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gothradiohour's reviews
306 reviews
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
Imogen, Obviously tells the story of Imogen coming or a weekend visit with Lili, one of her friends from high school to stay with her in her college dorm. Despite being in the same town Imogen has not visited Lili since she moved on campus. (At the beginning of the story, I wasn't sure if Imogen was still in high school, or she was taking gap year before start at the college in the fall.)
In the time since Imogen last saw Lili, Lili seems to have blossomed into her best queer self in the 7 months she's been attending college, and Imogen is worried she is just part of Lili's before life, and that all of Lili's cool new queer friends won't accept her. Despite her worries she falls in step seamlessly, and the weekend flies by despite the lie Lili told her friends that she and Imogen used to date. The easy acceptance from the friend group that Imogen is bi, rocks Imogen's world, and she is left grappling with if the lie is actually real or not. This is why labels can help, and later as the story progresses, severely hinder.
I loved the premise going in, delightful. However, by page 100 I could not take another round of Imogen doubting herself for the 100th time. Like I get it, coming out to oneself can be a very long and tedious process, especially when you're surrounded by other folks who have been out to themselves and publicly since they were younger teens, and you've felt slapped with the label as straight for so long your own feelings are unrecognizable.
I skipped to the last third of the book, and honestly didn't feel like I missed too much. I still got to enjoy the emotional climax of the story, and the happy ending.
This story has very slow pacing.
In the time since Imogen last saw Lili, Lili seems to have blossomed into her best queer self in the 7 months she's been attending college, and Imogen is worried she is just part of Lili's before life, and that all of Lili's cool new queer friends won't accept her. Despite her worries she falls in step seamlessly, and the weekend flies by despite the lie Lili told her friends that she and Imogen used to date. The easy acceptance from the friend group that Imogen is bi, rocks Imogen's world, and she is left grappling with if the lie is actually real or not. This is why labels can help, and later as the story progresses, severely hinder.
I loved the premise going in, delightful. However, by page 100 I could not take another round of Imogen doubting herself for the 100th time. Like I get it, coming out to oneself can be a very long and tedious process, especially when you're surrounded by other folks who have been out to themselves and publicly since they were younger teens, and you've felt slapped with the label as straight for so long your own feelings are unrecognizable.
I skipped to the last third of the book, and honestly didn't feel like I missed too much. I still got to enjoy the emotional climax of the story, and the happy ending.
This story has very slow pacing.
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Mystery, thriller, writers! Fun, fun, fun!
I nearly put down the book after the first few chapters because I found Alex, the protagonist so annoying. Thankfully I had a friend tell me how much she loved the book, and since we've liked many of the same books in the past I pushed ahead. I am so glad I did! There is certainly nothing wrong with a flawed protagonist, definitely on the outset. Alex found her strength in the story, and I couldn't have been happier for her. Despite the circumstances...
I loved the twists this story took. I do not care other reviewers said they were too over the top, it all felt in character. I had so much fun. It was zany, and scary. I am excited to see what Julia Bartz publishes next!
I nearly put down the book after the first few chapters because I found Alex, the protagonist so annoying. Thankfully I had a friend tell me how much she loved the book, and since we've liked many of the same books in the past I pushed ahead. I am so glad I did! There is certainly nothing wrong with a flawed protagonist, definitely on the outset. Alex found her strength in the story, and I couldn't have been happier for her. Despite the circumstances...
I loved the twists this story took. I do not care other reviewers said they were too over the top, it all felt in character. I had so much fun. It was zany, and scary. I am excited to see what Julia Bartz publishes next!
Emily the Strange by Rob Reger
3.0
I would call this a picture book rather than a graphic novel considering the low word count.
Cute, quick (very quick) read for any Emily the Strange enthusiast.
If you've never heard of Emily the Strange, this is a good introduction. She is a cult figure and for good reasons, spooky like Wednesday, but no parents around, just her best cat.
Cute, quick (very quick) read for any Emily the Strange enthusiast.
If you've never heard of Emily the Strange, this is a good introduction. She is a cult figure and for good reasons, spooky like Wednesday, but no parents around, just her best cat.
Nimona by ND Stevenson
5.0
Dragons, knights and cats! Oh my!
I love the story of Nimona, the shape-shifter who teams up with the "villain" of the kingdom. My heart was so full reading the story. So WHOLESOME. The ending was perfect leaving us with a glimmer of hope through it all. If there ever comes a sequel, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
This was my first N.D. Stevenson story, and they are such a joy to read! I've immediately checked out their Lumber Janes series, and their graphic novel memoir now are on my nightstand.
I love the story of Nimona, the shape-shifter who teams up with the "villain" of the kingdom. My heart was so full reading the story. So WHOLESOME. The ending was perfect leaving us with a glimmer of hope through it all. If there ever comes a sequel, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
This was my first N.D. Stevenson story, and they are such a joy to read! I've immediately checked out their Lumber Janes series, and their graphic novel memoir now are on my nightstand.
Over the Garden Wall Vol. 1, Volume 1 by Amalia Levari, Jim Campbell
3.0
I like the first story a lot of Greg's adventures, but then the second story of the woodsman's daughter was only ok.
Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun
2.0
Cute drawings, but I didn't get the misspelling choices. I was looking for teen/juv fiction about extensional dread and this was one of the few my library had. It's ok. Meh.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
4.0
This story came into my recommendations after I finished Lumber Janes N.D. Stevenson. Another story of being at camp out in the woods. Be prepared is half autobiographical, half fiction and full of sentiment and emotional truths. Being the odd kid out strikes a heavy chord in many of our lives. I am happy our main character finally gets what she wants in the end. Very cute. Will totally recommend to kids of all ages.
Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
4.0
A modern ghost story for kids everywhere! I read through this on my lunch break. Excellent illustrations!