rainb0wreads's reviews
161 reviews

Passing (African American Heritage Classics) by Nella Larsen

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The way this book had me gobsmacked and gagged-

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

I don’t really know what I can say about this book other than the fact it feels very much like the end of an era to have finished all 511 pages after 4 long months. 

It is everything. You must read it. 

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan

emotional lighthearted 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

4.0

Phew gimme one second to collect my thoughts 

It’s very refreshing to see a romance that doesn’t make the main character’s soul purposes for existing to be only so they can eat each other’s faces off. However, the romance was still very cute, and had a lovely slow burn additive that made it even more refreshing to read. Just a genuine chemistry that took time to develop in a good, messy, high school way. 

This was a very cute and entertaining read that had multiple things going for it that keeps you engaged and rooting for Mina through the whole thing. 

However, there are still some gripes that I can’t quite shake. There is no strict resolution with the parents, nor is there enough depth to then that I feel was a bit necessary and could have been communicated with more prominent dialogue and conversation between Mina and her parents. However I have learned that this is heavily based on the authors experience which does maybe showcase that they themselves don’t have a resolution to give either and that’s ok. I also say this as someone who doesn’t really relate to all the aspects of Mina’s home life so take it with a grain of salt! 

What I also didn’t really enjoy was how villainized she became in her community for wanting to go to California. I mean, hell, the thought of college consumed me my senior year and she did have a lot riding on that film competition. I just don’t know if it was fair to make it seem like she was being a horrible sister and friend for wanting to get away and she had to apologize for things that I didn’t feel were entirely that antagonistic. In my mind, Mina was just extremely passionate.

However, this book was a fun fest for me, and I definitely enjoyed it more than Counting Down With You by the same author! 

Uncle Tom's Children by Richard Wright

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Yeah my African American lit professor simply never misses.

3rd book this semester for the class and it’s another gut puncher. The aftermath of slavery is something that many people forget was just as much a dark time for black people and while there is much to be dissected from each of these stories I would simply suggest picking it up for yourself.

These are stories of pure and raw existence in the face of the dangers of racism. 

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

5.0

My African American Lit teacher never misses pt. 2

Black women in America are not only faced with the issue of race, but the issue of race and sex. Harriet Jacob’s has a gut wrenching story here to tell of what it meant to gain her freedom from a family that was so cruel and in order to save her two young children from the same fate she faced as a woman in slavery. Another 5 star read 

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

My African American Lit professor never missed pt. 1

This was a required reading for my African American literature course and it really does show how necessary first person encounters are to the conversation of systemic racism and the history of slavery. Fredrick Douglas, like many prior slaves, had a unique experience to share with much brutal hardship and well needed commentary on religious hypocrisy as well as the brutal living conditions of slaves during the American Slave Trade. It’s a short read that packs a powerful punch and I highly recommend it. 

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

While I would say this was definitely more action packed than the first book, and I think that the themes it covers are great, real, and necessary, I can’t get behind the romance this time around.
The push and pull of Lei and Wren’s relationship is so intense I’m not sure I can say I really ‘root for it’ right now. Hopefully that changes with the 3rd installment. Regardless, this series is a very good read.

The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder by Charles Graeber

dark informative reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

Bro this shit is fucking bonkers. I had no idea who this man was before picking up this book but now I feel like I might spend at least 10 seconds a day thinking about him for the rest of my life.
Like, I knew the medical system in America was fucked but I didn’t realize how fucked and now I do. Even if it wasn’t intentional it really brings to light how much hospital systems will be willing to save their own asses. Even if it means it’s costing people their lives.
This was great, it was very well written, the amount of effort that went into making it is insane. Have a great day. 

The Bronzed Beasts by Roshani Chokshi

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I was so desperate to see what the ending of this book. 

So much so that at one point in the evening while I was kissing my girlfriend (as one does) I kept an earbud in to keep listening 

This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Two cheating tropes 
A 3rd act break up 
A protagonist who’s best friends with their cheating ex
And a band of really messy high schoolers 

I think this just wasn’t for me. Maybe I’m too old, but also, I think they’re all assholes to each other and spend too much time apologizing to each other for things that made them all give the silent treatment than actually bonding. 

Also, the romance happened so damn fast