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kfalsreads's reviews
284 reviews
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
5.0
Well, this was a top read of the year for me. Allison Larkin’s coming-of-age story of 16-year-old songwriter April Sawicki captured my heart early on and didn’t let go.
Author Julia Claiborne Johnson described it as a story that “will break your heart a million different ways before putting it back together again,” and that’s exactly how it felt.
I cried multiple times, lost sleep, and was consumed by April’s story as she tried to find her place and people in a world where she only ever felt like an outsider.
It’s a story about love, loss, loneliness, tenacity, and integrity. April’s decisions were heartwrenching, but given the circumstances at the time, it always felt like she was doing what she thought was best to protect those she loved. She was a beautifully flawed character I was rooting for the whole time.
The cadence of Allison’s writing captured April’s age, thoughts and feelings so well, I felt like I was inside her head going through everything with her. I also really loved the pacing and editing of this one. There was never a place where the story dragged and there weren’t any scenes that I felt could have been cut. Honestly, this book was perfect in my opinion. I will carry April and her found family’s story with me long after reading the last page. I plan to get my hands on my own copy of this soon for a future reread.
I really, really hope you all give this one a go!
Author Julia Claiborne Johnson described it as a story that “will break your heart a million different ways before putting it back together again,” and that’s exactly how it felt.
I cried multiple times, lost sleep, and was consumed by April’s story as she tried to find her place and people in a world where she only ever felt like an outsider.
It’s a story about love, loss, loneliness, tenacity, and integrity. April’s decisions were heartwrenching, but given the circumstances at the time, it always felt like she was doing what she thought was best to protect those she loved. She was a beautifully flawed character I was rooting for the whole time.
The cadence of Allison’s writing captured April’s age, thoughts and feelings so well, I felt like I was inside her head going through everything with her. I also really loved the pacing and editing of this one. There was never a place where the story dragged and there weren’t any scenes that I felt could have been cut. Honestly, this book was perfect in my opinion. I will carry April and her found family’s story with me long after reading the last page. I plan to get my hands on my own copy of this soon for a future reread.
I really, really hope you all give this one a go!
On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith
4.0
This was such a great, light read and perfect for those who loved The Ex Talk!
Wнαт I Loved:
Wнαт I Loved:
Out of Love by Hazel Hayes
4.0
This isn’t a love story. This isn’t even really a breakup story. This is a journey into the external and internal things that chip away at a relationship.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
4.0
I loved the world TJ created, the characters, the themes it touched on, and the ending. I also appreciated the complexity of Linus’s situation.
However, there were some things that kept me from loving this book as a whole. I found the writing too descriptive which made it longer than it needed to be and slowed down the pacing. I also thought the messages in the book were too overt for an adult reader. With that being said, this is a great book for pre-teens in teaching them about individual and societal prejudices born from the fear of those who are “different”, the role the government plays in creating and amplifying injustices in society, and the effect it has on those who are marginalized. It also shows the power of love and how finding your tribe can help you thrive.
However, there were some things that kept me from loving this book as a whole. I found the writing too descriptive which made it longer than it needed to be and slowed down the pacing. I also thought the messages in the book were too overt for an adult reader. With that being said, this is a great book for pre-teens in teaching them about individual and societal prejudices born from the fear of those who are “different”, the role the government plays in creating and amplifying injustices in society, and the effect it has on those who are marginalized. It also shows the power of love and how finding your tribe can help you thrive.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
5.0
This book is perfect!!!
This is my second Christina Lauren book and it solidified me as a super fan of the writing duo. From the first couple of pages, the story found a place in my heart and lived there the entire time causing it to swell and ache throughout.
This is my second Christina Lauren book and it solidified me as a super fan of the writing duo. From the first couple of pages, the story found a place in my heart and lived there the entire time causing it to swell and ache throughout.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
5.0
What I loved about this book was it reminded me of A Man Called Ove in how Backman introduces you to a group of strangers dealing with a variety of personal struggles who become a community and family. It’s the kind of story that really just touches me in these crazy times.
Backman has become one of my favorite writers because of his ability to surprise me, make me laugh out loud and cry, and provide insights and memorable quotes. He is a masterful storyteller and the execution of this ambitious story weaving together so many characters’ past and present storylines was perfect.
What I love most about this story was the narrator’s tone and the constant surprises. I honestly had no idea from one chapter to the next what was going to happen. He was so good at leaving a little nugget of information at the end of each chapter that was so random and weird I had to keep reading.
And the lime. The lime. Brilliant!
Backman has become one of my favorite writers because of his ability to surprise me, make me laugh out loud and cry, and provide insights and memorable quotes. He is a masterful storyteller and the execution of this ambitious story weaving together so many characters’ past and present storylines was perfect.
What I love most about this story was the narrator’s tone and the constant surprises. I honestly had no idea from one chapter to the next what was going to happen. He was so good at leaving a little nugget of information at the end of each chapter that was so random and weird I had to keep reading.
And the lime. The lime. Brilliant!
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
5.0
Written in a modern, free-flowing prose, Bernardine Evaristo’s tour de force featuring 12 British black women was a book unique to anything I’ve read before. While it took me a bit to get used to the writing style with its lack of punctuation, once I did it flowed so beautifully I wish every book was written like this. I also learned a TON of new vocabulary throughout the course of this book which I appreciated.
I was worried that once each character’s story ended I would miss them and have trouble moving on. But I felt Evaristo did a great job of making each story feel complete providing a sense of closure for the reader.
I was especially impressed by how she was able to write from the perspective of women aged 16 to 92 so believably that they felt like real people, real experiences. A few stories that really stood out to me were Amma, Dominique, Carole, Hattie and Grace.
I was worried that once each character’s story ended I would miss them and have trouble moving on. But I felt Evaristo did a great job of making each story feel complete providing a sense of closure for the reader.
I was especially impressed by how she was able to write from the perspective of women aged 16 to 92 so believably that they felt like real people, real experiences. A few stories that really stood out to me were Amma, Dominique, Carole, Hattie and Grace.
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
5.0
I hugged this book. With tears in my eyes, as I read the last sentence, I closed the book, and I hugged it.
Normally, my reaction to a book I love would be to say, ‘What an incredible story!” But this wasn’t just one story, it was multiple stories. Memories of a life of hustle, survival, and trying to figure out where he belonged stitched together to create this unbelievable book.
I can’t believe the life Trevor had growing up. How the hell did he end up in New York City at The Daily Show?! I can’t wait for the reported film adaptation featuring Lupita Nyong'o as his mother, and his follow-up book detailing his journey as a young comedian in South Africa to The Daily Show.
I am shook. I am in awe.
Normally, my reaction to a book I love would be to say, ‘What an incredible story!” But this wasn’t just one story, it was multiple stories. Memories of a life of hustle, survival, and trying to figure out where he belonged stitched together to create this unbelievable book.
I can’t believe the life Trevor had growing up. How the hell did he end up in New York City at The Daily Show?! I can’t wait for the reported film adaptation featuring Lupita Nyong'o as his mother, and his follow-up book detailing his journey as a young comedian in South Africa to The Daily Show.
I am shook. I am in awe.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
5.0
Read this book!! Just do it! You won’t regret it.
This ended up becoming the surprise favorite of the summer, and quite possibly the year, for me. I really hadn’t expected this rollercoaster of a story with present and past timelines and the emotions it elicited.
I wanted to throw this book half the time and give it a big hug the other half. This book gave me all the feels, including some tears. What an incredible story of family, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and finding oneself featuring strong female characters.
When I was done reading this I couldn’t help but think of Evelyn Hugo and how this story and the character Poppy found a place in my heart just like Evelyn did.
This ended up becoming the surprise favorite of the summer, and quite possibly the year, for me. I really hadn’t expected this rollercoaster of a story with present and past timelines and the emotions it elicited.
I wanted to throw this book half the time and give it a big hug the other half. This book gave me all the feels, including some tears. What an incredible story of family, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and finding oneself featuring strong female characters.
When I was done reading this I couldn’t help but think of Evelyn Hugo and how this story and the character Poppy found a place in my heart just like Evelyn did.