gabsi77's reviews
258 reviews

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Can I give this ten out of five stars? (Apparently not, I tried) Because it's honestly deserving of that. I know we're only four days into 2021, but this might be my favourite read of 2021.

This book was absolutely impeccable. You know how the best lies have a bit of the truth in them? So do the best fictions. His work is on point, gives you the history, overlaid with his beautiful imagination and creates a world so vivid that honestly you might as well be there with Maryse on Stone Mountain and some Ku Kluxes.

I'm also a sucker for a well written battle scene. I don't know what it is, but battle scenes just do it for me, in movies and in books. In movies it's the choreography of it all (I'm a dancer so I appreciate that stuff), but in books it's a whole different ball game because it has to be written in such a way that you can visualise the choreography taking place. It's a beauty of butchery, and he gets it.

Side note: Just added everything he has on goodreads to my TBR, because I offcially trust him with my [reading] life.

Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall

medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Your Corner Dark was an engrossing story of a Jamaican youth facing limited options and endless challenges as he seeks to overcome the circumstances of his birth. In Jamaica, you often get told that education is your way out. A way out of poverty and into middle class life, a way out of middle class life and into the uptown, or even a way out of Jamaica.

Frankie has worked hard to make his way out of his rural neighbourhood, pushing himself as his mother pushed and encouraged him. Now, he's finally making his way out and has got a scholarship to go to his dream university, and then in a second everything changes when his father gets shot. Now Frankie is on his own and has to make decisions no child should ever be faced with.

I was completely taken up with the story, however as a Jamaican there were things that were distinctly not Jamaican referenced in the ARC. For non-Jamaican readers it's not anything they'd likely notice.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

3.0

I was heartbroken to discover that Dorothy's ruby red slippers were actually silver. Otherwise the book was good.

Tried & True: Revelations of a Rebellious Youth by Dutty Bookman

3.0

E Is for Environment: Stories to Help Children Care for Their World--at Home, at School, and at Play by Ian James Corlett

4.0

I think this is a great book for parents and their children. More people are realising the importance of going green and to develop green as a lifestyle it's best starting young. The book is a collection of short stories about a brother and sister who are determined to do their part towards becoming environmentally friendly. At the end of each story, there is a tip that you can adapt to your own situation and household and questions to encourage discussion between the parent and the child. There are also facts about the environment as well as quotations from many different people. The facts and quotations correspond to the stories they follow.

The Last Night I Spent With You: A Novel by Mayra Montero, Edith Grossman

3.0

This was a pleasant enough read. It was a bit peculiar and filled with sex but not in a distasteful vulgar way. The book itself was very well written. I really liked how everything kind of came around full circle.

One Good Year: A Mother and Daughter's Educational Adventure by Laura Brodie

2.0

All About Her Thighs by Lola Beverly Hills

2.0

Starting Crochet: Beginners Guide - Learn How to Crochet with Pictures by Margaret Moore

5.0

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

4.0