katecookk4's reviews
45 reviews

Jillian: A Novel by Halle Butler

emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

2.75

Idk how I feel. That really was a feel-bad book. I finished it just kind of empty. But I do think that butler did what she set out to do. This wasn’t supposed to be a happy novel. Even though reading it made me feel like I had a pit in my stomach, I was entertained the whole time and read it all in one sitting. Everyone kinda sucks in one capacity or another. A horribly good read I guess. 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Not as good as the first one, but still a grand book. This was more similar to the movie but it was really nice to have access to katniss’ thoughts throughout. I LOVE PETA. I literally cannot believe how much the movies butchered his character. I love him !!! Good read. I had nightmares for sure tho 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

This is my second ever 5 star read. I absolutely loved it. I stayed up til 7:30 in the morning reading, unfazed by my lack of sleep. This novel had me laughing, and absolutely sobbing all at once. I really think it is just a sprightly, youthful, and fun book that was very well written with themes of love, life and friendship. Maybe it’s because I graduated from college this past month and had to leave that life behind that the novel tugged on my heart strings so hard, but I really did enjoy every page and I applaud it for the entertaining yet thought provoking piece of literature I found it to be. 

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

WOOOWWW!!! I usually don't enjoy romance novels unless they're funny, but this was so fun! I was initially skeptical and didn't see how I could get into the plot since Bree seemed really annoying. Nonetheless, I ended up absolutely devouring this book and really enjoyed it. It didn't leave me speechless, but it did keep me engulfed and interested throughout. I really enjoyed the drama and mystery aspects, which I think heightened the romance.  I definitely sat there yelling at the book during the ending, but that's all part of the fun. I couldn't tell you if I finished this in one day because I was stuck on a 15-hour flight or if it was just that good. I think a bit of both. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I finally understand why people who have read the books hate the movie. This was awesome! It is crazy the amount of extra details and plot in this book compared to the film. Peta is so much more loveable and the relationships between the characters are much more meaningful. Loved it! 

Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a WORK OF ART. I cannot begin to describe what this book did to me. I couldn't put the book down; when I did, it was all I could think about. I found myself re-reading parts of the book and dissecting it in my mind constantly. I think it is perfect to describe this novel as a Love story because that is exactly what it is. It's not a romance or a lovey-dovey type of book. It was like reading a modern version of the Symposium by Plato with Regan and Alto's constant Socratic questioning.  It's a thought-provoking, frustrating, and compelling yet entertaining novel about life and what it can be, both the good and the bad. I've never read anything like this before, and it's definitely become a comfort book of mine.  I cannot praise it enough. 

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

In full honesty, I read this book because the title made me giggle, and I am in love with Scotland. I really have to admit that the writing style just wasn't for me.  It reminded me of a novel written by a high schooler, full of clichés, weird descriptions, and just an un-advanced read. I in no way went into this book expecting an academic and thought-provoking piece, but this was just too simple for me. There were parts where I was laughing and giddy, but I really thought that it dragged on for way too long and found myself bored by the last 100 pages. I don't regret reading it, but I won't be reading it again. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

Finished this in 4 hours. Really enjoyed reading it. Marcellus tugged at my heart strings. It wasn’t action packed but i was still very invested in everything happening in the novel. I found myself having to stop reading towards the end so I could stop my tears. Really did enjoy it. 

The New Me by Halle Butler

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I don’t know how to describe this book. I ate it up in a single day, loved that it was short. It really gave me a place for some introspective thought and made me reevaluate my own patterns, habits, and life. It was a clear example that it’s easier to judge others than yourself. Nonetheless, I think this book would resonate with a lot of people especially during this day and age of debilitating victimization. I didn’t like the ending, I see what Butler was trying to do but I didn’t like it. Seemed abrupt.  

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

I quite literally have been on and off reading this book for nearly TWO YEARS. I just could not get into it at all. It's dark and tense, yet there are so many unnecessary words and paragraphs, and nothing seems to happen at all for so so long. I was left bored and skipping whole sections of the book just to get through it. I was honestly disappointed.