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dmackreads's reviews
111 reviews
Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
This book held a lot of information around alcohol and other substances that I was completely unaware of. It also gives great techniques/tools for coping with quitting drinking that can also be applied to really any addiction in your life. Or, if you’re like me and already sober and maybe don’t need the tools, it still opens your eyes to a lot of things wrong in our society and system. It actually addressed many other topics I also needed to read about like trauma and therapy and all around health like nutrition. It gave me insight on techniques for managing all of these things. I was genuinely mind blown by some of the stats. Holly’s story and process was very relatable to me and I’m sure a lot of other people.
However. I knew going in this was going to be a pretty extreme feminist take but it actually got really annoying and I do even consider myself a feminist. I wanted to read a book based on quitting drinking as a woman in this fucked up society, I draw the line when authors write nonfiction and incorporate religion without something stating the writing will include religion or politics that include shitting on a president when the one we have now is actually comical and I SUPER draw the line when I’m referred to as a cis-woman because, no. This became a very controversial take.
Very insightful though. I was able to take away a lot from this read that I needed to hear.
However. I knew going in this was going to be a pretty extreme feminist take but it actually got really annoying and I do even consider myself a feminist. I wanted to read a book based on quitting drinking as a woman in this fucked up society, I draw the line when authors write nonfiction and incorporate religion without something stating the writing will include religion or politics that include shitting on a president when the one we have now is actually comical and I SUPER draw the line when I’m referred to as a cis-woman because, no. This became a very controversial take.
Very insightful though. I was able to take away a lot from this read that I needed to hear.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Okay so this may be an unpopular opinion and I don’t think I’ve ever said this before about a book, but this could have been longer. It needed more. I needed more info to connect to Lowen and Jeremy. More back story, something to draw me to them more. I also needed TRIGGER WARNINGS.
However, I flew through this in a day. It kept my attention and I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. As a mom, I am sick to my stomach over the things I read. I bawled my eyes out a couple times. I think the reason a lot of people have said they can’t comprehend why anyone would shed a tear over this book is probably because they’re not a mom lol.
I was not able to predict some of the plot twists and I definitely did not predict the ending. I personally think the ending could’ve been done a little better too but overall I really liked it.
However, I flew through this in a day. It kept my attention and I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. As a mom, I am sick to my stomach over the things I read. I bawled my eyes out a couple times. I think the reason a lot of people have said they can’t comprehend why anyone would shed a tear over this book is probably because they’re not a mom lol.
I was not able to predict some of the plot twists and I definitely did not predict the ending. I personally think the ending could’ve been done a little better too but overall I really liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Car accident, Abortion
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to love this book and at first I thought I would but it was just so toxic and I really didn’t find Billy or Daisy likable as time went on.
I actually considered not finishing a couple times. I feel like this just goes with the stigma of musicians being addicts, drunks, destructive, and partying all the time. Sprinkle in some homewrecking and cheating along with some supposedly great music and that pretty much sums up this book. The ONLY lovable character was Camila, ugh my baby 🫶🏼 however a few times I was questioning her logic but I guess it all worked out in the end.
I can see how some people really love this book but, I could’ve went without.
I actually considered not finishing a couple times. I feel like this just goes with the stigma of musicians being addicts, drunks, destructive, and partying all the time. Sprinkle in some homewrecking and cheating along with some supposedly great music and that pretty much sums up this book. The ONLY lovable character was Camila, ugh my baby 🫶🏼 however a few times I was questioning her logic but I guess it all worked out in the end.
I can see how some people really love this book but, I could’ve went without.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abortion
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy
Pillow Thoughts II: Healing the Heart by Courtney Peppernell
2.0
Lacking so much depth. Writing was far too personal to the author it was near impossible to relate to the majority of writing. This is about healing your heart. There are two sections titled “if your heart is aching” and “if your heart is missing someone” and I expected to crawl up in fetal position on the bathroom floor and cry but I felt nothing besides in a handful of works when this is over 200 pages and each page is a new one. Disappointing to say the least.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book really weighed on my mental health. Even with the synopsis on the back I would have never been able to guess so many components of this book so please LOOK UP TRIGGER WARNINGS. It was really hard to get through but it was written beautifully and incredibly detailed. I do feel like it could’ve been like 100 pages shorter with some removed unnecessary information. At times the writing was hard to follow. It’s written in 3rd person besides the very last section and with 4 MMC’s I had to genuinely think about who “he” is a lot of times someone was referred to as he.
Aside from those few things, this book is so powerful. So powerful I had to take breaks from reading it and questioned whether I could finish. So powerful it had me questioning my own childhood trauma but also had me highlighting and tabbing so many deep lines that truly made me think and view life a little differently. Like I will literally be journaling about this book. Also HOW does an author even come up with this? Without experiencing some trauma themselves? Because how can you even write this? I’ll be researching.
I do highly recommend this book, but I strongly encourage checking the trigger warnings and giving it a fair shot. This is literary fiction, not a typical 300 page fiction novel. The descriptive imagery is insane and there is some build up but that’s how you’re able to envision it so well and connect to the characters so well. I also would recommend giving yourself some breaks and enjoying something light hearted in between.
Jude deserved so much better.
Aside from those few things, this book is so powerful. So powerful I had to take breaks from reading it and questioned whether I could finish. So powerful it had me questioning my own childhood trauma but also had me highlighting and tabbing so many deep lines that truly made me think and view life a little differently. Like I will literally be journaling about this book. Also HOW does an author even come up with this? Without experiencing some trauma themselves? Because how can you even write this? I’ll be researching.
I do highly recommend this book, but I strongly encourage checking the trigger warnings and giving it a fair shot. This is literary fiction, not a typical 300 page fiction novel. The descriptive imagery is insane and there is some build up but that’s how you’re able to envision it so well and connect to the characters so well. I also would recommend giving yourself some breaks and enjoying something light hearted in between.
Jude deserved so much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The definition of a hallmark Christmas story but with spice. I laughed a lot and became super attached to the characters. Loved it!
True North by Robin Huber
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is the most underrated book I’ve read this year.
However, TW: car accident death.
I cried and smiled and laughed, idk why but I genuinely attached to the characters pretty much right away. Anyone judging the characters in lesser star reviews clearly forgot what it was like to be a teenager or never had someone impact their life so deeply they still think about them 7 years later or have never been through something as traumatic as the MC’s in this book. So good, this book deserves way more recognition.
However, TW: car accident death.
I cried and smiled and laughed, idk why but I genuinely attached to the characters pretty much right away. Anyone judging the characters in lesser star reviews clearly forgot what it was like to be a teenager or never had someone impact their life so deeply they still think about them 7 years later or have never been through something as traumatic as the MC’s in this book. So good, this book deserves way more recognition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
King of Greed by Ana Huang
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this book was super adventurous and far from boring. Even outside of Dom/Alessandra’s relationship there was so much going on. Between her store, the dinner party, her family, Doms brother?? The spice was so good. I love a good come up story and a second chance romance.
One main thing I agree with other people on is that Alessandra definitely should’ve been communicating her feelings to Dom ahead of time. But I also do think sometimes people need to hit their version of rock bottom to grow. So even if she had, it may not have mattered or resonated with him because she always stayed. His world was shook when she didn’t. I don’t think these things are black and white. I can completely see both sides of their relationship and people are fucking human. Who cares if this could have all been avoided if she had communicated healthily and who cares if he seems pathetic to some people because of how he pined after her and how blind he was to everything around him. That is literally reality. That type of shit happens every single day in the real world.
I love a good come up story and I love a good second chance romance where change is actually made. I don’t know if this one or the first book is my favorite in the series.
One main thing I agree with other people on is that Alessandra definitely should’ve been communicating her feelings to Dom ahead of time. But I also do think sometimes people need to hit their version of rock bottom to grow. So even if she had, it may not have mattered or resonated with him because she always stayed. His world was shook when she didn’t. I don’t think these things are black and white. I can completely see both sides of their relationship and people are fucking human. Who cares if this could have all been avoided if she had communicated healthily and who cares if he seems pathetic to some people because of how he pined after her and how blind he was to everything around him. That is literally reality. That type of shit happens every single day in the real world.
I love a good come up story and I love a good second chance romance where change is actually made. I don’t know if this one or the first book is my favorite in the series.
King of Pride by Ana Huang
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I melt over characters that are complete opposites yet, similar in some ways falling for each other. Two people you’d typically never expect together. The only reason this is a 4 and not a 5 star for me is because I didn’t feel connected to these characters as much as I did in the first book so I didn’t feel as much. Otherwise the book was incredible and I loved it.