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jkaufman's reviews
48 reviews
Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
2.5
Firstly, I am not the target audience for this book, so if the review seems harsh, or low in ratings that’s why. With that being said, I am an adoring fan of Red, White, and Royal Blue- have yet to read One Last Stop.
From the first ten pages I thought I was reading Paper Towns by John Green- it just really gave me that vibe, if you’ve read it you’ll know what I’m talking about.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler just didn’t capture my attention, I wasn’t pulled into the whole high-school drama, mystery quest, and was left quite bored. It just seemed silly to me that these characters were spending all this time and energy on Shara, who clearly didn’t care for them. I did like how there was a lot of representation throughout the characters, and related to friendships and found family. The story was fun to an extent, just wasn’t my cup of tea; very YA and quotes a lot of popular culture (ie. Glossier, Midsommar, Taco Bell).
Though, with that being said, I know that this book will strike a chord with many, especially the YA fan base. So, I definitely think McQuiston has another winner on their hands! Was a good YA debut.
Note: Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Publishing for the digital ARC
From the first ten pages I thought I was reading Paper Towns by John Green- it just really gave me that vibe, if you’ve read it you’ll know what I’m talking about.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler just didn’t capture my attention, I wasn’t pulled into the whole high-school drama, mystery quest, and was left quite bored. It just seemed silly to me that these characters were spending all this time and energy on Shara, who clearly didn’t care for them. I did like how there was a lot of representation throughout the characters, and related to friendships and found family. The story was fun to an extent, just wasn’t my cup of tea; very YA and quotes a lot of popular culture (ie. Glossier, Midsommar, Taco Bell).
Though, with that being said, I know that this book will strike a chord with many, especially the YA fan base. So, I definitely think McQuiston has another winner on their hands! Was a good YA debut.
Note: Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Publishing for the digital ARC
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lessons in Chemistry is a mix of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, science, and cooking; it is a zany, vibrant, sharp, and witty book about motherhood, cooking, chemistry (science and otherwise), and being a woman in the 60’s. If you like books with a strong, independent female character, humor, social commentary, and an emotional/inspiring read, definitely check this out!
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Holy shit! This book is just all sorts of whacked out craziness. If I had to describe it I would say “Prisoners” meets “Zodiac” meets “a certain Paul Thomas Anderson flick”, with a sprinkle of “Gone Girl”.
I throughly enjoyed this book, and I have to say Karin Slaughter, you had me in the palm of your hand- story was fucked up in more ways than one- but MAN IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE AND I WAS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT!!!!
Though, would say if you are one who can’t handle gruesome or distributing descriptions, you may want to stray away from this one.
I throughly enjoyed this book, and I have to say Karin Slaughter, you had me in the palm of your hand- story was fucked up in more ways than one- but MAN IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE AND I WAS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT!!!!
Though, would say if you are one who can’t handle gruesome or distributing descriptions, you may want to stray away from this one.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Warm hug wrapped in a blanket and sprinkled with a nice cup of coffee. I have to admit, I absolutely adored this book. Yes, sure there are a lot of “inspirational quotes”, but it flowed well with the story it was creating; it really made one want to be a part of this loving family. And I absolutely adore Chauncey omg my heart!