Scan barcode
ladykatka's reviews
935 reviews
William by Mason Coile
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Another I read it because of TikTok book. I spoke was fairly predictable. I figured out the twist really early on so I wasn't surprised by the end. However, I enjoyed it because I live with a computer programmer who really enjoys making our house "smart" so reading this book really reminded me of them. And I'm taking this as a warning not to let them go too far.
Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Cute story of the hardships of being a fish out of water. As so done who works with immigrant children this was a great book to read.
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker
I'm conflicted about this book. While it had some compelling elements, especially the flashbacks to Cecily’s past, the modern-day sections felt overcrowded with characters. Some weren’t introduced until halfway through the novel, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their roles in the story.
One of the biggest issues for me was the ethical dilemma surrounding Cecily’s DNA. The fact that her family took it without her consent is, at best, morally questionable and, at worst, outright criminal. The novel tries to justify it with a heartwarming resolution, but instead of feeling touching, it left me uneasy. A breach of bodily autonomy shouldn’t be so easily excused, no matter the outcome.
The central romance also left me skeptical. While I understand that a first love can be significant, the idea that a teenage relationship would still hold such overwhelming importance after 80 years—despite both characters living full lives, marrying others, and raising families—felt unrealistic. Cecily had experiences that might have deepened the impact of this love, but the way it was framed made it seem like everything else in her life was secondary, which didn’t sit right with me.
The ending, unfortunately, was overly sentimental. Rather than feeling earned, it came across as saccharine, tying everything up in a way that seemed to gloss over the more complex and uncomfortable aspects of the story.
Overall, while there were engaging moments, especially in Cecily’s past, the book’s structure, ethical missteps, and exaggerated emotional beats kept me from fully enjoying it.
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm conflicted about this book. While it had some compelling elements, especially the flashbacks to Cecily’s past, the modern-day sections felt overcrowded with characters. Some weren’t introduced until halfway through the novel, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their roles in the story.
One of the biggest issues for me was the ethical dilemma surrounding Cecily’s DNA. The fact that her family took it without her consent is, at best, morally questionable and, at worst, outright criminal. The novel tries to justify it with a heartwarming resolution, but instead of feeling touching, it left me uneasy. A breach of bodily autonomy shouldn’t be so easily excused, no matter the outcome.
The central romance also left me skeptical. While I understand that a first love can be significant, the idea that a teenage relationship would still hold such overwhelming importance after 80 years—despite both characters living full lives, marrying others, and raising families—felt unrealistic. Cecily had experiences that might have deepened the impact of this love, but the way it was framed made it seem like everything else in her life was secondary, which didn’t sit right with me.
The ending, unfortunately, was overly sentimental. Rather than feeling earned, it came across as saccharine, tying everything up in a way that seemed to gloss over the more complex and uncomfortable aspects of the story.
Overall, while there were engaging moments, especially in Cecily’s past, the book’s structure, ethical missteps, and exaggerated emotional beats kept me from fully enjoying it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Pregnancy
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
For an award winning and a banned book this was ok. It definitely is believable and feels like any summer between two early teenage girls. Sounded like a conversion I could have had when I was that young. But it isn't a gripping story, it's not exciting, not even a really a plot or storyline. Just a real snapshot of life, which honestly makes it borderline dull
Next Stop by Debbie Fong
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
This is so much more than a road trip story. 😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Knots by Colleen Frakes
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The cover is a bit misleading. I thought it was going to be a coming of age story about a girl discovering herself through experimenting with her looks. Kinda a feel good message about body image. It is not that. It's mostly about a dysfunctional and mostly unlikeable family. The younger sister is quite annoying and the parents are neglectful. Also do 12 year olds really not know how to use a microwave?
I will say though, that this is a very believable story and well written. You feel Norah's pain through it all. It just wasn't advertised to me correctly so not what I expected.
I will say though, that this is a very believable story and well written. You feel Norah's pain through it all. It just wasn't advertised to me correctly so not what I expected.
Boy vs. Shark by Paul Gilligan
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute story about growing up (but not growing up to fast), learning about responsibility and what a good friendship looks like.
Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.0
When the story starts off it seems like this is going to be a story about acceptance of who you are A coming-of-age story to at least understand it. However, it changes about halfway through to be an adventure superhero type story which gives off very different vibes. Granted for the audience that this is targeted to. This probably works really really well because it is cute. It is very fast paced and it is go go go. Yet it doesn't lead to a cohesive story. I just thought they could have done a little bit more with it rather than making it so simple.
Personal side note: don't come at me because I know this is a kids book and I shouldn't read so deeply into it, however, I really didn't like that they were using black cats for evil magical purposes because black cats already have such superstition around them that they are the most abused abandoned cats out there. They are also the ones that struggle the hardest to be adopted from shelters. So I feel like they don't need this kind of press.
Personal side note: don't come at me because I know this is a kids book and I shouldn't read so deeply into it, however, I really didn't like that they were using black cats for evil magical purposes because black cats already have such superstition around them that they are the most abused abandoned cats out there. They are also the ones that struggle the hardest to be adopted from shelters. So I feel like they don't need this kind of press.
Chickenpox by Remy Lai
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute and reminds me of every sibling squabble I ever had growing up
Visitations by Corey Egbert
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a surprising story. I had never heard of it but was recommended by the local library. What an emotional journey. To find out it is based on true events is wild and also a bit sad to think about. Families and children go through this and it is not something we think much about. Mental health still is something we don't talk enough about and we need easy access to more help and resources. I'm glad I read this book.