rootedreader's reviews
175 reviews

Champagne at Seven! (Bitches of Fifth Avenue) by Toni Glickman

emotional medium-paced

2.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. While I enjoyed the overall plot of the story the details and characters were a miss for me. The story follows the main character after a sudden life changing event- that doesn't happen until 1/3 of the way into the book. Before and for much after the plot is filled with name brands and descriptions of rich lifestyle living. The family disappears from the story about 1/2 through to focus on the main character-but I was previously enjoying seeing her relationships change with friends and family. Also, it seems to abruptly end which was disappointing.

The One That Got Away by Charlotte Rixon

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emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

I honestly didn't enjoy reading this book very much, If it wasn't an ARC I wouldn't have finished it. It wasn't until I was 60% done that I wanted to keep reading. Issues I had include poor character development, glamorizing toxic behavior in relationships (though the characters seem to realize this later), clunky writing, switching from past to present quickly and between the two main characters was at times disorienting, and the supporting characters (friends and significant others) were one dimension/didn’t add much.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy

Content Warnings

Exploratory Writing: Everyday Magic for Life and Work by Alison Jones

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funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. Exploratory Writing presents the why and how of writing in a way that can be accessible and enjoyable for many. A few of the takeaways for me are: 1. writing is fun, 2. writing can help us see more of what is in front of us, and 3. writing can be just for you. The neuroscience behind why writing is helpful was also interesting. This is more of a why and how of writing, not what I expected but definitely helpful. It reads more like a self-help book than anything. I disliked what I read as the emphasis on self-not much if any mention about community or the challenges of living in our current society (classism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, racism, etc).

Letters to a Writer of Color by Taymour Soomro, Deepa Anappara

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

Letters to a Writer of Color is a collection of essays by writers of color sharing how their experiences, traditions, and expectations (often thrown onto them by) have shaped their writing. One of the main themes is how the writing community often places demands on writers of color that they don't of white authors. Longing to be their authentic self these writers often felt the same demands in their own communities. I felt the longing to be accepted into both while at the same time could see their struggle to carve their own path. Each essay presents emotions and experiences differently, in a way that shows there isn't one way to write.

Asking Better Questions of the Bible: A Guide for the Wounded, Wary, and Longing for More by Marty Solomon

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Tydale House Publishers for a copy of this to read. Having listened to several episodes of the BEMA podcast I was thrilled to hear Marty Solomon was writing a book. Asking Better Questions of the Bible addresses several topics in a way that is insightful as it is inspirational. Marty addresses the importance of the historical and cultural context of when passages were written, humanizes the doubts that inevitably happen, and discusses the potential pitfalls of the desire for security and assurances. Going through each major "section" of the bible, Marty shares what he's learned along the way, gives many resources for further study, and most shares his thoughts on the purpose of scripture- not only to learn but to be transformed in our daily lives.

Decolonizing the Body: Healing, Body-Centered Practices for Women of Color to Reclaim Confidence, Dignity, and Self-Worth by Christena Cleveland, Kelsey Blackwell

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Excellent read. Offers an approach that is as informative as it is approachable.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

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dark emotional medium-paced