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lucybbookstuff's reviews
366 reviews
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a lot of fun with this!!
I very much enjoyed Kingfisher's prose - it was often beautifully descriptive without getting flowery. And also had a wonderful thread of humor throughout.
I enjoyed how self-referential this book is. It's a fairytale and it knows that, but also actively interrogated the simplistic storytelling and messaging/morals of classic fairytales. Love that it leaned more Brothers Grimm, too, with spooky curses and faerie stuff. Not everything could be magically fixed, at least not at the drop of a hat, and that was the point.
I liked Marra and her slow, realistic growth throughout the book. But the best part was definitely the full goofy ensemble. This would have been very boring without the sassy dust-wife, gentle giant, silly aunt, and endearing animals.
Overall, quite enjoyed this! It didn't have a ton of oomph to make it a real page-turner or a favorite, but I like it a lot and I'm excited to read more Kingfisher.
I very much enjoyed Kingfisher's prose - it was often beautifully descriptive without getting flowery. And also had a wonderful thread of humor throughout.
I enjoyed how self-referential this book is. It's a fairytale and it knows that, but also actively interrogated the simplistic storytelling and messaging/morals of classic fairytales. Love that it leaned more Brothers Grimm, too, with spooky curses and faerie stuff. Not everything could be magically fixed, at least not at the drop of a hat, and that was the point.
I liked Marra and her slow, realistic growth throughout the book. But the best part was definitely the full goofy ensemble. This would have been very boring without the sassy dust-wife, gentle giant, silly aunt, and endearing animals.
Overall, quite enjoyed this! It didn't have a ton of oomph to make it a real page-turner or a favorite, but I like it a lot and I'm excited to read more Kingfisher.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
You can really tell this man is a poet, based on both the way he writes and the way he narrates.
Beautiful, evocative writing; at once personal and universal. I loved the way he used music as a way to process his own feelings or life events. He is a very talented writer and provides a very wise and interesting lens through which to consider pop culture and recent history. I can't wait to read more from him.
I do feel that there were maybe a few too many essays in this collection. Maybe I was just listening too fast, though. Also, though I appreciate his poetic writing style, I didn't always love having it recited straight into my ears. Some of the run-on sentences made my brain overflow lol. Definitely a me problem, but still affected my experience.
Beautiful, evocative writing; at once personal and universal. I loved the way he used music as a way to process his own feelings or life events. He is a very talented writer and provides a very wise and interesting lens through which to consider pop culture and recent history. I can't wait to read more from him.
I do feel that there were maybe a few too many essays in this collection. Maybe I was just listening too fast, though. Also, though I appreciate his poetic writing style, I didn't always love having it recited straight into my ears. Some of the run-on sentences made my brain overflow lol. Definitely a me problem, but still affected my experience.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Not really the conclusion I was expecting? Or hoping for, to be honest.
Still love Binti as a main character, and her weird friends. Her good vibes definitely carry this trilogy.
But this 3rd book especially felt kind of aimless? It was very repetitive, and the plot was pretty anticlimactic. And it got kind of exasperating just how many different things Binti is supposed to be, through no choice of her own. I understand that was kind of the point, and she was exasperated herself. But as a reader, it just became a lot to keep track of, with very little narrative payoff for any of it.
Still, overall, it's a very fun, cozy-feeling series with decent themes. And above all, a lovely main character. I just wanted a little more from this conclusion.
Still love Binti as a main character, and her weird friends. Her good vibes definitely carry this trilogy.
But this 3rd book especially felt kind of aimless? It was very repetitive, and the plot was pretty anticlimactic. And it got kind of exasperating just how many different things Binti is supposed to be, through no choice of her own. I understand that was kind of the point, and she was exasperated herself. But as a reader, it just became a lot to keep track of, with very little narrative payoff for any of it.
Still, overall, it's a very fun, cozy-feeling series with decent themes. And above all, a lovely main character. I just wanted a little more from this conclusion.
"Children's book published after 2020 by an author of color" for the 2025 genre challenge! I just walked into the library and picked a fun looking book that was on display.
Not gonna rate because I feel I have no business rating a children's book. But this was so cool! Love the idea of the Li'l Queens series. I didn't know about Amina and she is awesome, and I love the message of the book that you can be both a queen and a warrior. :)
Not gonna rate because I feel I have no business rating a children's book. But this was so cool! Love the idea of the Li'l Queens series. I didn't know about Amina and she is awesome, and I love the message of the book that you can be both a queen and a warrior. :)
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Wow. Above all else... what a deeply layered book.
I immersion read this and got through it very fast. It is definitely a compulsively readable book. But I already feel like I want to reread sometime and sit with more of the ideas for longer. Though I still feel that I have a decent handle on them after this first read.
I read Huck Finn in high school, probably 16 years ago now. I had been hoping to do a reread before this, but couldn't fit it in. Definitely didn't need to after all - though I am glad I read a summary of it beforehand. Huck Finn isn't a necessary read to enjoy this book, but I would 1000% recommend having some knowledge of the plot and/or critical context of it before diving into James.
Everett definitely played around with literary devices in this book. It is not a straightforward narrative. It's not entirely grounded in reality. It often reads like a madcap adventure story, parallel to Huck Finn, but with much more serious plot points and themes. Due to that, it strikes a pretty dissonant tone at times (in a very intentional way, I believe).
Some of these devices didn't completely work for me, as I can be a very literal person, and can get easily confused with even slightly-warped realities. I also was frequently thrown off by the narrative style of the step-by-step adventure mixed with moments of profound philosophy. However, these are definitely just personal preferences, and I think that these devices were very well-used by Everett. He is much smarter than me. 😅
I did enjoy the narrative overall and how it interrogated and diverged from the original. Retellings can be a tough sell for me, too. But this one served a very good purpose.
No matter what, I absolutely loved the theme work on display here. There were some fantastic musings on equality, hypocrisy, choice, and of course, slavery in general. But in particular, I LOVED the discussion throughout the book about language, as it relates to perceived intelligence, and the implications of that. Really fascinating stuff.
Highly recommend this book. I definitely will do that reread one day. And I think I will also do the Huck Finn reread at that time. Even though it's not necessary for full enjoyment and analysis, I am a nerd and I would like to see them side by side. 😁
I immersion read this and got through it very fast. It is definitely a compulsively readable book. But I already feel like I want to reread sometime and sit with more of the ideas for longer. Though I still feel that I have a decent handle on them after this first read.
I read Huck Finn in high school, probably 16 years ago now. I had been hoping to do a reread before this, but couldn't fit it in. Definitely didn't need to after all - though I am glad I read a summary of it beforehand. Huck Finn isn't a necessary read to enjoy this book, but I would 1000% recommend having some knowledge of the plot and/or critical context of it before diving into James.
Everett definitely played around with literary devices in this book. It is not a straightforward narrative. It's not entirely grounded in reality. It often reads like a madcap adventure story, parallel to Huck Finn, but with much more serious plot points and themes. Due to that, it strikes a pretty dissonant tone at times (in a very intentional way, I believe).
Some of these devices didn't completely work for me, as I can be a very literal person, and can get easily confused with even slightly-warped realities. I also was frequently thrown off by the narrative style of the step-by-step adventure mixed with moments of profound philosophy. However, these are definitely just personal preferences, and I think that these devices were very well-used by Everett. He is much smarter than me. 😅
I did enjoy the narrative overall and how it interrogated and diverged from the original. Retellings can be a tough sell for me, too. But this one served a very good purpose.
No matter what, I absolutely loved the theme work on display here. There were some fantastic musings on equality, hypocrisy, choice, and of course, slavery in general. But in particular, I LOVED the discussion throughout the book about language, as it relates to perceived intelligence, and the implications of that. Really fascinating stuff.
Highly recommend this book. I definitely will do that reread one day. And I think I will also do the Huck Finn reread at that time. Even though it's not necessary for full enjoyment and analysis, I am a nerd and I would like to see them side by side. 😁
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Reread 4 years later. Gonna keep its 5 stars. 😌
This read took me considerably longer than the first time around. A combination of my brain being in a bad place recently, and the book not being quite as page-turning since I knew/remembered most of the big plot points.
Still absolutely amazing. Some of the best characters ever. And the last couple hundred pages especially are SO GOOD. Worth 5 stars all on their own.
I may not be in the same place I was when I first read these. When they changed the game and my reading habits and my standards for good. But I'll always appreciate them for that and they'll always be incredible.
This read took me considerably longer than the first time around. A combination of my brain being in a bad place recently, and the book not being quite as page-turning since I knew/remembered most of the big plot points.
Still absolutely amazing. Some of the best characters ever. And the last couple hundred pages especially are SO GOOD. Worth 5 stars all on their own.
I may not be in the same place I was when I first read these. When they changed the game and my reading habits and my standards for good. But I'll always appreciate them for that and they'll always be incredible.
![The Awakening (Part 1 of 1) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/ttcsecfxkxfeg5gvk2vy9w9x0f5t)
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LOL. Trust me, I had this nowhere near my TBR, but some friends have been chatting about it and giving me FOMO. Also life has been lifeing so hard, and it turned out I really needed some brain-off trash.
I have very little comment about the actual contents of this book lol. It was cringey and cliche and not very well-written. I can't say I care about anyone or anything that happened yet. But it was highly entertaining, and I needed that. And it's also honest about what it is, so I give it credit for that.
This was garbage that I sorely needed right now, and I will continue on, both for my mushy brain AND to see what all the fuss is about in the later books. 👀
I have very little comment about the actual contents of this book lol. It was cringey and cliche and not very well-written. I can't say I care about anyone or anything that happened yet. But it was highly entertaining, and I needed that. And it's also honest about what it is, so I give it credit for that.
This was garbage that I sorely needed right now, and I will continue on, both for my mushy brain AND to see what all the fuss is about in the later books. 👀
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Transcends a star rating.
My first nonfiction from Baldwin and it absolutely did not disappoint. He is capable not only of beautiful, timeless prose, but clearly imparting such critical wisdom about the state of the world.
It's amazing and frightening how relevant the thoughts and calls to action in this book still are today, 60 years later. And yet, I still get a sense of hope from it.
This should definitely be required reading for Americans.
My first nonfiction from Baldwin and it absolutely did not disappoint. He is capable not only of beautiful, timeless prose, but clearly imparting such critical wisdom about the state of the world.
It's amazing and frightening how relevant the thoughts and calls to action in this book still are today, 60 years later. And yet, I still get a sense of hope from it.
This should definitely be required reading for Americans.
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Loved this one! The first book was fun and a great introduction. For some reason, I found this one so comforting.
Binti is just a calming presence on the page. And Okorafor brings this world to life so nicely without going into much detail at all.
It has high stakes but still manages to feel cozy, and I had no idea how much I needed that right now. 🥲
Definitely getting to book 3 soon!
Binti is just a calming presence on the page. And Okorafor brings this world to life so nicely without going into much detail at all.
It has high stakes but still manages to feel cozy, and I had no idea how much I needed that right now. 🥲
Definitely getting to book 3 soon!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Very classic Backman, whimsically telling very human stories. Though this one was a little extra goofy in a way I didn't love. Got some good chuckles out of it, but was mostly annoyed. Leave the poor guy alone???