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kkenna7's reviews
244 reviews
They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.5
This is my first by Hanif and it feels like the right place to start. I'm glad I chose to do it audibly. Hearing it straight from Abdurraqib's mouth made it so much more special. Essay collections, short stories, anthologies, etc. are all very hit-or-miss for me (usually more miss, if I'm being honest). I don't usually gravitate toward this format of writing, I often require a longer form to be immersed. That being said, every single one of these essays was a banger for me. There's not a moment in time during this book where I felt like the point was missed.
Reviewing nonfiction is so hard for me, but I loved this. Just know that.
Reviewing nonfiction is so hard for me, but I loved this. Just know that.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Was looking for more Absinthe Underground vibes and did not receive them :( quite boring imo
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the e-ARC, all opinions are my own.**
THE FEET KICKING AND GIGGLING I HAVE DONE IS SO UNLIKE ME!
This was soooo much fun. Those that know me know I'm a certified hater and a super picky romance reader. I take my romance in small doses and if the vibes aren't right, I'll ditch it so fast. BK's Lovelight books weren't something that worked for me, personally. I gave two or three of them a try and they weren't for me at all. THIS?! This is everything. It's been so long since I've sacrificed actual sleep to finish a book and never have I done so for a romance. This is what falling in love feels like directly translated into written word. This is what those butterflies feel like on a page.
The pacing felt natural. The character development felt satisfying. I'm the most wary of longer contemporary romances. I'm usually a firm believer that they don't need to be over 400 pages, ever. This one did not feel like that, I promise. (I'd tell you if it did. You'd know.)
My point is, I didn't expect to hate this. But I definitely didn't expect to love it as much as I did either. An easy 5 stars. I'll be thinking about Aiden and Lucie for probably the rest of my life, idk.
THE FEET KICKING AND GIGGLING I HAVE DONE IS SO UNLIKE ME!
This was soooo much fun. Those that know me know I'm a certified hater and a super picky romance reader. I take my romance in small doses and if the vibes aren't right, I'll ditch it so fast. BK's Lovelight books weren't something that worked for me, personally. I gave two or three of them a try and they weren't for me at all. THIS?! This is everything. It's been so long since I've sacrificed actual sleep to finish a book and never have I done so for a romance. This is what falling in love feels like directly translated into written word. This is what those butterflies feel like on a page.
The pacing felt natural. The character development felt satisfying. I'm the most wary of longer contemporary romances. I'm usually a firm believer that they don't need to be over 400 pages, ever. This one did not feel like that, I promise. (I'd tell you if it did. You'd know.)
My point is, I didn't expect to hate this. But I definitely didn't expect to love it as much as I did either. An easy 5 stars. I'll be thinking about Aiden and Lucie for probably the rest of my life, idk.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was very sweet! Picked this up on recommendation by coworker and I had a lovely time. The characters are so well-developed and the interactions between the main characters are so tender. It all just feels very tangible and real. Evvie’s arc in particular was really good, in my opinion. I felt so proud of her by the end.
Chlorine by Jade Song
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, and Self harm
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Abortion, and Pregnancy
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The Capital of Dreams by Heather O'Neill
4.0
*Thanks to HarperAudio and NetGalley for the ELC, my opinion are my own.*
This was an advanced audiobook I had on my NetGalley shelf that I let slip through the cracks so I'm reviewing late, but I'm glad I gave it a listen anyway! Giving this one a proper review is proving difficult, because a book like this contains a good amount of layers, etc. that only the reader can grasp? Which sounds so pretentious in a way that I normally loathe, but I promise it's not so crazy as that. This is just a book that I feel people are better off knowing little about and will have a much better time learning as they go! It's also one I feel immediately like I need to reread, perhaps in a physical form, which is a good sign typically. Gah, what a weird lil time! Love!
This was an advanced audiobook I had on my NetGalley shelf that I let slip through the cracks so I'm reviewing late, but I'm glad I gave it a listen anyway! Giving this one a proper review is proving difficult, because a book like this contains a good amount of layers, etc. that only the reader can grasp? Which sounds so pretentious in a way that I normally loathe, but I promise it's not so crazy as that. This is just a book that I feel people are better off knowing little about and will have a much better time learning as they go! It's also one I feel immediately like I need to reread, perhaps in a physical form, which is a good sign typically. Gah, what a weird lil time! Love!
Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us by Jennifer Finney Boylan
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
*Thanks to Celedon and NetGalley for the E-Arc, all opinions are my own.*
I had a lovely time reading this! I took my time picking through it, as is my preference with a good nonfiction read. It was nice to kick my feet up at the end of a long day and feel like opening my kindle to read this was actually having a cup of tea with my friend Jenny. The writing felt so friendly and familiar -- and it was so funny too! I really enjoyed learning so much about Boylan's life and family and reading through each little anecdote. I will say, I didn't originally think this was a memoir. The synopsis led me to believe this was more narrative nonfiction than personal memoir, so that threw me off for a while. After a bit, though, I stopped caring. I'm still glad I read it. That became the only real criticism I had, and that can really be chalked up to my own personal error, anyway!
I had a lovely time reading this! I took my time picking through it, as is my preference with a good nonfiction read. It was nice to kick my feet up at the end of a long day and feel like opening my kindle to read this was actually having a cup of tea with my friend Jenny. The writing felt so friendly and familiar -- and it was so funny too! I really enjoyed learning so much about Boylan's life and family and reading through each little anecdote. I will say, I didn't originally think this was a memoir. The synopsis led me to believe this was more narrative nonfiction than personal memoir, so that threw me off for a while. After a bit, though, I stopped caring. I'm still glad I read it. That became the only real criticism I had, and that can really be chalked up to my own personal error, anyway!
Before by Anna Todd
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
(copying and pasting to all of the books as it pertains to all of them)
To rate this book, or any of this series, with any amount of stars feels entirely wrong to me.
I read this as part of what I *thought* was going to be a fun "hate-read" where I'd get to roll through this series and poke fun at all the silly shenanigans that the fanic-y mid-2010s brought us. And I did hate it, but that is not at all what this series is. Book one is a silly little time, sure, you get in that mindset. You're giggling at the cringy dialogue and the unrealistic scenarios. But then, books two through four are gut-punch-after-gut-punch of traumatic events and toxic behaviors. There is no single second where you have a reprieve. Not to mention the completely useless "prequel" fifth book that just regurgitates the first book's events but in Hardin's POV even though the series is dual POV anyway. A complete waste of time
This series is a complete normalization of abusive behavior that is not ever even ONCE called out for what it is. Every single character, with the exception of Landon and Smith (a literal child), is completely abhorrent and irredeemable. There's not one moment in this series where the awful things that are happening on page happen for any reason other than shock value and plot movement. No one learns or grows, no one reaps what they sow, no one experiences any consequences. The only person experiencing consequences was me, seemingly, who was triggered, given literal nightmares, and then left IRL exhausted at the end of this awful awful series. Never again.
This woman should not nor should she ever have been successful. These books should not have ever existed. They should not have ever been as popular as they were. They definitely were not fun or guilty pleasure reads. And they certainly did not deserve to be made into movies (that just edited all of the traumatizing plot points out, anyway).
To rate this book, or any of this series, with any amount of stars feels entirely wrong to me.
I read this as part of what I *thought* was going to be a fun "hate-read" where I'd get to roll through this series and poke fun at all the silly shenanigans that the fanic-y mid-2010s brought us. And I did hate it, but that is not at all what this series is. Book one is a silly little time, sure, you get in that mindset. You're giggling at the cringy dialogue and the unrealistic scenarios. But then, books two through four are gut-punch-after-gut-punch of traumatic events and toxic behaviors. There is no single second where you have a reprieve. Not to mention the completely useless "prequel" fifth book that just regurgitates the first book's events but in Hardin's POV even though the series is dual POV anyway. A complete waste of time
This series is a complete normalization of abusive behavior that is not ever even ONCE called out for what it is. Every single character, with the exception of Landon and Smith (a literal child), is completely abhorrent and irredeemable. There's not one moment in this series where the awful things that are happening on page happen for any reason other than shock value and plot movement. No one learns or grows, no one reaps what they sow, no one experiences any consequences. The only person experiencing consequences was me, seemingly, who was triggered, given literal nightmares, and then left IRL exhausted at the end of this awful awful series. Never again.
This woman should not nor should she ever have been successful. These books should not have ever existed. They should not have ever been as popular as they were. They definitely were not fun or guilty pleasure reads. And they certainly did not deserve to be made into movies (that just edited all of the traumatizing plot points out, anyway).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol