temeade's reviews
59 reviews

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lại

informative lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

dark informative mysterious medium-paced

3.0

The Stranger Beside Me is an interesting perspective of Ted Bundy that most people didn't have the chance to see. Ann Rule was close friends with Ted Bundy and writes of their friendship during college through to the end of his life. 

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

challenging emotional reflective tense 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

4.0

This book was incredible! Sold on a Monday is told from two perspectives, Ellis and Lilly. They both work at the same newspaper company. Lilly aids Ellis in his first big break in the newspaper by giving the editor an image Ellis had taken of two little boys. This launches his career and even lands him a job at a New York newspaper. Little do the two know, that the image has a different implication for those in the image. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and happy endings. 

I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis

informative reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Interesting book about fictional characters during the destruction of Pompeii.

Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book by Grumpy Cat

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

This book was funny. I probably would not read it again. It was full of memes and activities. 

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty

lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.0

A Year of Secret Assignments was a fantastic book! This book is about three girls from a prep school who are best friends. They are all in the same English class and are required to participate in an assignment where they become pen pals with students from a nearby school. Overall, this book was interesting and kept my attention the entire time. I enjoyed the format of the book as it was written like a collection of letters, writings, and diary entries.  I would recommend this book to young adults and adults who enjoy a lighthearted read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Bullying

Minor: Gaslighting

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book was phenomenal! I am still raving over how much I loved it! I listened to the audiobook read by Jacquline Woodson. The book is a non-fiction memoir about Jacquline Woodson growing up in Ohio, South Carolina, and New York in the 1960s and 70s. I thought it was so interesting to hear about the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of a child. Not only the Civil Rights Movement but also post movement and all the things that were important and going on in the author's life at the time. The most interesting part of the book is that it's written in the style of poetry. Although it is written as a poem, it is a consecutive story. Overall, I loved this book and would definitely reread it!  

The Dark Portal by Peter Glassman, Robin Jarvis

adventurous challenging mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

I personally did not like this book. I listened to it on Libby. There were several moments where I did not know what was happening. The setting was not clearly depicted for me. The story itself was okay. The twist at the end was interesting. 

The Short Death of Phineas Bean by Daniel a. Miller

emotional mysterious fast-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? No

4.0

I enjoyed listening to this book on Libby. There were several moments where I was worried for the characters. And there is a sweet “aww” moment near the end of the book. 

Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

I read this book out of order. Had I read it in order, I think I would have rated it higher. 

This is a typical Magic Tree House book that follows Jack and Annie on an adventure in time.