hellafine's reviews
112 reviews

Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

truly a masterpiece 

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

informative fast-paced

1.5

*yawn*

Vicious Fae by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

i didn’t know why there was so much buzz around this book. i am not of the age where i would recognize jenette mccurdy and i could not understand why she would be glad her mom died and not get canceled. ana now that i’ve read it, i get it. you don’t need to know her to be able to follow the story of a young child actor being abused by her narcissistic mother, but she manages to tell the story in such an amusing way that you laugh along with her even while absorbing the very tragic reality of her life. i recommend this to anyone with eating issues, mommy issues, and anyone struggling to find themselves. fascinating read. 

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

it was brilliant in every way. i learned a tremendous amount. i laughed. i cried. the story came together so beautifully. it was heartbreaking and hopeful. just brilliant!

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

never knew how much i’d love ina but she has an amazing story that makes you hopeful about watching your own story unfold. 

Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher

adventurous informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

very thorough and detailed. fascinating story. i learned a lot about her. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

4.5

a reminder that the characters of books are finite and they live out the lives of classic tropes. but, in real life, nothing is guaranteed and we must move forward without the guarantee of the end’s resolution anyhow. 

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.75

an absolutely necessary read in consideration of the current political climate and the history of colonialism the world over told through magic and set in dark academia. such a brilliant read!

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

adventurous dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

michelle macnamara wrote this book beautifully and i wish she had been here to see it published and to see the golden state killer found.