sarah_amy's reviews
52 reviews

Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Love Kristin Hannah's writing and found it as easy to connect to the characters again as I did in Firefly Lane. However, this felt like an unnecessary sequel. Felt like it was mostly about grief after the events from the previous story and the other main event was dragged out. I wish there were a few more new faces that we got to know and more that happened outside of the grief. Did enjoy the character development of Cloud/Dorothy though.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Drug use, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Medical content, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Grief, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

Love Kristin Hannah's writing and found it as easy to connect to the characters again as I did in Firefly Lane. However, this felt like an unnecessary sequel. Felt like it was mostly about grief after the events from the previous story and the other main event was dragged out. I wish there were a few more new faces that we got to know and more that happened outside of the grief. Did enjoy the character development of Cloud/Dorothy though.

Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

emotional informative sad slow-paced

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

1.0

'She was ecstatic to see the wheelchair go. In her thirty-two years in the real estate business, she says that nothing ruined the feng-shui of a home more than a power wheelchair.'

'He hoped they wouldn't have to spend money on an unwanted construction project, an ugly, utilitarian ramp extending from the front door to the driveway, announcing his handicap to the world.'

'So here he sits, Mr. Potato Head without arms or legs, a bobblehead on a breathing torso.'

*Fumes*
Ok. First of all, I can appreciate the author bringing awareness to ALS, the progression of the disease and the need to find a cure. I knew very little about it and now have some sense of what the symptoms look like.

HOWEVER, as someone with disabilities, both born with and acquired, and a motorised wheelchair user, this read extremely ableist.
I understand there's times where stress and depression are very apparent living with and caring for someone with a disability, particularly in the earlier days and for some, nearing the end if it is progressive.
BUT more often than not, there is a level of acceptance and adjustment to doing life a new way. There are changes, there are some losses, but there are also some gains - new friendships, new hobbies, new outlooks on life.

The way the protagonists viewed ALS and all the symptoms with it - whether mild (God forbid you need to start using a wheelchair) or extreme, was offensive. There was never a point of acceptance. Never at any point was there a moment of trying to enjoy life while they still had it, no exploring ways to still participate in old hobbies or explore new. Just how awful life was for Richard and all the people who cared for him.

It gave the impression that people with disabilities don't really have a reason to live and would be better off dead. They are a burden to their loved ones and carers.

Genova might have studied about ALS and talked to people with the condition, but this does not mean they necessarily understood anything about the individuals outside of their symptoms.

In the wrong hands, particularly those who struggle with self-acceptance around disability or disease, this could be a very harmful book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Vomit, Death, Chronic illness, Ableism, Excrement, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Blood, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Drug use, Medical content, Physical abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Infidelity, Cancer, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Infertility, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Mental illness

Murder ends up being an imagined scenario

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs

dark lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

1.75

I struggle with books where I hate the characters...and I pretty much hated everyone in this book lol. Enough twists and turns to keep me interested, but definitely not my favourite or most thrilling John Marrs book I've read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Child abuse, Murder, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Blood, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Gaslighting, Body horror, Child death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide

Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Confinement, Grief, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Bullying, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Infertility

Minor: Confinement, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, and Self harm

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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? Yes

3.0

Started off finding the protagonist pretty intolerable and I found myself rolling my eyes a bit, but eventually warmed to the story and characters as it progressed. A cute rom-com and fun palette cleanser after reading a heavy thriller and heart wrenching novel back to back! Would recommend if you're looking for something light-hearted and easy. Finished in a day.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

2.5

Casual, coffee table read which gave me a few chuckles. Nice to get a frank perspective on Hollywood and film-making. If you're a big fan of Anna Kendrick, I'm sure you'll love it. It feels like a nice, chilled, one-way conversation with her. If you're not a huge fan, it's an OK read to fill in some time but not one you're going to come away super inspired or blown away by.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book both had and broke my heart. I cared so much about Rill/May, her siblings and all the other children, and Avery's investigation among it all. I went in completely blind with this book, so was floored to know this is based on real events and that Georgia Tann was the person behind all the horror. I was less interested in the political side of it all and the romance felt a bit forced (not a bad match, just unnecessary). It would have been a 5 star on the investigation and flashbacks to Rill/May's past alone, but the politics/romance almost felt like I was being interrupted by a side story.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Torture, and Racism

Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dementia, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Cursing, Rape, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Violence

Based on the child trafficking/illegal adoption agency of Georgia Tann. Lots of details of abuse and allusions to death that went on in the foster homes involved. Many of these children were adopted out illegally and without the consent of the birth parents - some were outright stolen like in this story.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Loved this so much! And hated it too, but for all the right reasons. There were twists and turns in just about every chapter and I never knew what I was going to be surprised with next! I was taken surprise by each revelation, which never happens for me and I never knew who to trust. Only complaint is it was almost too graphic to stomach. If it hadn't been so well written and I didn't care about the characters, I might have stopped. Lots of very graphic torture, violence & death. Be warned. I have a headache and I've had dreams about this book. But it was so good. I'm very confused how I should be feeling haha. My first and probably not my last Karin Slaughter book, but I'll definitely be needing a palette cleaner in between.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Child death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Kidnapping, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Torture, Death, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Cursing, Dementia, Alcoholism, Car accident, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, and Addiction

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony

lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book could easily be 3 stars if you don't bother to check out some of the playlists and videos sprinkled throughout. And while it'd take half a day to get through, as opposed to half an hour, it's what makes this book an experience rather than your average graphic novel. I read this years ago and I have thought about it many times since...and I think I will continue to do so. On the surface, it's a beautiful and complex love story. If you dig deeper, you're left contemplating a darker mystery. How much was real and how much was a fantasy as a means of surviving one's inner psyche? (This book used to come with an interactive app, which made it easier to access the songs and featured videos, as well as having some interactive features. I miss it.)

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Mental illness

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Car accident

Some mild spoilers are speculative, particularly related to mental health. It's not clear what is reality and what is imagined.

The Courage To Be Disliked: How to free yourself, change your life and achieve real happiness by Fumitake Koga, Ichiro Kishimi

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0

This book has been challenging. At some points, particularly near the beginning, I wanted to throw the book against the wall and give up on it. As it went on, I found myself grabbing a pencil and underlining pearls of wisdom in hopes of retaining and applying them to my own life. Some of the ideas appear outdated and don't give much consideration to trauma and any disorders associated with them. For example, PTSD-related behaviours and anger in general are seen as 'tools of manipulation' as opposed to justifiable responses or a fight/flight response or lack of practice in emotional regulation. On the other hand, this book provided wonderful insight into not letting past experience dictate your future and learning to live for YOU, and not the approval of others. I've gone from nearly DNF to wanting to reread sometime in hopes I'll retain some of the lessons here. It's definitely a matter of separating the wheat from the chaff with this book. Some of the ideas can be infuriating, but stick with it if you can. I found a lot of much needed encouragement among the disagreeable bits.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

This was sweet. A fairly light, easy read rom-com, with a bit of tasteful spice thrown in. Some of the descriptions had to make me laugh, like the excessive reference to dimples and wrinkled foreheads. Maybe I'm just a single cynic who doesn't get people swooning over things like that though...a lot. I really did grow fond of January and Gus all in all.