bookishbisexual's reviews
126 reviews

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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dark funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

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challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. It’s an engaging, honest reflection of a queer Muslim person. The connections between her experience and the experiences of people in the Quran were beautifully woven together and had me thinking about my own regions upbringing and teachings. As a white queer woman who was raised Catholic (non practicing) I found myself connecting with her ways I didn’t think possible. This is a book I will read and reread for years to come.  Thank you Lamya. 
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Babel by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

An absolutely amazing, unique, awe inspiring read. The characters are so rich in their depth, the amount of research is incredible, and the storytelling makes this hard to put down. 
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A Fatal Groove by Olivia Blacke

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lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A cozy, easy mystery novel to break up some of the hard hitters I’ve read recently. Follows all the basic tropes but as a record fan it was an extra joyful experience to read about the family’s record store. 
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

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emotional reflective sad medium-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? No

4.25

This is my second time reading this book, and it hit just as hard as the first. A story of resilience, body autonomy, and the power women have (used for bad and good and in between). 
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The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous funny mysterious slow-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

3.5

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The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Shut Up You're Pretty by Téa Mutonji

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challenging emotional funny sad fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

I’m not sure how I felt about this one. While her story is an important one to tell, and I found certain parts of it really engaging, a lot of the content in the beginning was just not something I want to read. This is personal preference though. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book. 
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The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

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challenging emotional funny reflective slow-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

3.75

To me, this is one of those books that takes a while for you to get into.  It’s so focussed on the characters inner thoughts and backstories, and the plot doesn’t move forward quickly. Once I got about third of the way through, I really was invested in the characters and wanted to see where everyone ended up. I did find the 3 lead characters very frustrating at how they shrunk themselves in order to prioritize the men in their life. But hey, part of the journey I guess.