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bookishfoxes's reviews
369 reviews
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
Wow. I don't really know what to say. This was absolutely beautiful and had me to tears. I started it for the autism rep and didn't know much about it. Now I think I have a new addition to my list of all time favorites. This book is important and I'm glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorik Goldewijk
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
You're Probably Gayish: The Truth (And Lies) Behind 17 Gay Stereotypes by Mike Johnson, Kyle Getz
informative
slow-paced
3.0
I went into this with much interest. As a queer person myself it is often obvious how much stereotypes there are about us, so I was very curious about this.
I couldn't connect to this book because it felt so American focused. It is told with an American view and I'm not sure if a lot that is said in this book is even relatable to anyone outside the US.
Sometimes things felt a little too long and off topic, making it hard to get through this book. Eventually I started to skim through it because I just wanted to finish reading it.
On a more positiver note, it was very interesting to read about queer history and studies that were done into the stereotypes.
I didn't know the authors because I haven't listened to their podcast. It wasn't obvious to me who was writing unless someone was mentioned in a question.
I feel like 3 stars is the best raring for me. It wasn't bad but I lost interest pretty quickly.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
I couldn't connect to this book because it felt so American focused. It is told with an American view and I'm not sure if a lot that is said in this book is even relatable to anyone outside the US.
Sometimes things felt a little too long and off topic, making it hard to get through this book. Eventually I started to skim through it because I just wanted to finish reading it.
On a more positiver note, it was very interesting to read about queer history and studies that were done into the stereotypes.
I didn't know the authors because I haven't listened to their podcast. It wasn't obvious to me who was writing unless someone was mentioned in a question.
I feel like 3 stars is the best raring for me. It wasn't bad but I lost interest pretty quickly.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro, Emily Henry
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Couldn't care less about the story and characters and I just didn't feel like continuing this audiobook. I realized I was forcing myself to keep giving it a chance but I don't want to waste my time like that if I can use it to listen to something I enjoy
Mr. Muffins - Defender of the Stars by Georgeo Brooks, Ben Kahn
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a great graphic novel! I had a lot of fun reading it and I can imagine this being a big hit with children. It has great humor which reminds me of cartoons I watched as a child (like Fairy Odd Parents etc). The humor is genuinely funny and made me smile and laugh.
The art is also fantastic. I really like this style. I'm definitely keeping an eye out of this will get sequels.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this amazing graphic novel!
The art is also fantastic. I really like this style. I'm definitely keeping an eye out of this will get sequels.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this amazing graphic novel!
Midnight Treasure by Piers Torday
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
When I first saw this book on Instagram, a post from the publisher that it was released, I immediately fell in love with the cover and ordered it. I mean, look at it?? It's gorgeous. It also screamed October at me, so when I got it I planned to read it around Halloween.
Over the weeks, I slowly hyped myself up. I couldn't wait to read this book. Aside from giving Halloween vibes, it sounded right up my alley. Vampires and werewolves - I need MORE werewolves book, a quest, a middle grade fantasy. Yep, I was super hyped.
The book started pretty slow. In my experience, middle grades are usually a bit faster, which is why I enjoy them so much. But I was hopeful it would be faster-paced soon. Sadly, this wasn't until near the ending.
The world building was great and the writing is definitely high quality. It's obvious that this is written by an explosion writer. There were great details to many things and each character, no matter how small their role, came fo life.
The story itself... it felt a little too slow and a bit long. It takes place over a short period of time, but it felt like it took forever to finish this book.
I won't go into details about what the plottwists were, but they weren't predictable. Okay - some were at the beginning, but it felt like they were meant to be. The ending wasn't predictable either. However, it wasn't really surprising either? I didn't really feel anything about it. No shock or surprise. I think I just wasn't into the story enough.
This book wasn't, to my knowledge, promoted as the first in a series, so I was disappointed that the story wasn't finished on the last page, but it was announced the story would continue in a second book. While I was curious how it would end, I'm not sure I would pick up a second book of this.
I also think that maybe middle grade wasn't the right age group. Not that middle graders couldn't enjoy this, but I think the story would've had more potential if it was written to be an early YA novel. It already felt like one, if I'm honest.
Overall, I'm very sad I didn't like this. Given it's lack of ratings, I was prepared to promote this book and try to convince many people to give it a try.
Over the weeks, I slowly hyped myself up. I couldn't wait to read this book. Aside from giving Halloween vibes, it sounded right up my alley. Vampires and werewolves - I need MORE werewolves book, a quest, a middle grade fantasy. Yep, I was super hyped.
The book started pretty slow. In my experience, middle grades are usually a bit faster, which is why I enjoy them so much. But I was hopeful it would be faster-paced soon. Sadly, this wasn't until near the ending.
The world building was great and the writing is definitely high quality. It's obvious that this is written by an explosion writer. There were great details to many things and each character, no matter how small their role, came fo life.
The story itself... it felt a little too slow and a bit long. It takes place over a short period of time, but it felt like it took forever to finish this book.
I won't go into details about what the plottwists were, but they weren't predictable. Okay - some were at the beginning, but it felt like they were meant to be. The ending wasn't predictable either. However, it wasn't really surprising either? I didn't really feel anything about it. No shock or surprise. I think I just wasn't into the story enough.
This book wasn't, to my knowledge, promoted as the first in a series, so I was disappointed that the story wasn't finished on the last page, but it was announced the story would continue in a second book. While I was curious how it would end, I'm not sure I would pick up a second book of this.
I also think that maybe middle grade wasn't the right age group. Not that middle graders couldn't enjoy this, but I think the story would've had more potential if it was written to be an early YA novel. It already felt like one, if I'm honest.
Overall, I'm very sad I didn't like this. Given it's lack of ratings, I was prepared to promote this book and try to convince many people to give it a try.
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
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
3.5
This book is so popular, I had to give it a try of course. And while I enjoyed it, I don't think it's really that special? It's just fine. To be honest, I didn't really connect to the characters that much and after the 3rd act, I didn't really root for them either.
I'm not disappointed, though, because I went into it knowing it could happen. But to me, this just feels like any other cheesy, predictable romance book - which isn't bad!!! I enjoy those!!! But the hype made it seem like something it isn't.
I do think I'll give the rest of the series a try, though I couldn't tell any of the townies apart...
I'm not disappointed, though, because I went into it knowing it could happen. But to me, this just feels like any other cheesy, predictable romance book - which isn't bad!!! I enjoy those!!! But the hype made it seem like something it isn't.
I do think I'll give the rest of the series a try, though I couldn't tell any of the townies apart...
Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book started very strong and I was super hyped to read it! I heard great things about it and even broke my book buying ban to buy it.
I really liked the concept. I love books written in different formats - like Daisy Jones & The Six fully in interview style. I definitely think that's this book's biggest strength.
I do have to say I expected a bit... more. With the social media aspect, I hoped to get more of a view into the viewership than just 4 tweets after every episode.
I also felt like the drama in the middle was a bit repetitive and dragging. It started to take me out of the story. Somehow a lot happened, but nothing happened, you know?
The characters weren't likable - but that's not surprising because the purpose of the book is that they're not likable. And somehow reading about these unlikable characters was pretty fun.
This book definitely had moments that cracked me up and sometimes it felt a little satire, making fun of reality shows and celebrities. I definitely had a lot of fun reading this.
The ending was a bit anticlimactic if I'm being honest. I was surprised when it ended.
Overall: a great book that I definitely recommend, but I fear my expectations were a bit too high.
I really liked the concept. I love books written in different formats - like Daisy Jones & The Six fully in interview style. I definitely think that's this book's biggest strength.
I do have to say I expected a bit... more. With the social media aspect, I hoped to get more of a view into the viewership than just 4 tweets after every episode.
I also felt like the drama in the middle was a bit repetitive and dragging. It started to take me out of the story. Somehow a lot happened, but nothing happened, you know?
The characters weren't likable - but that's not surprising because the purpose of the book is that they're not likable. And somehow reading about these unlikable characters was pretty fun.
This book definitely had moments that cracked me up and sometimes it felt a little satire, making fun of reality shows and celebrities. I definitely had a lot of fun reading this.
The ending was a bit anticlimactic if I'm being honest. I was surprised when it ended.
Overall: a great book that I definitely recommend, but I fear my expectations were a bit too high.
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella by Freida McFadden
dark
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
OH MY GOD. I haven't laughed like this in a long time. I listened to the audiobook and had to pause so many times because it was nearing midnight and I needed to surpress my laughter. At some point I was even crying from laughter.
This book is absolutely ridiculous and unhinged and unserious and I LOVED it. When you don't think it can get any more ridiculous, it does. Some plottwists I saw coming (and was delighted when they were correct), others were absolutely not.
I think I might have a new all time favorite.
This book is absolutely ridiculous and unhinged and unserious and I LOVED it. When you don't think it can get any more ridiculous, it does. Some plottwists I saw coming (and was delighted when they were correct), others were absolutely not.
I think I might have a new all time favorite.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Hmm... I really wanted to like this but ended up feeling very meh about it. Near the end I was just kinda waiting for it to be over. It's not that it's not well written or anything, I just... I don't know. I felt kind of bored.