caterina's reviews
17 reviews

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved my second book of 2024, and I'm still thinking about it! The main character has such a distinct and compelling voice, and the setting comes alive as a character in its own right. It was fantastic on audio! I read David Copperfield in 2023, and I'm glad I did, because I absolutely loved how Kingsolver engaged with it and added depth and nuance to it while bringing it into a modern context. A tough read, but not without tenderness and hope.
The God of New Beginnings: How the Power of Relationship Brings Hope and Redeems Lives by Matt Roberts, Rob Cowles

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hopeful inspiring fast-paced

0.25

Pastors Cowles and Roberts work primarily with folks who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness and/or addiction. I found their theology very concerning: (subtly) anti-LGBTQ+; too individualistic (focusing on individual choices to the exclusion of systemic analysis); suggesting folks experiencing domestic violence can/should "save" their abusive spouses; constantly calling those they serve "broken people"; etc.
The House of the Vampire by George Sylvester Viereck

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

2.5

I somewhat enjoyed this tale of a vampire who feeds on artistic inspiration and thoughts rather than blood. Some fun melodramatic, gothic, and bisexual vibes, but unfortunately also some racism and sexism. Published in 1907, and if I'd read the author's wiki before reading the book, I wouldn't have read it, since Viereck later became a Nazi propagandist. 🤮
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Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

For 7 days, I read this book in the dark of night, when sleep is challenging due to chronic pain, and I miss it now that it's over. I didn't expect to enjoy this so much, but the lush imagery and the wrestling with grief that reflects Anne Rice's own (loss of a daughter Claudia's age) drew me in. I'm glad I read this for a reading challenge.
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Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

A strong sequel following a character from the first book who had much less support, and yet this book too is hopeful, full of lovable characters, and even more than the first imagines a better world. If there's ever a surprise book #3, I'm reading it too!
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Dear Martin by Nic Stone

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.0

If you think you'd enjoy a YA novel that tackles racism and police brutality with endearing characters and persevering hope, this one's for you. If you've enjoyed Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas, this one's for you. I enjoyed listening to this and its sequel!
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The Voice of My Mind by T.A. Fish

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emotional reflective fast-paced

1.0

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This collection transitions from shallow, sad poetry to trite Christian poetry. It reminds me of creative writing classes in middle school, down to the unnecessary commas and clumsy rhyming. I cannot recommend this book.

1/5 stars.
Galatea by Madeline Miller

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the feminist retelling that we needed for the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. Miller shines a light on the disturbing misogyny that always felt like it was seething under the surface of this myth. Take a look at the content warnings before diving in!
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

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sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This heavy-handed book felt like it was written to introduce young non-Jewish white kids to the Holocaust and help them realize that injustice can be happening that they might not see. It was stilted, the main character was overly naive, and the author didn't do justice to writing about the Holocaust. There are many other books out there - such as Art Spiegelman's Maus or Anne Frank's Diary - that I would recommend instead for this reading level.
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The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Entertaining, quick read, and I figured out the secret adversary early on, but Christie did have me doubting myself for a second! I was pretty annoyed with the very negative portrayal of labor rights movements in the book (ah, truly the worst thing that could happen is a labor strike!). Slow and steady Tommy and quick and passionate Tuppence were a bit of a fun pairing, so I might read more of their books!
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