sarahkorn's reviews
188 reviews

Isaac's Song by Daniel Black

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

A powerful exploration of the relationships and generational divides between Black fathers and sons, but also just a beautiful exploration of Black manhood and masculinity. While Isaac is gay, there's no real romance in this book nor is much time spent on describing the real painful realities of the gay community in the 1980s, so I interpret his homosexuality as primarily a plot device to create tension with his much more conservative father but also to demonstrate the many ways Black men can love each other. Just a beautiful book!

"The hardest part was exposing black men's hearts...I knew what I felt, what we felt, but I never wanted to surrender our vulnerability for public pleasure. Yet by exploring the lives of these precious brothers, I discovered that all men want the same things: validation, worth, purpose. They just never say it. That's why some men dislike me -- I'm willing to say it. That's also why I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers can't sing. But I can."

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.75

I was not familiar with the 8 Passengers before reading this, what a terribly sad and upsetting story on many fronts. Shari is an incredible young woman for all that she went through but also the way she fought (and continues to fight) for her younger siblings.

Part of me wonders what it would be like/how different Shari's reflections would be if more time had passed and she had more time to process, as her mother's arrest was so recent, especially considering when this book was likely written.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

4.5

Better than average romcom with themes of anxious avoidant attachment and trauma. Emma could sometimes be annoying but by the end the reader understands that it is all part of her growth. The romance was cute and I enjoyed this one a lot.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

I'm not a huge sports book fan, but the thing about sports books is that the stakes are believable. There are clear stakes and natural villains (even if the villains change multiple times). Loved the twists and the brooding romance. Easy first 5⭐ of 2025

Crucial Conversations, Third Edition by Ron McMillan, Emily Gregory, Al Switzler, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny

4.0

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

Kelly Bishop is a real class act, a real artist. I loved hearing her read her biography!

888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers by Abraham Chang

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

4.25

I see how this book is very polarizing. The dialogue takes some getting used to and you can't count on a happily ever after. Erena is the classic manic pixie dream girl character but instead of being grating I thought her and Young were perfectly matched with their quirked up little brains. This book is creative and entertaining in a beatnik sort of way. This is definitely not like any other book and it's worth keeping an open mind.

Song of a Captive Bird by Jasmin Darznik

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.5

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Picked up on the loose Beauty & the Beast retelling right away. So cute. Loved the slow burn romance, yummy food descriptions, and the tiniest bit of heat. I will definitely read more from Jasmine Guillory in the future!

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

Cute, poignant, quick read. I don't always love magical realism but I enjoyed this.