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sincerelydebi's reviews
512 reviews
Passing by Nella Larsen
challenging
informative
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
The Secret World of Maggie Grey by Granger
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Oh my… What do I say about 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐲? Let’s start with everything I loved.
- a book about an all Black urban paranormal HBCU? Vampires, Witches, Sirens, etc? Yes. Immediately, yes.
- a fantastic storyline. From beginning to end, I can honestly say the world building was amazing. A page turner for sure! Getting to understand the ins and outs of this underground world; a place that was specifically created for Black people. Getting to walk along side the protagonists while they navigate a new world that everyone else is so familiar with; as they figure out who they really are, and where they belong.
- that this was a Black book. Things that some believe can only be white. Things that some Black people shy away from. (Example: people freaking out because an animated mermaid is Black…) We exist in these spaces as well, and this book definitely highlighted that.
- quan the talking cat.
Things I didn’t like or…:
- this might be controversial. Fight me. Maybe it was a little too present day socially urban for me🤷🏾♀️I mean heavy on slang. Heavy on the ratch. I almost wish we could’ve gatekeeped it. It’s not for everyone. This is a BLACK book.
- the men. I’m aware or at least I hope, the point of this was to showcase real life situations and behaviors. I disliked all the men🤣they were extremely perverted & vulgar assholes. Minor spoiler: The fact that he was so disgustingly rude to ol’ girl only for there be a possibility that they’re destined…🤢
- the authors obsession with Kodak Black. Please. Nurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
- too many povs. It just wasn’t necessary to me…and to others I’ve spoken with lol
- lastly, it could’ve used more editing.
Other than that, it was good. Now that I take a step back and reflect on it; I think I’m going to continue the story. The author left us on a cliffhanger, and she has plenty of time to change her mind on who 👀🤣iykyk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi
4.0
Three words:
Get them therapy.
NGL, this got damn book was so stressful lol.
We complain about the third act break up, but I feel like I went through multiple in this book.
I will say, those scenes were great.
Y’all know I love a good drama/heartbreak moment.
Get them therapy.
NGL, this got damn book was so stressful lol.
We complain about the third act break up, but I feel like I went through multiple in this book.
I will say, those scenes were great.
Y’all know I love a good drama/heartbreak moment.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This was so good. The author was super transparent with her life, and I truly appreciated that even when she was unsure of the reception. There were many things that were relatable to me. Now I want a physical copy to annotate lol. I have a lot of quotes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
4.0
Ahhh. This story was messy!!! Beautiful… Frustrating. Very insightful. Heartbreaking. Did I say messy?👀Overall, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It deals with grief. Abandonment. Betrayal, and death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams
emotional
hopeful
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This has got to be the most heartbreaking, grief stricken and the most smuttiest book I’ve ever read 🤣😌
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Grief
My Nemesis by Charmaine Craig
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.5
First off, I was completely smitten with the WRITING. The story itself yes; but the writing was phenomenal. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
A cleverly written novel about a woman named Tessa, who is a writer and has this attitude of always being the smartest person in the room. She believes herself to be a “true feminist” if you will... Though she is married to Milton, she falls in love with another writer Charlie; who is everything she should despise. A misogynist. Charlie is married to Wah; who is described as a quiet, passive woman, who in all actuality, is very smart and strong. Tessa does not like Wah because she preserves her as being “basic” when the truth is, she’s incredibly jealous and wants Charlie all to herself. Throughout this story, we follow along with Tessa as the narrator as she criticizes everyone around her, including her daughter she has a strained relationship.
This story showed how contradictory one can be when it comes to matters of the heart, or otherwise. How when you feel entitled to something, and judge a book by its cover you can miss a great opportunity to learn something great about yourself and others before it’s too late.
Quote from the book:
“Is it always like that, with someone who gives too much and another who takes mercilessly? A tale of martyrdom and narcissism, or a tale of love and temperament—which one is this, would you say?”
A cleverly written novel about a woman named Tessa, who is a writer and has this attitude of always being the smartest person in the room. She believes herself to be a “true feminist” if you will... Though she is married to Milton, she falls in love with another writer Charlie; who is everything she should despise. A misogynist. Charlie is married to Wah; who is described as a quiet, passive woman, who in all actuality, is very smart and strong. Tessa does not like Wah because she preserves her as being “basic” when the truth is, she’s incredibly jealous and wants Charlie all to herself. Throughout this story, we follow along with Tessa as the narrator as she criticizes everyone around her, including her daughter she has a strained relationship.
This story showed how contradictory one can be when it comes to matters of the heart, or otherwise. How when you feel entitled to something, and judge a book by its cover you can miss a great opportunity to learn something great about yourself and others before it’s too late.
Quote from the book:
“Is it always like that, with someone who gives too much and another who takes mercilessly? A tale of martyrdom and narcissism, or a tale of love and temperament—which one is this, would you say?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, and Racism