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hannahleelovestoread's Reviews (635)
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a one-of-a-kind volume of children’s poetry, its catchy and charming rhyme scheme almost deceptive in comparison to the weight of its environmental themes. It was written for very young readers who are in a position to begin developing their own, unique dietary habits and preferences. The story within begins with little Nia weighing her passion for growing and eating fruits and vegetables against her parents’ encouragement toward meat and other, heartier foods. Ultimately deciding on the compromise of a plant-based diet which includes substitutions for meat and the like, Nia then lives her live as an advocate for clean living and a healthy climate.
The authors do an admirable job of tackling such a serious topic in a children’s book, particularly given that the whole plot is presented in rhyming verse. Furthermore, the illustrations are breathtaking and supplement the story beautifully. This is a fine piece of children’s literature.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book is a master class in how to recover from trauma induced by a motor vehicle accident. As the title suggests, the book advises an active approach re-exposing oneself to driving again as soon as possible after the traumatic accident. But readers aren’t left with only that vague advice; this book provides numerous, specific examples of therapeutic methods, lifestyle changes, and self-soothing techniques which are scientifically proven to be helpful in healing post-traumatic stress.
For me, this was an emotional read. I have been in a physically and emotionally traumatic car accident, as have several of my family members. Numerous solutions suggested in this book were vital to my recovery and that of my loved ones. Some of my favorites were 4-7-8 breathing, exposure therapy, and establishing a safety check routine for each time I drive. I’m so thankful to the author for providing others who live with motor-vehicle-accident-induced trauma with an outlet that could help them live happier lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Car accident
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
It can hardly be disputed that human beings are vastly different from one another in countless ways. However, this book argues that the one thing we all have in common is nature. Nature is defined as the sum total of all known and unknown forces within a given space-time. All natural phenomena are underpinned by certain principles, patterns, and intelligence, and this idea is referred to as the titular “nature’s mindset.” The book goes on to explain that this way of thinking can be divided into ten principles underlying three major pillars: survival, evolution, and contribution. The book’s main argument is that if humanity would align themselves and their behavior with these principles, they would be immeasurably healthier, happier, and more successful.
I have written quite the simplified overview of this book’s topic. Truthfully, it is one of the most thought-provoking works I have ever read, and its contents could easily be expanded into an undergraduate course at a liberal arts university. My favorite of the three pillars was “contribution.” It promotes an inherent, interspecies camaraderie: “The oak tree doesn’t decide to share nutrients with surrounding plants through its root network—this sharing emerges naturally from its way of being.” My only complaint regarding this book was its dismissal of the good that classic philosophical discussion, organized religion, self-help books, and the like can contribute to the human condition. Many of these are, in fact, particularly adamant that concepts similar to the ones discussed in the “contribution” section are crucial for a successful society. However, I still greatly enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to readers and nature lovers alike.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Have your tissues ready when you read this book, because it is devastating. A young adult retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the beginning is deceptively cozy and comedic. Miriam and Dante, teenagers from the Italian village of Ortona, meet during a chance encounter and fall for each other quickly. A Jew and a Catholic, respectively, Miriam and Dante don’t mind their differences; in fact, each is fascinated by the other. But as World War II roars on, Italy more strongly establishes itself as an Axis power, and the violence of Hitler and Mussolini — along with the calculated persecution of Jewish people — arrives in usually peaceful Ortona.
This book is, if possible, even more tragic than the original play. I think this is because it features much more realistic plot points (as opposed to Friar Lawrence’s famous sleeping potion), and because the young lovers are a few crucial years older. Don’t expect a happy ending at all, and do expect the theme to focus more on blaming war and the evil of the world in general than on the bad decisions of parents and how they affect children. Despite its terribly sad ending, as a fan of Shakespeare tragedies, I loved this book. The author clearly has a thorough knowledge of both World War II history and of Shakespeare’s works, and I am eager to read more of their work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a melancholic novella set in an unnamed town rife with poverty. The various topics it covers are all related to an overarching theme of the ordinary — and dysfunctional — family. In the story, Doris and Alfred are a married couple who strive each day to make ends meet. Their children, teenager Sarah and her little brother Kanut, are sources of both great joy and extreme stress for their parents. Doris believes that, overall, her family is happy — but her husband has secrets.
This book could be considered a vignette; it has no remarkable beginning or end, and there are no resolutions to the problems which arise during the story. Alfred, Doris, and their children seem to epitomize Tolstoy’s famous maxim from Anna Karenina which translates roughly to “Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” I was a little confused during this read, but overall, it was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Death
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This adventurous novella — which takes place in the interim between Alyssa Rose’s full-length novels, Beginning Fate and Enchanted Fate — explores Princess Aironell’s first days in the DarkFlower Jungle. The princess recently used her magical powers to disappear from her homeland of Bachusa only to, much to her surprise, end up in the DarkFlower Jungle. She also gets more than she bargained for when she is tasked with training for service under the mysterious Dark Sovereign with the smug, arrogant Drefan. But then, she begins to develop feelings toward Drefan which are very different from her initial frustration — just as she is making discoveries about the DarkFlower Jungle that she isn’t sure she wants to know.
This novella is action-packed and full of sharp and witty dialogue. I enjoyed meeting Aironell’s character again and learning more about her journey. While the premise of the story was exciting, I felt that it didn’t quite deliver; I wasn’t as captivated during my reading as I was with the full-length novels of the Fates Align duology. However, I would still recommend reading it if you’re an Alyssa Rose fan. I had the privilege of receiving an advanced reader copy, for which I am very grateful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book opens with a beautiful woman named Gwen abruptly ending her years-long relationship with the main character, Jake. As Jake struggles to come to terms with the sudden loss of his partner, he simultaneously grapples with the ups and downs of modern dating, a budding career in the corporate world, and the careful balance required to maintain a successful online presence. He initially believes he has found Gwen’s ideal replacement in the fun and seductive Zoe, but something seems off.
After finishing this book, I may be in what the reading community calls a “slump” for a while. The story is both relatable and delightfully quirky, and I found its subtitular label of “new adult comedy” succinctly accurate. The characters — even the less likable of the cast — are richly developed, and the writing style is witty and unassuming. I wholeheartedly recommend this modern and comedic work of literature to all readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Minor: Violence, Vomit