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jedore's reviews
503 reviews
The Veins of the Ocean by Patricia Engel
This is a quiet story about big emotions. It follows Reina, a young Colombian woman, as she navigates life in Miami, balancing the demands of family and her own aspirations. The novel delves into the immigrant experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of family.
Engel does a fantastic job of crafting Reina as a complex and relatable character. Her struggles felt authentic and raw, and I found myself invested in her journey. Nesto, her Cuban boyfriend, could have benefited from further exploration. The supporting characters remained in the shadows.
I was initially frustrated by Reina's decision to prioritize her brother's life over her own. But, a surprising plot twist completely flipped my perspective. While the reveal wasn’t exactly jaw-dropping, it added a layer of depth to the story that I appreciated.
As someone who has spent the last three years living in Panama, I connected deeply with the immigrant experience portrayed in the novel. My experiences enabled me to connect to Reina and Nesto’s struggles on a more personal level. I was rooting for their happiness, whether they chose to be together or apart.
This is a slow-paced novel that is a poignant story about family trauma and the immigrant experience. If you're into action, it's not going to be for you. But, if you appreciate a literary exploration of the complexities of human relationships, give it a read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
“...the internet is the world's biggest backyard freezer, keeping everything fresh...”
This is a quiet story about big emotions. It follows Reina, a young Colombian woman, as she navigates life in Miami, balancing the demands of family and her own aspirations. The novel delves into the immigrant experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of family.
Engel does a fantastic job of crafting Reina as a complex and relatable character. Her struggles felt authentic and raw, and I found myself invested in her journey. Nesto, her Cuban boyfriend, could have benefited from further exploration. The supporting characters remained in the shadows.
I was initially frustrated by Reina's decision to prioritize her brother's life over her own. But, a surprising plot twist completely flipped my perspective. While the reveal wasn’t exactly jaw-dropping, it added a layer of depth to the story that I appreciated.
As someone who has spent the last three years living in Panama, I connected deeply with the immigrant experience portrayed in the novel. My experiences enabled me to connect to Reina and Nesto’s struggles on a more personal level. I was rooting for their happiness, whether they chose to be together or apart.
This is a slow-paced novel that is a poignant story about family trauma and the immigrant experience. If you're into action, it's not going to be for you. But, if you appreciate a literary exploration of the complexities of human relationships, give it a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
This book will takes you on a journey to early 20th century New York City, where you'll get to know Coralie Sardie, a girl with webbed fingers who performs as a mermaid in her father’s Coney Island freak show, and Eddie Cohen, a Jewish immigrant and photographer who has fled his father's strict faith. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Hoffman's novel weaves an interesting tale of love, mystery, and the quest for identity.
Having read four of Hoffman's books now, I can conclude that while she may not be my favorite author, I do generally enjoy her work. One consistent theme in her novels, including this one, is the presence of at least one Jewish character, which offers readers a glimpse into Jewish history and culture. One of the reasons I like her books is their combination of storytelling and education.
Hoffman's character development is, as always, a highlight. She has a knack for creating well-rounded and believable characters. However, despite her skill, I haven’t yet fallen in love with any of her characters, although I came close with Magic Lessons. This trend continued with this book...the characters were compelling, but none fully captured my heart.
One of Hoffman's strengths is the meticulous research she puts into her historical novels. As someone who loves New York City history, I particularly appreciated the detailed depiction of the Shirtwaist Factory fire and its impact on the city's landscape and labor movement.
While the plot was overall predictable, there were enough surprises to keep me engaged. I always appreciate when a story can still catch me off guard, even if I can see some twists coming.
I'd definitely recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers. Hoffman's blend of history, romance, and mystery makes for an enjoyable read, even if it doesn’t top my list of favorite books. Her attention to historical detail and her ability to create vivid, if not entirely lovable, characters, ensures that her novels are always worth picking up.
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
“Eddie had come to understand that what a man saw and what actually existed in the natural world often were contradictory. The human eye was not capable of true sight, for it was constrained by its own humanness, clouded by regret, and opinion, and faith. Whatever was witnessed in the real world was unknowable in real time. It was the eye of the camera that captured the world as it truly was.”
This book will takes you on a journey to early 20th century New York City, where you'll get to know Coralie Sardie, a girl with webbed fingers who performs as a mermaid in her father’s Coney Island freak show, and Eddie Cohen, a Jewish immigrant and photographer who has fled his father's strict faith. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Hoffman's novel weaves an interesting tale of love, mystery, and the quest for identity.
Having read four of Hoffman's books now, I can conclude that while she may not be my favorite author, I do generally enjoy her work. One consistent theme in her novels, including this one, is the presence of at least one Jewish character, which offers readers a glimpse into Jewish history and culture. One of the reasons I like her books is their combination of storytelling and education.
Hoffman's character development is, as always, a highlight. She has a knack for creating well-rounded and believable characters. However, despite her skill, I haven’t yet fallen in love with any of her characters, although I came close with Magic Lessons. This trend continued with this book...the characters were compelling, but none fully captured my heart.
One of Hoffman's strengths is the meticulous research she puts into her historical novels. As someone who loves New York City history, I particularly appreciated the detailed depiction of the Shirtwaist Factory fire and its impact on the city's landscape and labor movement.
While the plot was overall predictable, there were enough surprises to keep me engaged. I always appreciate when a story can still catch me off guard, even if I can see some twists coming.
I'd definitely recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers. Hoffman's blend of history, romance, and mystery makes for an enjoyable read, even if it doesn’t top my list of favorite books. Her attention to historical detail and her ability to create vivid, if not entirely lovable, characters, ensures that her novels are always worth picking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use
Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey
This novel is a compilation of intimate conversations between women spanning 20 years. The unnamed narrator is raw and honest about desire, self-discovery, and female identity as she navigates relationships, motherhood, and societal expectations.
Sounds good, right? That's why I chose it as a BOTM selection and gave it a solid chance all the way to the end...even though I was already rolling my eyes on Page 1.
For me, this book made a generation gap feel like a generation canyon. Whiny, self-indulgent, pretentious, entitled..these are just a few of the words that swirled around my head while I forced myself to plod forward.
I've never disliked a book so much that I grabbed a snack and read the reviews just for fun. My favorites were by orclnght and readcharlotte:
⭐️ "Oh no."
⭐️ "This was so self indulgent and pretentious. I hate-read the entire book. It was just really, really bad. I hope this woman finds some happiness, truly."
"...hate-read..." 🤣
This book is solid proof that I should never, ever, ever rely on book endorsements and awards when choosing a book. Based on the low average ratings of this book here and on Goodreads and Amazon, they are clearly being paid or have completely lost touch with the majority of readers.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
“Nothing is more desirable than that which is being withheld.”
This novel is a compilation of intimate conversations between women spanning 20 years. The unnamed narrator is raw and honest about desire, self-discovery, and female identity as she navigates relationships, motherhood, and societal expectations.
Sounds good, right? That's why I chose it as a BOTM selection and gave it a solid chance all the way to the end...even though I was already rolling my eyes on Page 1.
For me, this book made a generation gap feel like a generation canyon. Whiny, self-indulgent, pretentious, entitled..these are just a few of the words that swirled around my head while I forced myself to plod forward.
I've never disliked a book so much that I grabbed a snack and read the reviews just for fun. My favorites were by orclnght and readcharlotte:
⭐️ "Oh no."
⭐️ "This was so self indulgent and pretentious. I hate-read the entire book. It was just really, really bad. I hope this woman finds some happiness, truly."
"...hate-read..." 🤣
This book is solid proof that I should never, ever, ever rely on book endorsements and awards when choosing a book. Based on the low average ratings of this book here and on Goodreads and Amazon, they are clearly being paid or have completely lost touch with the majority of readers.
Charming Billy by Alice McDermott
This novel explores the tortured life of Billy Lynch, an Irish-American man whose charm and kindness mask his struggles with alcoholism and unfulfilled dreams. The story is primarily set in the 1990s in New York City when Billy's family and friends gather for his funeral and reminisce about the truths and illusions that shaped his life. The extensive flashbacks take you back to earlier periods of Billy's life, mostly in the mid-20th century.
This was a painfully SLOW burn for me. It felt like one of those dry classics we were forced to read when we were in high school or university...the kind where not much actually happens and it takes forever to get anywhere, but you'll spend a week discussing the themes of love, loss, and the complexities of memory.
The writing itself was good. In fact it reminded me a bit of John Steinbeck. I generally like Steinbeck's books, except for Tortilla Flat. Like Tortilla Flat, I found the characters unrelatable and unlikable.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
“Billy didn't need someone to pour him his drinks, he needed someone to tell him that living isn't poetry. It isn't prayer. To tell him and convince him. And none of us could do it because every one of us thought that as long as Billy believed it was, as long as he kept himself believing it, then maybe it could still be true.”
This novel explores the tortured life of Billy Lynch, an Irish-American man whose charm and kindness mask his struggles with alcoholism and unfulfilled dreams. The story is primarily set in the 1990s in New York City when Billy's family and friends gather for his funeral and reminisce about the truths and illusions that shaped his life. The extensive flashbacks take you back to earlier periods of Billy's life, mostly in the mid-20th century.
This was a painfully SLOW burn for me. It felt like one of those dry classics we were forced to read when we were in high school or university...the kind where not much actually happens and it takes forever to get anywhere, but you'll spend a week discussing the themes of love, loss, and the complexities of memory.
The writing itself was good. In fact it reminded me a bit of John Steinbeck. I generally like Steinbeck's books, except for Tortilla Flat. Like Tortilla Flat, I found the characters unrelatable and unlikable.
Those who are into reading and analyzing literary fiction will likely appreciate this book. For me, it was a bit of a slog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
This is a heartwarming story set in an indie bookstore on a small island on the East Coast. It follows A.J. Fikry, a grumpy bookstore owner, who finds his life turned upside down after a series of unexpected events, including the arrival of a mysterious package that changes everything.
Zevin has an amazing ability to tackle heavy themes, like abandonment and death, with a light-hearted and humorous touch. I found myself chuckling one moment and sniffling the next. It’s a balance that makes the story feel very real and deeply touching.
The characters are perfectly imperfect. A.J. Fikry himself, with his gruff exterior and curmudgeonly ways, is totally lovable. I was rooting for him as he navigated through his personal struggles and transformations. The supporting characters, each with their own quirks and flaws, add layers of interest and emotions to the story.
One of the best aspects of this book is the number of twists that Zevin throws at you. Just when I thought I had things figured out, she would throw in a curveball that genuinely surprised me. It’s not often that an author can do this to me!
A.J. Fikry may not be that old, but this book definitely fits into what I call “curmudgeon fiction.” A.J.’s grumpy demeanor and dry humor are endearing, and you find yourself charmed by his journey of self-discovery and redemption.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a heartwarming story filled with surprises that will make you laugh and cry!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Remember, Maya: the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life.
This is a heartwarming story set in an indie bookstore on a small island on the East Coast. It follows A.J. Fikry, a grumpy bookstore owner, who finds his life turned upside down after a series of unexpected events, including the arrival of a mysterious package that changes everything.
Zevin has an amazing ability to tackle heavy themes, like abandonment and death, with a light-hearted and humorous touch. I found myself chuckling one moment and sniffling the next. It’s a balance that makes the story feel very real and deeply touching.
The characters are perfectly imperfect. A.J. Fikry himself, with his gruff exterior and curmudgeonly ways, is totally lovable. I was rooting for him as he navigated through his personal struggles and transformations. The supporting characters, each with their own quirks and flaws, add layers of interest and emotions to the story.
One of the best aspects of this book is the number of twists that Zevin throws at you. Just when I thought I had things figured out, she would throw in a curveball that genuinely surprised me. It’s not often that an author can do this to me!
A.J. Fikry may not be that old, but this book definitely fits into what I call “curmudgeon fiction.” A.J.’s grumpy demeanor and dry humor are endearing, and you find yourself charmed by his journey of self-discovery and redemption.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a heartwarming story filled with surprises that will make you laugh and cry!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
This is a short story by Gillian Flynn, the mastermind behind Gone Girl (one of my all-time favorite books!). This main character of this 64-page quick read is a young woman who fakes reading auras and fortunes. Things get creepy when a wealthy client, Susan Burke, asks for help with her supposedly haunted house. As the narrator dives deeper, she gets caught in a whirlwind of spooky events and psychological twists that make you question what's real.
I'm not usually into short stories, but because I loved Gone Girl so much, I gave this one a go. Honestly, it just confirmed that short stories aren’t my thing. Flynn’s sharp writing and twisted plots are there, but the story felt too off and brief to be satisfying.
It started off pretty good, drawing me in with its intriguing setup and dark humor. But, it got weird—fast. The mix of supernatural and psychological stuff got confusing, and the story ended so abruptly I was left thinking, "WTH???".
Gone Girl is on my all-time favorites list. Sharp Objects was solid too, getting 3.75 stars from me. This was a big step down for me. I hope the next book I read by her reverses the downward trend so I don't have to reconsider my fandom!
Even if you like short stories, this one has had mixed reviews. Some people appreciate the clever twistiness, while others (like me) found it lacking. If you’re a big Flynn fan, it’s worth a quick read for her signature style, but if you’re iffy on short stories or looking for something meatier, this one might not do it for you.
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
“Money is wasted on the rich.”
This is a short story by Gillian Flynn, the mastermind behind Gone Girl (one of my all-time favorite books!). This main character of this 64-page quick read is a young woman who fakes reading auras and fortunes. Things get creepy when a wealthy client, Susan Burke, asks for help with her supposedly haunted house. As the narrator dives deeper, she gets caught in a whirlwind of spooky events and psychological twists that make you question what's real.
I'm not usually into short stories, but because I loved Gone Girl so much, I gave this one a go. Honestly, it just confirmed that short stories aren’t my thing. Flynn’s sharp writing and twisted plots are there, but the story felt too off and brief to be satisfying.
It started off pretty good, drawing me in with its intriguing setup and dark humor. But, it got weird—fast. The mix of supernatural and psychological stuff got confusing, and the story ended so abruptly I was left thinking, "WTH???".
Gone Girl is on my all-time favorites list. Sharp Objects was solid too, getting 3.75 stars from me. This was a big step down for me. I hope the next book I read by her reverses the downward trend so I don't have to reconsider my fandom!
Even if you like short stories, this one has had mixed reviews. Some people appreciate the clever twistiness, while others (like me) found it lacking. If you’re a big Flynn fan, it’s worth a quick read for her signature style, but if you’re iffy on short stories or looking for something meatier, this one might not do it for you.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Narrated by a little girl…couldn’t connect
Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton
This young adult fiction book is about Adam Petrazelli, a teenager dealing with schizophrenia. The story is told through Adam's raw and personal journal entries to his therapist.
Adam's hallucinations make it hard for him to tell what's real, but he's trying to fit in at high school, keep his family life together, and have a relationship with a girl named Maya.
If you love well-written young adult fiction, this book is a must-read. Julia Walton does an amazing job of creating a story that feels real and relatable, while also tackling the tough topic of mental health in a way that's both sensitive and insightful.
I learned so much about schizophrenia from this book. It really opened my eyes to what it's like living with this condition. Adam's experiences are intense and sometimes terrifying, and the way Walton describes his hallucinations and his struggle to differentiate between reality and delusion is both powerful and educational. My empathy for anyone grappling with this illness grew tenfold.
Adam’s fear of the future really hit me. Not only does he not know if the experimental drug he’s taking will keep working, but he has no idea what his future holds. That kind of uncertainty is horrifying to me!
This book is a quick read, which is perfect if you’re looking for something you can get through in a few days. The journal entry format and Walton's easy writing style make it hard to put down.
I’m excited to see the movie adaptation. The story and characters are so vivid that I think they'll translate well to the screen. If you haven't read "Words on Bathroom Walls" yet, I highly recommend it. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and it’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren't actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It's only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it.
This young adult fiction book is about Adam Petrazelli, a teenager dealing with schizophrenia. The story is told through Adam's raw and personal journal entries to his therapist.
Adam's hallucinations make it hard for him to tell what's real, but he's trying to fit in at high school, keep his family life together, and have a relationship with a girl named Maya.
If you love well-written young adult fiction, this book is a must-read. Julia Walton does an amazing job of creating a story that feels real and relatable, while also tackling the tough topic of mental health in a way that's both sensitive and insightful.
I learned so much about schizophrenia from this book. It really opened my eyes to what it's like living with this condition. Adam's experiences are intense and sometimes terrifying, and the way Walton describes his hallucinations and his struggle to differentiate between reality and delusion is both powerful and educational. My empathy for anyone grappling with this illness grew tenfold.
Adam’s fear of the future really hit me. Not only does he not know if the experimental drug he’s taking will keep working, but he has no idea what his future holds. That kind of uncertainty is horrifying to me!
This book is a quick read, which is perfect if you’re looking for something you can get through in a few days. The journal entry format and Walton's easy writing style make it hard to put down.
I’m excited to see the movie adaptation. The story and characters are so vivid that I think they'll translate well to the screen. If you haven't read "Words on Bathroom Walls" yet, I highly recommend it. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and it’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Sexual content, Outing
Minor: Mass/school shootings
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
They knew our names and they knew our parents. But they did not know us, because not knowing was essential to their power. To sell a child right from under his mother, you must know that mother only in the thinnest way possible. To strip a man down, condemn him to be beaten, flayed alive, then anointed with salt water, you cannot feel him the way you feel your own. You cannot see yourself in him, lest your hand be stayed, and your hand must never be stayed, because the moment it is, the Tasked will see that you see them, and thus see yourself. In that moment of profound understanding, you are all done, because you cannot rule as is needed.
This is a beautifully written novel that tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery with a mysterious power called "Conduction." This ability allows him to transport across great distances, a gift that becomes essential as he gets involved with the Underground Railroad. The novel is an emotional exploration of memory, family, and freedom, set against the backdrop of the antebellum South.
Coates' writing creates vivid imagery and conveys powerful emotions without making being overly complex or difficult to understand. His account of the Underground Railroad offers insights into the courage and ingenuity of those who risked everything for freedom through a combination of realism and magical realism. I'm not a big fan of mixing magical realism with historical fiction, so the former was a distraction for me.
Despite this, the story hit me hard. It's unfathomable that slavery was a reality, and Coates does not shy away from depicting its horrors. I was often flooded with empathy and outrage. There’s no doubt I would have joined the efforts of the Underground Railroad had I lived in that era.
This is a powerful and thought-provoking read!
Coates' writing creates vivid imagery and conveys powerful emotions without making being overly complex or difficult to understand. His account of the Underground Railroad offers insights into the courage and ingenuity of those who risked everything for freedom through a combination of realism and magical realism. I'm not a big fan of mixing magical realism with historical fiction, so the former was a distraction for me.
Despite this, the story hit me hard. It's unfathomable that slavery was a reality, and Coates does not shy away from depicting its horrors. I was often flooded with empathy and outrage. There’s no doubt I would have joined the efforts of the Underground Railroad had I lived in that era.
This is a powerful and thought-provoking read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexism