rootedreader's reviews
175 reviews

Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook by Melissa Thompson

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emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Growing up in a Jamaican household, watching others cook and learning how to cook were main ways I was able to connect with the history of that side of my family. The recipes in this book are amazing and remind me of what I grew up with. The author shares a lot of history as well as resources for continued reading. 
Bright Cooking: Recipes for the Modern Palate by Camille Becerra

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challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. I love reading cookbooks, not just for the recipes but also for the stories of the author and how they came to write recipes and to cooking. I loved the writing, pictures, and how plant based it is. I don't often buy cookbooks because I have so many but this one will definitely be on the list when it comes out.
My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. My Side of the River follows Elizabeth (and her family) as she navigates two worlds-being an American and being the child of immigrants. She writes in detail of the pressure she feels to be the best while feeling outside pressure that she isn't and never will be. Following her from a young age until young adulthood we see her struggle to become her own person without losing touch with where she comes from. 

I enjoyed this quite a bit, my only issue with the last couple of chapters not as in depth as the rest of the book. 
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A Whole New World by Liz Braswell

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

3.5

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So This Is Love by Elizabeth Lim

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

3.0

While I’ve been enjoying the series (fairytale retellings) many of them including this one are too long/slow. 
I Sat Alone by the Gate by Mary Efendi

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-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

4.0

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to review. This was a slow but steady beautifully written story. As I was reading this I could see the MC, her family, friends, and community as they struggled to make decisions in a new country. To find their footing, the longing for what was, and yet hopeful for what could be. I love stories like this and I'm glad I was able to read it, it will definitely stick with me for a long time.
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This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

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emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Not my typical read, my first from this author. I enjoyed reading both of the mc's journey as individuals and as parents. I didn't enjoy the sexual content or the repeated descriptions of their bodies throughout. That and some of the internal and external dialogue seemed forced. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. 
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Survival Takes a Wild Imagination by Fariha Róisín

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Wanting to read more poetry I was eager to read this collection of poems. Climate change, abuse, colonization, self love, and relationships are some of the topics Róisín writes with powerful imagery. Some poems I enjoyed more than others, some of this is likely due to not knowing the specifics of the topics she writes about. A few of the poems were difficult to read/connect with. Overall an enjoyable book.
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Live Longer, Live Better: Lessons for Longevity from the World's Healthiest Zones by Melissa Petitto, Melissa Petitto

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. I loved this cookbook. Describing the areas the recipes are from, explaining the importance of the foods used, and the recipe formats make this a lovely book to read and cook from. I also enjoyed the aspects of each culture that are important for living a good life (vs just listing superfoods to consume).
Nourishing Vegan Every Day: Simple, Plant-Based Recipes Filled with Color and Flavor by Amy Lanza, Amy Lanza

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informative

3.0

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. I found this to be a fun and easy read. The recipes seem uncomplicated and tasty. Reading about the authors journey was interesting and the pictures are beautiful.