raro6511's reviews
65 reviews

While We've Still Got Feet by David Budbill

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

funny lighthearted mysterious 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

3.0

This book was just okay. Definitely had it’s funny moments, but overall it felt rushed and unbelievable. McQuistons’s One Last Stop was more believable than this one and it was about a girl from the past stuck on a subway car. I don’t think we really got in depth in any of the characters enough to really connect with any of them, and the majority of the side characters relationships felt forced and unrealistic. I really enjoyed One Last Stop and was looking for a repeat experience, and I’m pretty disappointed to not get it here. 

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book was creepy in the best way. I had to put it down anytime I was alone because some of the imagery definitely got to me. The way Moreno wrote about grief in the novel was relatable yet chilling. Only reason I didn’t give five stars was that the ending was somewhat lacking for me. Still very much worth a read. 

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard

emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.0

This book was well written and I think captured really well some of the concerns and internalized homophobia that young butch women feel when coming into themselves. Overall decent read and would recommend if you are into YA reads. 

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.75

This book was f*cking weird and very slow paced which is not something I normally enjoy. The protagonist was not like-able, nor any of the side characters, however the writing is done very well and was the only thing that kept me reading. I truly had no idea what was going on, only that it made me uncomfortable. There is a small twist at the end that serves as a small payoff for finishing the book. Wouldn’t necessarily recommend unless you like dark subject matter just for the sake of being dark subject matter. 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is exactly as described. “High fantasy, low stakes.” Legends and Lattes was fun and enjoyable to read the whole way through. I almost gave it 4.75 stars because of the lack of serious conflict in the book but then thought better of it. It’s like a book vacation, especially if you read fantasy or sci-fi that always keeps the hero dangling on the edge of death. This is a very nice and welcome change of pace that had me smiling the whole way through. 

I Hope You Stay by Courtney Peppernell

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.5

The prose felt very basic to me. There were some good poems throughout, And because it was an easy read, I’d recommend it. Would probably be most impactful to someone who recently had a break up. 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

This book read like a personal journal of the author, but she definitely had some good insights to share. She talks about how she has come to accept that it is okay to be sad and it is something that we should all learn to do. Great book to read during the winter time when that seasonal depression is really laying it on. 

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Really decent book. It kind of fell flat towards the end for me, as I would have rather spent more time on the ship with more scary stuff going on rather than the political side of the story. Twist was good, but was predictable as soon as it was set up. Would still recommend to those who like horror and thriller. A nice twist on a ghost ship tale. 

Bluebird by Ciel Pierlot
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

Boring. Couldn’t get into the main character. Main relationship seemed forced and unbalanced.