itsawrapxx's reviews
177 reviews

emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I highly recommend the audiobook. I can see this being adapted into a film or series. The question of whether Michael did commit the acts he was being accused of on "the list" kept me locked into the story. But I will say regardless of whether Michael was innocent or guilty, Ola and Michael had bigger fish to fry in their relationship. They had no business getting married. The list was the catalyst to see how the cracks in their relationship had already been forming. I am indifferent about the ending, but this book is a conversation starter.

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The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

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lighthearted 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

3.5

this was a cute romance. I wasn't too invested in the love story between Lily and Nick. The story read a little like a YA romance to me, but that might just be me.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

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emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

I love how this book touches on so many themes so seamlessly as Stephen comes into adulthood and navigates his twenties, from first loves to family, and even grief. This book is not too long, but juggles so much so very well. I love this author's writing style. This book had so many good lines.

Heartbreak U by Johnni Sherri

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3.5

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really brought this story to life. I wish the story hadn't been so heavily driven by their relationship to the male partners in the book. I would have love to see more of the 4 main characters navigating university and there budding friendship. Either way I was still entertained.

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The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

This was one of the releases this year that I highly anticipated but the story dragged for me. So many issues were tackled that it felt overwhelming and the long inner monologue from the main character bogged down the narrative at times.

Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

I had to sit with this one for a little bit. I wasn't fully invested in the story until the third act when we got into Selasi's POV. This was one of the books I anticipated reading the most this year, but it left me a little underwhelmed. Overall though, I was still invested in the story from beginning to end and what we learn of Selasi, Akorfa, and her mother from their dual perspective. Akorfa and Selasi's story was compelling enough but it just wasn't very impressionable for me.

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Single Black Female by Tracy Brown

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emotional sad tense medium-paced

3.0

I felt like I read 2 different books. The very last act of the book came out of nowhere for me (I also did not read the book summary which also explains why I wasn't prepared). I also wasn't very much of a fan of how the topic of police brutality was handled in the book either.

A Sick Life: TLC 'n Me: Stories from On and Off the Stage by Tionne Watkins

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I had such a great time with this audiobook. T-boz's narrator was perfect and the way she mimicked Left-Eyes's voice was so good. TLC has some very iconic moments and I loved how T-boz touched them all honestly from her perspective. T-boz was my first introduction to sickle cell disease. She really delves into her struggles with the disease and it was amazing how she juggled the fame and all the craziness that comes with it on top of her stints in the hospital with sickle cell. The title is so appropriate. It also made me remember just how iconic TLC is and how groundbreaking of a group they were. they definitely don't get their just due from the industry for just how definitive they were through the nineties.

The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams

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reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This book read like a play but I struggled with what exactly I walked away with by the end of it all. It is divided into 3 perspectives: the wife, the husband, and Temi the best friend of the wife. All of the characters are flawed in an unlikeable way. I feel like there was interesting commentary about who exactly 'The wife" is outside of her pleasing her family, husband, and best friend but it seemed so poorly executed that her wish-washy behavior just irritated me. This book had potential but in the end it just fell flat for me.

The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

4.0

I 100% understand why most people recommend the audiobook version. It felt like a conversation and at times I forgot Mariah was reading from her book. I am a self-proclaimed lamb so there were some parts of her life and career that I wish she elaborated on especially in the later half of her career with Nick Canon and after. Either way, I still did learn a lot about her life, especially her relationship with her family which is probably the most insight we've gotten into family dynamics ever in her career. This is definitely a memoir I recommend.

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itsawrapxx's reviews 177 reviews

itsawrapxx's reviews
177 reviews