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callme_tippy's reviews
180 reviews
Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lucy is not a happy person and although the book reads as light hearted it is actually a pretty sad book. Lucy is not the most likeable character, but I don't believe she is supposed to be.
She is an older teenage girl that has a complicated relationship with her parents, and leaves her home Island to come to America where she meets a willfully ignorant white woman that becomes her friend.
Her platonic relationships are complicated in the way that any relationship involving a willfully ignorant white person and a Black person would be. She both loves and hates her friends. Similar to the way she both loves and hates her mother. In this I do not think she is supposed to be particularly likable (although, I do like her lol), but I think you are supposed to understand her, even if you don't like her.
It also helps that it is very well written, can't wait to read more by Jamaica Kincaid!
She is an older teenage girl that has a complicated relationship with her parents, and leaves her home Island to come to America where she meets a willfully ignorant white woman that becomes her friend.
Her platonic relationships are complicated in the way that any relationship involving a willfully ignorant white person and a Black person would be. She both loves and hates her friends. Similar to the way she both loves and hates her mother. In this I do not think she is supposed to be particularly likable (although, I do like her lol), but I think you are supposed to understand her, even if you don't like her.
It also helps that it is very well written, can't wait to read more by Jamaica Kincaid!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is great narrative about organized religion, Black Muslim Americans, and The Nation of Islam.
This book brought back lots of imagery and childhood memories. I enjoyed the no nonsense approach to both highlighting and criticizing the issues of organized religion and the NOI. This reminds me of "The Secret Lives of Church ladies" but for Black American Muslims.
As with all short stories collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but this was a great collection. I listened to this on audio and i now want a physical copy so that I can go back an re-read this one!
This book brought back lots of imagery and childhood memories. I enjoyed the no nonsense approach to both highlighting and criticizing the issues of organized religion and the NOI. This reminds me of "The Secret Lives of Church ladies" but for Black American Muslims.
As with all short stories collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others, but this was a great collection. I listened to this on audio and i now want a physical copy so that I can go back an re-read this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Classism
I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I loved everything about this book!
I really enjoyed the style that this book was written in and I can't wait for this author to write more as I am already big fan! I think the style of this was genius~
While I didn't particularly like any of the characters, I was invested and eager to know the everything that the main character gained insight on. I have to say I am a Fan of Sheena Patel!
I really enjoyed the style that this book was written in and I can't wait for this author to write more as I am already big fan! I think the style of this was genius~
While I didn't particularly like any of the characters, I was invested and eager to know the everything that the main character gained insight on. I have to say I am a Fan of Sheena Patel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Classism
Moderate: Colonisation
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
This was a nice quick read that kept me interested from beginning to end.
I really loved the style this was written in, it has very short chapters and it told in fragments kind of which works really well for the plot of this. I think it was great the way it's treated seriously but not too seriously. It was the perfect amount of suspense for a short read.
This was great little dive into family ties and bonds, societal expectations, family expectations, and how to navigate right and wrong, when the wrong-doer is the only one in your corner.
I can't wait to try another one of Braithwaite's books!
I really loved the style this was written in, it has very short chapters and it told in fragments kind of which works really well for the plot of this. I think it was great the way it's treated seriously but not too seriously. It was the perfect amount of suspense for a short read.
This was great little dive into family ties and bonds, societal expectations, family expectations, and how to navigate right and wrong, when the wrong-doer is the only one in your corner.
I can't wait to try another one of Braithwaite's books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was promising but did not fully come together for me.
I enjoyed the actual story line and plot, I think it could have been very interesting and a 5 star read had it been done correctly.
Both main characters had super similar voices and pov's and it was sometimes difficult to remember who's pov I was in because they were so similar. I think this could have benefited from stronger characterizations from each main character.
I didn't particularly like either of the main characters. In fact, my favorite character, Ellis, was not given a fair storyline or exploration I believe.
I don't believe we need the pov of the "The Pull" at all, it didn't add anything to the plot or storyline and in fact took away from the mystery.
I think the writing style was fine, but it wasn't spectacular by any means. I have read books I've despised that were written well and this was not one of them.
Lastly, the ending seemed super rushed and not well thought out at all. I do not think it did the story any justice to have the book end the way it did, it felt very sudden and abrupt. Kind of like the author was not sure how to end it so she came up with something on the fly and called it a day.
I am giving this book 3 stars because the plot kept my attention and was interested in knowing where it would lead.
I enjoyed the actual story line and plot, I think it could have been very interesting and a 5 star read had it been done correctly.
Both main characters had super similar voices and pov's and it was sometimes difficult to remember who's pov I was in because they were so similar. I think this could have benefited from stronger characterizations from each main character.
I didn't particularly like either of the main characters. In fact, my favorite character, Ellis, was not given a fair storyline or exploration I believe.
I don't believe we need the pov of the "The Pull" at all, it didn't add anything to the plot or storyline and in fact took away from the mystery.
I think the writing style was fine, but it wasn't spectacular by any means. I have read books I've despised that were written well and this was not one of them.
Lastly, the ending seemed super rushed and not well thought out at all. I do not think it did the story any justice to have the book end the way it did, it felt very sudden and abrupt. Kind of like the author was not sure how to end it so she came up with something on the fly and called it a day.
I am giving this book 3 stars because the plot kept my attention and was interested in knowing where it would lead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love a good coming of age story and this was exactly that.
This book is full of everything you'd expect of a coming of age story about a young Black girl growing up poor in America. I always feel a connection to coming of age books about young Black girls in America, even if their lives do not mirror my own in any way. The act of growing Black in America is enough of a connector to feel like a glimpse into my own childhood.
The characters and situations in this book felt real, relatable, and full.
The only part I could have done without was KB getting sexually assaulted. I do not feel like it added anything to the story line or character, I think it would have just as impactful if she had gotten away before it happened. I dislike SA just for the sake of SA that doesn't add anything to the story and that is why I removed a star. This would have otherwise been a 5 star review.
This book is full of everything you'd expect of a coming of age story about a young Black girl growing up poor in America. I always feel a connection to coming of age books about young Black girls in America, even if their lives do not mirror my own in any way. The act of growing Black in America is enough of a connector to feel like a glimpse into my own childhood.
The characters and situations in this book felt real, relatable, and full.
The only part I could have done without
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Addiction
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This memoir and single case study gave me so much more insight into schizophrenia while also putting a face and a life and a background to the topic. I read the audio book and I love that the author narrated it so I was able to connect more with her and her story.
I knew a bit about schizophrenia before reading this book, but this has given me so much more insight that I greatly appreciated. I feel that when I go into reading more case studies in the future I will always think of this book when anyone is dealing with or treating someone with schizophrenia.
This was an enjoyable and informative read.
I knew a bit about schizophrenia before reading this book, but this has given me so much more insight that I greatly appreciated. I feel that when I go into reading more case studies in the future I will always think of this book when anyone is dealing with or treating someone with schizophrenia.
This was an enjoyable and informative read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Unexpected Stories by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
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
5.0
Both of these short stories were packed full of so much world building and characterizations that they both felt complete and still left me wanting more.
I wanted to read more of each story, find out more about each character, and more bout each world, but I still felt satisfied with the each ending. That is what makes a great short story so good.
Octavia Butler was an amazing writer and these two novellas do not disappoint.
I wanted to read more of each story, find out more about each character, and more bout each world, but I still felt satisfied with the each ending. That is what makes a great short story so good.
Octavia Butler was an amazing writer and these two novellas do not disappoint.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Will Do Magic for Small Change by Andrea Hairston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
I don't think this style of writing is for me. I didn't dislike it, but I also can't fully get into it.
There are a lot of characters and I find myself getting confused. The timeliness of the wanderer is also confusing.
I'm not interested enough in the story to push through.
There are a lot of characters and I find myself getting confused. The timeliness of the wanderer is also confusing.
I'm not interested enough in the story to push through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder
Dreaming in Color by Uvile Ximba
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? No
1.75
I liked the beginning of the book but I quickly became confused on the time line and plot.
There is a lot of back and forth through time in this one and I could not keep up with what was happening at what time. There was also two points of view, but only like twice, which was also confusing.
I had a hard time with this one, and the constant rape was a bit much, the author was also not reliable. I feel like we were missing a lot of information as the reader which just led to more confusion. If you dislike traumatic rape books, skip this one.
There is a lot of back and forth through time in this one and I could not keep up with what was happening at what time. There was also two points of view, but only like twice, which was also confusing.
I had a hard time with this one, and the constant rape was a bit much, the author was also not reliable. I feel like we were missing a lot of information as the reader which just led to more confusion. If you dislike traumatic rape books, skip this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment