alyssamakesart's reviews
318 reviews

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Lacey Lamar, Amber Ruffin

funny relaxing fast-paced

4.5

On track to be one of my favorite books of the year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Ableism, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying

Minor: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, and Islamophobia

Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley

dark emotional informative reflective fast-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Addiction

Moderate: Death, Sexism, Body shaming, and Pedophilia

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

adventurous funny 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

Minor: Slavery, Sexual assault, and Gun violence

Homo by Daniel Piqueras Fisk

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Classism

Stargazing by Jen Wang

emotional funny reflective fast-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? Yes

4.5

Last two chapters felt a little rushed but it came together bueatifully. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Medical content

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

The biggest threat to Israel's story in this book is not the two horrific moments of violence in this novel. Those can lazily be denied as unrealistic and moments unsure to the fog of war. However, the trek to each moment is a series of acts of violence of themselves. Racism and physical occupation being the main two. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Confinement, Racism, Islamophobia, and Grief

Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gun violence

Minor: Cultural appropriation and War

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

What an introduction to THEE Beverly Jenkins. I can’t wait to continue this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Slavery

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel

challenging dark emotional funny medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol

Twelfth Grade Night by Stephanie Kate Strohm, Molly Horton Booth

funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5