Scan barcode
deereadstoo's reviews
150 reviews
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
This book is definitely not bad. Very interesting premise and character. However, if you aren't into character-driven books, like me, then this might not be for you. The plot moves pretty slow due to it really focusing on the main character so it feels like nothing is happening (there is!) but it's just hard to stay hooked for those of us who like both character- and plot-driven stories. This is also the first book in a trilogy so I definitely feel it'll take a while to get to the juice. Again, not a bad book at all just not for me.
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Golden Child by Claire Adam
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I’m just not invested in the story much.
The Attic Child by Lola Jaye
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
I’m actively sobbing
Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
CW/TW: transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming (brief, blacked-out), child abuse (off-page), gender dysphoria
I read the synopsis of this book thinking, "Oh, damn. This is going to be really predictable." What the synopsis revealed was predictable. I guessed that off-rip but everything else that this story gave me was far from what I'd ever guessed and far more than what I anticipated in the best way possible.
This is a coming-of-age story. A love story. A tragedy. An exploration of gender identity. A beacon of hope for those who struggle with their own gender identity. This story is about found family. Not all blood is thicker than water. So the predictability is only 15% of the story. The rest? The rest explores themes much deeper than the budding teenage love story. The rest explores what it feels like when you're drowning. You're flailing about. You're so concerned with the fact that you're drowning that you don't notice the people trying to save you. They can't help you until you let them. They love you. I hope that anyone who has ever struggled with their identity and has read this book knows that there are people in this world--whether they are as close to you as a bated breath or as distant as the deepest pits of the ocean--that love you for who you are and wish nothing but the love and happiness and comfort you deserve for just being you because that love will always feel like summer.
"Like here? Or in eternity?"
I read the synopsis of this book thinking, "Oh, damn. This is going to be really predictable." What the synopsis revealed was predictable. I guessed that off-rip but everything else that this story gave me was far from what I'd ever guessed and far more than what I anticipated in the best way possible.
This is a coming-of-age story. A love story. A tragedy. An exploration of gender identity. A beacon of hope for those who struggle with their own gender identity. This story is about found family. Not all blood is thicker than water. So the predictability is only 15% of the story. The rest? The rest explores themes much deeper than the budding teenage love story. The rest explores what it feels like when you're drowning. You're flailing about. You're so concerned with the fact that you're drowning that you don't notice the people trying to save you. They can't help you until you let them. They love you. I hope that anyone who has ever struggled with their identity and has read this book knows that there are people in this world--whether they are as close to you as a bated breath or as distant as the deepest pits of the ocean--that love you for who you are and wish nothing but the love and happiness and comfort you deserve for just being you because that love will always feel like summer.
"Like here? Or in eternity?"