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quirkybibliophile's reviews
610 reviews
God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
3.0
God Help the Child is a book told through many different perspectives all whom encounter the main character, Bride. This is a story of the ways that childhood shapes who you are as an adult and continues to affect you beyond your childhood years.
I got halfway through the book and am feeling very neutral about it, not great but also not hating it. I mean at the halfway point I feel for Bride and what she witnessed as a young child but I'm not really sure what the plot of the book is. As I read further on I start to think that maybe this book doesn't need a plot. It's more so showing you how childhood trauma can affect an adult.
That being said I didn't hate the book but neither did I love it. It was a good story and the very last chapters really gave me hope for the future not only for these characters but for all children who have a traumatic past.
I got halfway through the book and am feeling very neutral about it, not great but also not hating it. I mean at the halfway point I feel for Bride and what she witnessed as a young child but I'm not really sure what the plot of the book is. As I read further on I start to think that maybe this book doesn't need a plot. It's more so showing you how childhood trauma can affect an adult.
That being said I didn't hate the book but neither did I love it. It was a good story and the very last chapters really gave me hope for the future not only for these characters but for all children who have a traumatic past.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
5.0
The Woman in Cabin 10 tells the story about a journalist, Lo Blacklock, who has recently been given an assignment on a luxary cruise. Before going on this assignment, Blacklock, has her home broken into and her sense of security is damaged. When Blacklock first arrives on this cruise things seem perfect and smooth until one day she is certain that she has seen a woman being thrown off the ship. The only problem though is that all the passengers and the crew are all accounted for so did someone actually get thrown overboard or is everything Blacklock's imagination.
This book starts off very slowly and halfway through I still didn't have any idea as to what was happening. Now normally this would throw me off and I wouldn't want to continue reading because my opinion of the book would be ruined but it was different in this case. I think since this book already told me there was a mystery aspect to it and it wasn't an obvious case I wanted to keep reading. You'll find yourself guessing along with Blacklock as to what occurred that day and then second guessing yourself as to if the events are real or not.
I haven't been scared by a book since I read the Hot Zone so I was thrilled when I finished this book and had to make sure it was far away from me. I loved the fact that this book managed to scare me and make me paranoid of the smallest things.
This book starts off very slowly and halfway through I still didn't have any idea as to what was happening. Now normally this would throw me off and I wouldn't want to continue reading because my opinion of the book would be ruined but it was different in this case. I think since this book already told me there was a mystery aspect to it and it wasn't an obvious case I wanted to keep reading. You'll find yourself guessing along with Blacklock as to what occurred that day and then second guessing yourself as to if the events are real or not.
I haven't been scared by a book since I read the Hot Zone so I was thrilled when I finished this book and had to make sure it was far away from me. I loved the fact that this book managed to scare me and make me paranoid of the smallest things.
There Is No Good Card for This: What To Say and Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love by Kelsey Crowe
4.0
This book goes over why we may be hesitant to reach out to those around us who may be having a hard time, our expectations of others when we are having a hard time, and how to be there for others. It talks about the small things we can do in order to support one and other, and helping us gain confidence in difficult situations when dealing with others who are struggling. This book is a self-help book which means there is exercises throughout the book that need to be done. I mean you can read this book without doing the exercises but then are you really helping yourself.
I have a difficult time with books that tell me to take a step back and actually deal with emotions. My thoughts are always how is this going to help, you aren't exactly my therapist and you can't give me feedback. My other issue is that those books remind me of college when we had to do in book exercises so I'm like no I just finished school and am no where near ready to go back. So that being said I read through some of this and refused to do the exercises but then I went back and thought I can't tell you all to take those seriously if I refused to do them.
I recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who is going through a hard time but isn't too confident on how they would respond in those times. I think this book gives you ways to handle difficult situations in a great manner and Chapter 7 is a great review if you don't have time to read through the whole thing.
I have a difficult time with books that tell me to take a step back and actually deal with emotions. My thoughts are always how is this going to help, you aren't exactly my therapist and you can't give me feedback. My other issue is that those books remind me of college when we had to do in book exercises so I'm like no I just finished school and am no where near ready to go back. So that being said I read through some of this and refused to do the exercises but then I went back and thought I can't tell you all to take those seriously if I refused to do them.
I recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who is going through a hard time but isn't too confident on how they would respond in those times. I think this book gives you ways to handle difficult situations in a great manner and Chapter 7 is a great review if you don't have time to read through the whole thing.
In at the Deep End by Kate Davies
3.0
Before I begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book I think something I kept in mind when reading was that this was meant to be humorous and not taken seriously. I think at first I started taking some things seriously and had I not reminded myself of that fact I would've put this book away. Julia suddenly becoming a lesbian was taken as a joke not just by Julia but by everyone around her. So when you read it just know it's an enjoyable light not to be taken seriously.
Normally I would read the description of this book, get embarrassed and put it down looking for something a lot tamer but after reading one chapter I couldn't do that. I couldn't even put it down once I read more so I put my embarrassment aside and read it everywhere that I went. Who cared that my face would betray me and let everyone know that I was reading something that made me blush? When you enjoy a book you want the world to know and read along with you.
Unfortunately, those were all of my thoughts prior to meeting Sam, once Sam was introduced into the book my opinions quickly changed. There were red flags from the instant that Julia got with Sam and all of the people surrounding her were warning her about the way that Sam was manipulating her. Julia failed to see any of this because she was so in love with Sam and while I was disturbed by Sam's actions I understood Julia's feelings. It was a good portrayal of what it is like to be enamored with someone to the point that you excuse their abusive tendencies and manipulative behavior. I found that some of the scenes that Sam was in and the actions that she took were too problematic for me to just look past and I found myself having a hard time reading through them.
There's a scene near the ending of the book that actually stuck with me and I was glad it was included. Julia talks about having nightmares about Sam and she says "it's hard to accept that you're the villain in someone else's story." I really resonated with this scene and found that it was a nice way for Julia to deal with that break up.
Normally I would read the description of this book, get embarrassed and put it down looking for something a lot tamer but after reading one chapter I couldn't do that. I couldn't even put it down once I read more so I put my embarrassment aside and read it everywhere that I went. Who cared that my face would betray me and let everyone know that I was reading something that made me blush? When you enjoy a book you want the world to know and read along with you.
Unfortunately, those were all of my thoughts prior to meeting Sam, once Sam was introduced into the book my opinions quickly changed. There were red flags from the instant that Julia got with Sam and all of the people surrounding her were warning her about the way that Sam was manipulating her. Julia failed to see any of this because she was so in love with Sam and while I was disturbed by Sam's actions I understood Julia's feelings. It was a good portrayal of what it is like to be enamored with someone to the point that you excuse their abusive tendencies and manipulative behavior. I found that some of the scenes that Sam was in and the actions that she took were too problematic for me to just look past and I found myself having a hard time reading through them.
There's a scene near the ending of the book that actually stuck with me and I was glad it was included. Julia talks about having nightmares about Sam and she says "it's hard to accept that you're the villain in someone else's story." I really resonated with this scene and found that it was a nice way for Julia to deal with that break up.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
5.0
On The Come Up is about a young girl, Bri, who is an aspiring rapper like her father who died before he made it big. Bri lives in Garden __ but goes to school in a different neighborhood. She lives with her mother, a former drug addict, and her brother but they are struggling to pay the rent and keep food on the table. Bri is hoping that her rapping career will take off and she can help her family escape poverty and the neighborhood. Unfortunately being successful may come at a cost to Bri and she might have to change who she is to fit the public's image of her. Will she do that?
I think something I found hard about this book was watching Bri struggle through everything. She wants to succeed so much to be able to save her family and it was so hard to watch others take advantage of that. While I found it hard to read those parts I thought they were good and very realistic and that's what I love about Angie Thomas's books. I love how she's real with you and while this book is set in the same place as The Hate U Give it is a different story. You see two different girls growing up in different circumstances and how that affects their lives.
Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
4.0
Owen and Mara are twins who are always at each other's side and support each other through the good times and even the difficult times. All of this comes to a change though when Hannah is raped by Owen. Watch as Mara tries to figure out so much on her own, such as: how Charlie, her best friend now ex-girlfriend fits into her life, who to believe, her friend, Hannah, or her twin brother, Owen, and if she is going to tell anyone about an incident that took places years ago.
There are so many things that I enjoy in this book and so much that I think was handled carefully and done well. I think that this book has so much going on but rather than district to the main theme is adds to the story. I think the fact that it has so much going on really adds to the complexity of the characters and how difficult life must be for Mara as more things stack on top of each other.
I really enjoy how each theme is handled and how each of the themes intermingles with each other. The main themes of this book are sexual assault, familial ties/alliances, and identity. I think that the topic of sexual assault is one that needs to be handled with delicacy while also having some truths to it and I think this book does just that. I love how you can feel each of the characters emotions and how this story gives you both Owen and Hannah's thoughts and feelings through the whole thing.
There are so many things that I enjoy in this book and so much that I think was handled carefully and done well. I think that this book has so much going on but rather than district to the main theme is adds to the story. I think the fact that it has so much going on really adds to the complexity of the characters and how difficult life must be for Mara as more things stack on top of each other.
I really enjoy how each theme is handled and how each of the themes intermingles with each other. The main themes of this book are sexual assault, familial ties/alliances, and identity. I think that the topic of sexual assault is one that needs to be handled with delicacy while also having some truths to it and I think this book does just that. I love how you can feel each of the characters emotions and how this story gives you both Owen and Hannah's thoughts and feelings through the whole thing.
After by Anna Todd
4.0
I was honestly quite surprised that I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the next one and find out what happens between Hardin and Tessa. I love how the characters start to develop and change but then they go backwards and how complex all of their relationships with each other really are.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
3.0
What Alice forgot tells the story of a woman who faints in gym class and bumps her head causing her to lose 10 years of her memory. Follow along as Alice tries to recreate her past while trying to fit into the life she has made with herself. Along with following Alice this book also follows the story of Alice's sister and Frannie, Alice's Grandmother figure.
This was one of those books that I didn't love but I also didn't dislike it. It had parts that I loved which were the sections told through the eyes of others. I loved to hear Elisabeth's struggles with IVF and her trying to make sense of her feelings. I also really enjoyed portions told by Frannie because it was like watching another generation look at the current world.
This was one of those books that I didn't love but I also didn't dislike it. It had parts that I loved which were the sections told through the eyes of others. I loved to hear Elisabeth's struggles with IVF and her trying to make sense of her feelings. I also really enjoyed portions told by Frannie because it was like watching another generation look at the current world.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
4.0
I picked up this book at my local library after watching the trailer for its upcoming movie, seeing the trailer piqued my interest in the movie and there was no way that I was going to see the movie without reading the book first. I can't believe that I didn't give this a try sooner, you see I avoided it because I saw the movie Everything, Everything and wasn't a fan so I didn't even try the book. The movie turned me away from anything written by the same author though and now I know better than to trust a movie based on a book to form my opinion on anything.
Have you ever wondered about fate and people being meant to be? I know that sometimes I like to think that things happen for a reason and that people are destined to meet certain people in their lives. The Sun is Also a Star addresses just that question and the whole time as you read you'll be rooting for Daniel to win the girl or are we rooting for the universe and the plan it has for each of them? It's a story that addresses love and loss all in the span of just a few hours.
Have you ever wondered about fate and people being meant to be? I know that sometimes I like to think that things happen for a reason and that people are destined to meet certain people in their lives. The Sun is Also a Star addresses just that question and the whole time as you read you'll be rooting for Daniel to win the girl or are we rooting for the universe and the plan it has for each of them? It's a story that addresses love and loss all in the span of just a few hours.