ivi_reads_books's reviews
345 reviews

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Murderbot doing its thing—and I loved every second of it!

In Fugitive Telemetry, our favorite sarcastic, media-loving, reluctant hero is once again solving mysteries, this time in a classic murder investigation. Unlike previous entries, this one leans more into a detective procedural, which gives us a fresh angle on Murderbot’s dry wit, sharp observations, and begrudging cooperation with humans.

The humor? On point. The action? Tightly paced. And of course, Murderbot’s internal monologue remains the highlight of the series—equal parts hilarious, exasperated, and oddly endearing.

If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love this one. If you haven’t met Murderbot yet, what are you waiting for?

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The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-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? No

3.75

Andrew Joseph White’s The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is beautifully written, intense, and deeply unsettling. Set in 1800s England, it offers a harrowing look at how trans people were pathologized and confined, themes that sadly still resonate today. The story follows an autistic, trans boy trapped in a brutal institution, fighting for survival, freedom, and the right to exist as himself.

The medical horror is visceral—at times, too much for me—but it effectively underscores the cruelty of the world he’s up against. Despite the darkness, there’s a strong undercurrent of resilience and hope, especially in the way the protagonist slowly finds his people and his voice.

A gripping, emotional read that’s equal parts historical, gothic, and deeply personal.

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Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

Supercommunicators is a fascinating look at how we connect with others on a deeper level—not just through words but through emotional understanding and meaningful exchanges. Charles Duhigg breaks down different styles of communication and provides practical strategies for asking better questions, inviting real dialogue, and building stronger relationships.

One of the biggest takeaways? Effective communication isn’t about being the most articulate person in the room—it’s about making the other person feel heard. Duhigg shares engaging stories and research-backed insights that make this a valuable read for anyone who wants to improve their personal or professional relationships.

If you’re interested in psychology, human connection, or just want to be a better communicator, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging by Tara Roberts

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emotional funny informative medium-paced

4.0

Tara Roberts has the kind of curiosity and resilience that makes you want to follow her anywhere. In Written in the Waters, she takes readers on a deep dive—literally and figuratively—into the history of the transatlantic slave trade through the wrecks of sunken ships. Along the way, she explores what it means to reconnect with history, community, and herself.

The book is both educational and personal—Roberts doesn’t claim to have it all figured out, but that makes her journey even more compelling. Her passion for uncovering lost stories is contagious, and I learned so much about the intersection of diving, archaeology, and the legacy of slavery.

If you’re interested in history, adventure, and personal discovery, this is a fascinating and heartfelt read. Plus, the author seems like someone you’d love to sit down and have a long, deep conversation with.

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Jaded by Ela Lee

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

Jaded is a deeply realistic and emotional portrayal of trauma, resilience, and navigating a world where privilege and power shape every interaction. The way the main character processes her assault—her reactions, the way people around her respond, the silence, the pressure to move on—feels painfully authentic.

As the daughter of two immigrants who were shunned by their families for who they loved, she has spent her life feeling the weight of expectations. Her drive for financial security is understandable, especially in contrast to her wealthy, privileged white boyfriend and law firm colleagues—a stark reminder of the different worlds people navigate.

One strong aspect of this book is the female friendships. In a story that deals with heavy themes, they offer a grounding force, showing the importance of support and understanding.

This isn’t an easy read, but it’s a powerful one. Jaded captures the nuances of trauma, ambition, and belonging in a way that lingers long after the last page.

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Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

Reading Sunrise on the Reaping feels like stepping back into the world of The Hunger Games, but this time with the haunting knowledge that Haymitch will survive—though at what cost?

I never liked Haymitch in the original series. I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t get his act together. Now I do. This book peels back the layers of his past, revealing the brutal, heartbreaking events that shaped him into the mentor we first met in The Hunger Games.

Suzanne Collins delivers yet another thrilling, high-stakes survival story, packed with political tension, moral dilemmas, and gut-wrenching moments. The Games are just as terrifying as ever, and knowing the outcome didn’t make the journey any less gripping. I devoured this in two days.

If you love the original series, this is an essential read. It doesn’t just add to the story—it redefines how we see Haymitch and the horrors of the Capitol.

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Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

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emotional 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

4.5

Death of the Author is a sharp, layered, and unapologetically fierce novel about survival, family, and the power of telling your own story. It follows a disabled Nigerian woman living in the U.S., navigating the harsh realities of being Black, disabled, female, and a daughter of immigrants in a world that tries to limit her at every turn.

The main character is fierce, independent, and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone—including her large, opinionated family made up of both Igbo and Yoruba heritage. Stuck in a precarious work situation and financial insecurity, she hits rock bottom—until she writes the book she’s always wanted to write and, against the odds, strikes gold.

This book cleverly plays with form—a book within a book—and exposes the cutthroat nature of the publishing industry, reminding me of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang in its critique of gatekeeping and exploitation.

There’s also a sci-fi twist: Would you choose to enhance yourself with technology that makes you part robot if it meant financial security or a better future? And what would your family think of that decision?

The novel explores deep themes of cultural identity, family pressure, ableism, and independence while teaching me a lot about Nigerian culture and the immigrant experience in the U.S. The protagonist’s voice is bold and uncompromising—you may not always agree with her, but you’ll never forget her.

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My Notorious Life by Kate Manning

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adventurous emotional sad 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? No

4.25

My Notorious Life is a powerful, gritty, and heartbreaking piece of historical fiction based on a true story—one that feels both shockingly relevant and profoundly human. Inspired by one of the author’s own ancestors, the novel follows Axie Muldoon, a woman born into poverty in 1800s New York City, who rises from a life of hardship to become a notorious midwife and advocate for women’s reproductive rights.

The story touches on themes of poverty, motherhood, disability, and women's agency. Axie’s fierce determination to help other women—whether through

contraception, pregnancy care, or abortion—

comes at great personal cost, both emotionally and legally. The book explores how the cruel, unforgiving world of the time devalued and discarded those who were poor, disabled, or simply women trying to survive.

Axie’s mother’s work accident, resulting in the loss of her arm, is one of many examples of how easily people became invisible and unwanted.

One of the most fascinating and chilling aspects of the book is how it weaves in the beginnings of the Comstock Law—a law criminalizing the distribution of contraceptives and information about reproductive health. Manning shows not only how this law impacted women’s lives in the 1800s, but also how its shadow still looms today, 150 years later.

Beyond the political and social themes, it’s a story of love, loss, and resilience, featuring a complicated hate-love relationship between Axie and her man, layered with longing, betrayal, and loyalty.

This is not an easy read—it's cruel, sad, and often rage-inducing—but it’s also full of hope and a reminder of how women have always found ways to resist, survive, and defy the limitations imposed upon them.

Thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy.

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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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challenging dark emotional informative sad 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? N/A

4.5

The Nightingale is one of those books that makes you care deeply about its characters—then rips your heart out and stomps on it. Set in WWII France, it follows two sisters navigating the horrors of war in their own ways—one through quiet resilience, the other through active resistance.

This novel doesn’t shy away from suffering, violence, and the brutality of war, particularly the devastating experiences of women during WWII. There’s heartbreak at every turn—families torn apart, impossible choices, and the unthinkable realities of a concentration camp.

This is a historical fiction novel that stays with you long after you finish. If you love stories about courage, sacrifice, and resilience, prepare to be both devastated and in awe.

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The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

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challenging dark emotional sad 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? No

4.5

The House of Eve is a powerful and emotional historical fiction novel set in the 1950s and 1960s, exploring themes of motherhood, race, class, and societal expectations. It follows the lives of two Black women—one wealthy and unable to have children, the other poor and facing an unplanned pregnancy—and the complex, heartbreaking choices they must make in a world that constantly tries to limit them.

The characters feel deeply real and nuanced, and the writing draws you into their struggles, sacrifices, and dreams.

The author’s note at the end is a must-read—it adds important context and deepens the impact of the story.

Highly recommended if you enjoy multi-POV, character-driven historical fiction that doesn't shy away from tough topics.

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ivi_reads_books's reviews 345 reviews

ivi_reads_books's reviews
345 reviews