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booksandbesitos's reviews
34 reviews
Carmilla: A Vampyre Tale by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
I want to challenge myself to read more classic books, and while I typically haven’t been a fan of classic books, I actually enjoyed this one a little. It was kind of fun to see where the inspiration for some of my favorite vampire characters came from. I was kind of disappointed to see that.carmilla gets killed in the end
But overall, it was still a pretty good read, and one of my favorite classics I’ve ever read
I don’t want to say that it doesn’t hold up because again pretty solid read- however because of modern day vampire stories using a lot of the tropes from this and other classic vampire stories, it is very very predictable.
But overall, it was still a pretty good read, and one of my favorite classics I’ve ever read
I don’t want to say that it doesn’t hold up because again pretty solid read- however because of modern day vampire stories using a lot of the tropes from this and other classic vampire stories, it is very very predictable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.75
This was so fun! I did like 5 characters and it was so cool! Guessed it each time! And the after note explaining everything at the end was actually really cool and informative!
I loved the illustrations and the little intermission card
I loved the illustrations and the little intermission card
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
It was so sweet! Googling am I gay is so real!
Can wait to see what’ll happen with these two! (And their friends! The side characters are also fun)
Can wait to see what’ll happen with these two! (And their friends! The side characters are also fun)
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
Old Enough by Haley Jakobson
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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 oh my god it was so good! I don’t usually write reviews unless I really LOVE a book and this one was definitely worthy of one.
The storytelling is so powerful. The characters, even the side characters were written strongly and all distinct from each other.
The storytelling is so powerful. The characters, even the side characters were written strongly and all distinct from each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
El Libro de los Libros la vida lectora a través de las páginas by Rodrigo Unda
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
A beautifully written memoir about an unfortunate and abusive relationship.
The symbolism of the dream house was very powerful and I loved how the chapters put the dream house as different things to explain the story. The short chapters made it a little easier to consume the heavy topics.
Every chapter is like fragments to show the big picture. I think that other survivors of abuse can also relate to telling their stories in fragments at first. Until you’ve ready to tell the whole thing.
Due to the nature of the story, the content in the book is very heavy. I encourage everyone to look at the content warnings before reading this.
The symbolism of the dream house was very powerful and I loved how the chapters put the dream house as different things to explain the story. The short chapters made it a little easier to consume the heavy topics.
Every chapter is like fragments to show the big picture. I think that other survivors of abuse can also relate to telling their stories in fragments at first. Until you’ve ready to tell the whole thing.
Due to the nature of the story, the content in the book is very heavy. I encourage everyone to look at the content warnings before reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Lydia Wang, Annabel Paulsen
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
This book was great! Big thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC; I can’t wait to buy it in paperback.
To start off, I chose this book because the premise was similar to something I’d read before and enjoyed -Reality TV dating show contestants fall for each other instead of the guy. However, the last time I read something like that, it was YA, and I feel like it works a lot better with older characters like in this book. It made the feelings and experiences feel more realistic.
Meet our main characters, Lauren and Krystin—an impressive duo, a rodeo queen, and a Content Creator. But they’re also sort of rivals at first and love interests as well. You get it all in this book. You also get both points of view. The dual POVs work very well the dating show setting, immersing you as a spectator.
There were also friendships and rivalries formed between the other characters. You didn’t always know who was being genuine and who was faking it to stay on the show since they’re all competing for the same guy. And the contestants compete in different challenges or go on different dates throughout the book. You never really knew what was coming next, and I was so engaged with it. My favorite was definitely the fashion challenge.
It really did feel like watching a dating show. The characters' profiles at the beginning really helped sell it. And after someone got eliminated, the 'interviews' gave you a little more insight into the other contestants. Seeing them outside of the main characters' point of views made it feel like they weren’t just filler characters, since no two were alike.
Watching them leave one by one made the tension rise, especially with Lauren’s scenes. Because you wanted her to stay long enough to explore what could happen with Krystin, but it was also nerve-wracking to see her get closer and closer to being the finalist and having to end up with Josh, the guy.
Which she had made it very clear wasn’t her goal. But of course the other characters don’t know that she’s “Here For The Wrong Reasons”
Rising tension as well!
Which she had made it very clear wasn’t her goal. But of course the other characters don’t know that she’s “Here For The Wrong Reasons”
Rising tension as well!
I recommend this book those craving a more diverse The Bachelor, (Fingers crossed for an on-screen adaptation!) fans of both dramas and romance, and readers who enjoyed Never Ever Getting Back Together but wished the characters were aged up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Child abuse