ellieschaben's reviews
620 reviews

Home by Matt de la Peña

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC of this book! 

This audiobook was wonderful, and with all the other reviews on illustrations, I can’t imagine having both versions and how immersive it would feel. Usually with other sounds in audiobooks, I get overwhelmed, but this was just the right amount of background noise to make you feel like you are in each scene as it is described. This book did a great job of expanding on the definition of home and demands inclusivity for those that have encountered any obstacles that come in the way of a traditional home. I would have no hesitation adding this one to my library!

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies by Megan McDonald

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Thank you to Libro FM and Candlewick Press for the ALC of this book! 

As a kid, I loved Judy Moody books, and I know that I would have loved books about fairy doors and hidden worlds. Eliza is such an engaging protagonist, and her adventure in the land of the flower fairies is too cute. Would definitely add to a child’s library if they like fantasy, other worlds, flowers/nature, or fairies!

Wheetle: A Little Wagon with a Big Heart by Cindy Derby

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC of this book!

A cute story about burnout, self-care, and learning when to say “no”. Boundaries are hard to set for adults, and this definitely can help start the conversations early! 

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

adventurous emotional hopeful tense 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

4.5

I can die happy because Rune and Gideon are just my favorite enemies-to-lovers and this book was redeeming and gives them the perfect storyline. While I do agree that this book was more predictable than the first, I was entranced the ENTIRE time. Definitely a duology that I will return to again and again! 

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

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

3.75

This book made me appreciate being a sister and the relationship you share. But holy hell, it is depressing. It follows each sister and their grief after the death of their 4th sister and how it unravels each of their lives in both good and bad ways.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I don’t know what to think of this one, but I know I need a fluffy palate cleanser 

Sci-fi is not my typical genre, but I’ve read several. I love dystopian. This book feels so hopeless. I hate being alone so this book is like my worst nightmare come true

I don’t know if I recommend this one? It’s going to stick in my brain, but I don’t know if that’s for good reasons or bad

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

This was cute! I really enjoyed Nick and Lily’s characters and their chemistry. I loved hearing about their jobs and their struggles within those. Secret identity is a fun trope for me, even though this situation would be so coincidental/unrealistic! I also loved getting a preview of Violet and Iris’ personalities before reading their own stories. 

This reminds me so much of the Brown Sisters (Talia Hibbert), even though both sets of sisters and their personalities are SO DIFFERENT. Love the interconnected stories and the different paths they take! Also I met Kristina Forest in STL and she is the sweetest! 

Not in My Book by Katie Holt

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

I really enjoyed this one! Aiden and Rosie are academic enemies (to lovers), and this is one of my favorite tropes BUT we do get a 3rd act breakup and it’s over miscommunication, which is my least favorite trope (womp, womp). We do see one bed (ALWAYS a hit). I also really liked the clips from their book they were writing - a fun reflection for the characters while also having GREAT banter

A House of Cloaks & Daggers by Loren Little

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This was a great debut! This one sucked me in by the end! The beginning is a slow burn, but there’s plenty of adventure and action throughout the whole thing. This does end on a cliffhanger, and now I’m READY for the next one. 

Second Rite by Geneva Lee

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Meh, I felt like nothing happened in this one? Like some big things DID actually happen, but the pacing made it feel like nothing did. 

Once again, will be continuing because it is my wonderful trashy TV show at the moment and I love trashy TV