegau's "A Murderous Business." Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe - This book started out a bit slow for me, but as the author weaved her story, it became richer and more engaging. I enjoyed her blend of historical fiction and ecology with the focus on strong Southern women that I've found in Monroe's other works. This book is not billed as a series, but the author's note suggested that the matriarch would continue with her story in a second book. I knew the timeline wasn't keeping up with how much was left in the book, but it was a bit surprising for the book to not be more clearly described that way up front. The story was largely unresolved at the end, but it did make me want to continue to the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cozy Case Files, Volume 24: A Cozy Minotaur Sampler

Cozy Case Files, Volume 24: A Cozy Minotaur Sampler - This was a fun and quick (under 200 page) sampler that introduced me to some new authors in addition to sharing previews of new releases from familiar authors. I enjoyed the range of storylines and settings. I am most excited about the new "Ravensea Castle Series" by author Elizabeth Penney, which starts with Bodies and Battlements. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd

Murder at Gulls Nest (Nora Breen Investigates #1) by Jess Kidd - I really like mystery and historical fiction as a combined genre, but this book was a lot slower paced than I prefer. I couldn't tell if that was deliberate or if it just needed some stronger editing. It created a strong sense of place but the exposition dragged on for me. The story had Gothic vibes which I was not expected, and is generally not my preference. But I enjoyed the writing enough to keep going and can see why this would make sense to become a series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto - Vera Wong strikes again. I overall enjoyed this book and even cried a little at the end. The challenges were that the books tries to retain all the characters from the last book while adding several new characters, so it becomes a bit confusing to remember who is who. There are also the same mannerisms that are sometimes cute, sometimes cringey. However, the key themes around found family, being honest and accepting yourself in order to move forward, and caring deeply for others are what make this a satisfying read. The author's note at the end is also worth reading to learn about some of the inspiration for the themes in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee

 

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee - I am still working on claiming the title of artist for myself as it's something I enjoyed in high school, put aside for 20 years, and have just started returning to in the past couple years. So there were pieces of this book that I didn't feel applied to my current level of engagement. However, many many sections really did speak to me around the fears and hesitations and resistance. I was highlighting sections. Reading this book helped me pick up my watercolor painting for the first time in several months - something I had been eyeing but was avoiding. I think that reading this book helping me return to an almost-daily art practice is about the highest praise I can give. Thank you Amie. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby

The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby (NetGalley ARC pub 3/4) ⭐⭐⭐💫 I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. Perhaps I was just tired this week, but I had trouble sticking with it and it took me longer to finish than I expected. Maybe this just happens with the first book in a cozy series but the pacing felt a little slow. I enjoyed the small town setting, the library, and the characters. I will definitely consider reading the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Back After This by Linda Holmes

Back After This by Linda Holmes - This book started off a little slow for me - perhaps because I am not into podcasts, so some of the inside baseball didn't do much for me. About a third of the way in, I started to get into it - and I stayed up late to finish the last third of the book! I've enjoyed Holmes' other books which delve into some interesting themes but are also sprinkled with plenty of laugh-out-loud humor. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. 

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens - This was a hard read but I think important to learn about some of the wars in the 1990s that were only lightly covered. This was much more of a thriller than it was mystery or historical fiction. Despite the dark topic, I mostly enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Murder at the Opera House by Dawn Brookes

Murder at the Opera House by Dawn Brookes - I didn't love the characters but I found them entertaining and it was a fairly snappy read. I also liked the unique setting of Romania. I'd guess that as the characters develop more depth as the series progresses, they will become more enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13 New Books to Make Your Heart Race by Julia Spiro; John McMahon; Melissa Larsen; Sandie Jones; Jenny Elder Moke; Daisy Pearce; Andrew Ludington

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 13
New Books to Make Your Heart Race

by Julia Spiro; John McMahon; Melissa Larsen; Sandie Jones; Jenny Elder Moke; Daisy Pearce; Andrew Ludington

I was worried these might be too creepy/thriller for me but most were actually just great mysteries based on the samples I read! There was great range in the stories I read, and I especially liked The Lost House, She Doesn't Have a Clue, Head Cases, and Splinter Effect. The last two are the first in a series so I will be excited to read the full books and perhaps continue with those stories. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Beautiful Butterflies and Flowers: 20 Step-by-Step No-Sketch Projects on Watercolor Paper by Chithra Shaan

The section on butterfly and flower anatomy provides a helpful foundation. The supplies are not overwhelming and the color recipes are clear. Some of the flowers are more complicated with as many as 15 steps. I think this book may be a bit intimidating for a total beginner. It is laid out nicely, has clear instructions, and builds up to a lovely bouquet of flowers and butterflies at the end. I was also excited to learn about how to integrate metallic paints into these watercolors. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cozy Case Files, Volume 23: A Cozy Mystery Sampler

Cozy Case Files, Volume 23: A Cozy Mystery Sampler What a great way to sample multiple cozy mystery writers. One thread that ran throughout most of the stories was a strong sense of place. Most of these authors are new to me, and I am adding several to my TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Sketchbook Joy by Katie Moody

Sketchbook Joy by Katie Moody - It was great to read this encouragement for keeping a sketchbook which is something I'm just on the verge of starting. I loved the idea of commonplacing with drawings not just writing and ideas for incorporating pastels which I haven't tried yet. This book is a great reference for all the possibilities you could include in a sketchbook. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

An Excellent Thing in a Woman (A Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery, #7) by Allison Montclair

An Excellent Thing in a Woman (A Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery, #7) by Allison Montclair - I was really excited to read the next installment of Sparks and Bainbridge and actually wanted the book to be longer so I could spend more time with them! The book starts off quickly with some major developments but then felt a little slow in the middle. This felt like a bit of a transition book with less complexity than some of the other books, but I loved it all the same. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Call Her Freedom by Tara Dorabji

Call Her Freedom by Tara Dorabji - This was a beautifully written book but also hard to read much of the time given the tragedy experienced by the family and the community. I found myself sometimes not wanting to grapple with the heartache in this book but also growing attached to the characters and returning to see how their lives unfolded. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Limelight by Emily Organ

Limelight by Emily Organ - This was a fun read and I look forward to reading more of the series. I don't typically enjoy books that take place prior to the 20th century but I enjoyed the way that this book was written (specific to the time period but with a bit of a modern perspective). I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the way the mystery unfolded to keep me engaged until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times

Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Father Gregory Boyle At first I worried this book might be a little more religious than what I was comfortable with. But the book quickly settled into Fr. Boyle's signature homie anecdotes showing warmhearted love and affection for all humans. This book touched on some recent political events and characters, but really stuck to the theme that everyone must belong to us and we must belong to them. Just like with his other books, there were parts that brought me to tears and parts that made me laugh. It felt like a balm to read during this election season. “People change when they are cherished.” Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Death Comes at Christmas by multiple authors

Death Comes at Christmas (short story collection, multiple authors, publication date 10/28/24) This was a fun mix of holiday themed murder mysteries. I was not familiar with most of the authors so it was also a great opportunity to sample their work. Some leaned a bit more toward the cozy mystery side while several had dark twists. The stories also provided quite a few laughs along the way. I do not like horror or anything that leans too much into thriller/suspense or really dark, and these stories walked right up to that line but didn't cross it for me. (I even used this as bedtime reading)! I enjoyed this collection and finished it in a few days. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a sweet short story - a typical book plot but significantly condensed. Initially I found the female main character a bit annoying and highly implausible, but once the story progressed and the two main characters started interacting it was much more enjoyable. No shocking twists or surprises here, but a cozy and cute story with a tidy ending!

Meditations for Mortals Oliver Burkeman

Meditations for Mortals Oliver Burkeman (NetGalley ARC pub date 10/8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I read this on and off, aiming at first for one chapter a day as suggested but then missing chunks and reading chunks. I am considering purchasing a hard copy as there are sections I’d like to underline or annotate. Despite it being based on some previously published newsletters (to which I subscribe), it was well put together and felt fresh and relevant. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This started off fine, then got weirder and weirder. I considered bailing but stuck through a sagging middle and enjoyed the last third which felt more signature Haig. Four stars rounded up since it felt so uneven.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This took me a little to settle into but I really enjoyed it and found it a good comfort read. I found myself revisiting the characters in my mind and may consider picking up some of the books that are referenced in the novel. I'll also look into the author's other works.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The Wedding People by Alison Espach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I thought this would be light and funny, but a summary did say it had a dark premise and is grim in parts. At 14% in, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. I gave it one more try and finished it. I think the author lays it on too thick at the start but then smooths it out. I felt frustrated by the caricature-like nature of some of the characters and it felt longer in places than needed, but overall appreciated how it came together. I enjoyed what it was saying about being human and how many of us share the same fears and doubts.

The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness

The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 This had a great combo of magical cozy autumn vibes while taking place over the summer. I felt like it dragged in a few spots and could have been shorter than 464 pages, but overall I really enjoyed the new characters and setting that were introduced.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This started a bit slow and the characters sometimes annoyed me, but it was propulsive and I sped up my reading once I hit about the halfway mark. I will continue reading the series.

Time’s Convert (All Souls #4) by Deborah Harkness

Time’s Convert (All Souls #4) by Deborah Harkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had low expectations based on reviews, and it did seem 100-150 pages longer than it needed to be, but it was still fairly enjoyable and I like the backstory on Marcus more than the part featuring Phoebe's transformation. Excited for the next book.

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ There were some serious themes mixed into this fantasy novella, along with illustrations which were fun. I appreciated the postscript regarding the experiences of women in Korea.

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg ⭐⭐ Science nerds, ocean settings, second chance romance. I loved the premise but the execution was not there for me. Unfortunately, the formatting errors and lack of editing for the ARC I received didn't help but I found the writing stilted and just not a very interesting plotline. It felt repetitive and lacking in dramatic tension. Maybe this would have been a better fit as YA novel but it just felt like alternating long-winded inner monologues of two emotionally immature people with a beautiful backdrop and setting. I really wanted to and tried to like this but it did not hold my interest. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed this and liked the ending, but overall the tone of the book was really quite dark and sad. The frequent shifting of character perspective and timeline was often jolting and hard to follow, I think it would have been smoother with less shifts and it also dragged at times as a result.

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was fun with lots of little easter eggs and bringing in characters from past books. I still have a few books from her backlist so I didn’t feel super final. I enjoyed all the pickleball references. It was a nice summer treat.

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really enjoyed this with all its nuances, art references, and character development.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 This was enjoyable and uplifting, but I found Rom-Commers funnier. Fun to catch the character tie-in even though I read the two books in the wrong order. Looking forward to MMD author talk.

Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja Lakshmin

Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja Lakshmin ⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed a podcast with the author, but I don’t know that the book added much for me. The problems women face are largely structural, don't waste all your time on faux self-care, don't turn wellness into more productivity/achievements, set boundaries and take pauses. This book was heavy on the mini-anecdotes of clients, but it started to feel repetitive quickly and I skimmed a lot.