ryliereadss's reviews
284 reviews

Gay Girl Prayers by Emily Austin

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

As a queer girl with a lot of church hurt, this was healing to read. I loved it!!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked Kennedy and Judes relationship and how that developed. The book really showed how difficult it is to find yourself. I felt bad for Stella but also frustrated with her. She just can’t stop lying and it made me mad. The internalized racism was strong with this one. I liked the narration.
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

There’s a part of me that didn’t enjoy this because Anna sounds privileged to be able to go to these different colleges and try different artistic careers and go back to her two story house when she leaves the hospital and being able to pay for IVF treatment. But also makes some very valid points about men and patriarchy and I could relate to her experience with molding herself for her partner. I think other women will be able to relate to that too. Her experience in the psych ward was interesting to read about as well. I would recommend this if you want to learn more about mental health and tortured artists.

Kind of disappointed she didn’t talk about her relationship with John. RIP Petunia, that part almost made me cry
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This is a great book about the social and family struggles that young black girls may face. We see Marlene be bullied and pressured to straighten her hair to fit in. Lots of emotional struggle and voicing the different messages she is sent but the ending was great.
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Super cute, lighthearted, and queer!! I loved the characters and the dialogue was funny. The art style was so cute. I want more!!
March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin

Go to review page

challenging dark informative fast-paced

3.5

Great little history lesson in this graphic novel! The art style is very fitting for the book. 
Crushing by Sophie Burrows

Go to review page

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

3.0

Super cute, quick read!! I really enjoyed the art style and following each of the main characters.
Skim by Mariko Tamaki

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

3.25

I don’t really understand what the point of this book is. It tackles serious subjects like suicide and LGBTQ+ themes and the first time falling in love. But Im a little confused about the main message. By the end of the book Kim defends her new friend which shows some character development but I feel like she didn’t develop in other ways I hoped she would. I liked the way it showed friends growing apart as you grow up but I wish she would have stopped hanging out with her friend sooner.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Drame by Raina Telgemeier

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I might have rated it higher if I was in the target age group but it was a good book!! Callie had some great character growth and the characters were diverse which was great to see. Seeing behind the scenes of the theatre production was really fun. A great book for kids in middle school!!
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum. An Autistic Comics Anthology by Bex Ollerton, Schnumn

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

3.0

A great collection of comics about being on the autism spectrum and the different experiences of that.