taylorthebookwitch's reviews
229 reviews

Phoebe's Diary by Phoebe Wahl

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

As someone who actively was 15/16 years old in the time that this book takes place- UGH. it brought me right back to the days when I thought everything was the biggest deal and every feeling was the biggest feeling. There were moments when I absolutely said out loud “Oh My God Phoebe what are you doing?” And there are times when i painfully related. 

Also i loved the mention of Nancy Drew computer games because I, too, was obsessed. 

Phoebe Wahl is one of my favorite artists and it was so strange to read this and realize that if Phoebe and i went to school together, we would have probably been friends. From one over-romantic drama geek to another, 5 stars!

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This was my first John Green book in a while and I am surprised at how much I enjoyed it throughout. It’s probably not a good thing, per se, but I really related to Aza. I find myself in the spiral often, and the scenes where she’s describing her mental states are not dissimilar to how I feel a lot of the time, though she had a fair larger sprinkling of depersonalization than I do. I also really liked the mystery aspect to this one, and it reminded me of one of my favorite John Green books- Looking For Alaska. I would definitely recommend it to john green fans who might have jumped ship for a while and are looking to reignite their John Green obsession. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story by Marie Kondo

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was cute (and surprisingly helpful!)

I definitely plan on reading the non-manga version of this next!

Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

DNF’d at 25%. The premise was great and the actual Pan Am parts were really enjoyable, but I found myself glazing over as the focus diverted to other contextual topics. All interesting and worthwhile, but ultimately not what I wanted to focus on. 

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

As always, a book in the Heartstopper series has warmed my cold, dead heart and made me feel something akin to human connection. Good job alice oseman. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Eating disorder

Minor: Self harm

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

Shockingly, this is a book in which I believe the movie was better. The book was romantic and emotional, as was the movie, but it’s generally just a lot of talking and there’s not a ton of plot. The movie really added a lot to make it watchable and, for me, the movie is my preference. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

5.0

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

4.0

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

2.0

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

5.0