azarab's reviews
19 reviews

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

4.25

Finished Almond by Won-pyung Sohn and this was a GREAT book. Definitely recommended. Yunjae, is very honest - with everything. I guess that is what comes with lacking emotions and empathy. However, he still shows care for others and wants to understand people so deeply. Even Gon who is horrible to him and everyone, due to his curiosity of understanding humans he is the only one who shows sympathy for Gon. Despite not being able to feel - he recognises that Gon has had a difficult life making him want to appear cold hearted but he isn’t. He is a broken boy. And Yunjae is the only person willing to be patient and present for Gon, even when it puts his life on the line.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Love Con by Seressia Glass

Go to review page

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

2.75

It was enjoyable but definitely not my favourite read. It was interesting to find out more about the cosplay community especially from the perspective of a Black woman. However, for me some parts of the book fell flat for me but I think that is just due to my humour. I’m not a millennial or the most “quirky” person so some bits felt almost cringe to me. I do believe that the love story between Kenya and Cam is sweet.
This story is about knowing when you’re putting your dreams first and the expectations of others second. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
What Would the Aunties Say?: A brown girl's guide to being yourself and living your best life by Anchal Seda

Go to review page

challenging funny informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

3.0

It was fun to learn more about the south Asian culture. I feel like she does attempt to bridge the gap in between trying to target her fellow south Asian girls and non-south Asian. Depending on the age of the person I would gift it to a younger south Asian girl (say teenage+) but not 21+ as I feel that this is entry level to critical thought about your own demographic. I feel like this is a friendly fun way to ease you in. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Keisha the Sket by Jade LB

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

3.25

This book was very entraining as we go on this journey with Chloe and Red who are allowing themselves to finally fall in love with each other. The book is very spicy (if that’s what you want then yes go for it). It is funny but somethings just didn’t appeal to my humour so it felt a bit  flat for me. 
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

An incredible story of two twins from a Louisiana town called Mallard. In which your social currency is how light your skin is. This issue of race and colourism plagues the twins lives. When their lives take different paths they still remain connected in unexpected ways. 

This story tackles race, gender and childhood trauma. We watch the twins’ lives transform before our eyes. 

My only con of the book is that the timeline at times confuse me. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective sad 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

5.0

Emotional story of Neuroscientist, Gifty as she is researching addiction and her quest to better understand it and one day cure it. After experiencing her brother losing his battle with addiction and watching it transform her mothers mental health. She is invested in understanding this disease. This book battles religion, racism and addiction. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Keep the Receipts: Three Women, Real Talk, No Filter by Tolani Shoneye, Audrey Indome, Milena Sanchez

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

This book is from the receipts podcast ladies. Each of the ladies talk about areas of their lives including career, dating, self love, racism and childhood stories.

I feel that being a fan of the podcast adds more to the experience of the book. Overall, I feel that anyone can enjoy this book.

 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

Go to review page

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

3.0

A very lighthearted and reflective story. This book tells the story of 17-year-old Nala who falls for a boy at her cousin-sister-friend’s activist group. In order to impress him Nala feels that she must change her image in order to reflect an activist-like persona. The issue is how long can she maintain that persona and who exactly is he falling for?
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

A story about 17-year-old father. His journey from being a regular teenager to understanding his role as an adult and a father. Definitely a good read for teenagers and adults too. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings