Scan barcode
gena1203's reviews
93 reviews
Spare by Prince Harry
5.0
This book was phenomenal. I never knew much about Prince Harry, but his memoir was much more than simply another tell-all type read. His authentic and genuine story of grief, trauma, war, love, parenthood, etc., moved me in ways I didn't expect. His ability to remind audiences that he is not just some faraway figure--he is simply human wanting to live a life of service, contribution, and above all, love. What person on this planet doesn't deserve that? Everyone has a dysfunctional family, but we thankfully don't have to read about it on the front page everyday. I applaud his use of vulnerability as a sign of strength, am grateful for his authenticity, and genuinely hope that this world, (and mostly the media) can speak kindness and have respect for his family and wishes for privacy. I urge every single person out there to read this book.
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed
5.0
This book angered my soul very much like Angie Thomas' "The Hate U Give." It was skillfully crafted, and oh-so-timely! While this book is deemed YA, the jarring and relevant topics of Islamophobia and white supremacy are powerful. The book left me empathizing with the helplessness that Safiya and many of the other characters face throughout the book, yet hopeful and empowered to continue to disrupt the all-too-common vicious cycles of silence and inaction. Extraordinary and emotional book!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
5.0
Such an emotional ROLLERCOASTER! This book was outside my comfort zone in the setting of Alaska in the 1970s post-Vietnam era. However, it did NOT disappoint. The complexity of the characters was painfully beautiful with each interaction pulsing with such powerful, raw emotions. I could only digest it a few chapters at a time so that I could reconcile my own thoughts, but it still kept me hooked each night. While I normally am NOT a crier, the last 3-4 chapters in the book had me SOBBING--the tears continuously flowing as I finished the ending. This book is one I will not stop thinking/talking about for a long time.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3.0
I liked this book initially as it hooked my interest right from the beginning. However, it hit a lull about 100 pages in, and I felt as though the plot was moving in different directions whereas the initial plot line kind of plateaued. Around 230 pages in, the action picked up again, and I felt myself reading the rest out of frustration because I needed answers! The 1st book resolved to an extent, but it definitely made me WANT to read the rest of the series (or, at least the sequel). While I wasn't that impressed with the development of the characters or the overall development of the plot, the clues that WERE "solved" in the book were clever and well thought, so I decided to give JLB another chance with the next book of the series. Stay tuned.
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
4.0
JLB has redeemed herself in this book. SO many details and nuances were included in this sequel that I felt were lacking in the first book. Character development was better, yet I am still not that impressed with the Hawthorne brothers. However, they sort of grew on me a little in this book. Avery's character doesn't seem so bland or helpless, and I feel as though she is smarter than the reader may think. I still have more questions than answers, but I DO like the direction the overall storyline has taken at this point. I will be reading the 3rd book in the series, but TBD on whether I pick up the 4th book when it debuts later this year.
Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler
3.0
This book had an interesting concept which caught my attention. We sometimes find ourselves in situations where we swear we know EXACTLY what we would do, then reality hits and all of a sudden our sense of logic goes out the window. I felt this tension the entire time reading this book--one part annoyed that the main character kept making predictable choices, but on the other hand, I also understood her motivation and intrigue as she continued down the path we all knew would lead to something bad. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters own emotional journey, but this realization didn't come until the end of the book. This is definitely a book that will leave you questioning your own growth and sense of compassion at the end.
The Direction of the Wind by Mansi Shah
2.0
This read was interesting in the beginning. The only reason it is ending up with 2 stars for me is because the ending was such a disappointment IMO. This plot was ripe with complex characters who were full of potential. The 3rd person perspective of Nita's story was incredibly rich with emotion which Sophie's perspective was ridden with grief and curiosity throughout the first half. The 2nd half of the book was rushed with too many gaps to piece together. While I normally don't mind a sad ending, to me, Sophie wasted the entire book to end up right back where she started. What was the whole point of taking us on this journey with absolutely nothing to show for it. I felt awful for Nita's son, but then we were completely left in the dark regarding his perspective and role in this entire thread. After reading, I just felt like I sorted through a mess of a plot line that essentially was a waste of time.