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shereadytoread's Reviews (824)
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This book was so good. I don't even know how to put into words how much I love it. There's a lot of rumination on the concept of utopia and abolition, and that justice and peace requires ongoing action and care for every member of society. I loved Pet's reflections of human's dichotomous thinking.
A really great theme of this book was how no matter your age, you can and should be an agent of change in your own society and that creating a better world requires us all to be able to challenge our perception of the world and what we know to be true.
Overall it was such a great one to read!
A really great theme of this book was how no matter your age, you can and should be an agent of change in your own society and that creating a better world requires us all to be able to challenge our perception of the world and what we know to be true.
Overall it was such a great one to read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was such a great read. The plot of running through the series of obstacles in the book let the plot continue without getting repetitive and the different settings of each were creepy in their own way. I really loved the imagery and how each character or group of characters in the book had a really unique look, personality, and purpose in the story. Having one MC face these obstacles alone for the people that she loved was really great. I think this is a great MG horror.
Pros:
- plot with multiple interesting settings
- mental health representation
- found family rep
Pros:
- plot with multiple interesting settings
- mental health representation
- found family rep
"Climate justice is racial justice"
Overall I think the premise and story were a great idea but in some places I wished the pacing was different. There is a lot of identity specific monologues and history at the beginning of the pages (questioning her blackness, how people perceive her race, etc.) that don't come into play during the story except one off-hand exchange. It appeared a little forced in and didn't seem vital to the story at all. Perfectly fine questions to add and include but in this type of plot, something that is dedicated a lot of time should come into play later (imo).
The characters of the book were well done and enjoyable to read about. Our main character isn't necessarily likeable but her complexity does keep the story moving at many points. The supporting cast of friends/allies is really good. This book reads like a really good heist procedural and it was a fun ride. It makes a lot of points about climate change and environmental racism that fit really well in the plot.
Overall I think the premise and story were a great idea but in some places I wished the pacing was different. There is a lot of identity specific monologues and history at the beginning of the pages (questioning her blackness, how people perceive her race, etc.) that don't come into play during the story except one off-hand exchange. It appeared a little forced in and didn't seem vital to the story at all. Perfectly fine questions to add and include but in this type of plot, something that is dedicated a lot of time should come into play later (imo).
The characters of the book were well done and enjoyable to read about. Our main character isn't necessarily likeable but her complexity does keep the story moving at many points. The supporting cast of friends/allies is really good. This book reads like a really good heist procedural and it was a fun ride. It makes a lot of points about climate change and environmental racism that fit really well in the plot.
informative
I really enjoyed this book. It provides a concise history of witchcraft in practice and media but also covers a wide breadth of texts, historical events and modern day practices. I thought the memoir elements were blended into the informational sections well. I think the chapters were a bit to long which led them to be unfocused in places, but if they were split into smaller more specific chapters, it would be easier to read overall. Great nonfic if you are interested in history of witchcraft in media (including before modern times).
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A heartbreaking sapphic mystery/thriller that touches on everything from first love, to addiction, to mental illness, and adoption trauma. This book packs more than you expect.
I’d love to talk about specifics of so many pieces but they are all spoilers (*sigh*). We follow Chase as she puts together the puzzle of what happened to Lia, her first love, after she goes missing and her body is found. While it does have a darker mood, it keeps you engaged by the spiral our main character ends up on.
It is a melancholy story that gives a clear look into some heavy themes while also telling a compelling story. Our main character has to deal with the devastating loss while also struggling to realize who she is and that maybe everything was not exactly as it seemed.
Disclaimer: I received a free gifted copy from the publisher
I’d love to talk about specifics of so many pieces but they are all spoilers (*sigh*). We follow Chase as she puts together the puzzle of what happened to Lia, her first love, after she goes missing and her body is found. While it does have a darker mood, it keeps you engaged by the spiral our main character ends up on.
It is a melancholy story that gives a clear look into some heavy themes while also telling a compelling story. Our main character has to deal with the devastating loss while also struggling to realize who she is and that maybe everything was not exactly as it seemed.
Disclaimer: I received a free gifted copy from the publisher
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Toxic relationship
The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankensteins, and the Creation of Mary Shelley's Masterpiece
DID NOT FINISH: 35%
This book is well researched but so far very little about the writing of Frankenstein or Mary Shelley. It is most about things going on in anatomy and science experimentation at the time. If you’re subject matter then you’ll probably like this but if you are looking for information on the formation and writing of the book itself, you can keep moving.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book that follows a lot of large themes and pushes them into an easily followed horror story. In being haunted by La Llorona, she truly being haunted by depression, motherhood, adoption trauma, generational trauma, feelings of inadequacy and feelings of alienation from her own culture. The imagery of this haunting figure is well-done, striking and pretty creepy. Switching between every day unhappy domestic life, horrific apparitions, and flashbacks to Alejandra's ancestors from whom she has lost connection. This book is a paranormal haunting, but takes on more of a psychological haunting feel as she deals with her depression and trauma. I thought this book had a lot of wonderful commentary around connecting with a clinician that you can relate to culturally and the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Pregnancy
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is a fun women's fic about a woman who learns how to love books while building a community (and getting one over on her boss). The characters of the book are really loveable, including the town grump. And a lot of the fake stories they discussed I wish were real books. The book discusses literary snobs, reading for pleasure, and how different stories connect with different people. Overall, this is a fun found family story with a romantic subplot that isn't too heavy handed.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
This book is a very personal look at a path to body liberation and what dismantling diet culture in our own lives can look like. In addition to memoir and information it provides personal exercises to complete as well as simple guides to steps you can take. The book doesn’t dismiss the difficulty of divorcing ourselves from systems and concepts that are ingrained in us from a young age, but encourages small, purposeful and decisive action.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC and finished copy from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC and finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia
informative
reflective
The Evidence of Things Not Seen by James Baldwin is a analysis of the crimes now known as “The Atlanta Child Murders” and the scene for this period set by failed integration. I am planning to do an annotated reread this summer!
This book was such a good reflection of the intersection of identity with crime and the legal section (both as a victim and perpetrator). He also offers general reflections on identity and history of black people in the city.
As a confessed “outsider” who isn’t from the south, he offers specific and astute observations of the victims, their families, the treatment of the crimes and the legal process.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the publisher
This book was such a good reflection of the intersection of identity with crime and the legal section (both as a victim and perpetrator). He also offers general reflections on identity and history of black people in the city.
As a confessed “outsider” who isn’t from the south, he offers specific and astute observations of the victims, their families, the treatment of the crimes and the legal process.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy from the publisher