cheraquili's reviews
74 reviews

The Question Book: What Makes You Tick? by Mikael Krogerus, Roman Tschappeler

1.0

 

"How do you explain the fact that women in all western countries still earn less than men?"

1/5 stars

The only thing I can say is that most of the questions were quite underwhelming... This was more of a notebook filled with questions, rather than a book. 🥱 

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

2.25

 

"It all feels forgotten, like we’re the first people here in a hundred years ... We shouldn’t be here. This place isn’t ours anymore."

2.25/5 stars
Read for #thebacklistreadathon

The premise was so intriguing, and I was initially really enjoying it! However, I was becoming extremely bored after the halfway mark. I have never DNFd a book, but to be completely honest, I was tempted to DNF this one.

"I think I’m screaming, but it sounds like nothing."

I didn't care for any of the characters, I thought it was EXTREMELY slow-paced, some parts were disgusting but far from being horrifying, etc.

All in all, I feel very underwhelmed... 🙃





Some quotes I liked:

I wonder what she’ll get, if it’s anything at all. Gills like Mona’s, blisters like Cat’s, maybe bones like Byatt’s or a hand like Reese’s, but sometimes the Tox doesn’t give you anything—just takes and takes. Leaves you drained and withering.

I don’t want the morning, but it comes anyway. Hard and bright, sun out from the clouds. I bury my face in my pillow, dreading the sight of the emptiness where Byatt should be.

I don’t miss talking. I thought I would, but it’s so easy this way. The smallest word written down, and they’ll build a version of me in their head. Sounding just the right way, meaning just the right thing. Half my work done for me. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

 

"How can you lose
an entire person,
only to gain a part of them back
in someone entirely new?"

4/5 stars
Read for #thebacklistreadathon


This was SO GOOD! I had never read a novel-in-verse, but after reading this, I will definitely read more!

"I can do this. Keep on breathing, I mean, when it feels like the littlest thing is too much work."

The writing was exceptionally beautiful, very easy to get through, the characters were amazing, the ending was golden, the narrators' voices (as I listened to the audiobook) were brilliant, etc.
I also loved the thematic concerns this novel brought up!

"If they are intruders
I hope they steal everything,
especially the weight on my chest."

I did not give this 5 stars as I generally prefer plot-driven novels, and this was more of a character-driven one.

Yet, I still really adored it and will definitely look into more books by Elizabeth Acevedo!












Other quotes I liked:

I am a rule follower. A person whose
report card always says Meets Expectations.
I do not exceed them. I do not do poorly.
I arrive & mind my business.

Which isn’t always lucky when the water rises,

I’m afraid if I close my eyes
I will have accepted
his will never open again.

My head fills with memories not my own, that paint her for me. 

The One by John Marrs

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

"Sometimes, the grass isn’t greener on the other side and we should stay in the field where we belong. And sometimes we just need to take a gamble and hope for the best."

4/5 stars
Read for #thebacklistreadathon

The One is the second book I have read by John Marrs, and once again he definitely didn't disappoint.

Although in the beginning I was getting confused by all of the different povs, once I got used to all of the characters, it was game on!

Marrs is an extremely fantastic writer! I honestly think the whole concept of the novel is genius, and the writing is exceptional; the book was extremely fast-paced, with so many plot twists, curiosity-inducing storylines, etc... Thus, it kept me intrigued throughout the entire 400+pages as I was interested in all of the different storylines.

"She’d read that a person’s hearing can be one of the last things to go, so she’d talk to him about nothing in particular. She didn’t want him to leave the world with a melancholic silence for a soundtrack."

I only didn't give this novel 5 stars because (view spoiler) Other than that, this book was amazing!

All in all, I would undoubtedly recommend this book to whoever enjoys reading well-written, suspenseful books! 

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

3.0

 This was such a fun and light-hearted read!
Would definitely recommend it to all the middle-graders out there, or whoever enjoys quick-paced graphic novels. :)


I did not give it a higher rating as I think I would have liked it better if I was younger. 

Torn by Carian Cole

adventurous hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 

"It's possible I've lost my mind, but I don't care. I'm too happy to care. If I've gone insane, then that's okay. I'll own that shit. I'll wear it like a badge. I'll be Captain Crazy."

4/5 stars

This novel was intense, but at the same time, it was adorable!
I adored both of the main characters since they weren't solely about sexual intimacy, but even had an emotional bond. At the same time, at times, the sexual tension was off the charts!

"I thought of you today.
But then again, I think of you every day.
The only difference was today
I could think of you without pain.
Without crumbling."

On the other hand, I understand why some might think that their relationship is too bizarre; Toren was practically Kenzi's father figure. Despite these odd circumstances, I still support their relationship as I think they were meant for each other.

Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read forbidden romance! 💖












Other quotes I liked:

"I don't fit in with them. I never have. My parents were only fifteen years old when they had me. ... It's a bit bizarre to think that my mother was pregnant with me, sitting in the same exact classrooms I sit in now. Maybe that's why I'm so smart - I was in high school in utero."

"I believe trust is a gift from someone, just like love is. Trusting and loving someone says I have faith in you. And I appreciate the depth of that way more than I do material things. I'll take faith over shoes any day of the week."

"One forbidden touch, one taboo kiss, and we destroyed who we were. I don't know who either one of us is anymore or how we got all fucking tangled up in this mess of lust and love that should never exist. But it does exist, and no matter how much I try to deny it, it keeps coming back to get in my face, refusing to be ignored. And now she's gone, just like I asked. I want her back. So fucking bad." 

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

 

"He’s mad. The old way.

MAN IS THE CREATURE HE FEARS."

2/5 stars

I made the mistake of seeing the movie twice before actually reading the book. Thus, I was constantly comparing and nitpicking what I was reading.

"Driving anywhere right now would be dumb. Even to the store, and driving nine hours would be suicide."

I personally loved everything that happened in the movie way more, and just ended up feeling disappointed by the book. IMO the author had great ideas, but he did not execute them properly.

"The days begin to mush together. That’s why we started keeping the calendar on the wall in the living room. You know, in a way, time doesn’t mean a thing anymore. But it’s one of the only things we have that resembles the lives we used to live."

Some things that bothered me in the book were that [the dog, Victor died.  DID HE REALLY HAVE TO? NO. Also, I find it slightly ironic that Malorie was SO suspicious of Gary, yet took quite a while to say something. Given the detrimental circumstances, I would expect her to call him out immediately. (hide spoiler)]

"To know the ceiling of man’s mind is to know the full power of these creatures. If it’s a matter of comprehension, then surely the results of any encounter with them must differ greatly between two men. My ceiling is different than yours. Much different from the monkeys in this house."

All in all, I do understand why many individuals enjoy this book, but in my opinion, the movie is way better. 

Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy C. Cherry

emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

 

"Because when people died, they took their voices with them. I wondered if they knew how much the people left behind would kill for their sounds one last time."

3/5 stars

This was quite an emotional, yet lovable novel! I adored Mr Daniels and Ashylyn's relationship for the most part because their bond was exceptional. Additionally, I like that it was not all about physical chemistry (at least in the beginning) but rather a genuine connection. Also, I nearly teared up when he asked her to marry him! 🥺💖

"Because maybe home wasn’t a location. Maybe it’s simply the people who you were surrounded with that made you feel as if you could be whoever you wanted to be. Maybe home was friendship."

On the other hand, although there were several cute moments, I felt that it also had several clichés. Indeed, during some parts, I was feeling quite uncomfortable and was cringing heavily.

Having said all that, I genuinely understand why other people would really love this book; it personally just was not for me.



Other quotations I liked:

I hated funerals, but then again, I believed it would be weird if I loved them. I wondered if there were people who did love those kinds of things. People who showed up just to breathe in all of the sadness as a sick form of entertainment. You know what they say—you can’t spell funeral without fun.

Memories were scary, how they could break you with simply your own thoughts.

Another small step. “But I like you a little for taking him in tonight.”
By ‘hate’ I’d meant love. And by ‘a little’ I’d meant a lot. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 

For a second, my heart literally stops beating. 'Oh my God,' I whisper. I lean the broom against the porch railing. The young woman is closer now. Close enough that I can see her hesitant smile as she stops walking."

4.75/5 stars

WOW! This book was exceptionally beautiful. My favourite aspects were the ability to time travel and the emotional side of the plot. Although it had a slow pace in certain parts, I loved every second of it anyway.

Would 100 percent recommend this book! 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.25

"Did you ever notice that all machines are made for some reason? ... Maybe that's why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn't able to do what it was meant to do."

4.25/5 stars

What a beautifully written book! I absolutely loved every second of it, especially how it all tied up at the end. Moreover, the illustrations are impeccable! 

Would definitely recommend this book to everyone! ♡