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thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1451 reviews
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
5.0
Loyalties are tested in the thrilling second installment of "The Prison Healer" trilogy!
After escaping the elite prison of Zalindov, Kiva Meridan now finds herself living with the charming Prince Jaren inside the kingdom's capital. Kiva is trying to settle into normalcy, but things are complicated by the tense relationship she has with her newly reunited siblings. Desperate to keep a hold of her family, Kiva finds herself doing everything she can to please her siblings, even when it means hurting Jaren and the royal family. With her loyalties split, nobody knows the truth about who Kiva is and not even she knows where her allegiances lie.
It's been several months since I read "The Prison Healer," but I was instantly drawn back into the world that Noni has created. The first book ended on a pretty nasty cliffhanger, so I was shocked that it took me this long to continue this series, but alas, other books on my TBR were calling. Kiva, Jaren, and Tipp are so near and dear to me, so I was happy to reunite with them again, even if the circumstances they are in have grown to be even more complicated than in the first book.
It's hard to talk about the plot of this one at all without spoiling a vast amount of the first book, so please read on with caution. At the end of the first book, Kiva escapes prison, but many secrets are revealed in the last couple of pages. Not only do we learn that Tilda, the Rebel Queen, is her mother, but we also learn that Kiva possesses a rare healing magic that is passed down from one of the founders of the kingdom. These were truly shocking things for me to discover, and they completely change Kiva's dynamic with Jaren Vallentis, the crown prince of the royal family. Essentially, this places Kiva and Jaren as heirs to opposing groups, which really complicates the romantic relationship that these two are gradually falling into. Knowing this fact, it isn't surprising to learn that this book mostly features Kiva trying to get the nerve to backstab the royal family who have been nothing but generous to her in order to not shatter the fragile bond she has with her siblings and their rebel group.
Much like the first book, my favorite parts of this one are truly Kiva's everyday interactions with the rest of the cast. Her training sessions with Jaren's cousin, Caldon, were very comical to read (despite the fact that Kiva quite literal suffered through them). Seeing her befriend people that she didn't know from the prison was very nice; I love to see her find a sense of normalcy despite the chaos that is her life. Her matronly relation toward Tipp is still so precious, and I am so glad that these two are there for one another now that they are living life outside prison.
The characters in this series certainly make it worth reading, and I love them all so much. (Well, I guess not all of them; Zuleeka is sorta a jerk and there are a few others who I just found to be sorta sus the entire time.) Torell, Kiva's older brother, is another one of those character that I also couldn't help but love from the first encounter. I could tell from the get-go that he would do anything to protect his family, but he truly didn't want to be hurting anyone through the acts he commits as one of the Rebel leaders. How can one say no to a charming rogue anyway?
But who am I kidding, I am still the biggest sucker for Kiva and Jaren's relationship. Like oh my goodness, Jaren is just so sweet and attentive. I can't get enough of his character! He definitely has a bit of a jealous streak, but his loyalty towards Kiva is admirable. Watching these two fight their feelings made me feel so giddy, and I was so happy when their relationship progressed even more. I am so excited to see how they pan out in book three!
The intense nature of this book is also a definite highlight. The back-and-forth nature of Kiva's actions had me viewing this novel as a ticking time bomb that was sure to blow up before the book was through. And that is exactly what happened! When one is keeping so many secrets from so many different people, one risks everything at every turn. Hopefully Kiva can redeem herself in the eyes of her loved ones by the time the last page of the third book is reached, but she needs some serious luck to pull that off. Kiva did a ton of dumb things throughout the course of this book, so she has a ton of relationships she needs to patch up.
I think the overarching theme of blood relations versus found family is one that I can't get enough of. Humans always seem to be drawn to those whom they share familial relations with, even if they treat them less than adequately. Kiva has a ton of trauma from her time in prison, and much of that injury stems from her family abandoning her. The way that the Vallentis family adopts Kiva as one of their own is helping Kiva heal immensely, and it's hard not to love them for that. Kiva feels as though she can only have her family or Jaren's (which is understandable given her background), which leads to a very interesting moral dilemma that resonates deeply with me.
The political turmoil in this one picks up immensely. Book one took place solely in Zalindov, which isolated the reader from the rest of the world. This book takes a deeper look into many of the realm's kingdoms and the unrest that exists between all of them. For those that love magical worldbuilding, this is a huge plus, but for those who don't love it, no biggie, Noni makes it easy to follow. I personally found it to be quite interesting despite my general distaste for politics in fantasy novels.
I could honestly go on about this one forever. I truly love this world and all the characters that grace this series pages. However, I don't want to spoil too much of this book that is packed full of twists and turns, so I'll try to shut up now.
Overall, "The Gilded Cage" is everything that the bridge book in a trilogy should be. It really takes a deep dive into the world introduced in "The Prison Healer" without becoming too lore heavy or putting a burden on the reader with all the things it needs them to remember. Rather, this book follows Kiva's journey into normalcy while slowly introducing important elements of this world all while constantly raising the stakes as the story progresses. This one does end on another cliffhanger, so I really look forward to diving into the third book as soon as I can!
After escaping the elite prison of Zalindov, Kiva Meridan now finds herself living with the charming Prince Jaren inside the kingdom's capital. Kiva is trying to settle into normalcy, but things are complicated by the tense relationship she has with her newly reunited siblings. Desperate to keep a hold of her family, Kiva finds herself doing everything she can to please her siblings, even when it means hurting Jaren and the royal family. With her loyalties split, nobody knows the truth about who Kiva is and not even she knows where her allegiances lie.
It's been several months since I read "The Prison Healer," but I was instantly drawn back into the world that Noni has created. The first book ended on a pretty nasty cliffhanger, so I was shocked that it took me this long to continue this series, but alas, other books on my TBR were calling. Kiva, Jaren, and Tipp are so near and dear to me, so I was happy to reunite with them again, even if the circumstances they are in have grown to be even more complicated than in the first book.
It's hard to talk about the plot of this one at all without spoiling a vast amount of the first book, so please read on with caution. At the end of the first book, Kiva escapes prison, but many secrets are revealed in the last couple of pages. Not only do we learn that Tilda, the Rebel Queen, is her mother, but we also learn that Kiva possesses a rare healing magic that is passed down from one of the founders of the kingdom. These were truly shocking things for me to discover, and they completely change Kiva's dynamic with Jaren Vallentis, the crown prince of the royal family. Essentially, this places Kiva and Jaren as heirs to opposing groups, which really complicates the romantic relationship that these two are gradually falling into. Knowing this fact, it isn't surprising to learn that this book mostly features Kiva trying to get the nerve to backstab the royal family who have been nothing but generous to her in order to not shatter the fragile bond she has with her siblings and their rebel group.
Much like the first book, my favorite parts of this one are truly Kiva's everyday interactions with the rest of the cast. Her training sessions with Jaren's cousin, Caldon, were very comical to read (despite the fact that Kiva quite literal suffered through them). Seeing her befriend people that she didn't know from the prison was very nice; I love to see her find a sense of normalcy despite the chaos that is her life. Her matronly relation toward Tipp is still so precious, and I am so glad that these two are there for one another now that they are living life outside prison.
The characters in this series certainly make it worth reading, and I love them all so much. (Well, I guess not all of them; Zuleeka is sorta a jerk and there are a few others who I just found to be sorta sus the entire time.) Torell, Kiva's older brother, is another one of those character that I also couldn't help but love from the first encounter. I could tell from the get-go that he would do anything to protect his family, but he truly didn't want to be hurting anyone through the acts he commits as one of the Rebel leaders. How can one say no to a charming rogue anyway?
But who am I kidding, I am still the biggest sucker for Kiva and Jaren's relationship. Like oh my goodness, Jaren is just so sweet and attentive. I can't get enough of his character! He definitely has a bit of a jealous streak, but his loyalty towards Kiva is admirable. Watching these two fight their feelings made me feel so giddy, and I was so happy when their relationship progressed even more. I am so excited to see how they pan out in book three!
The intense nature of this book is also a definite highlight. The back-and-forth nature of Kiva's actions had me viewing this novel as a ticking time bomb that was sure to blow up before the book was through. And that is exactly what happened! When one is keeping so many secrets from so many different people, one risks everything at every turn. Hopefully Kiva can redeem herself in the eyes of her loved ones by the time the last page of the third book is reached, but she needs some serious luck to pull that off. Kiva did a ton of dumb things throughout the course of this book, so she has a ton of relationships she needs to patch up.
I think the overarching theme of blood relations versus found family is one that I can't get enough of. Humans always seem to be drawn to those whom they share familial relations with, even if they treat them less than adequately. Kiva has a ton of trauma from her time in prison, and much of that injury stems from her family abandoning her. The way that the Vallentis family adopts Kiva as one of their own is helping Kiva heal immensely, and it's hard not to love them for that. Kiva feels as though she can only have her family or Jaren's (which is understandable given her background), which leads to a very interesting moral dilemma that resonates deeply with me.
The political turmoil in this one picks up immensely. Book one took place solely in Zalindov, which isolated the reader from the rest of the world. This book takes a deeper look into many of the realm's kingdoms and the unrest that exists between all of them. For those that love magical worldbuilding, this is a huge plus, but for those who don't love it, no biggie, Noni makes it easy to follow. I personally found it to be quite interesting despite my general distaste for politics in fantasy novels.
I could honestly go on about this one forever. I truly love this world and all the characters that grace this series pages. However, I don't want to spoil too much of this book that is packed full of twists and turns, so I'll try to shut up now.
Overall, "The Gilded Cage" is everything that the bridge book in a trilogy should be. It really takes a deep dive into the world introduced in "The Prison Healer" without becoming too lore heavy or putting a burden on the reader with all the things it needs them to remember. Rather, this book follows Kiva's journey into normalcy while slowly introducing important elements of this world all while constantly raising the stakes as the story progresses. This one does end on another cliffhanger, so I really look forward to diving into the third book as soon as I can!
Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline
1.0
A young teen lives in a haunted cemetery with her grief-stricken father in this young adult coming of age story that explores identity.
Winifred has spent her entire life living within the grounds of a cemetery, only feet away from the grave of her deceased mother. As a near sixteen-year-old in the summertime, she has very little to do, so she spends most of time wandering the cemetery at all hours of the day. These actions have started a rumor that the grounds are haunted, which might just be the thing to spice up her summer. At least, that's what Winifred thinks until she discovers that the cemetery is actually haunted and that all the attention drawn to the grounds is putting her new best friend in danger.
It pains me to report how much I hated this book. I found it to be disjointed, confusing, and just plain boring. Nothing happens in the book until almost halfway through, and even then, nothing really caught my attention. This isn't that long of a book, but I struggled to finish this one over multiple day and considered DNFing it (even when I only had a dozen pages left to go). And mind you, I don't DNF books, so this one was really driving me batty.
I personally found the way that indigenous culture and the LGBTQIA+ community was explored and talked about in this one to be a bit cringe. There's one character who dresses up in traditional buckskin clothing and performs ridiculous rituals to summon ghosts, and I just found this to be so gross. Winifred, the MC, also hated it, but that doesn't fix anything. Winifred has also been cut off from her native heritage after her mother dies, which would be super painful, but it kept this story from exploring the depth of indigenous culture that could have slightly redeemed this story for me.
If this book wouldn't have weaved from random story to random story, I may have been able to follow it a bit easier. Unfortunately, so much of this book was made up of random side tangents that had nothing to do with anything (or were super boring), so I just found myself completely uninvested in everything that was happening.
This book was also incredibly crass, which I didn't appreciate. The characters swear, shame each other relentlessly, and are all in all just not great people. Not liking literally any of the characters was another thing that really put a damper on this one for me.
Overall, I didn't have any expectations going into "Funeral Songs for Dying Girls," but man, did I end up really disliking this one. The structure of the book was confusing, the characters were extremely unlikable, and I found many aspects of this book to be plain offensive. I really did not enjoy my time reading this one and I considered just stopping multiple times. It definitely didn't redeem itself in the end, so I'm leaving this one with a pretty bitter experience.
Winifred has spent her entire life living within the grounds of a cemetery, only feet away from the grave of her deceased mother. As a near sixteen-year-old in the summertime, she has very little to do, so she spends most of time wandering the cemetery at all hours of the day. These actions have started a rumor that the grounds are haunted, which might just be the thing to spice up her summer. At least, that's what Winifred thinks until she discovers that the cemetery is actually haunted and that all the attention drawn to the grounds is putting her new best friend in danger.
It pains me to report how much I hated this book. I found it to be disjointed, confusing, and just plain boring. Nothing happens in the book until almost halfway through, and even then, nothing really caught my attention. This isn't that long of a book, but I struggled to finish this one over multiple day and considered DNFing it (even when I only had a dozen pages left to go). And mind you, I don't DNF books, so this one was really driving me batty.
I personally found the way that indigenous culture and the LGBTQIA+ community was explored and talked about in this one to be a bit cringe. There's one character who dresses up in traditional buckskin clothing and performs ridiculous rituals to summon ghosts, and I just found this to be so gross. Winifred, the MC, also hated it, but that doesn't fix anything. Winifred has also been cut off from her native heritage after her mother dies, which would be super painful, but it kept this story from exploring the depth of indigenous culture that could have slightly redeemed this story for me.
If this book wouldn't have weaved from random story to random story, I may have been able to follow it a bit easier. Unfortunately, so much of this book was made up of random side tangents that had nothing to do with anything (or were super boring), so I just found myself completely uninvested in everything that was happening.
This book was also incredibly crass, which I didn't appreciate. The characters swear, shame each other relentlessly, and are all in all just not great people. Not liking literally any of the characters was another thing that really put a damper on this one for me.
Overall, I didn't have any expectations going into "Funeral Songs for Dying Girls," but man, did I end up really disliking this one. The structure of the book was confusing, the characters were extremely unlikable, and I found many aspects of this book to be plain offensive. I really did not enjoy my time reading this one and I considered just stopping multiple times. It definitely didn't redeem itself in the end, so I'm leaving this one with a pretty bitter experience.
Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding by Maia Kobabe
4.0
A short nonfiction guide to lead queer teens down their own pathway to healthy binding.
This book is a compilation of stories featuring real people that have managed to find a method of binding that works well for them. It also features practical advice from Kobabe emself, as well as reflection questions, charts, and other resources for people who bind to reflect on their own experiences and health.
I am so glad that a resource like this now exists. For young trans people who have questions about binding, this guide is priceless. Binding has definitely become more well known in recent years due to people such as Kobabe and eir memoir "Gender Queer," but little information is widely available about how exactly to bind healthily. This short graphic novel is very enlightening and answers many different questions that one could have about the act of binding.
One of my favorite parts about this book is how it urges one to not settle for anything less than what makes one feel truly good. However, it also cautions one to get to know their body and its limits and give oneself breaks when needed.
Overall, "Breathe" is a priceless guide for queer teens who are interested in the act of binding. It outlines healthy practices, gives practical advice, and does a great job of focusing on the individuality of each person's journey. I am so glad that this resource now exists, and I hope that it finds its way into the hands of all those who need it.
This book is a compilation of stories featuring real people that have managed to find a method of binding that works well for them. It also features practical advice from Kobabe emself, as well as reflection questions, charts, and other resources for people who bind to reflect on their own experiences and health.
I am so glad that a resource like this now exists. For young trans people who have questions about binding, this guide is priceless. Binding has definitely become more well known in recent years due to people such as Kobabe and eir memoir "Gender Queer," but little information is widely available about how exactly to bind healthily. This short graphic novel is very enlightening and answers many different questions that one could have about the act of binding.
One of my favorite parts about this book is how it urges one to not settle for anything less than what makes one feel truly good. However, it also cautions one to get to know their body and its limits and give oneself breaks when needed.
Overall, "Breathe" is a priceless guide for queer teens who are interested in the act of binding. It outlines healthy practices, gives practical advice, and does a great job of focusing on the individuality of each person's journey. I am so glad that this resource now exists, and I hope that it finds its way into the hands of all those who need it.
Returning Home by Ginnie Carmichael
4.0
A small town best friend's brother romance featuring two people who discover the beauty present in their hometown.
Abby is a successful architect living in Chicago that swore she would never move back to her hometown of Alder Creek, Colorado. Ever since her father died, the town is filled with too many painful memories. Now, she is back in town to renovate her childhood home to sell after her mother moves to Florida. Abby is grateful to see her best friends, Melissa and Emily again, but she doesn't expect to still feel butterflies when she runs into her high school crush, Evan Spencer. Abby has the three week renovation schedule planned out to a tee, and then it's out of Alder Creek for good. But as she works on renovating the house with Evan, she begins to reconsider. Maybe a quiet life in Alder Creek surrounded by the people that make her happiest is just what her life has been lacking all this time.
This is a sweet, small town romance that reads as though one is watching a Hallmark movie. Abby reluctantly returns to her hometown to restore her childhood home to sell, only to fall for Evan, the man who is helping her redo the house. She starts to admire the quaint vibe of the town and relishes in the time she gets to spend with her best friends that never left. It's closed door and the third act conflict is minimal, so very Hallmark-y, minus an overdramatic grand gesture (and I say this in a good way). It may not be the most in depth story, but it's pretty cute.
I honestly haven't read many best friend's brother romances, but I thought this book did it quite well. Abby and Emily are the best of friends, and Emily's brother is Evan, the love interest. I really enjoyed how all three of them interact with one another. Their friendship is rock solid and it's really fun seeing them all interact at family dinners and local football games.
My favorite part of this novel has got to be all the small moments that Abby and Evan share with one another. From their hiking trips to their kitchen endeavors, to them demolishing a wall together to taking Evan's dog, Scout, on walks, seeing the little things between these two was very cute and wholesome. I personally appreciate reading romances that are down-to-Earth and simplistic in realistic ways from time to time. They are a great reminder that finding your perfect person doesn't have to involve a movie perfect grand gesture but rather takes two people falling for one another bit by bit.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed is watching Abby learn to love her hometown again. Grief is a powerful force and it often clouds one's entire worldview. After the death of her father, Abby found living in Alder Creek to be too painful, so she moved to Chicago and buried herself in work. Ten years later, she sees things a little different and finds it easier to focus on the happy memories. Alder Creek is such a cozy small Colorado town, and it was fun getting to know the residents there. I'm glad to hear this is the start to a series, because some of the characters are really interesting and I would like to learn more about them.
Overall, "Returning Home" is a cozy, clean romance set in a small town that could be straight out of a Hallmark movie. I appreciate the realistic, down-to-Earth relationship that Abby and Evan share and the way these two coexist with one another so effortlessly. The little moments these two share are so precious and provide a great reminder that grand gestures aren't the only way to show someone your love. Alder Creek is adorable, and I enjoyed getting to know the residents of the town. I look forward to discovering Emily's happily ever after in book two if the opportunity presents itself!
Abby is a successful architect living in Chicago that swore she would never move back to her hometown of Alder Creek, Colorado. Ever since her father died, the town is filled with too many painful memories. Now, she is back in town to renovate her childhood home to sell after her mother moves to Florida. Abby is grateful to see her best friends, Melissa and Emily again, but she doesn't expect to still feel butterflies when she runs into her high school crush, Evan Spencer. Abby has the three week renovation schedule planned out to a tee, and then it's out of Alder Creek for good. But as she works on renovating the house with Evan, she begins to reconsider. Maybe a quiet life in Alder Creek surrounded by the people that make her happiest is just what her life has been lacking all this time.
This is a sweet, small town romance that reads as though one is watching a Hallmark movie. Abby reluctantly returns to her hometown to restore her childhood home to sell, only to fall for Evan, the man who is helping her redo the house. She starts to admire the quaint vibe of the town and relishes in the time she gets to spend with her best friends that never left. It's closed door and the third act conflict is minimal, so very Hallmark-y, minus an overdramatic grand gesture (and I say this in a good way). It may not be the most in depth story, but it's pretty cute.
I honestly haven't read many best friend's brother romances, but I thought this book did it quite well. Abby and Emily are the best of friends, and Emily's brother is Evan, the love interest. I really enjoyed how all three of them interact with one another. Their friendship is rock solid and it's really fun seeing them all interact at family dinners and local football games.
My favorite part of this novel has got to be all the small moments that Abby and Evan share with one another. From their hiking trips to their kitchen endeavors, to them demolishing a wall together to taking Evan's dog, Scout, on walks, seeing the little things between these two was very cute and wholesome. I personally appreciate reading romances that are down-to-Earth and simplistic in realistic ways from time to time. They are a great reminder that finding your perfect person doesn't have to involve a movie perfect grand gesture but rather takes two people falling for one another bit by bit.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed is watching Abby learn to love her hometown again. Grief is a powerful force and it often clouds one's entire worldview. After the death of her father, Abby found living in Alder Creek to be too painful, so she moved to Chicago and buried herself in work. Ten years later, she sees things a little different and finds it easier to focus on the happy memories. Alder Creek is such a cozy small Colorado town, and it was fun getting to know the residents there. I'm glad to hear this is the start to a series, because some of the characters are really interesting and I would like to learn more about them.
Overall, "Returning Home" is a cozy, clean romance set in a small town that could be straight out of a Hallmark movie. I appreciate the realistic, down-to-Earth relationship that Abby and Evan share and the way these two coexist with one another so effortlessly. The little moments these two share are so precious and provide a great reminder that grand gestures aren't the only way to show someone your love. Alder Creek is adorable, and I enjoyed getting to know the residents of the town. I look forward to discovering Emily's happily ever after in book two if the opportunity presents itself!
She Journeys by Sarah May
4.0
A moving memoir about learning to let go of the past and the journey it takes to acquire a powerful sense of self-love.
"She Journeys" reminded me of Cheryl Strayed's famous memoir "Wild" in many ways, so I hope that Sarah's book finds it ways to many of Strayed's fans. Sarah has lived through a tough childhood, an abusive marriage, and more trauma than I could ever imagine. Yet somehow, she has managed to find peace and joy in all apects of life. It obviously wasn't a quick or easy journey, but I find it so inspiring to hear people share their rough experiences and showcase how their life has managed to get better.
There are many different parts of this book that will resonate differently with certain readers. There are parts where Sarah is stuck in a dangerous relationship, parts where she is exploring the wilderness on her own, segments in which she is learning to live life on her own, and a great portion of the end of the book that features Sarah learning to love herself for who she is, not for what others view her as. There are so many valuable lessons packed into this book, and I feel that most readers will be able to relate to something penned in its pages.
One part of this book that really resonated with me is Sarah's exploration towards self-love. Much of the time, I am very proud of all of my accomplishments and how far I've come thus far in life. However, in today's society it's hard to feel like I'm not constantly falling behind or that I'm not good enough to meet other's expectations of me. Sarah talks about the most important kind of love is the love that you show to yourself. Everyone else's opinions are second and frankly, shouldn't hold as much weight as your own views. If you constantly think that you aren't enough, then you will truly begin to believe this outlook, and it will make your life miserable. Turning to others to find validation can be addicting, but it can also be dangerous. This book is a great reminder that seeking love from others is a vital part of being human, but that love should also be backed up by the love one feels for themself.
I think it is so cool that Sarah and her husband Andrew travel the country living out of their van, Rudy. To let go of the unimportant parts of life and pave a path to their own freedom is so amazing; I truly applaud them for being brave enough to take control of their own destinies like that. Following their book tour for "She Journeys" and Andrew's book "Now Is the Time: A Van Life Roadtrip" on social media has been really fun, and I encourage others to check out their travels!
Overall, I'm grateful that Sarah's book "She Journeys" found its way into my hands. It is a moving memoir that acts as a great reminder to what is most important in life. Sarah's story is uplifting and inspiring; I hope that her story reaches the ears of those that truly need it most. The trauma that Sarah has lived through is immense, but the strength she possesses to recover and seize the life that she truly wants for herself fills me with awe. I would definitely recommend this one to readers who love memoirs about resilient women overcoming life's obstacles. Also, if you are a fan of Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," I feel like you'd probably enjoy this book, too.
"She Journeys" reminded me of Cheryl Strayed's famous memoir "Wild" in many ways, so I hope that Sarah's book finds it ways to many of Strayed's fans. Sarah has lived through a tough childhood, an abusive marriage, and more trauma than I could ever imagine. Yet somehow, she has managed to find peace and joy in all apects of life. It obviously wasn't a quick or easy journey, but I find it so inspiring to hear people share their rough experiences and showcase how their life has managed to get better.
There are many different parts of this book that will resonate differently with certain readers. There are parts where Sarah is stuck in a dangerous relationship, parts where she is exploring the wilderness on her own, segments in which she is learning to live life on her own, and a great portion of the end of the book that features Sarah learning to love herself for who she is, not for what others view her as. There are so many valuable lessons packed into this book, and I feel that most readers will be able to relate to something penned in its pages.
One part of this book that really resonated with me is Sarah's exploration towards self-love. Much of the time, I am very proud of all of my accomplishments and how far I've come thus far in life. However, in today's society it's hard to feel like I'm not constantly falling behind or that I'm not good enough to meet other's expectations of me. Sarah talks about the most important kind of love is the love that you show to yourself. Everyone else's opinions are second and frankly, shouldn't hold as much weight as your own views. If you constantly think that you aren't enough, then you will truly begin to believe this outlook, and it will make your life miserable. Turning to others to find validation can be addicting, but it can also be dangerous. This book is a great reminder that seeking love from others is a vital part of being human, but that love should also be backed up by the love one feels for themself.
I think it is so cool that Sarah and her husband Andrew travel the country living out of their van, Rudy. To let go of the unimportant parts of life and pave a path to their own freedom is so amazing; I truly applaud them for being brave enough to take control of their own destinies like that. Following their book tour for "She Journeys" and Andrew's book "Now Is the Time: A Van Life Roadtrip" on social media has been really fun, and I encourage others to check out their travels!
Overall, I'm grateful that Sarah's book "She Journeys" found its way into my hands. It is a moving memoir that acts as a great reminder to what is most important in life. Sarah's story is uplifting and inspiring; I hope that her story reaches the ears of those that truly need it most. The trauma that Sarah has lived through is immense, but the strength she possesses to recover and seize the life that she truly wants for herself fills me with awe. I would definitely recommend this one to readers who love memoirs about resilient women overcoming life's obstacles. Also, if you are a fan of Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," I feel like you'd probably enjoy this book, too.
Spirit of a Patriot: Part 1 by Ashley Brion, Ashley Brion
Nathaniel Thorne was sent on a mission in 1778 by General George Washington that brought him back to his home near Valley Forge. Ready for a respite from the war efforts, Nathaniel prepares for bed on his first night back only to find himself murdered in his childhood bedroom. Centuries later, Lindsey Taylor moves into the Thorne's ancestral home ready to renovate it to its former glory. Unbeknownst to her, Nathaniel's ghost still roams the halls. A strange phenomenon brings these two together, and they both might just be exactly what the other person needs.
This novelette introduces the reader to Nathaniel, Lindsey, and the unique situation that they find themselves in. There is an incident involving a lady in a portrait that ties the two together, but we get very little information in the first half of this story about it. This has me intrigued to see what Nathaniel and Lindsey need to do together, but it's hard for me to be truly invested in characters that I've only known for like fifty pages.
I can tell that Brion is a history buff. I find the Revolutionary War to be one of the more fascinating parts of American history, which is the reason that I first picked up this book. This one has a few chapters at the beginning in which Nathaniel was living his life as a soldier under General Washington, which was probably my favorite part of this short story.
I'm not the biggest fan of how much the characters swear, but to each their own, I guess. Also, I found it a tad odd that Brion chose to tell some of the same instances from both Nathaniel and Lindsey's perspective. This wouldn't have been that big of a deal minus the fact this novelette is so short that every sentence counts.
Overall, "Spirit of a Patriot" is a good introduction into the "Revolutionary Duet" in which one gets to meet young soldier Nathaniel Thorne, and Lindsey Taylor, the enthusiastic history buff. It's hard for me to form a strong opinion of this story based solely on the first half of it, so I'm going to hold most of my opinions until I read the second half. I did really enjoy how history intersects with modern day society in this paranormal contemporary romcom with a dose of historical fun. I'm interested to see how Lindsey reacts to Nathaniel's presence and just exactly how these two are connected!
3.0
Part one in a two part saga of novelettes that tell the story of Nathaniel, a young solider of the Revolutionary War, and Lindsey, a history buff that moves into his historical house.
Nathaniel Thorne was sent on a mission in 1778 by General George Washington that brought him back to his home near Valley Forge. Ready for a respite from the war efforts, Nathaniel prepares for bed on his first night back only to find himself murdered in his childhood bedroom. Centuries later, Lindsey Taylor moves into the Thorne's ancestral home ready to renovate it to its former glory. Unbeknownst to her, Nathaniel's ghost still roams the halls. A strange phenomenon brings these two together, and they both might just be exactly what the other person needs.
This novelette introduces the reader to Nathaniel, Lindsey, and the unique situation that they find themselves in. There is an incident involving a lady in a portrait that ties the two together, but we get very little information in the first half of this story about it. This has me intrigued to see what Nathaniel and Lindsey need to do together, but it's hard for me to be truly invested in characters that I've only known for like fifty pages.
I can tell that Brion is a history buff. I find the Revolutionary War to be one of the more fascinating parts of American history, which is the reason that I first picked up this book. This one has a few chapters at the beginning in which Nathaniel was living his life as a soldier under General Washington, which was probably my favorite part of this short story.
I'm not the biggest fan of how much the characters swear, but to each their own, I guess. Also, I found it a tad odd that Brion chose to tell some of the same instances from both Nathaniel and Lindsey's perspective. This wouldn't have been that big of a deal minus the fact this novelette is so short that every sentence counts.
Overall, "Spirit of a Patriot" is a good introduction into the "Revolutionary Duet" in which one gets to meet young soldier Nathaniel Thorne, and Lindsey Taylor, the enthusiastic history buff. It's hard for me to form a strong opinion of this story based solely on the first half of it, so I'm going to hold most of my opinions until I read the second half. I did really enjoy how history intersects with modern day society in this paranormal contemporary romcom with a dose of historical fun. I'm interested to see how Lindsey reacts to Nathaniel's presence and just exactly how these two are connected!
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
2.0
An unhinged prom night leads to the adventure of a lifetime for Perry in this joyride of a YA novel.
Perry is excited to finally be able to play a gig with his band, but his parents have other plans. Not only are they not letting him seize the opportunity of a lifetime, but they are also forcing him to take Gobija—the foreign exchange student living at his house—to prom. Things quickly take a crazy turn when Gobi attacks a man and Perry learns that she is actually on course to assassinate five different people before the night is through. Desperate to stop Gobi and protect his family at the same time, Perry tries to appease Gobi while trying to take back control of the night that was supposed to be his.
My sister got this book for me to read as a joke. This one definitely lived up to my below average expectations that I had going into it. This is truly the type of book that makes me wonder how it got published. How did dozens of people read this novel and decide that it was fit for the world to consume?
Reading this book is like experiencing a horny teenage boy's fever dream starring a kickbutt assassin who happens to look really hot in red lipstick. For some, this may be an enjoyable experience, but it had me constantly rolling my eyes and feeling grateful that this book is so short.
Gobi is an atrocious person who treats Perry like expendable garbage, and he still thinks that she is super hot. Like, come on! Not only does she treat him poorly, but she is also actively killing people. Isn't that a big enough red flag for you? I must admit, I am definitely not the intended audience of this book, but I still can't believe that this type of thing is actually read by thousands of people.
The campy nature of this book honestly wasn't even that bad. This book can no way, shape, or form happen in the real world, though. One definitely has to be willing to suspend all of their disbelief to get through this one.
My favorite part about my time with this book was actually the chapter headers. Every chapter opens with a different essay question to be submitted with college applications. I actually think reading a book of someone's answers to all of these questions could be quite interesting. I found myself deeply reflecting on a few of these questions, so I wouldn't say reading this book was a complete waste of time.
Overall, "Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick" was not a book that I could enjoy. This book just strays so far from my usual cup of tea that there truly wasn't even a chance of me liking this one. The characters weren't likable, the writing wasn't stellar, and the unrealistic nature of the book had me rolling my eyes constantly. It astounds me that this book was even published, but I am even more shocked to learn that this book has a sequel. *sigh* Anyway, I'm glad to be moving on from this one.
Perry is excited to finally be able to play a gig with his band, but his parents have other plans. Not only are they not letting him seize the opportunity of a lifetime, but they are also forcing him to take Gobija—the foreign exchange student living at his house—to prom. Things quickly take a crazy turn when Gobi attacks a man and Perry learns that she is actually on course to assassinate five different people before the night is through. Desperate to stop Gobi and protect his family at the same time, Perry tries to appease Gobi while trying to take back control of the night that was supposed to be his.
My sister got this book for me to read as a joke. This one definitely lived up to my below average expectations that I had going into it. This is truly the type of book that makes me wonder how it got published. How did dozens of people read this novel and decide that it was fit for the world to consume?
Reading this book is like experiencing a horny teenage boy's fever dream starring a kickbutt assassin who happens to look really hot in red lipstick. For some, this may be an enjoyable experience, but it had me constantly rolling my eyes and feeling grateful that this book is so short.
Gobi is an atrocious person who treats Perry like expendable garbage, and he still thinks that she is super hot. Like, come on! Not only does she treat him poorly, but she is also actively killing people. Isn't that a big enough red flag for you? I must admit, I am definitely not the intended audience of this book, but I still can't believe that this type of thing is actually read by thousands of people.
The campy nature of this book honestly wasn't even that bad. This book can no way, shape, or form happen in the real world, though. One definitely has to be willing to suspend all of their disbelief to get through this one.
My favorite part about my time with this book was actually the chapter headers. Every chapter opens with a different essay question to be submitted with college applications. I actually think reading a book of someone's answers to all of these questions could be quite interesting. I found myself deeply reflecting on a few of these questions, so I wouldn't say reading this book was a complete waste of time.
Overall, "Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick" was not a book that I could enjoy. This book just strays so far from my usual cup of tea that there truly wasn't even a chance of me liking this one. The characters weren't likable, the writing wasn't stellar, and the unrealistic nature of the book had me rolling my eyes constantly. It astounds me that this book was even published, but I am even more shocked to learn that this book has a sequel. *sigh* Anyway, I'm glad to be moving on from this one.
Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang
3.0
A young teen flees to a remote cabin in the woods in the hopes of finding peace when their life becomes too overwhelming for them to bear any longer as it is.
Ash feels as though nobody prioritizes the right thing. When people should be standing up for the environment and the very Earth that sustains their life, they spend their time scrolling through social media and planning trips to Disneyland. The only person that has ever really understood Ash and their priorities is their grandpa, Edwin. Since he died, Ash has felt so alone. In a desperate effort to find solace and get closer to their grandfather, Ash sets out to look for Edwin's cabin that has long been abandoned in the woods of California.
This one is a cute story about finding oneself and discovering what one truly values most. It puts the environment first and begs its audience to do the same. It is pretty unlikely that a fifteen-year-old could set out into the woods and survive off a series of YouTube videos, but that doesn't keep the messages in this book from being a positive influence on a society that is overall determined not to care.
I didn't overly connect with Ash's character, but there were other parts of this graphic novel that I enjoyed immensely. The style that Wang used for this book is so picturesque and peaceful. Wang has never been my favorite artist, but the watercolor nature of the images is gorgeous.
I also thought that it is neat that Wang decided to write this story as though Ash was writing in their journal. I usually dislike when graphic novels have long strands of text like this one does, but I didn't mind when utilized in this way. This book would have been filled with at least a hundred pages of Ash sitting alone in the woods talking to themself if it wasn't told in a journal format, so I think this was a great choice on the author's part.
Overall, "Ash's Cabin" is a sweet graphic novel following a young teen's journey to acceptance. I like how this one is set up as Ash's journal; it really keeps the story moving. The watercolor painting style of the art has to be one of my favorite parts about this book. It also has some great themes about caring for the Earth and respecting nature. It isn't the most unique (most survival stories aren't) or the most action packed. It is rather a quiet reflection on one child's life that asks the reader to think about what is truly important to them. Not a bad read, but nothing to write home about either.
Ash feels as though nobody prioritizes the right thing. When people should be standing up for the environment and the very Earth that sustains their life, they spend their time scrolling through social media and planning trips to Disneyland. The only person that has ever really understood Ash and their priorities is their grandpa, Edwin. Since he died, Ash has felt so alone. In a desperate effort to find solace and get closer to their grandfather, Ash sets out to look for Edwin's cabin that has long been abandoned in the woods of California.
This one is a cute story about finding oneself and discovering what one truly values most. It puts the environment first and begs its audience to do the same. It is pretty unlikely that a fifteen-year-old could set out into the woods and survive off a series of YouTube videos, but that doesn't keep the messages in this book from being a positive influence on a society that is overall determined not to care.
I didn't overly connect with Ash's character, but there were other parts of this graphic novel that I enjoyed immensely. The style that Wang used for this book is so picturesque and peaceful. Wang has never been my favorite artist, but the watercolor nature of the images is gorgeous.
I also thought that it is neat that Wang decided to write this story as though Ash was writing in their journal. I usually dislike when graphic novels have long strands of text like this one does, but I didn't mind when utilized in this way. This book would have been filled with at least a hundred pages of Ash sitting alone in the woods talking to themself if it wasn't told in a journal format, so I think this was a great choice on the author's part.
Overall, "Ash's Cabin" is a sweet graphic novel following a young teen's journey to acceptance. I like how this one is set up as Ash's journal; it really keeps the story moving. The watercolor painting style of the art has to be one of my favorite parts about this book. It also has some great themes about caring for the Earth and respecting nature. It isn't the most unique (most survival stories aren't) or the most action packed. It is rather a quiet reflection on one child's life that asks the reader to think about what is truly important to them. Not a bad read, but nothing to write home about either.
Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole
4.0
A verse novel that masterfully connects OCD and the expectations thrust onto females by society.
Ariel is terrified of the intrusive thoughts that constantly invade her mind. The crocodile inside of her constantly asks her to commit violent acts and she is so afraid that she is going to hurt someone she loves. Not only does she feel trapped in her own mind, she also feels the constant burden of society's expectations that she be a "good girl." Good girls aren't violent. They don't think about sex. And they definitely don't imagine stabbing their own parents every single day. When she returns to her summer job at a carnival, she makes two great friends, Ruth and Rex, that allow her to feel seen in a way that she never has before. It's nice having people to rely on, but it's difficult when every single day allows her brain to push her closer to the end of her limits.
"Ariel Crashes a Train" is a very interesting look into the mind of someone with OCD. I've never seen a case in which someone has such violent obsessive thoughts, but it totally makes sense how these come to be when one is dealing with the obtrusive thoughts that accompany obsessive compulsive disorder. Many of the rituals that Ariel performs such as counting footsteps, tapping objects, and reciting mantras are just what I'd expect though, so it was enlightening comparing how similar and different Ariel's OCD is from other cases I've read about.
The feminist messages in this book are very powerful. Ariel constantly feels the pressure from society that she isn't feminine enough and that everything she does isn't right. Most women struggle with trying to adhere to society's guidelines, but when you pair them with a compulsive brain that's also a bit of a perfectionist, these things can become extremely deadly quite quickly. Also, this novel talks about how tall women aren't viewed the same as small, petite women. There are so many ways that this world discriminates people; it is absolutely depressing that tall women are viewed as less feminine for their height alone.
The prose in this book is gorgeous. The fact that this one is penned in poetry definitely enhanced the entire feel of the novel. It allowed for easy portrayal of Ariel's intrusive thoughts and presented a unique way for Ariel's internal dialogue to be displayed on the page. The wit that Cole uses in their writing is stellar; there are so many times when they would allude to things and I'd think to myself, "That was so smart! Well played." It makes me really happy when an author's allusions are highly successful and add to a story rather than take away from it or distract me from what truly matters.
Overall, I was impressed with the discussion of societal expectations and OCD that occur throughout "Ariel Crashes a Train." This book showed sides of OCD that I've never thought to imagine, so I found it to be very enlightening. This book is certainly dark at times, but the topics discussed benefited from this tone of voice. The wit was splendid, and the way that poetry was used to tell this story was beautiful. I already had high hopes for "Dear Medusa," but now I'm really excited to give that one a read, too!
Ariel is terrified of the intrusive thoughts that constantly invade her mind. The crocodile inside of her constantly asks her to commit violent acts and she is so afraid that she is going to hurt someone she loves. Not only does she feel trapped in her own mind, she also feels the constant burden of society's expectations that she be a "good girl." Good girls aren't violent. They don't think about sex. And they definitely don't imagine stabbing their own parents every single day. When she returns to her summer job at a carnival, she makes two great friends, Ruth and Rex, that allow her to feel seen in a way that she never has before. It's nice having people to rely on, but it's difficult when every single day allows her brain to push her closer to the end of her limits.
"Ariel Crashes a Train" is a very interesting look into the mind of someone with OCD. I've never seen a case in which someone has such violent obsessive thoughts, but it totally makes sense how these come to be when one is dealing with the obtrusive thoughts that accompany obsessive compulsive disorder. Many of the rituals that Ariel performs such as counting footsteps, tapping objects, and reciting mantras are just what I'd expect though, so it was enlightening comparing how similar and different Ariel's OCD is from other cases I've read about.
The feminist messages in this book are very powerful. Ariel constantly feels the pressure from society that she isn't feminine enough and that everything she does isn't right. Most women struggle with trying to adhere to society's guidelines, but when you pair them with a compulsive brain that's also a bit of a perfectionist, these things can become extremely deadly quite quickly. Also, this novel talks about how tall women aren't viewed the same as small, petite women. There are so many ways that this world discriminates people; it is absolutely depressing that tall women are viewed as less feminine for their height alone.
The prose in this book is gorgeous. The fact that this one is penned in poetry definitely enhanced the entire feel of the novel. It allowed for easy portrayal of Ariel's intrusive thoughts and presented a unique way for Ariel's internal dialogue to be displayed on the page. The wit that Cole uses in their writing is stellar; there are so many times when they would allude to things and I'd think to myself, "That was so smart! Well played." It makes me really happy when an author's allusions are highly successful and add to a story rather than take away from it or distract me from what truly matters.
Overall, I was impressed with the discussion of societal expectations and OCD that occur throughout "Ariel Crashes a Train." This book showed sides of OCD that I've never thought to imagine, so I found it to be very enlightening. This book is certainly dark at times, but the topics discussed benefited from this tone of voice. The wit was splendid, and the way that poetry was used to tell this story was beautiful. I already had high hopes for "Dear Medusa," but now I'm really excited to give that one a read, too!
Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto
3.0
A graphic novel about seizing life's opportunities, even when on the brink of death.
Kumiko isn't content with her life in an assisted living facility that her daughters forced her to move into. With only the things she can carry, she runs away from the facility and finds an apartment of her own. Kumiko now gets to bask in the daily activities that she loves, such as preparing her own food, visiting the local library, and swimming in the nearby pool. However, one thing haunts her every move: Death's shadow. Unwilling to go down without a fight, Kumiko tries everything she can to thwart Death's every move. But how long can an ailing woman truly fight Death itself?
When I first pulled this out of the stack of books that my sister requested from the library, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. I mean, the cover has an old women wielding a vacuum cleaner stoically and a tagline that reads "When Death comes too soon, fight dirty." I figured that this had to mean that an old lady fights Death with a vacuum cleaner, which I figured had to be pretty comical. I was right about the woman using a vacuum cleaner to thwart Death, but I was wrong about the tone of this novel. It is truly a slice of life piece that begs the reader to appreciate the little things in life before they are gone forever.
This book may showcase an old woman living alone, but it is hardly a somber story. Kumiko is so much more than just an "old lady" and truly finds joy in the littlest things, even if she is forced to go through them alone. As the novel progresses, she is lucky enough to meet up with old friends and reconcile a bit with her adult daughters. It is reassuring to see elders defying typical stereotypes, and this graphic novel does a good job of showcasing an average woman who just so happens to be getting on in years.
I personally was a tad confused by all of the elements of magical realism. Like, what was up with the chick that feasted on blood? Was it a friend or foe? I literally have no idea. The representations of Death's shadow were a little clearer, as was the lady who delivers souls across the river in the underworld, so not everything was completely nonsensical. I think the giant spider is Death itself, but I wasn't paying the greatest attention to all of the lore and got a tad lost in Kumiko's final fight. A tad odd, a tad confusing, but not a horrible use of elements of magical realism regardless.
Overall, "Shadow Life" is an intriguing enough graphic novel about a brave woman named Kumiko who is fighting a grand battle against Death. This book has great messages about growing older, defying society's narrative, and finding your own happiness. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I really appreciate that it set out to spread more positive stories about elders living their lives to the fullest.
Kumiko isn't content with her life in an assisted living facility that her daughters forced her to move into. With only the things she can carry, she runs away from the facility and finds an apartment of her own. Kumiko now gets to bask in the daily activities that she loves, such as preparing her own food, visiting the local library, and swimming in the nearby pool. However, one thing haunts her every move: Death's shadow. Unwilling to go down without a fight, Kumiko tries everything she can to thwart Death's every move. But how long can an ailing woman truly fight Death itself?
When I first pulled this out of the stack of books that my sister requested from the library, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. I mean, the cover has an old women wielding a vacuum cleaner stoically and a tagline that reads "When Death comes too soon, fight dirty." I figured that this had to mean that an old lady fights Death with a vacuum cleaner, which I figured had to be pretty comical. I was right about the woman using a vacuum cleaner to thwart Death, but I was wrong about the tone of this novel. It is truly a slice of life piece that begs the reader to appreciate the little things in life before they are gone forever.
This book may showcase an old woman living alone, but it is hardly a somber story. Kumiko is so much more than just an "old lady" and truly finds joy in the littlest things, even if she is forced to go through them alone. As the novel progresses, she is lucky enough to meet up with old friends and reconcile a bit with her adult daughters. It is reassuring to see elders defying typical stereotypes, and this graphic novel does a good job of showcasing an average woman who just so happens to be getting on in years.
I personally was a tad confused by all of the elements of magical realism. Like, what was up with the chick that feasted on blood? Was it a friend or foe? I literally have no idea. The representations of Death's shadow were a little clearer, as was the lady who delivers souls across the river in the underworld, so not everything was completely nonsensical. I think the giant spider is Death itself, but I wasn't paying the greatest attention to all of the lore and got a tad lost in Kumiko's final fight. A tad odd, a tad confusing, but not a horrible use of elements of magical realism regardless.
Overall, "Shadow Life" is an intriguing enough graphic novel about a brave woman named Kumiko who is fighting a grand battle against Death. This book has great messages about growing older, defying society's narrative, and finding your own happiness. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I really appreciate that it set out to spread more positive stories about elders living their lives to the fullest.