helendipietro's reviews
272 reviews

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Go to review page

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-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? Yes

5.0

Half-Arse Human by Leena Norms

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

Pax and Peter’s bond will stay with me; this is definitely a memorable book which is told from alternating viewpoints. I’m a huge animal-lover and so I was fully invested, expecting huge things from this story. The quality of the writing is good and I can imagine schools using this one to discuss some difficult themes including the impact of war etc. It’s quite a bleak book but told in a beautiful way.

There were more sad parts than heartwarming parts and I think content warnings are beneficial for younger readers who might find some of this particularly upsetting.

I found the setting to be vague/ confusing and made it difficult for me to picture where they were and what it felt like to be there. Along with an unsatisfying ending, I had to drop another star for that personally!

Content Warnings

Beast Feast by Emma Yarlett

Go to review page

funny hopeful 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? N/A

5.0

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery by Laura Ellen Anderson

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Let's Talk: How to Have Better Conversations by Nihal Arthanayake

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I read this quickly and really enjoyed it! Nihal’s writing is very accessible and ‘Let’s Talk’ is an anecdotal and invigorating toolkit to having better conversations with anyone, any time. I liked the format of the book and range of people he spoke with/ quotes. I’ve started listening to his podcast.

How to Hide a Lion from Grandma by Helen Stephens

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

Mr. Brown's Bad Day by Lou Peacock

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced