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kolorful_kay_reads's reviews
123 reviews
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
5.0
Some prefer stories of triumph and others are drawn to stories of despair. Many people enjoy learning about the lives of those who achieved in the face of adversity, often without complaint.
The majority of this book is what I refer to as a "doll house tale." Jeannette beautifully portrays her opinion of her life as she lived it, as opposed to her current viewpoint/looking back on these events. However, this comes to a screeching hault approximately 50 pages from the end (of a <300 page book).
For those who lived a childhood in poverty or abuse, I would say this book isn't worth reading unless you are feeling lonely in your experiences. I can understand why my friends with more "normative" backgrounds find this book powerful; I would recommend it to those with a more "standard" upbringing, with a stopping point of Jeannette at age 18+.
I would love to read about 18+ in a completely separate novel, with a focus on how her childhood influenced her career and relationship goals/choices.
The majority of this book is what I refer to as a "doll house tale." Jeannette beautifully portrays her opinion of her life as she lived it, as opposed to her current viewpoint/looking back on these events. However, this comes to a screeching hault approximately 50 pages from the end (of a <300 page book).
For those who lived a childhood in poverty or abuse, I would say this book isn't worth reading unless you are feeling lonely in your experiences. I can understand why my friends with more "normative" backgrounds find this book powerful; I would recommend it to those with a more "standard" upbringing, with a stopping point of Jeannette at age 18+.
I would love to read about 18+ in a completely separate novel, with a focus on how her childhood influenced her career and relationship goals/choices.
Breathe: A Letter to My Sons by Imani Perry
5.0
You will enjoy this book if....
* You enjoy narrators who are forward about [what they and others consider to be the narrator's] strengths and flaws
* Your heart is gripped by a love that has no bounds or expectations
* You are looking for a short and thoughtful read
* You enjoy thinking and processing thoughts and emotions -- and love when a book includes quotes that will sit with you for years
* You enjoy listening to your friends -- not talking over them
Objectively, this book has beautiful prose; subjectively, it's not for every reader (as is the case for all books). If you have ever wanted the best for somebody in your life, this is a the perfect, short read. And - should you need it - this book will remind you what it means to love and be loved in a way that may fill your heart.
* You enjoy narrators who are forward about [what they and others consider to be the narrator's] strengths and flaws
* Your heart is gripped by a love that has no bounds or expectations
* You are looking for a short and thoughtful read
* You enjoy thinking and processing thoughts and emotions -- and love when a book includes quotes that will sit with you for years
* You enjoy listening to your friends -- not talking over them
Objectively, this book has beautiful prose; subjectively, it's not for every reader (as is the case for all books). If you have ever wanted the best for somebody in your life, this is a the perfect, short read. And - should you need it - this book will remind you what it means to love and be loved in a way that may fill your heart.
Godshot by Chelsea Bieker
5.0
You will enjoy this book if....
* You enjoy plots with plenty of storylines, twists, and turns that are consistently well-paced.
* You have an understanding that trauma may impact people in many ways and, while some things may not make sense to you in your worldview, they are consistent within the character's development and behavior.
* You can appreciate characters for their very real flaws and the complicated people they are. (Not an Ottessa-level of flaw, but maybe more of a Lloyd Dobler level).
* Bonus points: If you think Rory is the worst character in Gilmore Girls, you may find yourself giving this novel 6 stars out of 5.
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What is this story about? Well, you get pulled in for the glitter and cults, but you stay for love and the horror. This is a love story between a girl and her world, a girl and her mother, and a girl and her only sense of stability (in this case, religion). If you have a strong stomach and have ever felt lost in a world that doesn't share your values, you will get all the feels from this book.
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It's important to note that....
* There are many trigger warnings that surround topics of: verbal and physical abuse, consent of sexual activities, power-based crimes, and substance abuse --- all topics of which minors are impacted by or directly involved in
* Though "God" is present in the title and cults drive much of this storyline, there is very light-to-no discussion of exact biblical texts in this novel. No religious background is required or, for those triggered by religious texts, you may be in the clear with your concerns.
* "Godshot" in this case does not reflect the term used in coordination with substance abuse treatment. Please be aware it has its own (much darker) meaning in this novel.
* I read this in two sittings. You will *not* want to put this down.
* You enjoy plots with plenty of storylines, twists, and turns that are consistently well-paced.
* You have an understanding that trauma may impact people in many ways and, while some things may not make sense to you in your worldview, they are consistent within the character's development and behavior.
* You can appreciate characters for their very real flaws and the complicated people they are. (Not an Ottessa-level of flaw, but maybe more of a Lloyd Dobler level).
* Bonus points: If you think Rory is the worst character in Gilmore Girls, you may find yourself giving this novel 6 stars out of 5.
-----
What is this story about? Well, you get pulled in for the glitter and cults, but you stay for love and the horror. This is a love story between a girl and her world, a girl and her mother, and a girl and her only sense of stability (in this case, religion). If you have a strong stomach and have ever felt lost in a world that doesn't share your values, you will get all the feels from this book.
-----
It's important to note that....
* There are many trigger warnings that surround topics of: verbal and physical abuse, consent of sexual activities, power-based crimes, and substance abuse --- all topics of which minors are impacted by or directly involved in
* Though "God" is present in the title and cults drive much of this storyline, there is very light-to-no discussion of exact biblical texts in this novel. No religious background is required or, for those triggered by religious texts, you may be in the clear with your concerns.
* "Godshot" in this case does not reflect the term used in coordination with substance abuse treatment. Please be aware it has its own (much darker) meaning in this novel.
* I read this in two sittings. You will *not* want to put this down.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
3.0
You will enjoy this book if....
* You enjoy novels which are heavily descriptive of the location - specifically for this book, nature
*You like very simplistic stories of young people falling in love.
*You enjoy stories that are grounded in the real world but are filled with fantastical elements
* You're looking for an easy read that will give you a bit more substance than reality TV but also long enough that you can take it in over the course of a week
...
While I personally did not enjoy the book, I feel similarly to it as I do Lady Gaga - I see the talent and understand why it's appreciated - it's just not for me. So why bother review? Because it's marketed to me. The book succeeds in what it is - it's a simple book about teen love with heavy description of surroundings; however, it's marketed as also being a (and I quote the cover) 'murder-mystery.' I'm unsure as to where that comes from.
A murder mystery? Somebody dies, yes, and it's mentioned on the first page. Crawdads doesn't build any tension; it's simply a recounting of events with a few towns people. If you've lived in a small town, there's no surprise as to how this story goes. No twists, no turns, numerous arrests are not made.. it just, is. And not particularly interesting. It's just a plot device to move the love story further. If anything, I worry that it tries to give one of the characters a reason to "deserve love" in the face of adversity, which is problematic.
We all go into "A Walk to Remember" knowing that Mandy Moore is going to die somehow -- but does it make it a mystery because we know this information going into the movie? No. It's just a plot device to move the love story forward. And, while the resulting story may make us feel differently (as viewers), it doesn't innately build tension.
So, this book is an average love story with heavy description - marketing issues aside. However, there are better options.
* Teen coming-of-age love story in a small town: A Good Neighborhood by Theresa Anne Fowler
* Beautiful descriptions of nature and a deep understanding of what it means to be alive: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
* Murder Mystery: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
* You enjoy novels which are heavily descriptive of the location - specifically for this book, nature
*You like very simplistic stories of young people falling in love.
*You enjoy stories that are grounded in the real world but are filled with fantastical elements
* You're looking for an easy read that will give you a bit more substance than reality TV but also long enough that you can take it in over the course of a week
...
While I personally did not enjoy the book, I feel similarly to it as I do Lady Gaga - I see the talent and understand why it's appreciated - it's just not for me. So why bother review? Because it's marketed to me. The book succeeds in what it is - it's a simple book about teen love with heavy description of surroundings; however, it's marketed as also being a (and I quote the cover) 'murder-mystery.' I'm unsure as to where that comes from.
A murder mystery? Somebody dies, yes, and it's mentioned on the first page. Crawdads doesn't build any tension; it's simply a recounting of events with a few towns people. If you've lived in a small town, there's no surprise as to how this story goes. No twists, no turns, numerous arrests are not made.. it just, is. And not particularly interesting. It's just a plot device to move the love story further. If anything, I worry that it tries to give one of the characters a reason to "deserve love" in the face of adversity, which is problematic.
We all go into "A Walk to Remember" knowing that Mandy Moore is going to die somehow -- but does it make it a mystery because we know this information going into the movie? No. It's just a plot device to move the love story forward. And, while the resulting story may make us feel differently (as viewers), it doesn't innately build tension.
So, this book is an average love story with heavy description - marketing issues aside. However, there are better options.
* Teen coming-of-age love story in a small town: A Good Neighborhood by Theresa Anne Fowler
* Beautiful descriptions of nature and a deep understanding of what it means to be alive: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
* Murder Mystery: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn