Scan barcode
sarahkorn's reviews
142 reviews
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Fast, juicy read. Jennette McCurdy is a talented writer. She never minimized or hid her abuse, the way she tells it it's clear as day, yet she managed to tell her truth with humor and vivid detail, and I could picture every scene. I felt sad for Jennette but felt her resilience throughout the entire story. Overall this book deals with tough moments but is not particularly sad or dark -- still, check the trigger warnings on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Vomit
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I don't know what others are getting and I'm not, but I DNFed this twice now. Insta-love trope too heavy handed for my taste
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This book was slow to start but eventually hooked me and I read the last 50% in a single day.
We meet the characters long after they meet each other, and there were times I wished that it were a dual narrative with Charlotte and Evie's time at White Oaks to further cement their relationship (and Charlotte's relationship with Daniel, who is alluded to often but exists entirely off the page). We also don't see Nell and Charlotte meet -- as the book opens, they are already acquaintances. That said, the more I thought about it, the more I understand that this is not a slavery book but a freedom book, and flashback scenes would have taken away from that. We only see and know these women as free.
Overall I loved the characters and their complex histories, the stories they chose not to tell and they ones they did (and how). I learned a lot about abolition in Philadelphia in the 1830s I did not know before. All We Were Promised is a must read!
We meet the characters long after they meet each other, and there were times I wished that it were a dual narrative with Charlotte and Evie's time at White Oaks to further cement their relationship (and Charlotte's relationship with Daniel, who is alluded to often but exists entirely off the page). We also don't see Nell and Charlotte meet -- as the book opens, they are already acquaintances. That said, the more I thought about it, the more I understand that this is not a slavery book but a freedom book, and flashback scenes would have taken away from that. We only see and know these women as free.
Overall I loved the characters and their complex histories, the stories they chose not to tell and they ones they did (and how). I learned a lot about abolition in Philadelphia in the 1830s I did not know before. All We Were Promised is a must read!
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I think I'll sit on this one for a bit. The characters and the plot are well developed and engaging, and the writing is amazing. It's a very well crafted book that navigates complex topics like being a woman of color in art academia, the tension of 1st gen identity, and the way power influences which stories are remembered and which are forgotten. Lots to chew on, which is great.
I often found myself annoyed by the slow pacing -- lots of ruminating. I also wasn't sure if I clicked with Anita's non-corporeal form and the whole magical realism element. There was lots of internal dialogue that I think were supposed to be funny but came off more sarcastic and I got bored of it quickly.
I often found myself annoyed by the slow pacing -- lots of ruminating. I also wasn't sure if I clicked with Anita's non-corporeal form and the whole magical realism element. There was lots of internal dialogue that I think were supposed to be funny but came off more sarcastic and I got bored of it quickly.
Weyward by Emilia Hart
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I tend to prefer the horror end of magical realism, and really loved this book. The haunting atmosphere was impeccable, and I was similarly invested in the stories of each of the three women, which is rare for me with story structures like this. I couldn't, largely, predict the plot. I had a hard time putting this one down and flew through the last 100 pages. Things were not so neatly tied up where I moved on from the book quickly -- this one will stick with me.
Check the trigger warnings first!
Check the trigger warnings first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Rape
Minor: Death, Blood, Gore, Death of parent, and Child death
Circe by Madeline Miller
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Definitely a slow burn with an extensive cast of characters and a meandering plot. I do feel like this book fell prey to some pacing troubles, and this was my second attempt (previously DNFed at 30% through). On the second go around it was an effort to get through the first 75%.
BUT...but but but...the final 25% beyond redeemed this book for me. Circe is unlike any other female heroine I've ever read. She's vengeful and passionate and fiercely loyal, and is in the driver's seat of her own destiny, 100% of the time. For all of the book's struggles, I was really touched by the ending and think it's worth persevering.
Definitely think it's worth reading on Kindle for the ease of looking up names and stories.
BUT...but but but...the final 25% beyond redeemed this book for me. Circe is unlike any other female heroine I've ever read. She's vengeful and passionate and fiercely loyal, and is in the driver's seat of her own destiny, 100% of the time. For all of the book's struggles, I was really touched by the ending and think it's worth persevering.
Definitely think it's worth reading on Kindle for the ease of looking up names and stories.
Simmer Down by Sarah Echavarre Smith
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
The spice, of which there's thankfully quite a lot of it, saved this book.
For starters, the premise makes no sense -- is there literally only one beach on Maui a food truck can park? What's wrong with two food trucks?
The enemies to lovers arc moved too quickly and I wasn't invested in the relationship nor did I find any of their interactions realistic -- really, any character interaction in the entire book. Stalker food blogger turned best friend? Please.
The book was pretty predictable and annoying at times, but I guess decent enough to finish.
For starters, the premise makes no sense -- is there literally only one beach on Maui a food truck can park? What's wrong with two food trucks?
The enemies to lovers arc moved too quickly and I wasn't invested in the relationship nor did I find any of their interactions realistic -- really, any character interaction in the entire book. Stalker food blogger turned best friend? Please.
The book was pretty predictable and annoying at times, but I guess decent enough to finish.
Just as You Are by Camille Kellogg
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
The romance was cute, but overall not my favorite. I kind of forgot it was a Pride & Prejudice retelling. LOTS of queer tropes, but not a lot of defining characterization between all of the main characters. I think this ultimately did this book and what it was trying to accomplish (a manifesto to gay women in New York media) a disservice. I felt like it was trying to be more dynamic than it ended up being.