katecookk4's reviews
60 reviews

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Wowza! I was NOT expecting this plot or type of story at all! I enjoyed it and was shocked to see it’s not at all a children’s book!! I read it over a really long period of time, 5 min everyday during morning announcements so honestly, I don’t have too many thoughts on the book. I think the discussion of real-world issues in the form of a fictional/ fantastical world is a difficult feat to complete well, but Maguire has done it. Power dynamics, racial issues, sexism and all the things found constantly in our world plague Oz, even with all its glory, beauty and magic. I liked it, it was a good book! 

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

dark funny lighthearted fast-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? No

4.25

This was so much fun to read and so funny! I was not expecting what I read when I first picked up the book. It's a silly and light-hearted series of stories that I enjoyed greatly. I also LOVED the tiny size of this book. It was the perfect pocketbook. I have been needing a pick-me-up read, and this was PERFECT 

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Cahalan has been through more than I could ever imagine. To go through it and then share and write her story for others to learn from and relate to is a commendable act of courage that I am grateful to have had the chance to read. I was absolutely sobbing for much of the book, which I never would have expected from a nonfiction book. I'm depressingly filled with hope after reading this (not that that makes any sense)

My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

This was a cute short story. Nothing crazy

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

this book was awful! I am so shocked that this was recommended by so many people. The entire book was so hard to get through. McFadden constantly reiterated entire plot points verbatim for absolutely no reason, and her introduction of every single character as a bit dark or dangerous just seemed so lazy. The writing felt like a high schooler's novel assignment. It was genuinely painful for me to read . I knew exactly what was going to happen before I even reached the middle of the novel. I am unimpressed by this and was severely let down. oh well! 

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!