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anni_banani's reviews
65 reviews
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you Sabaa Tahir for this standalone book.
If you think Tahir can only do amazing compelling fantasy, think again. She brings it allll here.
This is one of my favorite books, i love to re read it.
Tahir always puts characters in tense impossible situations that leave your nails ragged and mind unable to predict how they will get out of it, but the way they rise above and overcome fills your heart until it overflows. None of the struggle the characters go through is without intentional purpose and Tahir shining a light on real taboo issues too often swept under the rug. Dang do you completely invest in everything the characters go through, my heart broke so many times through this story.
One of the main reasons Tahir is one of my favorite all time authors is how much care she takes to thoughtfully weave every detail throughout the entire story, making all her books great for re reads. Nothing is wasted and it’s all much greater than the sum of its parts at the end. Rarely do I have the pleasure to read something to artfully and masterfully done. Tahir does this through the rotating POV. I love Misbah, especially 😍Deepti Gupta who does her narration on the audiobook.
Then there’s the message of this book that Tahir is not only a storyteller(Kehani) but that this novel is a love letter to Islaam, faith family and love itself 🥹
I can’t give any book in any genre higher praise, I also love watching the acceptance speech for the award she won for this book.
If you think Tahir can only do amazing compelling fantasy, think again. She brings it allll here.
This is one of my favorite books, i love to re read it.
Tahir always puts characters in tense impossible situations that leave your nails ragged and mind unable to predict how they will get out of it, but the way they rise above and overcome fills your heart until it overflows. None of the struggle the characters go through is without intentional purpose and Tahir shining a light on real taboo issues too often swept under the rug. Dang do you completely invest in everything the characters go through, my heart broke so many times through this story.
One of the main reasons Tahir is one of my favorite all time authors is how much care she takes to thoughtfully weave every detail throughout the entire story, making all her books great for re reads. Nothing is wasted and it’s all much greater than the sum of its parts at the end. Rarely do I have the pleasure to read something to artfully and masterfully done. Tahir does this through the rotating POV. I love Misbah, especially 😍Deepti Gupta who does her narration on the audiobook.
Then there’s the message of this book that Tahir is not only a storyteller(Kehani) but that this novel is a love letter to Islaam, faith family and love itself 🥹
I can’t give any book in any genre higher praise, I also love watching the acceptance speech for the award she won for this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
My favorite fantasy book about witches! Im a big Alix e Harrow fan
I loved
I loved
- Smashing the patriarchy
- Fantasy with out the sexist tropes
- Women overcoming over men who have oppressed them
- An underdog story
- Historical fantasy
- Witchcraft!
- The ending
- Sisterhood
- A great standalone fantasy
Read this if you want an adult standalone fantasy that deals with real world real people problems and a break from magic princesses who never have to worry about things like rent and money and class.
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum
emotional
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-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
5.0
Thank you for this book wow. I can’t recommend it enough
This is so unique to me to go through an entire self love healing journey including mental health tools and resources, dealing with your shadow side. I love a moody book about a character dealing with their emotional health but a healing journey so thorough like this is novel for me.
I found the MC deeply relatable, sometimes she was badass and didn’t take any bullshit fed to her from the world and sometimes she is lost in self doubt, she struggles but is not defined by it, she has blessings and privileges but finds herself stuck in the compliance society thrusts upon us, she overcomes. I am so deeply invested in Yara’s journey that not only did i weep deeply at the end but I still hope the best for her.
I loved how the story alternated between Yara’s experience and the diary entries.The way we find out this is her journey incited by the loss of her mother was breathtaking
Heads up any time you read Rum’s books you will need a lot of amazing Palestinian food!
I will be reading all of Rum’s work to come. Lifelong Fan for sure!
This is so unique to me to go through an entire self love healing journey including mental health tools and resources, dealing with your shadow side. I love a moody book about a character dealing with their emotional health but a healing journey so thorough like this is novel for me.
I found the MC deeply relatable, sometimes she was badass and didn’t take any bullshit fed to her from the world and sometimes she is lost in self doubt, she struggles but is not defined by it, she has blessings and privileges but finds herself stuck in the compliance society thrusts upon us, she overcomes. I am so deeply invested in Yara’s journey that not only did i weep deeply at the end but I still hope the best for her.
I loved how the story alternated between Yara’s experience and the diary entries.
Heads up any time you read Rum’s books you will need a lot of amazing Palestinian food!
I will be reading all of Rum’s work to come. Lifelong Fan for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read a lot of romance especially rom coms when I need a break from it all! And this hands out is my favorite queer romance. The hottest i have read! I love TJ Alexander and can’t wait to read their new book. I have re read the spicey scenes in this. Thank you Alexander! This was more than I expected compared to the first book which I enjoyed especially for all the humor but I am much more attracted to both MCs in this book so I prefer it.
Read this book!
narrator on the audiobook. You get 5 stars! Excuse you for being so amazing at EVERY character voice.
Read this book!
narrator on the audiobook. You get 5 stars! Excuse you for being so amazing at EVERY character voice.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
My favorite Cheryl Strayed I have read. I would recommend to almost anyone. I have a few letters bookmarked I have come back to . Very re readable. Strayed is no bullshit and sweet and caring. Sometimes when people share their problems, i have referred them to this book.
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Angelineeeee!! This book is a top five book as in i would always recommend, as in i would always re read as in blew me all the way away, as in it will ruin you for other books, as in I have listened to as many interviews as I could. The pace, the plot, how every character is believeable and 3D. I cannot give higher praise to a book. Thank you for this book!
Boulley has a background in the judicial system and it really comes through. I love the MC so so so much, I imagine her with me all the time
Boulley has a background in the judicial system and it really comes through. I love the MC so so so much, I imagine her with me all the time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
loved this loooveddd! Im waiting for Thao Thai to write another book already!
I loved this book for
an intergerenational story of women
a love letter to those relationships
an anthromorphized house and trees
secrets and twists and turns
women triumphing over men who have scorned them
women taking control of their life and future
amazing myths
real deal emotional landscapes
dealign with grief
a narrator who is an ancestor in spirit!!!! hell yes!!!
I loved this book for
an intergerenational story of women
a love letter to those relationships
an anthromorphized house and trees
secrets and twists and turns
women triumphing over men who have scorned them
women taking control of their life and future
amazing myths
real deal emotional landscapes
dealign with grief
a narrator who is an ancestor in spirit!!!! hell yes!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
read this book! read it! Thank you Ms Foo. I will read anything she writes!!!!! this is my all time number one recommendation for books on healing. i learned and related so so so much. it takes you further than you expect. so much more than we bargained for. thank you! i have written her a thank you note! i would re read this book over and over. I want a copy.
True Biz by Sara Nović
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Yes Sara Novic!!! I can't wait for more books from you!
I read as much Deaf fiction as I can since I am apart of the community. This is my favorite of all Deaf fiction I have read. I hope one day she writes an adult book.
I loved
ensemble story switching POV with teen and adult narrators
exposure to various types of Deaf HOH experiences and Identities
what an ending!!
highlighting BASL
real struggles of issues of contemporary Deaf life in the US
i recommend this book to like everyone i've ever met
I read as much Deaf fiction as I can since I am apart of the community. This is my favorite of all Deaf fiction I have read. I hope one day she writes an adult book.
I loved
ensemble story switching POV with teen and adult narrators
exposure to various types of Deaf HOH experiences and Identities
what an ending!!
highlighting BASL
real struggles of issues of contemporary Deaf life in the US
i recommend this book to like everyone i've ever met
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
in like the very first paragraph theres a flashback to one of the MC's hurting herself when shes a young child with a pencil in her ear. its shocking. theres no other graphic violence in the book