kade_spade's reviews
185 reviews

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Overall, it’s a great, uplifting, and inspiring read. There are a few stories I didn’t agree with or enjoy, but I also never except to agree with someone 100%. I really don’t agree with anything dealing with Youth Life, so that did sour my opinion from the beginning a little bit. However, I was eventually able to look past that and found myself genuinely enjoying his stories. Goff does live an inspiring life and while many people can’t afford to live like him this book inspires to live even just a quarter like him. Sometimes people need a little push to do just a little more with their love and this book will do the trick. 

Big Fat F@!k-Up by Lawrence Allan

funny lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

An incredibly fun and quick read. The pacing, humor, and writing is excellent. It puts me in mind of like “poor man’s” Knives Out. Can’t wait to continue reading Jimmy Cooper’s story, I feel like it can only get better as we learn more about him and other characters. 

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

This book is so fun! I first read it when I was in middle school and wanted to relive it. Thankfully, it lived up to what I remember. The pacing feels a bit odd and the acting in the videos is horrible, but it’s still all just so much fun! The videos, though horribly acted,  give a few good jump scares. The whole premise of reading a “journal” and watching accompanying videos is different and kids , especially kids that are fans of spooky things, would eat this concept up. The cliffhanger was good and leaves you wanting more. Great book for kids, but even adults would find this book entertaining. 

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was my first time reading this book since middle school. I’m sad to say I am left slightly disappointed as I remember this book being much just “more” overall. I know I’m no longer a child, so it’s obvious to feel different about the book now, but I’m just slightly let down. However, I can see how as a new reader and to children this book would be fascinating and so fun. I hope this book and author continues to be a staple in many kids lives. I truly believe this book is why spooky books are my main interest as an adult. 

Venola in Love by Cheryl Ware

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I found this book when going through my sister and I’s old childhood book. I must not have read this one because I don’t remember it at all. However, it is such a cute, young readers book. I adored how true (even if a bit outdated) it was to middle school thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

2.5

I truly wanted to love this book as much as everybody else, but I just felt it lacking. Every character felt half-baked, the story line dragged, and the romance felt like it was there but just barely grazing the surface. I feel like a sequel would be magnificent because the last 50ish pages were so good. The action was fun, even being able to see it coming for 350 pages (again the story line BRAGGED), and the found family and hint of romance at the end was SO GOOD. However, those last 50 pages were not enough the make me ever think about this book again. The potential was there, it just isn’t the book for me. 

Santa Ana by Addison J. Chapple, Rachael Flanery

fast-paced

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

3.0

This book almost felt experimental in the way it was written. Not meaning that it was so artful that it was hard to read but written different than most books are written and formatted. I think for the vibe the book was trying to give off and the story being written, the quirkiness of it works well. Most of the characters are insufferable so it can make the book hard to read at times. However, I liked the book overall. Interesting, slightly funny storyline and it doesn’t take its self too seriously.  

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

adventurous emotional funny 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

3.5

Such a fun book! I was unsure at first how Ali Hazelwood was going to write YA (if you’ve read any of her adult books you know what I’m saying) but this book very much toes the line between YA and adult. I could see Hazelwood’s struggle to not write further into scenes at times. This book is more chess heavy than romance heavy. The romance is really only a small portion of the book towards the last 1/3rd of it. That didn’t make me like the book any less though. It did start to drag slightly in the middle, but that may be because I know nothing about chess and have little interest in it. I did enjoy all the messages/theme that were throughout the book. Overall, this was a great YA debut! 

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

funny lighthearted relaxing 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

A fun, cringey, Hallmark-esque type book, what’s not to love honestly. The author states that her muse for Piper was Alexis from Schitts Creek and that vibe is definitely there.  It’s not entirely Alexis so don’t go into the book expecting Alexis or Schitts Creek exactly as they are on TV. It’s a fun and campy adjunct of the TV show character. I had a great time with this book and can’t wait to read Hannah and Fox’s story. 

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas Volume VI by Kim Chance, Bonnie Callahan, Mary B. Barbee, Zaynah Qutubuddin, Reilly Becker, Kristi McManus, Danielle Barr, Logan Ashley, Katie Evans, Jessica Booth, Adrianna Waters, Meranda Tuttle

funny inspiring lighthearted 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? N/A

4.0

This year was my first year participating in OUABC’s advent and I’m so happy I did! I didn’t love all the stories but that’s okay because I loved most of them and their short stories anyways! The gifts were great and useful. I did fall behind the original reading schedule for the book but that didn’t matter. Not all of the stories/gifts are Christmas or even winter based so they can used/read whenever. OUABC is great and so fun, I highly recommend to anyone considering!