barberchicago_books's reviews
1014 reviews

Linked by Gordon Korman

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challenging dark hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

A necessary middle-grade that belongs in any classroom, school, and home library. 
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

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emotional hopeful reflective tense 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? No

5.0

Simply brilliant. 
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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adventurous dark emotional tense 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

4.0

A uniquely written interview-style book about the pushes and pulls of rock and roll.
Loved the twist toward the end as it had me reading and rereading with a new perspective
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Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro

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challenging dark emotional reflective medium-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

4.5

Such an interesting read, about two neighboring families whose lives intersect throughout the characters’ lives. The story begins with Theo & Sarah and a horrific experience that affects them for the rest of their lives. There is hurt, secrecy, and ultimately healing as the family learns to communicate. I loved the singular determination of Waldo, who chooses to be exactly who he is, in spite of the misguidedness & misunderstandings of his father. The relationship between fathers and their kids was something I was drawn to, as that’s usually not fleshed out in literary fiction. 
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

I now understand what all the fuss is about. As an identical twin, I was intrigued to read both girls’ perspectives. As a white woman, I was dismayed, yet unsurprised at Stella’s life-impacting change. The arc with their daughters was also an added layer of complexity. Finally, the ending was not what I expected, yet I understood perhaps why Bennett chose to go in that direction. 
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

This one was perhaps my favorite volume (so far.) Charlie’s need to control has manifested itself into some harmful behaviors. Nick is there for his boyfriend as Charlie goes through it, and the realness of Charlie’s struggle and strength is a beautiful lesson for all. As a parent, I was practically taking notes as Nick’s mom walked him through how to support Charlie without taking on and internalizing his problems. 
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense 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? No

5.0

Volume 3 in the Heartstopper series is such a dichotomy. Nick & Charlie are officially “together” and headed to Paris for a class trip. Conflicts emerge as No k hopes to see his stranger of a dad, and Charlie is grappling with control issues that are becoming dangerous for him. I liked the depth of Nick’s character as he noticed Charlie’s changing habits, yet didn’t judge him. A lovely playbook for how to be compassionate in a relationship. 
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

Heartstopper #2 is a slow-burn continuation of Nick & Charlie’ story, this time focused on Nick and his feelings about his evolving sexual identity. Charlie is a great support throughout Nick’s journey, and I continue to love them more and more. 
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

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emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

I have torn through the Heartstopper series in one weekend and now understand what the fuss is all about. I love Nick & Charlie, how Charlie communicates so openly, and how shy and curious Nick is. 
Hoops by Matt Tavares

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informative inspiring fast-paced

4.5

This was such a unique story, based on true events that occurred shortly after Title IX was passed. Tavares had to make this fiction so he could get insert dialogue in this - his first - inspiring graphic novel about the first girls’ basketball team to win a state championship. It’s these little-known stories of every day heroes that kids can really relate to, and this one fits that category to a tee. Looking forward to the finished copy so I can see the coloring and a bit more expression in the characters’ faces!