abridged dictionary of overused words in book reviews
weather: ☀️ anyway, how was your autumn
critters: tiny little house finches
authentic. autofiction
haunting. entertains some unpleasant scenarios
luminous. magical realism
lush. the female narrator has sex a couple times
lyrical. contains a few of what my gym teacher called "ten-dollar words"
necessary. a book freed from any obligation to be good, like hospital food
powerful. see haunting
propulsive. unfortunately few books bearing this word in their cover blurbs are about submarines :(
riveting. see propulsive
rollicking. caution! annoying humor
sweeping. intergenerational or international narrative
timely. the manuscript's terminus post quem is last year's hottest-button social media discourse
unflinching. see powerful
urgent. see timely