atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
304 reviews

Ma and Me by Putsata Reang

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emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Incredible, heartbreaking, loved loved loved. Wonderful narration by the author!

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

5 stars for the handling of this story, as Erdrich does so well. I wasn’t pulled into the story as much as I have been with some of her other works, it I didn’t also take a few weeks off from reading which could have contributed.

Incredible writing, tough content but handled so well with remarkable characters. To be in Joe’s shoes…

Should definitely be read and discussed. Honestly just can’t get enough of Erdrich. She writes so well.

Content Warnings

I Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo Chong

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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

5.0

This book hit hard. I loved the characters and relationships so much. It felt like a real family dealing with so many complicated things. I loved the daily look into their lives, the struggles, the hope, the love. I loved how it opened with Jack Jr. waking up and everything that came after. It was a little strange to read about covid, but I enjoyed that while it was a part of the story it wasn't the entire story.

The huge lesson from this book is of how life is short and we really shouldn’t be sad for long. It’s not worth it to be sad. I’m happy about the conversations that happened with the family. To me, I saw parts of my family reflected back, as I am sure others will. The disfunction and miscommunication, but also the effort being put forth to work on those things with each other. Also Emil 😭. Also so refreshing to not have the queer relationship be the reason that the family is dysfunctional.

The writing was so enveloping and sucked me in right from the first page. I felt different while reading this book, it just felt so real to me. Like I could walk down to my local sushi place and find them all there. Just the slowness made me want to savor life, savor this book. Savor being awake and happy, and living. This book is a hug when you need it, a warm cup of tea when you’re looking for it, and the conversation you’ve felt like you’re missing right now. Instantly loved. I have never read a book about the main character waking up from a coma, but this was way more than I ever expected. I just want to read this again. I want to cry and smile all over.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this ARC, my opinions are my own.

Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr.

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dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

5.0

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.

I was really invested in the beginning. The parts of the story where the main character was out in the field, at a nest site was captivating and I wanted to read more. But then more of the story unfolded and I became less invested. I thought about continuing if only to find out the big reveals but ultimately don’t want to waste my time. I did really love the narrator.

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Love Hanif’s words. Loved the last essay that brought me to tears. Really enjoyed learning about black artists. Just incredibly written, as to be expected by such a brilliant author.

Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo

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adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced