crip_raptor's reviews
85 reviews

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

2.75

The meditations on grief and loss were really beautiful but the ending was a little too big-brained for me personally. 

Dislocations by Sylvia Molloy

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

2.5

What stuck with me was the narrator feeling like she was losing pieces of herself in the memories and love her friend was losing of and for her. 

Jazz by Toni Morrison

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

The first book I’ve read by Toni Morrison. Her prose is beautiful and the way she writes dialogue is so natural. I switched to the audiobook halfway through and enjoyed it a lot. I found the plot a little hard to follow because it goes back and forth in time and jumps around between characters a lot. The narrator was really interesting. Almost like someone is telling you a story. 

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

I can see why so many people consider this a must-read. Robin Wall Kimmerer artfully blends personal anecdote, scientific and ecological information, cultural teaching, and beautiful descriptions of the natural world. She is such a good writer. Also enjoyed all the descriptions of cooking and food. Braiding Sweetgrass cookbook when?

Evenings & Weekends by Oisín McKenna

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

3.5

Solid debut from McKenna! Looking forward to more of his work. I enjoyed the varying perspectives and interwoven stories, though I wish we had time to dig deeper into these characters. I thought the writing was nice but I’m not sure the writing or the characters will stick with me. 

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed this but think I would have enjoyed it more without Agatha’s perspective. Her character felt random. Like what do you mean this 30+ year old is gonna eavesdrop on undergrads in a dorm and then sell it to Teen Vogue. 

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Read this at the park on a nice day and met a cute dog after. 

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.0

I found Kingsolver’s writing charming and personable but also a little wordy. Lost me somewhere in the last third. 
I found the characters to be very dynamic and well written.

All except Dori who kind of just felt like a catalyst for Demon’s downfall. Also felt like Demon and Angus potentially becoming romantically involved to be. little forced. I enjoyed their sibling dynamic.

Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

I was challenged by this book but I’m glad I read it.  The dialogue was hard for me to follow. I really felt for the main character; coming-of-age story during a time of homophobia (internalized and societal), and trying to come to terms with their gender and sexuality. Heartbreaking at times (like most of the time). I was most touched by Lazi’s descriptions of platonic love. 

Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.0

Fireheart and Graystripe’s friendship warms my heart. A very fun read for anyone who loves cats and nature :)