smalljoys's reviews
78 reviews

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

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dark hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I would have preferred the main characters to stay as friends. I didn't find the romance to be convincing and it felt a bit empty and cliche. I also don't understand what happened to Delilah. I'm assuming she died(?) and I guess that sets up the reader for the next book in the series. I was sad about Mateo and Rufus(?) dying.

Content Warnings

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I gave this a 4.25 mostly because I made the mistake of not reading content warnings before starting the book. Therefore I was not entirely prepared for how deep it gets into mental illness. I did enjoy Zauner's writing style and I adored all the focus on food and how it's a form of love within Asian/Korean communities (and other BIPOC communities and humanity as a whole).

Content Warnings

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really enjoyed seeing the main character, Charlie and her best friend discuss the jealousy and resentment between them about their respective places in society. I don't think it's discussed enough how this effects friendships. I think it's healthy to put these things on the table instead of pushing them aside or hiding them. <spoilers>

Content Warnings

Public Relations by Arianna Rebolini, Katie Heaney

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.25

I would've liked that the main male character was not so obviously based off of Harry Styles. (even down to his tattoos)

The Stand-In by Lily Chu

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

Decent book. I would say this is a beach read or a read on vacation type of a book. It has that vibe. I would've preferred it to be a little shorter. I felt that at moments it dragged on a little too much.

Content Warnings

Reflection by Elizabeth Lim

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adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

I wish there was more emphasis on shang and mulan's relationship at the end, although I understand this it fit in between scenes in the movie. Also, felt like there was so much action at times, it was hard to keep up with who was moving where and who was fighting what.

Content Warnings