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oceanwriter's reviews
589 reviews
The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Within the first few pages I was engrossed. Before I knew it, I was 30-40 pages in. Sadly, I lost momentum somewhere around there as it became overwhelmingly obvious what direction the story was taking.
Miranda’s uncle disappeared around her twelfth birthday. For years she sought him out until he eventually faded into memory. Years later, she receives word of his death and finds out he’s left his bookshop to her. He also left behind a series of clues for her to follow to find answers about not only his past but her own.
Again, I found the first pages gripping. Until it wasn’t. There are too many clues dropped early on, leaving the mystery pretty much solved with a couple hundred pages to go. Because of this, I would consider it to be more of a work of literary fiction than a mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Drug use
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To be brutally honest, I hardly have a memory of reading this book as I had a lot going on at the time and I’m only now weeks later getting to my review. A lot of this is circumstantial, although, from what I do remember, I was initially drawn into the book before my interest waned. I liked what strong emotions the author put into the book, I’ve just exhausted myself with family war epics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual violence, Torture, and Excrement
The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz: A True Story of Family and Survival by Jeremy Dronfield
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Initially, I was surprised to see this written in the third person and I wasn’t sure how I was going to take to it as I’m accustomed to Holocaust memoirs where they’re more like a diary of sorts (if not literally a diary). I’m glad I didn’t let my assumption stop me from adjusting as I ended up enjoying the way it was told through the third person narrative.
Father and son Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann were arrested and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. They survive there together for some time before Gustav learns he’s going to be sent to Auschwitz. Refusing to be separated, Fritz insists on being taken as well.
I found Gustav and Fritz’s story touching and inspiring. I also found some of the history to be unique compared to many other books I’ve read from this era. For example, early on in the book it discusses the lead-up to the war and the descriptions of the Nazi’s taunts in such a vivid way that also depicts that their prejudice was not only toward the Jewish people but many others. In many ways, it felt like a novel because it was so atmospheric.
Father and son Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann were arrested and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. They survive there together for some time before Gustav learns he’s going to be sent to Auschwitz. Refusing to be separated, Fritz insists on being taken as well.
I found Gustav and Fritz’s story touching and inspiring. I also found some of the history to be unique compared to many other books I’ve read from this era. For example, early on in the book it discusses the lead-up to the war and the descriptions of the Nazi’s taunts in such a vivid way that also depicts that their prejudice was not only toward the Jewish people but many others. In many ways, it felt like a novel because it was so atmospheric.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Murder, Torture, Deportation, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Hate crime
Minor: Excrement and Cursing
The Edge of Eden by Mia Ellas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 96%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 96%.
I read so much of this but I just can’t do the demonic thing.
The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
I can’t unsee the phrase ‘mossy breasts’
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
A friend of mine initially recommended this book to me, saying I would love the setting and the fact that the protagonists are writers. I’m always skeptical of fantasy even though I did find the premise intriguing. When it was chosen as a group read with The Global Book Nook, I figured it was a sign that I needed to give it a go. I’m so glad I did!
Iris is doing all she can do when war breaks out between the gods’ — at home, at work, and personally. While writing to her brother who is off fighting, she winds up beginning correspondence with her work rival Roman, albeit, unknowingly. This friendship becomes her saving grace.
I was glad that the fantastical element wasn’t too overwhelming and was more of a backdrop than the main focus being someone who doesn’t gravitate toward fantasy. I absolutely loved the aesthetic of it all as well as Iris and Roman’s chemistry. All around this book was a lovely surprise for me and I look forward to reading the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, War, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Vomit and Sexual content
The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
The part where the neighbors eat the pet dog was way too upsetting and now I can’t get it out of my head. Might just be a DNF for now but I can’t think of continuing it at the moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Animal death, and Misogyny
The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had high hopes for this one and it's partly on me for being let down. I haven't tolerated any sort of pandemic fiction (or nonfiction) well since 2020, however, my main issues with the book lay elsewhere.
This Spanish Flu of 1918 hits Philadelphia. Young Pia is left to fend for herself as well as her younger brothers. A series of events lands her in an orphan asylum and separated from her brothers, who have since disappeared. She winds up working with the sick and other children, all the while trying to locate her family.
I might have had more tolerance for this story if the nuns at St. Vincent's weren't stereotypical tormentors. While I can agree these institutions were far more strict at this time in history, there are some things that have not changed such as the general teachings of Catholicism which were falsely represented here. This was a major distraction for me. Aside from this, the story itself was so-so for me. It felt more slow-paced than it needed to me. I didn't find the mystery all too intriguing, either.
This Spanish Flu of 1918 hits Philadelphia. Young Pia is left to fend for herself as well as her younger brothers. A series of events lands her in an orphan asylum and separated from her brothers, who have since disappeared. She winds up working with the sick and other children, all the while trying to locate her family.
I might have had more tolerance for this story if the nuns at St. Vincent's weren't stereotypical tormentors. While I can agree these institutions were far more strict at this time in history, there are some things that have not changed such as the general teachings of Catholicism which were falsely represented here. This was a major distraction for me. Aside from this, the story itself was so-so for me. It felt more slow-paced than it needed to me. I didn't find the mystery all too intriguing, either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, and Racism
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Vomit, War, and Cursing
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I've seen the Disney movie, I've seen two different productions of the musical, I've watched Peter Pan Goes Wrong, and I've watched/read other movies and books that retold the story, yet until now, I'd never actually read the source material. I have to admit, I've liked many of the other versions/adaptions better.
I feel as though a book like this needs no recap, so I'll go right into it.
I never expected the pacing to be so fast even though it's a children's book. Maybe being familiar with the plot is part of the reason, but I felt like whenever I blinked I was on a new scene. A lot of the material hasn't aged well, either, which being a classic comes to little surprise yet never fails to catch me off guard. Still, I adore the premise and always have, so I'm glad to have finally read the original novel.
I feel as though a book like this needs no recap, so I'll go right into it.
I never expected the pacing to be so fast even though it's a children's book. Maybe being familiar with the plot is part of the reason, but I felt like whenever I blinked I was on a new scene. A lot of the material hasn't aged well, either, which being a classic comes to little surprise yet never fails to catch me off guard. Still, I adore the premise and always have, so I'm glad to have finally read the original novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Abandonment
White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
A lovely and emotional story of a Jewish girl in hiding during World War II accompanied by beautiful illustrations. It's a story of growth and courage as well as acceptance. Totally won my heart!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Ableism, War, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence