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the_b00kreader's reviews
268 reviews
The History of My Sexuality by Tobi Lakmaker
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
The History of my Sexuality follows the protagonist Sofie Lakmaker as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery alongside a journey of discovering the meaning to love and life.
In many ways, I also feel this book is about change. Change in one's life, change in the world, just change in general. You're never truly prepared for it and I feel Tobi Lakmaker did a great job at highlighting this.
The conversational tone to this book made it all the more easier to read and I found myself flying through this story. This story is one to be read, to be heard.
For me, this book hit home, particularly the last part where a death gets discussed, a death that had been hanging over the entirety of this novel. It related to something that occurred in my own life and really connected with me.
In many ways, I also feel this book is about change. Change in one's life, change in the world, just change in general. You're never truly prepared for it and I feel Tobi Lakmaker did a great job at highlighting this.
The conversational tone to this book made it all the more easier to read and I found myself flying through this story. This story is one to be read, to be heard.
For me, this book hit home, particularly the last part where a death gets discussed, a death that had been hanging over the entirety of this novel. It related to something that occurred in my own life and really connected with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Body shaming, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
In this book we follow Gem Echols as they realise their life is not as it seems. Gem is the reincarnated God of magic...this may seem pretty cool until they also find out that the other gods have a few deep-rooted grudges against them.
I was vividly entertained throughout the entirety of this book and found it to be a pretty swift read.
The plot in itself was really well drawn up and executed with plenty of thought going into it. The characters were really well developed and had dimension.
The only character that fell a little flat for me at first was Enzo, he was a little predictable.
I loved H.E. Edgmon's depiction of the gods and their home world, the Ether, although I will admit I'd love to know more about it and feel as though, in the next books, I might be able to do just that.
Being inside Gem's mind was certainly an experience. They had so many conflicting emotions when it came to making some of the greater decisions and I feel everything was portrayed splendidly. I cannot wait to see what comes next for Gem and the others but I can only guess it is not going to be an easy journey.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book!
I was vividly entertained throughout the entirety of this book and found it to be a pretty swift read.
The plot in itself was really well drawn up and executed with plenty of thought going into it. The characters were really well developed and had dimension.
The only character that fell a little flat for me at first was Enzo, he was a little predictable.
I loved H.E. Edgmon's depiction of the gods and their home world, the Ether, although I will admit I'd love to know more about it and feel as though, in the next books, I might be able to do just that.
Being inside Gem's mind was certainly an experience. They had so many conflicting emotions when it came to making some of the greater decisions and I feel everything was portrayed splendidly. I cannot wait to see what comes next for Gem and the others but I can only guess it is not going to be an easy journey.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Death, War, Bullying, Torture, Genocide, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Trouble the Living: A Novel by Francesca McDonnell Capossela
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Raw. That's what this book is. Its story is pure and raw with the ability to move its readers to tears.
From finding a way to get past your trauma to self discovery, this book is an emotional read. We follow the story of two characters, Bríd and Bernie, mother and daughter, as each fight their own secret battles. Bríd's story starts in 1997 in County Tyrone, a time in which Ireland was facing its own struggles with its colonisation by the Brits. Bernie's story begins much later, in 2016, in the United States where she takes care of her mother while trying to figure out who she is.
The switch from past to present was really well done and the way everything clicked into place towards the end was so beautifully written. Capossela has such a way with words that I felt deeply moved by Bernie and Bríd's stories.
The subplot of Bernie figuring out her sexuality amongst everything else was quite relatable. It can be difficult to admit to yourself your true feelings, but to admit them to others? That's brave. It was great to see this "process" while reading.
Reading this book also gave me a sense of home, having been born and bred in Ireland, the language, the history was all familiar to me and to read about it in the way that Capossela wrote it...it was just powerful and emotional, it was raw.
From finding a way to get past your trauma to self discovery, this book is an emotional read. We follow the story of two characters, Bríd and Bernie, mother and daughter, as each fight their own secret battles. Bríd's story starts in 1997 in County Tyrone, a time in which Ireland was facing its own struggles with its colonisation by the Brits. Bernie's story begins much later, in 2016, in the United States where she takes care of her mother while trying to figure out who she is.
The switch from past to present was really well done and the way everything clicked into place towards the end was so beautifully written. Capossela has such a way with words that I felt deeply moved by Bernie and Bríd's stories.
The subplot of Bernie figuring out her sexuality amongst everything else was quite relatable. It can be difficult to admit to yourself your true feelings, but to admit them to others? That's brave. It was great to see this "process" while reading.
Reading this book also gave me a sense of home, having been born and bred in Ireland, the language, the history was all familiar to me and to read about it in the way that Capossela wrote it...it was just powerful and emotional, it was raw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Hate crime, Addiction, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, War, Murder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Violence, Death, Child death, Sexual content, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Car accident, and Alcoholism
Beulah Has a Hunch!: Inside the Colorful Mind of Master Inventor Beulah Louise Henry by Katie Mazeika, Katie Mazeika
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Beulah Louise Henry has certainly proved her creativity in Beulah Has A Hunch by Katie Mazeika. From a young age she is determined to not abide by the rules of society. She will not act "ladylike", no, she will chase after her dreams of becoming an inventor.
Beulah Has A Hunch follows Beulah as she sets out on becoming an inventor. It's an inspiring story for young readers and is one that encourages them to be who they want to be. So what if society disagrees at first? Do as you wish, be creative, be inspired.
As for the illustrations in this book...they were beautiful. The colours were vivid and the illustrations only added to the story.
This is a must read, especially for younger readers!
Beulah Has A Hunch follows Beulah as she sets out on becoming an inventor. It's an inspiring story for young readers and is one that encourages them to be who they want to be. So what if society disagrees at first? Do as you wish, be creative, be inspired.
As for the illustrations in this book...they were beautiful. The colours were vivid and the illustrations only added to the story.
This is a must read, especially for younger readers!
Disturbing the Water by Peter Wise
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- 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
4.75
Disturbing The Water contains thirteen various stories centered around the topic of fishing. (Not my usual read, I will admit, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable!)
A perfect blend of eerie and emotional, each story has its own little message. Vengeful spirits, lonely anglers and adventurous souls, you name it and this book may just have it.
I enjoyed many of the tales this book held, some more than others, and found myself intruiged as to what the outcome of each may be. There were several little twists in each story, some predictable, others not so much.
One of my favourite stories within this book was that of 'Captain Cochran's Postbox'. There was just something about it that really resonated with me. Could it have been the way the story was told? Or perhaps the way I interpreted it? Or perhaps it was simply the fact that I felt one of the main characters had a real "girlboss" moment? We'll never know....(actually we know...it's the latter, the main character totally girlbossed and I support her for it😌)
Wise is certainly talented in the storytelling department and I must really applaud his use of dialogue in his stories. The conversations felt easy and, in ways, real, as though the conversations were happening right in front of me and I was simply eavesdropping (how nosy of me!).
All in all, I enjoyed this read and would certainly recommend it to anyone who's up for it!
A perfect blend of eerie and emotional, each story has its own little message. Vengeful spirits, lonely anglers and adventurous souls, you name it and this book may just have it.
I enjoyed many of the tales this book held, some more than others, and found myself intruiged as to what the outcome of each may be. There were several little twists in each story, some predictable, others not so much.
One of my favourite stories within this book was that of 'Captain Cochran's Postbox'. There was just something about it that really resonated with me. Could it have been the way the story was told? Or perhaps the way I interpreted it? Or perhaps it was simply the fact that I felt one of the main characters had a real "girlboss" moment? We'll never know....(actually we know...it's the latter, the main character totally girlbossed and I support her for it😌)
Wise is certainly talented in the storytelling department and I must really applaud his use of dialogue in his stories. The conversations felt easy and, in ways, real, as though the conversations were happening right in front of me and I was simply eavesdropping (how nosy of me!).
All in all, I enjoyed this read and would certainly recommend it to anyone who's up for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcoholism, Car accident, Blood, Child death, Grief, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
The Fate We Make - Book One: : Heartbreak | From Survival to Success: a Memoir by Simone Warren
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is honestly one of the most interesting memoirs I have ever read. In 'The Fate We Make' Simone recounts, not only hers, but her family's story. Each woman has their own story to tell and each one of them persevered through whatever life threw at them. I am in awe of these women and of Simone. They have been through so much...yet hope was never truly lost and I think that's such a beautiful message in itself.
Another thing I loved was learning more about Signapore and the culture and traditions that took root here. It was so interesting to read about!
Even though this is a memoir, it reads a lot more like a story, a story where each generation added their own voice. Simone Warren has such a talent for storytelling and I can confidently say that I want to read more of her work.
The subjects that this book deals in are not at all light but Warren seemed well able to delicately tell these stories while allowing readers to still understand the true hardships the women in this book faced.
In a way, generational trauma is quite evident in this book, history repeated itself often, and Warren did a great job at describing how different relationships affected both the people in them and those who were close to the people in said relationships.
This book is a perfect mix of hope and despair, light and darkness, and is not a book to be missed!
Another thing I loved was learning more about Signapore and the culture and traditions that took root here. It was so interesting to read about!
Even though this is a memoir, it reads a lot more like a story, a story where each generation added their own voice. Simone Warren has such a talent for storytelling and I can confidently say that I want to read more of her work.
The subjects that this book deals in are not at all light but Warren seemed well able to delicately tell these stories while allowing readers to still understand the true hardships the women in this book faced.
In a way, generational trauma is quite evident in this book, history repeated itself often, and Warren did a great job at describing how different relationships affected both the people in them and those who were close to the people in said relationships.
This book is a perfect mix of hope and despair, light and darkness, and is not a book to be missed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Abortion, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Miscarriage
Moderate: War
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Cancer
Northranger by Rey Terciero
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I'm a mix of emotions after finishing Northranger by Ray Terciero and Ben Indigo. This book is beautiful.
We delve into the lives of Cade and Henry as they deal with their emotions and feelings towards each other. There's mystery and intruige but it seems that it is the mystery side of things that comes between Cade and Henry. What secrets are being hidden by Henry's family?
The emotions that were unravelled throughout this book was a mix of heartache and happiness. Having that feeling that you must remain hidden by hiding your true self was such a delicate subject that I feel was really well done in this book.
Also, the illustrations throughout this book were beautiful and so nicely done. Everything was clear in regards to motions, emotions, etc. A job very well done!
5 star read!!
We delve into the lives of Cade and Henry as they deal with their emotions and feelings towards each other. There's mystery and intruige but it seems that it is the mystery side of things that comes between Cade and Henry. What secrets are being hidden by Henry's family?
The emotions that were unravelled throughout this book was a mix of heartache and happiness. Having that feeling that you must remain hidden by hiding your true self was such a delicate subject that I feel was really well done in this book.
Also, the illustrations throughout this book were beautiful and so nicely done. Everything was clear in regards to motions, emotions, etc. A job very well done!
5 star read!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
This book was so so good! Like, just WOW!
In this book we follow Io (pronounced Eye-o) as she attempts to solve a string of unusual murders...a lot gets revealed along the way.
Throughout this book there were little twists and turns, some slightly predictable, others were surprises! I mean I'm still trying to get over a certain betrayal.
The detail in this fantasy world that Hatzopoulou has created is otherworldly! I've never read anything like this! Learning about the moira-born and the other-borns was so intruiging!!
I also loved the casual banter between Edei and Io and I really can't wait to read more about them in the next book!!
In this book we follow Io (pronounced Eye-o) as she attempts to solve a string of unusual murders...a lot gets revealed along the way.
Throughout this book there were little twists and turns, some slightly predictable, others were surprises! I mean I'm still trying to get over a certain betrayal.
The detail in this fantasy world that Hatzopoulou has created is otherworldly! I've never read anything like this! Learning about the moira-born and the other-borns was so intruiging!!
I also loved the casual banter between Edei and Io and I really can't wait to read more about them in the next book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide and Gun violence
Leave the Little Light On: Book One: Windsor by Sonia Palleck
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
In this book we meet our main character Athena Brkovich who I feel can only be described as real. She is the epitome of humanity's struggles with emotions and I feel that Palleck really put a lot of thought and time into developing Athena's character.
Athena's life is not an easy one and Palleck made sure that we, as readers, knew this and that we could understand that your past can affect you, but you can get through it.
This book is ridden with deep emotions and I connected immediately with Palleck's writing. No one is perfect in this book and that's honestly both comforting and moving. I mean who is perfect in real life? Why is there this stigma about having perfect characters? I love that Palleck defied this and wrote about a dysfunctional family, people who are not perfect, yet people who can find their 'light'. Also, the whole subject of not fitting in, I love that. It really resonated with me, especially as someone who felt as though they didn't fit in anywhere.
One of the messages I got from this book is: There is hope everywhere, look for it, you will find it...or it can come to you, just be patient even through everything life may throw at you.
Athena's life is not an easy one and Palleck made sure that we, as readers, knew this and that we could understand that your past can affect you, but you can get through it.
This book is ridden with deep emotions and I connected immediately with Palleck's writing. No one is perfect in this book and that's honestly both comforting and moving. I mean who is perfect in real life? Why is there this stigma about having perfect characters? I love that Palleck defied this and wrote about a dysfunctional family, people who are not perfect, yet people who can find their 'light'. Also, the whole subject of not fitting in, I love that. It really resonated with me, especially as someone who felt as though they didn't fit in anywhere.
One of the messages I got from this book is: There is hope everywhere, look for it, you will find it...or it can come to you, just be patient even through everything life may throw at you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, and Medical trauma
Reign Returned by Katie Keridan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, like I REALLY enjoyed it! Katie Keridan's writing was very easy to read and I made my way through this book very swiftly.
The main characters had such intriguing stories and I still feel as though we have so much more to learn about them. They had stories from past lives, from this life, everything, all wrapped up in one. I rooted for them from the very first moment they met in the garden. It was truly meant to be 🤭.
The divide between Astrals and Daevals was also interesting to read and learn about. In ways, it's not unlike our own world where we judge others and segregate them from us.
That is another thing I liked about this book. Keridan brought in modern day issues and warped them to fit into this story. Even something as small as the Fates being referred to as 'they' or Demitri being gay and, if found out, he would likely be shunned by his fellow Astrals. In Aelan, Astrals didn't seem to live as freely as the Daevals. I mean, sure, they had all the luxuries but realistically, it was all a front. I admire Keridan for bringing issues such as this to life.
One thing I loved was the Cyphers. I adored them. The bat, the lynx, the snake, the cat....all of them brought a bit of comedic relief to the story in tense moments. Plus..the relationships the Cyphers had with "their owner/partner" were to die for.
Alll in all, I loved this book and its characters. I really want to read the next book because....what was that ending!? I cannot just be left like that! I feel betrayed🥲
The main characters had such intriguing stories and I still feel as though we have so much more to learn about them. They had stories from past lives, from this life, everything, all wrapped up in one. I rooted for them from the very first moment they met in the garden. It was truly meant to be 🤭.
The divide between Astrals and Daevals was also interesting to read and learn about. In ways, it's not unlike our own world where we judge others and segregate them from us.
That is another thing I liked about this book. Keridan brought in modern day issues and warped them to fit into this story. Even something as small as the Fates being referred to as 'they' or Demitri being gay and, if found out, he would likely be shunned by his fellow Astrals. In Aelan, Astrals didn't seem to live as freely as the Daevals. I mean, sure, they had all the luxuries but realistically, it was all a front. I admire Keridan for bringing issues such as this to life.
One thing I loved was the Cyphers. I adored them. The bat, the lynx, the snake, the cat....all of them brought a bit of comedic relief to the story in tense moments. Plus..the relationships the Cyphers had with "their owner/partner" were to die for.
Alll in all, I loved this book and its characters. I really want to read the next book because....what was that ending!? I cannot just be left like that! I feel betrayed🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Murder, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping