jolynne's reviews
544 reviews

Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie

emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Crooked families, drugs, land theft and mostly a story of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIWG2S) come together to make this outstanding twisty mystery set in NE Oklahoma written by a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

emotional funny informative reflective

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I know death and mental health issues are not funny subjects. But, this book! Being in Gilda’s mind made me laugh for so many reasons. I so enjoyed her. Death and mental illness is a reality and we all see it so differently. I loved Gilda and I cherished being a part of her reality. 

The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan

2.0

Green Mansions by W. H. Hudson

1.0

I read this ages ago (it was published even more ages ago}, I enjoyed the fantasy story line but when the author decided that the heroine must be of European decent to be beautiful it totally turned my stomach. His portrayal of the indigenous women was quite... forgive me but I cannot find the right word.

A side note: I picked this up because I'm a fan of Van Morrison and I read somewhere that he based his song "Green Mansions" on this book. I sure hope not. I have never quite enjoyed the song again.

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

“Tell me a story” Julia Alvarez certainly gave us a few stories in this wonderful book. It is filled with history, aging, family, and culture, some told with heartache, and of course heartwarming magical realism. 

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a story of a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre and continues on with his descendants. It is about finding oneself, it is about healing. I loved it. “You are from a people who survived by making their surviving  mean more than surviving, who did their best to stay together”. Tommy Orange.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This novel was entertaining, fun, mysterious, heartfelt, and filled with friendship.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a very good YA novel touching on MMIWG2S and NAGPRA. The teens represent great positive role modeling. 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

A very imaginative novel. Kindness, friendship, hope, and the love of books all come together in this heartwarming and a bit sad story. 

Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

An awesome novel that looks at the struggles, hardships, joys, and triumphs of a Cherokee/Kiowa/Latino family.