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lynseyreads_'s reviews
412 reviews
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
5.0
Original, heartfelt, queer. I wouldn’t say I’m typically a fan of sci-fi, but I guess when you team up Space Aliens at a donut shop in LA and a violin teacher aka Queen of Hell, you get a 5 ⭐️ sci-fi read for me.
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
4.0
4.5 stars.
Amazing writing; so lyrical and reads like a memoir.
Johnny is a very memorable protagonist.
Amazing writing; so lyrical and reads like a memoir.
Johnny is a very memorable protagonist.
Cool. Awkward. Black. by Karen Strong
4.0
Strong YA anthology with big authors writing cool, Black, and awkward MCs. Just telling one of my students that I started reading it was enough for them to have their parents purchase it for them that same week. The importance of representation
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
5.0
Told in Q&A format with some short stories sprinkled in between, The Reason I Jump, provides invaluable insight into the life of a teenager named Noaki with autism. Of course, autism is not a monolith, but I have learned SO MUCH from this little but mighty book, and I will continue to reread and reference back to it. Between answering the faqs, Noaki reminds the reader, “don’t give up on us.”
Also, I know I mention anecdotes from my middle schoolers often in my reviews, but I have to share that after a student finished this book, they left it on my desk with a post it note that read, “I now have an explanation for what’s going on in my head.”
Also, I know I mention anecdotes from my middle schoolers often in my reviews, but I have to share that after a student finished this book, they left it on my desk with a post it note that read, “I now have an explanation for what’s going on in my head.”
The Push by Ashley Audrain
3.0
Creepy, sad, infuriating, and ultimately unsatisfying + disjointed. It’s a dynamic read even going as far as it making you hope for the wrong things, but I feel that’s more the horrible situation the author has put our MC in rather than actual strong, compelling writing. 2nd person is used throughout, and it’s very confusing at first. I would’ve been curious about a multiple POV for this one.
Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
2.0
I enjoyed this more than a “3” implies, but can’t quite rate it a 4. Still wishing Goodreads had .25/.5/.75 rating options.
Love learning more about Armenian culture, and appreciate the more serious topics this book weaves in (Armenian genocide history, sexism, homophobia, alcoholism). Also appreciate the bi, f/f rep, and the push and pull the MC, Nareh, feels between having to please her family and being true to herself.
I do think this book could have leaned in even more to the COM of rom-com, and some plot changes could have been wise for this (the ending, in particular, is more “Full House” feeling than rom-com). It also read a little YA for me, but the characters are in their late 20s/30s.
However, overall I enjoyed it (especially the audiobook voices!), and would read more from this author.
Love learning more about Armenian culture, and appreciate the more serious topics this book weaves in (Armenian genocide history, sexism, homophobia, alcoholism). Also appreciate the bi, f/f rep, and the push and pull the MC, Nareh, feels between having to please her family and being true to herself.
I do think this book could have leaned in even more to the COM of rom-com, and some plot changes could have been wise for this (the ending, in particular, is more “Full House” feeling than rom-com). It also read a little YA for me, but the characters are in their late 20s/30s.
However, overall I enjoyed it (especially the audiobook voices!), and would read more from this author.