abbyluvsfrogs444's reviews
304 reviews

All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living by Morgan Harper Nichols

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

I am in love with this woman's poetry. I have loved Morgan for some time now but I haven't sat down to read a whole poetry collection of hers until now. And wow, am I glad I did. Every page is filled with beautiful words and gorgeous illustrations. So many of these poems hit me right in the heart and will stay there forever. The more I read poetry, the more I fall in love with it, no matter who wrote it. 

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

library loan is running out and don't feel like renewing it lol

Maya Angelou: Poems by Maya Angelou

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Maya Angelou has a magical power. That power is writing so beautifully that you can't believe you are reading actual words. I am in awe. This woman is incredibly talented and I will never shut up about her. Everyone should read something by her. It would be a crime not to. 

Home Body by Rupi Kaur

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Such a fantastic poetry collection. Almost every page is highlighted or annotated. So many of these poems hit home. I am in love with Rupi Kaur's words. Completely in love. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, and Classism

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

the change from 1st to third person was weird and i'm just not interested enough in the characters.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on, coughing and searching, and finding." 

Wow. That was a life-changing book. That was so sad. I am so glad that I read it, though. This is one of those books that is becoming a modern classic and everyone knows about it. And it definitely deserves that classic status. What a read. What a sad yet beautiful story. I love this book. But I'll probably never read it again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Suicide, and Car accident

Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol

You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa See

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I loved this one! Such a cute love story. Don't have much to say other than I really enjoyed it and I finished it sooo fast. Also the cover is absolutely stunning I am OBSESSED. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Classism

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.

The family rivalry was way too dramatic. Too much drama not enough romance. 

XOXO by Axie Oh

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was SO CUTE. I am in love with this book. What a perfect YA romance. All the characters, from our leading lady and love interest, to the best friends and side characters, were all so lovable. I am so glad I picked this up from the library. I will be rereading this in the future! 

The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

"Chloe was holding my food-shoveling hand. I wasn't competent enough to use chopsticks with my other hand, and although I was still hungry, I didn't dare disrupt Chloe's hand on mine. It was like admiring a butterfly: you didn't want to startle or disrupt the moment of simple beauty, especially when you knew the moment was fleeting." 

I loved these characters so much. I really enjoyed the first half, but the second half felt rushed. Most of this book takes place during November. There are hardly any Christmas scenes. I was a little let down by that. I wanted a Christmas romcom but did not get that. This book was less about the romance between Chloe and Peter and more about the issue of their mall closing. I wanted more romance. I became bored with all the business talk. This book had so much potential but it fell short for me. The characters were incredible and the setting was perfect, but I wanted more Christmas, more romance, and less saving-the-mall talk.

Bottom line: I wanted more from this one. I was a little disappointed. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism