kauliflower's reviews
109 reviews

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

medium-paced

4.0

A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

emotional inspiring relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was beautiful! It was everything I needed and more, I only wish I found it sooner. The bullying I received for being autistic was unimaginable and heartbreaking to think back on & I can’t help but think how different my life could’ve been if more children were exposed to this book, or if I was exposed to this book. This book lifted a weight off my shoulders even now, I can’t even imagine how much it would’ve affected my younger self.

The writing itself was wonderful & the characters were even better (I pre-ordered a signed & dedicated copy of the next book immediately after finishing this, woops!), I can’t wait to read from Keedie’s perspective. She is much closer to my age than Addie so maybe the next book will help me heal in the present, who knows? It goes without saying that the autistic representation in this book was amazing & not glamourized or villainized, which is something I always worry about when I go into ‘austic rep’ books. This book felt perfectly even and accurate with it’s descriptions of shutdowns, meltdowns, special interests, masking and so much more.

Autistic people aren’t broken or damaged - if you truly believe that we are, educate yourself. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Forced institutionalization

Autistic meltdowns & shutdowns

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Ableist slur

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

adventurous emotional tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

The Mapmakers by Tamzin Merchant

fast-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

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

emotional reflective sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Child death

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.0

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Temporary DNF.

Rise of The World Eater by Jamie Littler

slow-paced

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

3.0

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was gorgeous. It was educational, sad and just adorable. I'd recommend this book to anyone & everyone, regardless of what you regularly read - the message it shares is an important and sadly commonly unacknowledged one.. Prepare to cry (I did many, many times).

This was also my first audiobook experience, and I loved it - the narrator did a wonderful job.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death of parent