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barebookery's reviews
33 reviews
The List by Yomi Adegoke
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
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
This. book. is. EVERYTHING! When I say it is perfection from start to finish, I kid you not. It literally got better and more intense with every chapter. Every time I thought "How can it get crazier than this?"...BOOM! Another gag.
This novel just felt so current and perfectly articulated all the ways social media can build people up and tear them down -- mentally, professionally, and socially. The way it influences the thoughts and actions of others, making them feel more familiar with people than they have any right to. The way it pumps up normal people we run into every day to feel superior to others because of their follower count.
I could feel the walls closing in on Ola. Definitely an amazing protagonist. So real and relatable. Reading this at times felt like having a good yap session with a friend. Alexa, play "Girl" by Destiny's Child.
This book was a literal page-turner. As soon as the plot was set in motion, it was a constant ride filled with plot twists and hard truths, all while under the pressure of a massive wedding spectacle and the cynicism of the internet.
Reading from Michael's perspective as one of the accused offered an interesting peek into the chaos that ensues behind the screen when a public figure is under public scrutiny. The thoughts that lead to the insensitive apology posts, the discussions before revoked opportunities, the awkward interactions with friends and family, etc.
On top of all that, this story was infused with Nigerian and Ghanaian culture, though set in London. This definitely added another layer to the story considering the family values and traditions at play. I cannot stress enough how much this book had me on the edge of my seat. I loved it down and would recommend it to anybody, truly.
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As an shameless fan of reality tv, this plot sounded very modern, creative, and interesting. I also loved how unapologetically Puerto Rican this book was from the infusion of Spanish dialogue to the food and the music to the characters' behaviors. Each character had their own distinct personalities and perspectives, and reading this made me feel like I was a part of their family and sometimes even reminded me of my own!
This book was also super funny! I smiled and laughed out loud many times reading it. Other times the writing felt like commentary -- another plus, in my opinion. And then of course there were very real and raw moments the Ramirez family experienced. All of that made for a solid reading experience.
As for cons, some chapters felt like filler even though they were lengthy. If I spend a lot of time reading something, I expect more story meat and sometimes I just wanted to get to the point and never did.
But overall, I liked this book! It kept me entertained and I learned a LOT. Definitely makes me want to check out more works by this author.
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 53%.
Few mentions of her Jamaican family or moments with them. Character development was lacking; felt like Queenie was doing the same things with no chance of growth. She wasn't very likeable either, in my opinion.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
3.0
This was a very beautifully written novel, and I didn't expect anything less. I loved the way Ta-Nehisi Coates took water, an element that is usually negatively associated with the slave trade, and turned it into something that represented freedom, home, and new beginnings.
I also loved this idea that remembering our past (no matter how ugly) and the stories of our ancestors empowers us and propels us forward. It reminded me of a similar message in Beloved by Toni Morrison.
This book incorporated real-life historical figures into the plot too, which I always think is a fun addition to any story when it's done right. In this case, Coates did it right. And it's very rare that the main character becomes my favorite in a story but Hiram was a phenomenal protagonist in my opinion.
BUT there were a few informational holes regarding Hiram's conducting power, and since his power is such a huge part of the story it was a big miss for me. I also felt like the pacing of the book was inconsistent. Most of the book was long, drawn out details and then the ending seemed rushed and I was still left with so many questions.
I also loved this idea that remembering our past (no matter how ugly) and the stories of our ancestors empowers us and propels us forward. It reminded me of a similar message in Beloved by Toni Morrison.
This book incorporated real-life historical figures into the plot too, which I always think is a fun addition to any story when it's done right. In this case, Coates did it right. And it's very rare that the main character becomes my favorite in a story but Hiram was a phenomenal protagonist in my opinion.
BUT there were a few informational holes regarding Hiram's conducting power, and since his power is such a huge part of the story it was a big miss for me. I also felt like the pacing of the book was inconsistent. Most of the book was long, drawn out details and then the ending seemed rushed and I was still left with so many questions.
Sula by Toni Morrison
5.0
I saw someone post something the other day that said “No words are wasted in a Toni Morrison novel” and truer words couldn’t have been spoken.
This book was very juicy. I finished it must faster than I was expecting to but that’s honestly because I just couldn’t put it down. It had everything — drama, history, sex, immersive imagery and dialogue…I was truly satisfied throughout. I actually struggled to summarize the book for this post because it touches on so much: gender roles, family pathologies, sexuality, racism, how communities can build us up or tear us down, and so much more.
In many ways, I also think “Sula” is about the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive day to day and how we consistently push away the truths we need to face in order to move to the next level.
This book was very juicy. I finished it must faster than I was expecting to but that’s honestly because I just couldn’t put it down. It had everything — drama, history, sex, immersive imagery and dialogue…I was truly satisfied throughout. I actually struggled to summarize the book for this post because it touches on so much: gender roles, family pathologies, sexuality, racism, how communities can build us up or tear us down, and so much more.
In many ways, I also think “Sula” is about the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive day to day and how we consistently push away the truths we need to face in order to move to the next level.
Popisho by Leone Ross
2.0
I absolutely loved the dialogue in this novel. Coming from a Jamaican family, reading the speech felt very familiar. Even certain words, references, phrases, and foods that were mentioned throughout the book spoke directly to Jamaicans and Caribbean people. The title alone made me get this book in the first place
Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur
5.0
Growing up, when I first learned of Assata Shakur, I thought of her as this kick-ass revolutionary giving the US the middle finger all the way from Cuba (and rightfully so). But this book gave me a much more rounded perception of Assata, beyond her activism. Before she was that kick-ass revolutionary, she was just like any other little black girl in this country. She had her sweet childhood memories, her traumas, her passions, carefree moments, and the experiences that ultimately inspired her to make a difference in her community.
What I loved most was how much REAL history I learned from this book. Not just about the Black Panthers and Assata's life, but also the Constitution, circumstances surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation, the Puerto Rican liberation movement, Alcatraz and more. I also loved that Assata stressed the importance and beauty of learning from other struggling communities and systemically oppressed demographics. While every community's struggle is not the same, acknowledging our unique struggles and supporting each other through those struggles are key in acheiving liberation. Otherwise we're all just crabs in a bucket.
Anyway, this was a great read just like I knew it would be. Assata's POV is very real, relatable, and justified throughout. The writing gave me a front row seat to so many valuable and raw moments in time. In closing...please read this.
What I loved most was how much REAL history I learned from this book. Not just about the Black Panthers and Assata's life, but also the Constitution, circumstances surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation, the Puerto Rican liberation movement, Alcatraz and more. I also loved that Assata stressed the importance and beauty of learning from other struggling communities and systemically oppressed demographics. While every community's struggle is not the same, acknowledging our unique struggles and supporting each other through those struggles are key in acheiving liberation. Otherwise we're all just crabs in a bucket.
Anyway, this was a great read just like I knew it would be. Assata's POV is very real, relatable, and justified throughout. The writing gave me a front row seat to so many valuable and raw moments in time. In closing...please read this.
Death on Gokumon Island by Seishi Yokomizo
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice break from the heavy stuff I usually read, and it was fun trying to put myself in Kosuke's shoes to find out who was behind these murders. It's true what they say: It's always who you least suspect
GROUNDED: Discovering the Missing Piece in the Puzzle of Children's Behaviour by Claire Wilson
4.0
The main thing I liked about this book was that it wasn't heavily data-driven so I was able to stay engaged while reading it. Most of the explanations were backed by science -- looking at our nervous system and how various incidents in our everday lives (e.g. suddenly hearing a loud siren or thinking we lost something even for a brief moment) can easily shake our feeling of groundedness as children and adults. There are even small things people can do to make others, especially children, feel off or unsafe. However, unlike adults, children haven't figured out how to properly manage those feelings, so they express themselves through challenging behaviors.
This is a great read for parents or anyone in a child caring role as it strongly suggests concrete ways of improving relationships with the children in our lives: how to ask the right questions, help them calm down, make them feel heard, seen, and SAFE, etc. All of the advice in here is very person-centered, as it should be when it comes to working with children.
This is a great read for parents or anyone in a child caring role as it strongly suggests concrete ways of improving relationships with the children in our lives: how to ask the right questions, help them calm down, make them feel heard, seen, and SAFE, etc. All of the advice in here is very person-centered, as it should be when it comes to working with children.
Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
3.0
This story is a deep dive into the complexities of grief. It is loaded with raw emotion and touches on several themes, including cultural differences, mental wellness, healing, and family bonds.
From despair and rage to longing and pure agony, this book immerses the reader in the darkness Eve faces after losing her husband. But I also liked that this book had its heartwarming and humorous moments too, which balanced out the mournful tone of the story.
What I loved most about the writing is that it showed me that the author understands how people work. I felt like the characters, especially Eve's family members, were real people who a lot of us probably know in our own lives (I definitely know a Gloria or two).
When I first learned what this book was about, I told myself I couldn’t even imagine the pain of a loss like this, especially in such a manner as su*c*de. But the author makes you imagine everything. Really can’t stress enough how immersive this writing is. And I liked that this book was not rushed either because let’s face it, you can’t rush grief or healing. It’s a slow burn and it’s a process, but a rewarding one when you come out on the other side. This point was articulated beautifully and accurately throughout the story. I did have a few gripes about Eve and Quentin’s relationship (hence my rating).
From despair and rage to longing and pure agony, this book immerses the reader in the darkness Eve faces after losing her husband. But I also liked that this book had its heartwarming and humorous moments too, which balanced out the mournful tone of the story.
What I loved most about the writing is that it showed me that the author understands how people work. I felt like the characters, especially Eve's family members, were real people who a lot of us probably know in our own lives (I definitely know a Gloria or two).
When I first learned what this book was about, I told myself I couldn’t even imagine the pain of a loss like this, especially in such a manner as su*c*de. But the author makes you imagine everything. Really can’t stress enough how immersive this writing is. And I liked that this book was not rushed either because let’s face it, you can’t rush grief or healing. It’s a slow burn and it’s a process, but a rewarding one when you come out on the other side. This point was articulated beautifully and accurately throughout the story. I did have a few gripes about Eve and Quentin’s relationship (hence my rating).