carlareads8's reviews
30 reviews

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

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

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

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Abandonment

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I liked the concept of the title

the first book is about the main character’s sister getting breast implants and the second book is about her reflecting on sperm donors and getting pregnant

and how the reader gets to question about unattainable beauty standards and having kids or not. 

The pace of the book is slow and it was hard for me to focus on reading. 

I wish Midoriko and Makiko would have been included in the second book a lot more but then again, the second book focuses solely on Natsuko and her personal journey to motherhood.

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

dark funny inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I love the illustrations! Satrapi is an amazing story teller; she’s funny and writes with a lot of vulnerability. 

Ruined by Sarah Vaughn

lighthearted relaxing fast-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

3.0

This is a very simple read but at the same time one can appreciate all the work that was put and making this story happen! This also is  a perfect fit for any Bridgerton!

The chemistry between Andrew and Catherine was almost a little forced and rushed and I wish the story could have explained more about how Andrew realized that he loved her. It just kind of seem like he realized abruptly. In addition, I would’ve liked more of a focus on Constance and Mary’s relationship. It just kind of seems like they wanted to add this story to have a more diverse story.

Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

challenging reflective medium-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? Yes

3.0

I would agree with all the reviews posted here, I believe the author mainly talked about women’s violence and despite some stories being quite interesting, it was hard to grasp the overall message for each chapter. Maybe I am not intellectual, but it was just too complex for me too understand.  I think that the author would not be straightforward with the message and and in a very vague ending in each chapter. Perhaps this novel is not for me, but if you are ever wondering about what is going on in the mind of a woman in her 30s exploring her sexuality and motherhood this could be for you, but it is definitely a challenging reading.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

emotional inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This book was soooo well written that I could not stop reading!!! I very much recommend this book for anyone interested in reading more about the dangers of colorism and racism, as well as for anyone interested in a queer love story.

A Little Less Broken: How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole by Marian Schembari

informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

This book painted a clearer picture of what it is to be an autistic woman. I know autistic people in my life that I deeply love, and this book gave me a lot of insight about their struggles in childhood, school, and their careers! Of course, each autistic person is different, but I could now understand better what they might have gone through.