carlareads8's reviews
26 reviews

Cometierra by Dolores Reyes

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dark sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Había muchísimo potencial en este libro. Realmente es súper interesante el poder de Cometierra y su conexión a la tierra. En sí, la relación entre las dos es especial tal vez porque la mujer (Cometierra) representa la “madre tierra”. Pienso aue la historia estaba llena de personajes planos y simplemente no me enganche a la historia. 

Yo creo que las victimas afectadas por el femicidio o por el homicidio debieron de haberse profundizado más.
Durante la primera y segunda parte se enfoca en hablar de las victimas pero el final termina en la muerte de Hernán quien tal vez representó algo en la vida de Cometierra pero no entendí la relación entre ellos y no fue tan importante en la historia. Me hubiera gustado que terminara con un mensaje mas claro acerca de las desapariciones y muertes que sufre Latinoamérica. 

Sentí que la relación entre Cometierra y Ezequiel fue muy forzada y no tuve una clara idea de porque se juntaron (a menos que solo fue pura atracción que también es valído. 

Tambien quise saber más sobre la mamá de Cometierra y si el papá de ella cometió el femicidio. Me dio mucha pena que la seño Ana nunca obtuvo justicia, pero tal vez ella representa a las miles de mujeres que hoy en día no sabemos de su paradero 

Una última crítica hacia el libro es sobre el uso de la palabra quilombo. En el portugués y en la historia, esta palabra originalmente se refería a comunidades organizadas de esclavos fugitivos que buscaban su libertad. Estos espacios eran lugares de resistencia y organización política con sus propias estructuras de autoridad. Tal vez la autora usó esta palabra porque el personaje es ignorante pero describir un lugar como “quilombo” puede considerarse despectivo no solo por su connotación actual de desorden, sino también por su contexto histórico vinculado al racismo y la discriminación.
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The Mothers by Brit Bennett

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.25

I was not disappointed to read another book written by Brit Benett. She’s an amazing writer and really can’t wait for more of her novels! Her writing is so exquisite and very unique (even though the narrator’s point of view was coming from conservative older women). I like the idea that the narrator is not one person but instead represents a collective of women.

I wish the story would have gone on for longer which is why I gave it a 4.25. Even if there’s not a lot of events that happen in the book, I loved how Brit Bennet wrote about the characters and their experiences. I really could not stop reading!

The relationship between Aubrey and Nadia was very special and I having that element of jealousy was interesting to read. I wish their breakup was explored a bit more, but friendships sometimes do end quite abruptly sometimes. I’m sad Luke got in the way but he symbolizes “what could have happened” and to my perspective, made it seem like Nadia and Aubrey weren’t in love with him because of his personality. Nadia imagined herself having a family with him and was stuck in that what if for a long time. I guess in Aubrey’s case, she had always wanted to be a mom and she was going to fulfill that with Luke. I really wished he wasn’t the dad and instead Miller would have been.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

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inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I wanted to reread this book as I had read this when I was younger. It was definitely a relaxing read but at times it felt a bit rushed. Perhaps because it is a children’s novel and the plot should be shorter and to the point to keep the reader’s interest. It is also interesting to see Esperanza be a little classist at the beginning (makes sense since she was a rich girl in Mexico) and learns to be more humble by the end.

I love that this story also brought awareness to the Mexican Repatriation. 

I wish the author would have explained the relationship between Esperanza and her father a bit more (it just felt like the main thing between them is that he died).
The Sky Is Blue with a Single Cloud by Kuniko Tsurita

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dark relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

It was fascinating learning more about Kuniko Tsurita’s work and understand her journey as a graphic novel pioneer (being a woman) and having female  characters as the main role. I also liked how she didn’t want to stick to the mainstream so her comic style was edgy and she was definitely ahead of her times. 

I was close to giving it a 4 but the stories didn’t stick out for me but I can definitely appreciate the set and effort that took to create these!  
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

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challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was probably one of the hardest novels I have read. The gripping details of the sexual violence committed by the Israeli soldiers was gruesome but it certainly paints a realistic picture Isareli occupation in 1949. The first part was super hard to read (since it came from the Israeli side) and the second part of the book is written by a Palestinian woman. The second part was easier to read and the woman’s strong willingness to find the truth about this girl was captivating. I like how both parts had a different tone and writing style (first part was in 3rd person while the second one was in 1st. 

This book is one of the many Palestinian voices that the world needs to urgently listen during this genocide. Calling this book as “anti-Semitic” is proof of the Palestinian erasure and ethnic cleansing. 
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The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

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challenging dark mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

 This is a book that I would definitely re-read! Far from the various stories told, this book is a philosophical read that makes you wonder how inter-species communication would look like and how difficult it would be to achieve. Consciousness is a big theme of the book and it explores how that would look like in animals, robots, and of course humans. It really makes you realize that we as humans put ourselves first in all narratives and how there are still things we don't understand.  The author also uses very complex vocabulary which is not necessarily a bad thing but definitely adds to the complexity of the book. 

The ending did seem super rushed and I would have preferred a sequel to allow all of the characters' stories to have a proper closure. Lawrence never appears after the first chapter, so it makes me wonder what his contribution was. Perhaps it was a small contribution, but it was a bit unclear
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

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hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I read this when I was younger and  I ever since this book holds a special place in my heart. Now that I’m older, I have a greater appreciation for the illustrations and the story itself. I didn’t realize that the major part of this book focused on the characters’ stories, and it wasn’t until almost at the end of the book where the actual action happens. I wouldn’t say that there’s anything wrong about that, it just has a very quick ending.

I think far from the action in the story I think readers should focus on the characterizes stories and appreciate the relationship of good and bad. 

I do have to say that there should have been greater justice for Miggery Sow (even have a better name?!?). I wish she would have had the chance to travel and treat herself like a princess (and not need anyone else to tell her that).I disliked how she went to live with her father who sold her for a red cloth and cigarettes. I understand that the author wanted to show the power of forgiveness, and perhaps she did forgive him, but I just think it’s silly to have her live with the man that betrayed her.
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This is my first novel by Stephen King, and I thought that I was going to write some thing that was from the horror general, but I am glad to see him right in a different one. This is definitely a book meant for teens or young adult and it’s not bad but I am not the kind of reader that loves  medieval time tales. Perhaps for the readers that do love these kind of stories and further want to read more Stephen King books. This is definitely for them.
Pearl by Siân Hughes

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is written in a very special way and it’s not meant for everyone. Knowing that Siân Hughes is a poet made me appreciate this book a lot more. It is written in a beautiful way and most special of all, it is written from the perspective of a child (I mean that in a complement). There isn’t a chronological order to this book, which may trouble some people in reading it. But once you have patience, you will immerse yourself in a story

An example of her writing:
“Then he left the room very quietly and sadly, and as the door closed I imagined the empty clothes hangers in the wardrobe echoing their thirty-year percussion track in the song of his loss.”
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The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

This book touches on so many aspects in religion, sexuality, and being a Black woman in the south that it is hard to grasp how meaningful it is and what Alice Walker has given to American Literature. 

It is a book to further explore and question our beliefs 
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