shannonjoyce's reviews
297 reviews

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I wanted to like this more after really loving All the Colors of the Dark. I did really love Duchess - her prickly/rude behavior made sense to me after what she had been through. My least favorite character was Walk. He seemed kind of like a spineless, weak character that didn’t grow or learn how his actions/inactions caused a lot of problems. 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

3.25

This was tough for me to get through, and I’m not sure I fully understood it at all. 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson

fast-paced

3.25

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

This was just as weird as I was hoping.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I’m trying to read through all the books on a Battle of the Books list that my kiddo is participating in. This has been the best written one in my opinion, and it definitely made me emotional. 

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

4.25

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

slow-paced

3.0

The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony by Annabelle Tometich

emotional medium-paced

4.5

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was phenomenal & I am going to recommend it to everyone I know.