sameerareads's reviews
142 reviews

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

challenging hopeful informative reflective slow-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

4.5

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

5.0

The Dating Plan by Sara Desai

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-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

3.0

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

I inhaled this book in a few sittings, and didn’t want to let it’s characters go. It is an intricate and poignant depiction of Syria in the aftermath of the revolutionary Arab Spring uprisings that swept the region in 2011, narrated through the experiences of 18-year-old Salama Kassab in the city of Homs. The book vividly captures not just the impact of war and militarism at the human level— exploring the harrowing effects of PTSD, death, and grief— but is also a testament to the resilience, love and loyalty of the Syrian people in spite of the lack of accountability on the international stage. 

Katouh’s prose is beautiful and transcendent, and it is obvious that she has poured her heart and soul into finely crafting each and every storyline and character. The Muslim representation is one of the best portrayals I have read, and I adored the budding development of Salama and Kenan's relationship amidst the heavier themes explored. I would highly recommend this (even if you do not usually read YA fiction), and especially if you enjoyed books such as The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar. 5 ✨

 

This book publishes on 15th September in the UK/ANZ. Thank you to @bloomsburyya for my netgalley e-arc! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.5