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callme_tippy's reviews
185 reviews
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
Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was a highly entertaining quick read!
I have been wanting to read more science fiction and I am so glad I picked this one up at my local library. I have read a couple Nnedi Okorafor books in the past and they never disappoint, I am glad this one was the same.
I enjoyed the journey that AO and DNA went on both physically and emotionally. I loved the world and character building. I even loved the kind of open ending it had.
I usually am not a fan of open ended type of books but I think it really worked with this one since it would have likely taken another 800 pages to actually have a "resolution" lol.
Definitely would recommend this one to lovers of sci-fi for a quick well packed read!
I have been wanting to read more science fiction and I am so glad I picked this one up at my local library. I have read a couple Nnedi Okorafor books in the past and they never disappoint, I am glad this one was the same.
I enjoyed the journey that AO and DNA went on both physically and emotionally. I loved the world and character building. I even loved the kind of open ending it had.
I usually am not a fan of open ended type of books but I think it really worked with this one since it would have likely taken another 800 pages to actually have a "resolution" lol.
Definitely would recommend this one to lovers of sci-fi for a quick well packed read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Genocide, Blood, Medical trauma, Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Kacen writes books that seem like they are for Black people on the outside, but in reality they are actually written for white people.
I find it very interesting that in a book where Callendar themselves sates they wanted to make a book for young Black boys that have a Black gay lead, they still made the 2nd lead a white boy.
And not just any white boy, he' the son of the racist white sheriff, and the brother of the racist young man that killed a Black man by tying him to his truck and dragging him around town.
In what world is this written for young Black boys?
Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the main character as well as the 2nd main character/"kind of love interest" also be a young Black boy?
This novel could have given so much more than what it did. I think the book would have been much more powerful and impactful had both of the leads been young Black boys struggling with being gay.
On top of that, I found Sandy very annoying, I was sad for his situation but he was not a likeable character.
And to top it off, the only other young Black boy that speaks (besides the lead), is a misogynistic bigot. Meanwhile the young white boy in group is shown to be understanding and open minded.
I think some of the authors internalized anti-blackness and need for white approval shows through this book and characterizations.
This is the second book where I have had issue with the way Callendar portrays and writes their Black characters vs non-Black characters. I will not be reading another one of their books.
I find it very interesting that in a book where Callendar themselves sates they wanted to make a book for young Black boys that have a Black gay lead, they still made the 2nd lead a white boy.
And not just any white boy, he' the son of the racist white sheriff, and the brother of the racist young man that killed a Black man by tying him to his truck and dragging him around town.
In what world is this written for young Black boys?
Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the main character as well as the 2nd main character/"kind of love interest" also be a young Black boy?
This novel could have given so much more than what it did. I think the book would have been much more powerful and impactful had both of the leads been young Black boys struggling with being gay.
On top of that, I found Sandy very annoying, I was sad for his situation but he was not a likeable character.
And to top it off, the only other young Black boy that speaks (besides the lead), is a misogynistic bigot. Meanwhile the young white boy in group is shown to be understanding and open minded.
I think some of the authors internalized anti-blackness and need for white approval shows through this book and characterizations.
This is the second book where I have had issue with the way Callendar portrays and writes their Black characters vs non-Black characters. I will not be reading another one of their books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Classism
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
5.0
Heartbreaking & beautiful, I loved this one!
Ever since I read "I, Tituba" I have been more open to historical novels and ever since I read Tananarive Due's short story collection I have been wanting to read more of her work. This book was the perfect combination!
This is not an easy read, it is heavy and challenging to get through but Due knows exactly how to pace a novel to give some let up right when you think you cant take anymore. I think the decision to have this told from 2 points of view was genius, in that it provided that "let up" with a POV switch right when it becomes too much.
I am a big fan of horror and it seems that I will become a big fan on Due as well as this provided everything it needed to and more and was a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to her great uncle.
Ever since I read "I, Tituba" I have been more open to historical novels and ever since I read Tananarive Due's short story collection I have been wanting to read more of her work. This book was the perfect combination!
This is not an easy read, it is heavy and challenging to get through but Due knows exactly how to pace a novel to give some let up right when you think you cant take anymore. I think the decision to have this told from 2 points of view was genius, in that it provided that "let up" with a POV switch right when it becomes too much.
I am a big fan of horror and it seems that I will become a big fan on Due as well as this provided everything it needed to and more and was a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to her great uncle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
The Fourth Kinetic by Brady Moore
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I picked up the first and second book in this trilogy from an African American book fair and was able to meet the author of this series and I am so glad that I attended and decided to purchase!
The thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that is reads like a comic book turned novel. I have never read a book like this and I really enjoyed that stye of writing and story telling. I found the characters likeable and diverse, and the fight scenes easy to follow. I literally felt like I was watching an old episode of Static Shock which I greatly appreciated!
I was very interested in the plot and story line and finding out what was going to happen next. Some of the adjectives used describe facial expressions or actioned seemed a bit off at times, but it did not take away from the overall plot or entertainment of the book.
I am very interested in reading the next installment and finding out what is next for our ragtag group of heroes and will definitely be picking up the third book very soon~
The thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that is reads like a comic book turned novel. I have never read a book like this and I really enjoyed that stye of writing and story telling. I found the characters likeable and diverse, and the fight scenes easy to follow. I literally felt like I was watching an old episode of Static Shock which I greatly appreciated!
I was very interested in the plot and story line and finding out what was going to happen next. Some of the adjectives used describe facial expressions or actioned seemed a bit off at times, but it did not take away from the overall plot or entertainment of the book.
I am very interested in reading the next installment and finding out what is next for our ragtag group of heroes and will definitely be picking up the third book very soon~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Abandonment
Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
3.75
I really enjoyed the magical realism elements of this one.
I found Maddie and Bear adorable and the cast of characters diverse in personalities.
I think this would be a great read for any middle grader.
I loved how poetic and lyrical the writing style is.
I think that the plot felt like it might have been missing a bit of something but I'm not sure what, which is why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 stars. The storyline kept me interested though.
I found Maddie and Bear adorable and the cast of characters diverse in personalities.
I think this would be a great read for any middle grader.
I loved how poetic and lyrical the writing style is.
I think that the plot felt like it might have been missing a bit of something but I'm not sure what, which is why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 stars. The storyline kept me interested though.