shanyeahh's reviews
115 reviews

What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough by Chidera Eggerue

hopeful reflective

4.0

This book is loaded with gems. Less of a self-help book and more of a genuine conversation with someone who cares about the reader. I really appreciated the Igbo proverbs weaved throughout.

E&J by Shon

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Shon never fails to give us such expertly layered and relatable characters, who manage to still be desirable at the same time. She's got the formula down! Ericka and Jonah easily solidified themselves as one of my favorite couples in her body of work.

Heaven Sent by Shon

emotional relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

If there's one thing Shon is going to do, it's write a layered MMC who falls first. And she's damn good at it too! Heaven's learning to navigate grief is relatable and I loved that she was not afraid to be herself, stims and quirks included. I also enjoyed Nicolai's on-page therapy and self-discovery, in both the relationship with his brother and in how he showed up (and out) for Heaven.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Getting this backstory for Levana made me look at her as a complex character. For the first three books, I could not stand her showing up on the page but I can appreciate the additional context her backstory gives to the overall series. This did a great job hyping me up to read Winter!

Reaper of Souls by Rena Barron

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Book two grabs by the collar and doesn't let go! I loved getting more of Rudjek's story and Arrah is a main character that I enjoy rooting for time and time again. Rena has a masterful pacing of multiple timelines and it's seamless how she manages to give each character a voice. That damn storyline with Sukar broke my heart but in the best of ways. Excited for book three!

Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

3.5

The overall tone/pacing of this work felt jarring, but I did appreciate the testimony of a voice from the trans sex-worker community and the stories told.

Not Everyone is Going to Like You: Thoughts From a Former People Pleaser by Rinny Perkins

funny inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Plowed through this gem in one sitting! I enjoyed how succinct and authentic Rinny's voice is throughout the book.

So to Speak by Terrance Hayes

challenging reflective

5.0

Truly visceral poetry that asks soulful questions of the reader. His sonnets especially are breathtaking pieces. I'm excited to check out more of his work.

If I Can Cook/You Know God Can: African American Food Memories, Meditations, and Recipes by Ntozake Shange

informative reflective

5.0

Delicious read, pun intended! I enjoyed how the recipes weren't "traditionally" written and were accompanied by a mix of personal anecdotes and historical context.

Smoke N' Stroke by Aja

adventurous emotional inspiring

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

4.5

I absolutely loved the advocacy of cannabis and exploring of mental health within the Black community in this story. Not to mention the pacing was excellent, Nala was relatable, and Zaire was a deliciously well-crafted male love interest. Peaked my interest for more Aja's work and the rest of the series.