dwdillydally's reviews
104 reviews

A Map Into the World by Kao Kalia Yang

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Death

The Dementia Diaries by Matthew Snyman

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

This is an appealing way to present how dementia effects families. It's relatable, funny, and overflows with empathy. Lots of illustrations and a variety of fonts - similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Geronimo Stilton. To quote the cover, "A novel in cartoons."

It is by a British publisher; I happen to be an American reader. The casual text includes a lot of UK slang and pop culture references. Plus, the resources at back lead to UK organizations and websites. I didn't mind, but I mention it because your reading needs may vary.

My only quibble is the sturcture (...pacing?) of the stories. There are 6 chapters, each with 4 characters writing their diary entry. (Plus, an activitysection, but these were my least favorite part. Seemed like homework. ) Each chapter is suppose to give examples of how dementia progress, "chapter 2: first signs... chapter 3: ways of coping... chapter 6: thinking about the future." I would have preferred that each character told their story all the way through. Rather than bouncing between 4 different journal entries. I would've been able to understan  the narratives more clearly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia

Minor: Excrement and Car accident

description of nudity, one comedic cartoon of a grandfather in underwear

Matrix by Lauren Groff

5.0

When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down by Joan Morgan

5.0

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Just finished this. Mind blown! It's not above criticism, but there is so much food for thought here. I find Herbert's writing style is over-explainatory. He is verbose even when he doesn't need to be. But this style also reveals more with each reread. Reading Dune is like panning for gold; you have to sift through a lot of sediment to find your treasure.

FYI, you'll need to read the first Dune book. Otherwise, much of the sci-fi terminology will just be sci-fi goobbly-muck.

Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb

funny lighthearted fast-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? Yes

3.5

Reminds me of Dr. Seuss' language. Made up words that make sense in the rhyming plot: buffalo, fluffalo, huffalo, "I've had enuffalo!" Most of illustrations are spread across two pages, rich in color, and show a variety of expressive animals, native to North America"s Great Plains.

Dinosaur Pirates! by Penny Dale

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Rhythmic, repeative text, but it doesn't rhyme and uses surprisingly rich words. The illustrations are fun and detailed, almost like an i-spy sort of book.

Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty, Mike Boldt

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Advice from a "smart" dog. Made me and my 10yo laugh out loud, especially the dog's facial expressions. 

Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting (Now with Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting) by Pamela Druckerman

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0