eitch's reviews
96 reviews

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill

4.0

Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill

2.0

The female MC had a whole 300 and more pages to grow up but still didn’t. She started her growth in the epilogue. Very minimal growth and change to her personality and character, if any. She’s only 18. I get it. I wasn’t exactly the most mature person at 18. But I’m certainly not who this book is written for at 28 either. Benny saying that she had no flaws in the last chapter really sealed the deal on me not liking this, then again he’s in love.

I started reading this book on July 20, 2022. I had high hopes for this because it involved baking and cooking for a career, which is something I dreamt of doing when I was Reese and Benny’s age. Very early on (6% or so), I realised that I couldn’t get into it. I picked it up again on February 9, 2023 because while I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate either so I didn’t want to dnf it.

I am not flawless and neither are the characters I write, so idk. Oh, and I’m not at all saying this was written badly. I have nothing to reproach on this element.

Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood

4.0

Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown, John Parra

hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing

5.0

 

"Ana has read her book, her only book, so many times she knows it by heart. The book was a gift from her teacher for working so hard on her reading and writing."

Luis Soriano's story was told countless of times and by many children's authors, journalists, bloggers, book reviewers too if you wish... this one is my personal favourite retelling of this story perhaps because it has an additional fictional element to it, and perhaps because it centers Ana, a little girl who has benefitted from Luis and his donkey library. Ana has only one book, but inside her are milions of stories. Ana is a reader but also, Ana is a storyteller.
The little illustrations that accompany the story are also so well done I wanted to live in them. I felt so inspired, dreamy, and transported.
I also especially loved the inclusion of the original Spanish terms along with their English translations.

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Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter

inspiring relaxing

4.5

 

"As soon as he reads one book, he brings home another. Soon the house is filled with books."

Luis Soriano devours books one after the other, so I couldn't but read the true story of this inspiring man.
This story hits very close to home, and like Luis, I'm drowning in books yet I want more. And like Luis, I also really dream of one day starting a library of some sorts: maybe a tiny library outside my future family house (if I ever own one), or a bigger one inside a café...
The colourful and vibrant drawings were definitely a plus to how enjoyable this children's book is. So fresh. So inspiring and dear.
I personally wanted something more for the ending. It felt abruptly switched off.

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Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese

2.0

This book (and the whole series) was highly recommended by everyone who read it, and I feel quite uneasy giving it 2 stars only, but it wasn’t for me. It’s important to know the difference between when a book isn’t good and when a book isn’t good for me and you know what? This book wasn’t written for me. The following review contains what some people might consider spoilers, so continue reading at your own risk.

Only When it’s Us follows the story of Willa, an athlete who is trying to navigate university classes all while winning her football games and hoping to get signed, and trying not to lose her terminally ill mother. In one of those classes, Willa is paired with star pupil Ryder who falls for her sooner than later. Ryder, an ex-football player himself is trying to navigate his new hearing loss. I really liked how this book presents and deals with disability, especially it being hearing loss in this case, because the media often equates disabilities with mobility. I also really enjoyed reading about Swedish culture and food and Ryder’s big family, especially because n0one of the other romance books I’ve read had a Swedish aspect to them.

I think I would have definitely enjoyed the book more if the military aspect wasn’t as prominent.
And if I didn’t dislike Willa’s mother enough for how often her service in the military is mentioned, she definitely cemented that with the way she kept pestering Ryder to make sounds and asking him why he willingly doesn’t talk, sort of guilting him into. That part annoyed me so much even if it’s meant to be a tough love situation and knowing what’s best for him. Yay hooray he speaks! He should be able to go his whole life not speaking if he wanted to.
On top of that, cancer is a sore topic for me. So basically, every scene that involved Willa’s mom was uncomfortable to me and I skimmed them.

I had higher hopes, but I digress. I really liked Ryder and his family. I’m really looking forward to Ren’s story next! I can tell I’ll enjoy it more. 

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

inspiring relaxing 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

4.0

Very touching and heartfelt story to represent that things aren't always what they seem and to show us how society sometimes (oftentimes) judges its members without knowing them. I especially loved the "basic" yet very well-planned art style that stayed true to the story being a story told by a pencil and some coloured crayons.
I took off 1 star and gave it 4 instead of 5 because towards the end when all the other crayons were praising the main character, I felt like it would have been nicer to see at least one or two of them still be saying something negative. More realistic, I think.
If I had a kid, I would read this to them. 

Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood

fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

They can’t all be 5-star winners, my dear Ali, and that’s okay.

It took me a bit longer to get into this one than Under One Roof and The Love Hypothesis to be honest, and I didn’t get the “must keep reading” feeling from it. I was reeled and hooked in when he asked her if she’d rather be in danger than be in the same space as him.

One thing I wasn’t particularly a fan of is the switching between present time and 3 weeks ago in each chapter. Just not my cup of tea, I guess.

I did really like the characters, their personalities and interests, and their quirks. Looking forward to the third novella!

 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

4.0

If you didn’t see my review of Book Lovers, here’s a quick summary: I was disappointed and didn’t understand the hype. I decided to give the author a second chance with Beach Read and to be fair, she redeemed herself in my eyes but I still don’t see the hype.

Beach Read was much better. The female MC, while still not as likeable as the male counterpart, has more substance to her character and is easier to care for.

I like that theme in both books is people who work on books- whether they write or edit or publish them.

I have some issues with how some plot elements played out to be frank. And I don’t particularly enjoy the way Emily Henry writes. But my emotions were tugged on and Gus Everett melted my heart. I even teared up at some points. My favourite part of the book, and the earner of these 4 stars, is the letters chapter.

I’m glad I read this book despite being disappointed in the other.

 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

2.25

This author has such a strong grip on most of my friends and people I follow on all social media. This is my first Emily Henry book because I wanted to see what the hype is, but I honestly still don’t get it. I don’t see it or understand it. It didn’t do it for me. I wanted to stop reading at so many different points. I didn’t get the usual feeling of getting so immersed in a book I forget the world around me. It took me 26 days to finish it.

So, my honest opinion? Emily Henry doesn’t know how to write likeable female characters. I loathed Libby so much. I didn’t absolutely abhor Nora but Charlie Lastra is so much more likeable, lovable even. Heck even his cousin is more interesting than the female MCs.

Next on the list is Beach Read because it’s apparently better than this one and I’m going to give this author another chance.

Both stars are for Charlie Lastra who single-handedly saved the whole book. That and the fact that they work on books in the editing and publishing world, which I very much enjoy.

Sorry Aya. Sorry Ghada.