badmom's reviews
496 reviews

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.5

Miss Memory Lane: A Memoir by Colton Haynes

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Self harm

Minor: Medical content, Outing, Bullying, and Classism

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Compelling assortment of horror (ranging from grim vibes to gory scenes) stories and a quirky unsettling novella. 

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Adam Silvera’s first novel shows his talent for creating teen characters who are authentic in both their immaturity and depth. This story blends elements of speculative fiction with very real issues that young adults (and grown-ups, though in different ways) face, and it’s done with love + care for all of the characters. Find the edition with Silvera’s follow-up chapter; it shows the growth of not only the main characters but the author as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Dementia, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Hate crime

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Gun violence, Drug use, Medical content, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Emotional abuse and Pregnancy

The In-Between World of Vikram Lall by M.G. Vassanji

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Fascinating historical details about the building + ruling of Kenya woven beautifully into a story about a man, his family, and the choices he made over a lifetime. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, War, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Infidelity