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doylee's reviews
129 reviews
Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America by Patrick Phillips
informative
I read 75% of this book & it was good but I don’t think I’ll finish it. I read most of it though so I’m counting it towards my goal. I strong armed my way through that 75% but honestly it was very triggering lol which is not surprising giving the content but OOF. Hit close to home literallyyyyy. Anyways! Local history is good to learn about & everything was so interesting but also sad.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
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
3.75
Holiday politics!! 🗣️🗣️ I feel like I only read books that have side plot romance & main plot weird made up politics. I feel like this was a perfectly ridiculous book to get me excited to read anything. Sometimes the dialogue was corny or something didn’t quite add up but who cares! We’re having fun!
I’m a little upset that the next book won’t be about Kris & iris but I’m hoping that just means that Iris is gonna get her own book w a new person. Idk, I liked her though.
All this being said, perhaps I’ll try reading my more serious books next but also, maybe not. Forcing myself to be a ~serious reader~ just makes me not wanna read lmao. So enjoy my questionable reading choices for the foreseeable future!
I’m a little upset that the next book won’t be about Kris & iris but I’m hoping that just means that Iris is gonna get her own book w a new person. Idk, I liked her though.
All this being said, perhaps I’ll try reading my more serious books next but also, maybe not. Forcing myself to be a ~serious reader~ just makes me not wanna read lmao. So enjoy my questionable reading choices for the foreseeable future!
All The Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
3.5/5. Pretty enjoyable book! It was definitely v horny at times lmaooo but for the most part it’s a political mystery which is fun! I was gonna give it 4 stars but the end was underwhelming to me :( I feel like the big villain was pulled out of a hat & also that there were like 3 villains. Too many for me. Other than that, the romance is sweet & the ending was heart warming & I enjoyed it.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
hopeful
inspiring
4.0
I spiraled big time listening to the first half of this book. But it was good to listen to at this time in my life. It’s time to be an active participant in my life!!! We don’t have to wait to start living the life we want!!! 😤😤😤😤😤
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Honestly, if not for book club, this would’ve been a dnf for me. The first half was so hard for me to get through and it did pick up in the second half for sure and I felt more invested so 3 stars. But I struggled so bad to read that first half lol.
I love space books but I did want more drama/plot/stakes. It just didn’t ever seem like anything was happening. Even in the moments where things were happening.
I actually did like the characters & I liked some of the commentary in the book, it was interesting. At the end of the day, it was just okay to me & I won’t be reading any of the others but good show, jolly good show.
I love space books but I did want more drama/plot/stakes. It just didn’t ever seem like anything was happening. Even in the moments where things were happening.
I actually did like the characters & I liked some of the commentary in the book, it was interesting. At the end of the day, it was just okay to me & I won’t be reading any of the others but good show, jolly good show.
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
I liked this! It felt slow sometimes & then really fast at the end but overall pretty evenly paced. It was political & romantic & had a little magic & a little mystery & I enjoyed every little piece.
The reveal of who was behind everything seemed very out of nowhere/rushed. Idk,, they explained it so it made sense but also it was so close to the end & then everything devolved into warmongering violence?? I was clutching my pearls but also enjoying it.
There was way more murder/physical violence in this book than I thought & there is some sexual violence at the beginning & the aftermath is a theme throughout the book so once again I should’ve looked up the content warnings. Anyway! I liked it, the romance was sweet, and the story was intriguing to ME! I hope the second book is good.
Also, I picked up this book bc it was on display at the library & then I saw in my camera roll that I saved a picture of someone recommending this book based on other books I’ve read so I feel like I was meant to read & like this. Isn’t that fun? (It is.)
The reveal of who was behind everything seemed very out of nowhere/rushed. Idk,, they explained it so it made sense but also it was so close to the end & then everything devolved into warmongering violence?? I was clutching my pearls but also enjoying it.
There was way more murder/physical violence in this book than I thought & there is some sexual violence at the beginning & the aftermath is a theme throughout the book so once again I should’ve looked up the content warnings. Anyway! I liked it, the romance was sweet, and the story was intriguing to ME! I hope the second book is good.
Also, I picked up this book bc it was on display at the library & then I saw in my camera roll that I saved a picture of someone recommending this book based on other books I’ve read so I feel like I was meant to read & like this. Isn’t that fun? (It is.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
slow-paced
1.0
I didn’t expect this book to be anything but ass & I was right!!
1. Why was it 500 pages & why didn’t they kiss until 450 pages in?
2. Why was she all of a sudden in love after saying she hated this man & barely acknowledging his good characteristics for 400 pages?
3. Needed more figure skating competitions like, that would’ve been so fun.
4. Terrible pacing.
5. It was FIVE HUNDRED PAGES!!!!
Overall, I think it would’ve been better as a 300 page book. I saw the potential & I could really see the vision but I kept getting disappointed. I’ve seen this story done better on ao3 if I’m honest.
1. Why was it 500 pages & why didn’t they kiss until 450 pages in?
2. Why was she all of a sudden in love after saying she hated this man & barely acknowledging his good characteristics for 400 pages?
3. Needed more figure skating competitions like, that would’ve been so fun.
4. Terrible pacing.
5. It was FIVE HUNDRED PAGES!!!!
Overall, I think it would’ve been better as a 300 page book. I saw the potential & I could really see the vision but I kept getting disappointed. I’ve seen this story done better on ao3 if I’m honest.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
4.0
This book definitely had its issues like the writing & also the wishy washy-ness of the love interest but idc!!! I really enjoyed it!! Black love wins again!!!! 🗣️🗣️🗣️
No but seriously,, maybe Lily should’ve went w someone else but I enjoyed reading their relationship. I think the conflict was “resolved” too quickly w no real resolution honestly & overall maybe some things needed to be fleshed out a teensy bit more.
This was enjoyable though so none of my critiques matter bc I’m ignoring them all 🥰
No but seriously,, maybe Lily should’ve went w someone else but I enjoyed reading their relationship. I think the conflict was “resolved” too quickly w no real resolution honestly & overall maybe some things needed to be fleshed out a teensy bit more.
This was enjoyable though so none of my critiques matter bc I’m ignoring them all 🥰