jolynne's reviews
575 reviews

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Contemporary Cree teenagers come to life in this book focusing and bringing attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

emotional hopeful informative 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

5.0

Such a lovely tribute to a mother and grandmother. Strength and perseverance at its best.

The Theory of Crows by David A. Robertson

hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The first two thirds were a bit slow but the final third made it worth finishing. A Cree family is falling apart, the father and daughter take a journey into the wilderness and family history takes them to where they need to be both physically and spiritually. 

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

A feel good book but predictable. A good story to relax to.

The Moon Represents My Heart by Pim Wangtechawat

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I loved the story and the writing but I cannot come to a conclusion on the ending.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

I always love a book that tells the truth of American History. I loved the humanity, and goodness of many characters in this story. 

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

As in all short stories the vary in quality, at least for me. This group offers up history, lessons to be learned, revenge, shape shifting, social commentary, the presence of ghosts, and of course horror. Horror not being my favorite genre but still excellent writing from all authors. 

Bear by Julia Phillips

emotional medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very good and vivid storytelling. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

mysterious sad tense medium-paced

5.0

I love a good mystery, this did book was perfect.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Friendship at its finest. Homa is a women after my own heart and so admirable. The author touched lightly on the history of Iran but mainly focused on the struggle of women.