Scan barcode
itsawrapxx's reviews
193 reviews
The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Single Black Female by Tracy Brown
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
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
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
Confessions Of A Hustla's Housekeeper by Jahquel J.
sad
tense
fast-paced
2.5
I listened to the audiobook and it felt like the narrator was shouting at me the whole time, but I still enjoyed how she brought the book to life because I probably would have dropped it had I been reading it. Whew! The mess and dramatics of it all. the actual writing wasn't all that compelling, but the drama and theatrics definitely made this a page-turner for me. Also, I did not like Roddy at all and he never really became redeemable to me, I was not rooting for Yves to end up with him at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Don't Cry for Me: A Novel by Daniel Black
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an honest and sincere story for me. I did like, nor agree with Jacob, but it wasn't a completely deplorable character to me. If anything, he was a flawed man whose very ridge views of gender and patriarchy caused his suffering and to have truly fulling relationships. I thought book was well done.
True to the Game by Teri Woods
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I watched the film, and it encouraged me to read the book. The narrator was really the only one saving Grace, and I don't know how I managed to finish this outside of that. I'm assuming Teri Woods's later works are better developed. There are so many Characters and plot lines going on within the book that, at times it is hard to follow. There are also some inconsistencies in the plot. We don't know very much about these characters, and because of that, I don't feel this immense love that Gena and Quadir have for one another, and I didn't feel any way about his death either I believe many people might love this book for the nostalgia of it all, but I think the urban fiction genre has come a long way since the publication of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Violence, and Kidnapping