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kays_reading_journal's reviews
345 reviews
Ruined by Sarah Vaughn
4.75
This was so so so cute!! Was totally in my regency era when I read this too. This is a getting married, then falling in love story and I adore that so much. Slow love is so refreshing from the love at first sight stories.
The art style did feel a little humorous (?) at times which isn’t my cup of tea but it was cute!
The art style did feel a little humorous (?) at times which isn’t my cup of tea but it was cute!
Stone Heart by Katee Robert
2.75
I know I read a book from this series a few years ago and really loved it (I just can’t remember which book lol) but it wasn’t this one. I just didn’t really love this. I’ll still probably pick up book 1 because of all the hype for this series. But this was just kinda eh for me.
Nothing inherently wrong with it that I remember tho
Nothing inherently wrong with it that I remember tho
Thirsty by Jas Hammonds
I’m not going to give this a star rating.
This is another book I read over a month ago and forgot to take notes on, but it’s obviously an incredibly important story for the author to tell.
As other reviews mention, it’s very character driven, sort of slice-of-life style (just Definitely not cozy).
I think I just wasn’t the audience for this story. I feel that this would work well as a warning off alcohol for children, or as a form of therapy for alcoholics (though it seems like it’d be very triggering at times).
I’ve never been in any party heavy environment that’s filled with peer pressure (nor have I known anyone that pressures others to drink) so it was hard for me to relate to that aspect.
The ending was probably my favorite part, where the healing begins, but I wish we had seen more of it.
This is another book I read over a month ago and forgot to take notes on, but it’s obviously an incredibly important story for the author to tell.
As other reviews mention, it’s very character driven, sort of slice-of-life style (just Definitely not cozy).
I think I just wasn’t the audience for this story. I feel that this would work well as a warning off alcohol for children, or as a form of therapy for alcoholics (though it seems like it’d be very triggering at times).
I’ve never been in any party heavy environment that’s filled with peer pressure (nor have I known anyone that pressures others to drink) so it was hard for me to relate to that aspect.
The ending was probably my favorite part, where the healing begins, but I wish we had seen more of it.
There Used To Be A Lake Here Once by Sritama Sen
5.0
I’m not a huge poetry person but this collection!! Incredible for a debut collection. I’ll have to add my favorite poems later when I’m home, but I have quite a few bookmarked that I’d love to have my friends read when they visit.
Some poems seemed to be very upfront and easy to relate to, while others were much more abstract that took some digging to uncover the meaning, so I think there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Some poems seemed to be very upfront and easy to relate to, while others were much more abstract that took some digging to uncover the meaning, so I think there's something for everyone to enjoy.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
3.25
This was cute! Probably would’ve loved it as a kid but it was just alright as an adult. I read this mostly because it’s been referenced in a lot of other media. (Is Night at the Museum a plagiarism of this?? I’ve never seen it)
I really loved the premise of the story being told as a letter from Mrs. Basil E. I’m actually kind of mad that there were never any other Mrs. Basil E books written. They book definitely set it up as though we would see other files from her, but nope. According to the author there’s “no something-more to tell about Mrs. Bail E” 🙄
I really loved the premise of the story being told as a letter from Mrs. Basil E. I’m actually kind of mad that there were never any other Mrs. Basil E books written. They book definitely set it up as though we would see other files from her, but nope. According to the author there’s “no something-more to tell about Mrs. Bail E” 🙄
The Secret of the Ravens by Joanna Cacao
4.75
There’s gonna be another book right??? Right!?!
This was actually so good. I’m rooting for these siblings so much. I found the world-building intriguing but hope it’ll be built upon in a second book.
Truly I will up it to five stars IF a sequel is announced cuz how can you have that ending and not make another book??
This was actually so good. I’m rooting for these siblings so much. I found the world-building intriguing but hope it’ll be built upon in a second book.
Truly I will up it to five stars IF a sequel is announced cuz how can you have that ending and not make another book??
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
5.0
I just absolutely adore the authors art style so much I want to live in the worlds they create please!
But also the story itself was very nice! Love the close connection with nature that’s always present in O’Neills work
But also the story itself was very nice! Love the close connection with nature that’s always present in O’Neills work
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
4.0
*note before review: check the content warnings. I don’t recall if they were in the authors note, but I had no idea what I was getting into, take care of yourself <3
This was a heavy at times missing person mystery that also examined how different identities are treated in society (gender, race, class). I really enjoyed having Sade as a narrator. While she wasn’t always perfect, and at times you’ll be questioning her heavily, it was easy to root for her.
The characters were the strongest point of this book in my opinion. You’re constantly learning new things about everyone that either makes you suspicious of them or makes you come to love them. I would absolutely adore seeing more of these characters in the future, even if it’s just short stories.
The plot was the weaker point for me. It was definitely really good at the end, as it felt like there were a lot of twists as new information comes to light, but the beginning was pretty slow. The novel shows Sade navigating this new school and new relationships while also solving the mystery, so if you like your mysteries action-packed, this might read slowly for you.
I did think some of the hints were a bit too obvious to the reader, but they weren’t hints that revealed the suspect, just other things spread throughout. I also think this is the last school thriller I’ll read for awhile. It just doesn’t feel like there’s that much space to work within the genre, so different books feel pretty similar at times.
Overall, loved the characters and would read again just to see them.
This was a heavy at times missing person mystery that also examined how different identities are treated in society (gender, race, class). I really enjoyed having Sade as a narrator. While she wasn’t always perfect, and at times you’ll be questioning her heavily, it was easy to root for her.
The characters were the strongest point of this book in my opinion. You’re constantly learning new things about everyone that either makes you suspicious of them or makes you come to love them. I would absolutely adore seeing more of these characters in the future, even if it’s just short stories.
The plot was the weaker point for me. It was definitely really good at the end, as it felt like there were a lot of twists as new information comes to light, but the beginning was pretty slow. The novel shows Sade navigating this new school and new relationships while also solving the mystery, so if you like your mysteries action-packed, this might read slowly for you.
I did think some of the hints were a bit too obvious to the reader, but they weren’t hints that revealed the suspect, just other things spread throughout. I also think this is the last school thriller I’ll read for awhile. It just doesn’t feel like there’s that much space to work within the genre, so different books feel pretty similar at times.
Overall, loved the characters and would read again just to see them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, Murder, Classism
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
3.5
I keep reading books and then completely forgetting to take notes oops. I do think I was expecting a little more romance when I went into this, but it’s definitely focused on self-discovery and learning how to love yourself after being betrayed.
I was really loving this at the beginning, the authors note made me cry and Ryan has so many incredible quotes spanning throughout this, it just became repetitive for me towards the end.
I think I would have loved to get an extra chapter from one of the daughter’s point of view, as they’re obviously really important to Soledad, but they do feel like flat characters to me.
I also didn’t feel that the chemistry was strong. It was obvious they loved each other, but why? I feel like just being a family, success oriented person wouldn’t be enough to make me love someone.
Overall I’m still interested in some of her other books, she just won’t be an auto buy author for me
I was really loving this at the beginning, the authors note made me cry and Ryan has so many incredible quotes spanning throughout this, it just became repetitive for me towards the end.
I think I would have loved to get an extra chapter from one of the daughter’s point of view, as they’re obviously really important to Soledad, but they do feel like flat characters to me.
I also didn’t feel that the chemistry was strong. It was obvious they loved each other, but why? I feel like just being a family, success oriented person wouldn’t be enough to make me love someone.
Overall I’m still interested in some of her other books, she just won’t be an auto buy author for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Gaslighting
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse
Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar
5.0
God this book, it’s just absolutely beautiful. There’s a lot of really tough content early on (physical assault, transphobia, deadnaming, misgendering) but there’s also so much joy throughout the book as you get to know Obie.
I was grinning listening to this so much whenever Obie was interacting with his friends or brother. The dialogue felt great, there swimming terminology was easy to follow even as someone who doesn’t know how to swim. The end of the book (mostly the authors note) had me tearing up.
I loved that we see Obie navigating relationships but it’s him accepting himself in the end that matters.
Absolutely check the content warnings before reading, but read if you can.
I was grinning listening to this so much whenever Obie was interacting with his friends or brother. The dialogue felt great, there swimming terminology was easy to follow even as someone who doesn’t know how to swim. The end of the book (mostly the authors note) had me tearing up.
I loved that we see Obie navigating relationships but it’s him accepting himself in the end that matters.
Absolutely check the content warnings before reading, but read if you can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing
Moderate: Physical abuse, Lesbophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts