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callme_tippy's reviews
180 reviews
The Hole by Pyun Hye-young
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this slow tense thriller/horror.
I liked the slow reflective pace of this one. I feel like this one would make an excellent slow paced psychological thriller/horror movie.
I enjoyed the way we were inside the main characters head and were hearing his thoughts come to him. The stream of consciousness slowly revealed more and more about what lead to him being in the hospital to begin with.
This had a nice slow eerie feel to it, I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
I liked the slow reflective pace of this one. I feel like this one would make an excellent slow paced psychological thriller/horror movie.
I enjoyed the way we were inside the main characters head and were hearing his thoughts come to him. The stream of consciousness slowly revealed more and more about what lead to him being in the hospital to begin with.
This had a nice slow eerie feel to it, I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
I enjoyed this quick middle grade read, however had I known that it was a slavery origin or beginning story I would not have picked it up.
The synopsis does not give any hint that that is the type of book this is, the synopsis makes it seem like it is an action adventure type of story with life lessons along the way. While I think the book was good, I feel kind of tricked. I do not like that.
I like to know what I am getting into when I decide to pick up a book and I was not mentally prepare for this narrative at all. This has made me wary of trying anymore of this authors works as I not sure what I will be going into even if I read the synopsis and back cover.
I also think the way this has written has some messages and imagery that might be hard for a middle grader to pick up on. I think this would be a great guided reading book where a teacher helps students understand the hidden meanings, but it might be hard for a middle grader to just pick up all of them on their own.
Overall, I think this was a great book, but I wish the synopsis told more about what I was getting into. As a Black American, this was not a topic I thought I was getting into, and I was not mentally prepared to read. A little warning would have been great.
The synopsis does not give any hint that that is the type of book this is, the synopsis makes it seem like it is an action adventure type of story with life lessons along the way. While I think the book was good, I feel kind of tricked. I do not like that.
I like to know what I am getting into when I decide to pick up a book and I was not mentally prepare for this narrative at all. This has made me wary of trying anymore of this authors works as I not sure what I will be going into even if I read the synopsis and back cover.
I also think the way this has written has some messages and imagery that might be hard for a middle grader to pick up on. I think this would be a great guided reading book where a teacher helps students understand the hidden meanings, but it might be hard for a middle grader to just pick up all of them on their own.
Overall, I think this was a great book, but I wish the synopsis told more about what I was getting into. As a Black American, this was not a topic I thought I was getting into, and I was not mentally prepared to read. A little warning would have been great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Rape
The Braid Girls by Sherri Winston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Has this author ever met a middle grader??
Why do these children speak like geriatric millennials or young gen x-er's??
Very hard to get into when a bunch of middle schoolers are speaking like slightly out of touch 30 year olds. Yikes.
Also, the dialogue, the plot, the situations, everything feels like a very badly written Nickelodeon children's show episode.
I love middle grade novels, this is one is not it, do not recommend.
Why do these children speak like geriatric millennials or young gen x-er's??
Very hard to get into when a bunch of middle schoolers are speaking like slightly out of touch 30 year olds. Yikes.
Also, the dialogue, the plot, the situations, everything feels like a very badly written Nickelodeon children's show episode.
I love middle grade novels, this is one is not it, do not recommend.
Do What Godmother Says by L.S. Stratton
adventurous
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This book kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat from start to finish!
I didn't think I was a mystery/thriller reader (I'm more into horror), but this was very good.
I did not know we were going to get 2 POV's and I am so happy that we did as it gave so much more to the book. I was very invested in both POV's and the switch always happened right at the height of the tension, which was perfect for suspense.
Can't wait to read more from this author! Definitely recommend.
I didn't think I was a mystery/thriller reader (I'm more into horror), but this was very good.
I did not know we were going to get 2 POV's and I am so happy that we did as it gave so much more to the book. I was very invested in both POV's and the switch always happened right at the height of the tension, which was perfect for suspense.
Can't wait to read more from this author! Definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder
Minor: Gun violence
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.
This book is very repetitive, I could not fathom sitting through nine more hours of this. I wish it would just get to the point. It definitely could be way shorter. Does not need to be 14 hours. The first 4 hours could have been condensed into 1 hour.
The Gold-Bug and Other Tales by Edgar Allan Poe
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I love the gothic style writing of Poe's work, but like with all short story collections, some were hits and others were not.
My favorites were:
"The Black Cat"
"The Tell-Tale Heart"
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
and, "Ligeia"
Although I loved the gothic style writing, it did make some of the stories hard to read and comprehend, but I found that playing an audio book while simultaneously reading helped with this. Can't wait to read more of Poe's work!
Also this particular edition has super small words that are very closely knit together. I would say pick up a different edition or read the stories solo. This took me forever to finish because of the small font.
My poor eyes..
My favorites were:
"The Black Cat"
"The Tell-Tale Heart"
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
and, "Ligeia"
Although I loved the gothic style writing, it did make some of the stories hard to read and comprehend, but I found that playing an audio book while simultaneously reading helped with this. Can't wait to read more of Poe's work!
Also this particular edition has super small words that are very closely knit together. I would say pick up a different edition or read the stories solo. This took me forever to finish because of the small font.
My poor eyes..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Invasion of the Spirit People by Juan Pablo Villalobos
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such a strange delightful read!
I really enjoyed the point of view, the super short chapters, the sort of "stunted" story telling, and all of the weird little characters.
I was very invested in the story line, the slight mystery, and the way the characters inter-connected.
This was a very interesting and captivating view on migrancy, homeland, xenophobia, immigrants, and what it means to belong to a place.
I am very interested to read and discover more of this authors work!
I really enjoyed the point of view, the super short chapters, the sort of "stunted" story telling, and all of the weird little characters.
I was very invested in the story line, the slight mystery, and the way the characters inter-connected.
This was a very interesting and captivating view on migrancy, homeland, xenophobia, immigrants, and what it means to belong to a place.
I am very interested to read and discover more of this authors work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Classism
Fruit Punch: A Memoir by Kendra Allen
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
As of yet, this has been my favorite memoir I have ever read.
Kendra Allen knows how to write!
The AAVE, the dialect, the names, the ages, the confusion and non-confusion, the imagery, the introspection, the reflection, everything about this memoir was perfection~
I loved every stylistic choice and how her I can see that she carefully thinks out how to present us with scenes and interactions.
For a book with such heavy topics they are written beautifully and exude the messiness of human relationships.
I will be watching for more work from this author, definitely a new fan!
Kendra Allen knows how to write!
The AAVE, the dialect, the names, the ages, the confusion and non-confusion, the imagery, the introspection, the reflection, everything about this memoir was perfection~
I loved every stylistic choice and how her I can see that she carefully thinks out how to present us with scenes and interactions.
For a book with such heavy topics they are written beautifully and exude the messiness of human relationships.
I will be watching for more work from this author, definitely a new fan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Classism
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help you Deserve by Rheeda Walker
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I think this book would be helpful for people either "in the sunken place" or that did not grow up within a positive Black environment.
I know that I am speaking from a place of privilege to be able to say that this books wasn't exactly geared towards me in that even though my family has a host of issues, not being "pro Black" is not one of them.
I think this books leans very heavily on religion, if you are anything close to an atheist, a humanist, a neo-pagan, an animist, etc. I do not think this is the book for you.
It says at one point that to be anti-religious is to be anti-Black and have deep rooted anti-Blackness in you. I do not agree with that statement at all. And the overall religious themes of this one made it less enjoyable for me.
I do think that this would be a great book for anyone that refuses to see that white supremacy is a thing, or any Black person with only white friends, or any Black person that constantly defends white-ness, or any Black person that feels the need to put Black people down and compare them to white people.
I think they would be able to take something very valuable from this book.
I was not the audience for this book.
I know that I am speaking from a place of privilege to be able to say that this books wasn't exactly geared towards me in that even though my family has a host of issues, not being "pro Black" is not one of them.
I think this books leans very heavily on religion, if you are anything close to an atheist, a humanist, a neo-pagan, an animist, etc. I do not think this is the book for you.
It says at one point that to be anti-religious is to be anti-Black and have deep rooted anti-Blackness in you. I do not agree with that statement at all. And the overall religious themes of this one made it less enjoyable for me.
I do think that this would be a great book for anyone that refuses to see that white supremacy is a thing, or any Black person with only white friends, or any Black person that constantly defends white-ness, or any Black person that feels the need to put Black people down and compare them to white people.
I think they would be able to take something very valuable from this book.
I was not the audience for this book.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
2.0
This book is hard to review. I love Akwaeke Emezi's writing style, if there is one thing they can do, it's write. However, I found this one hard to read.
I so wish that the two main characters were not related. I found the incest storyline very off-putting. It made it impossible for me to feel happy about their "love story", it just feels traumatizing and wrong.
This story could have been beautiful and heartbreaking had the love interests not been so closely related. I feel that the incest doesn't add anything to the story and actually takes away from it. I would have felt more connected to the characters, and rooted for them had they not been related. It would have been so easy to make Osita a best friend instead of a first cousin. A first cousin that was raised as Viveks brother and that he often calls brother.
I am baffled why Akwaeke chose this dynamic. It makes me wary to read more of their work.
I also find it weird to make a trans character that has some type of mental illness going on, also be in an incestuous relationship. Not that it is right, but people already view trans people as taboo and wrong, so I find it strange to add a taboo and strange relationship to the mix. I don't know, something about that feels weird to me.
We don't get any insight, information, or answer about what what type of mental illness going on with Vivek. She has these black outs that get brought up but not explained which I found frustrating. I wanted to know what that was about and why she has no recollection of these episodes.
This book was just not it for me. I liked Vivek the most out all the characters, but I really had no favorites, the cast of characters was interesting to say the least.
1 star for good writing, 1 star for well fleshed out characters. The incest ruined this one for me. I so wish they made the simple change to make them best friends instead of first cousins, I just could not connect.
I so wish that the two main characters were not related. I found the incest storyline very off-putting. It made it impossible for me to feel happy about their "love story", it just feels traumatizing and wrong.
This story could have been beautiful and heartbreaking had the love interests not been so closely related. I feel that the incest doesn't add anything to the story and actually takes away from it. I would have felt more connected to the characters, and rooted for them had they not been related. It would have been so easy to make Osita a best friend instead of a first cousin. A first cousin that was raised as Viveks brother and that he often calls brother.
I am baffled why Akwaeke chose this dynamic. It makes me wary to read more of their work.
I also find it weird to make a trans character that has some type of mental illness going on, also be in an incestuous relationship. Not that it is right, but people already view trans people as taboo and wrong, so I find it strange to add a taboo and strange relationship to the mix. I don't know, something about that feels weird to me.
We don't get any insight, information, or answer about what what type of mental illness going on with Vivek. She has these black outs that get brought up but not explained which I found frustrating. I wanted to know what that was about and why she has no recollection of these episodes.
This book was just not it for me. I liked Vivek the most out all the characters, but I really had no favorites, the cast of characters was interesting to say the least.
1 star for good writing, 1 star for well fleshed out characters. The incest ruined this one for me. I so wish they made the simple change to make them best friends instead of first cousins, I just could not connect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence