goodwitchclover's reviews
71 reviews

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

One of the few books to ever make me cry. This book—which, to be clear, is a true story—choses to prioritize the humanity in both of the people it tells the story of. It is such a beautifully empathetic approach to this tragedy, and I would really encourage anyone and everyone to give it a read.

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

challenging dark hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

The irony that Frankenstein himself is the true villain of the story, yet Frankenstein’s “monster” is the image always portrayed in pop culture, is not lost on me.

The Blue Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Easily one of the coolest takes on hacker culture, and for a nerd like me, the thrill really does work.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

An absolutely amazing read, dedicated to the horrors and oppression inherent in the institutions of that time, with a brutal and brilliant ending.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

There is a certain hopelessness here, when we talk about the innate hostility and dismissal placed upon the feet and shoulders of black and brown people in this country, that Toni Morrison captures in a manner that is very difficult to replicate.

Artificial Divide by Randy Lacey

inspiring medium-paced

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

3.5

I love the concept of this collection, but I might’ve liked it more if so many of the stories weren’t so… weird? Like, quite a few were erotic? It should’ve been more thoughtfully curated.

Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo by Reggie Fils-Aimé

informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

Maybe I had high expectations for this book, but I suppose it felt a bit… basic? As in, most of the messages/the “So What?” parts of this didn’t seem to be particularly complex or new, and that’s coming from someone who really doesn’t have that much exposure to business culture. But still, it was a decent read!

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

emotional reflective 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? No

4.5

Something about being able to know the length of your life—and other people’s—is just incredibly compelling, and the characters the author chose to reflect it is wonderful. I definitely think about this one a lot, and I’d like to explore it further.

Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.5

It’s a great read in itself, but in addition to that, this is a book that caught me at the right time. It really helped to remind me to be kinder to myself, or at least to allow for a bit more clarity in my life. I think about it a lot.

The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Alex Trebek was a good man, but it’s clear that he was never an especially great writer. It’s not a bad book, though, and I can appreciate this title for what it is!