thebookwormscorner's reviews
31 reviews

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

When you're twelve years old and your best friend dies life can be very hard. Norman Foreman loses his best friend Jax suddenly and he is left with a empty hole in his heart. Jax was an amazing kid. He was caring, outspoken, and he helped Norman come out of his shy and quiet shell. They had a five year plan set as a comedic duo. You see, Norman and Jax loved comedy and they made sure to always put on a show. Their dream was to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

Even Sadie, Norman's mom, misses Jax. Not only was he an amazing friend to her son, but he made her home lively with his presence, often getting into little schemes. Being a single mother, Sadie lost her dad (whom was also a comedian; not so successful though) a year before she had Norman. Her grief and heartbreak led her to questionable behavior, such as drinking and having one night stands. As a result, she doesn't really know who Norman's father could be. She often feels she's not a great mother, considering she can't do anything to get her son out of his misery. It doesn't help either that her boss is a pain in the butt. After she spills all her woes on her co-worker, whom comes up with a plan to help Norman and Sadie look for his real father. 

This book was simply amazing. It's a story about friendship, love, family, and never giving up. The way Julietta brought the characters to life was refreshing and she really takes you on an adventure with all the different characters she brings aboard this road trip. Huge thanks to Mira books, NetGalley, and Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You by Shari Graydon

informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

'In Your Face' is a fantastic look into the beauty world. The positives, the negatives, and the controversies behind it. For years the beauty industry has been changing, with standards that are beyond impossible to reach. Many young women are sucked into websites that promote women with surgically enhanced bodies and making it seem like it's a obtainable goal, when it reality it's all fake.
I really loved how the author broke everything down, from the different decades, different fashion, with colorful graphics and illustrations. The author didn't sound bias to me, if anything she made you think, she broke everything down for you, and fed you facts. I think that's something admirable about this book. I believe any girl/young lady/woman who picks up this book will go into reading this with an actual eye opening experience

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future by Ryder Carroll

informative relaxing slow-paced

2.0

 heard about this book when I was working at a Barnes and noble College bookstore. It was very popular with the kids, and I added it to my TBR list. I started Bullet journaling back in 2020. I started it mostly to keep up with my bookish things. Mostly Readathons. Now I'm using it to track my reading for the month. 

The 'Bullet Journal Method' is really for people who want to live a bland and organized life. I'm pretty sure the youtube videos you've been binge watching on BUJO spreads are doing a better job at giving you an idea of how you can use your journal. I mean if plain is your thing... then hey...this book is for you. 
The book started off good, but then everything was getting repetitive and too...how can I say?...self-helpy? It just really turned me off and I just wanted to speed through the book and finish it already so I didn't have to DNF. It's a total bummer I didn't enjoy it.

The Shining by Stephen King

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

After seeing the movie 'The Shining' I knew I had to get my hands on the novel. My first mistake was watching the movie before reading the book. Seeing the movie first however, made me imagine the characters as I was reading it. I will say that there is lot of differences between this book and the movie. obviously the book always wins in this case! I really enjoyed how King described everything although, in some cases it can be a dud...it's worth it in the end, I promise. The only downfall to this book was the excessive use of the 'N' word. 

I saw that a lot of people were saying this book didn't scare them or have them in the edge of their seat, maybe I'm gullible, but I surely was on the edge of my seat. Especially with having a vivid picture of Jack Nicholson's psycho mug on my mind. I'm glad I finally took the plunge and read this book. Glad to have found this gem on eBay for a great price as well, as it was hard to find. 

Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

.'Silence Is a Sense' is a remarkable and thought provoking story of a young woman who fled her country, Syria, that is worn-torn. Currently she resides in the U.K. where she writes columns for a magazine under a false name, The Voiceless. With her writings, she shares her insights as a refugee asylum seeker. She suffers from PSTD from the violence that is shed throughout her country and in the process she has basically become mute. Her editor however, keeps probing for more material and more insight from The Voiceless. But, she's hesitant on it.

She's just trying to find her purpose and to try and blend in with the regular people in her neighborhood. Apart from writing for the column, she also likes to observe her neighbors, and what they're up to everyday; harmless. When a terrible racial involved incident happens at the mosque in her neighborhood, she has to make a decision if she wants to continue being silent or if she's going to stand up for what she believes in. 

Layla AlAmmar did such an amazing job telling this story. Her writing is pure poetry. It flows so well and she goes into a lot of detail. I will be definitely getting more of her work whenever available. Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Existence Of Amy by Lana Grace Riva

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Trigger Warning: 
OCD, Depression, Social Anxiety, Anxiety

'The Existence of Amy' does an amazing job showing you the everyday life and the stresses that Amy goes through. Amy has a full-time job, has her own home, and tries to maintain friendships. The thing is it's hard for her to do all this and her friends have no idea the mental anguish she goes through everyday (Sally was just a horrible person; so entitled).

This book is one that most of us could relate to and the subject manner isn't so heavy. It's like you're living whatever Amy is going through as if you're in the present moment with her. The constant voice in the back of your mind, constantly tugging at you...trying to make your day a living nightmare. No matter how hard Amy tried to push these thoughts out of her mind..she just couldn't. I really truly felt for her. I'm glad that she had at least sort of a friend in Ed. He seemed to be the only one who truly cared about her.

I think it's safe to say that after reading this book, it's so important to have a support system and learn to listen to people. I want to give a huge thank you to Lana Grace Riva for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly enjoyed it.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

'Honey Girl' was just an amazing piece of literature. You must absolutely read it. It has definitely been moved to the pile of books I have that have left quite an impression on me. This book deals with so many issues that many of us have encountered in our 20's. The feeling of what we're going to do after we graduate. The constant pressure of not being good enough, especially with not so supportive parents. 

Grace Porter is 28 years old and has graduated and obtained her doctoral degree as an astronomer. Now she's having a hard time finding a job due to the major systematic issues affecting her not only as a woman, but a black queer woman. It doesn't help that she feels she needs to live up to her fathers expectations. Seriously, he was the most annoying person ever (I hate parents who can't let their kids choose their own dreams). To try to get away from all the madness and her own thoughts, Grace goes on a girls trip to Vegas...and well...we all know what happens in Vegas. Grace wakes up the next day, hung over with no recollection of what happened...and...a wife! A wife she remembers as smelling like flowers and sea salt. 

Join Grace on her journey of self-discovering and lookin for the woman who stole her heart. I absolutely loved this book. It showed that it's ok to not be perfect or have your crap together. I truly admired the tight knitted relationships shown in the book. What you'll get from reading this book....f/f romance, black women romance, and mental health representation. Huge thanks to Harlequin, Park Row, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

With Little Means by Raimo Strangis

challenging hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Rai Starr has an amazing family, but sometimes he thinks about the what if's. Before he was a rockstar. He was in a band, but then had to stop because he was going through a major medical issue; he was suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. Lately he's been thinking about it and finally an opportunity shows up where he can go for his dream of being a rockstar all over again.

A reality show has hit the television waves called 'remarkable' that uses memory-based technology to help people relive their dreams. Rai falls deeply into the program. He's playing gigs every night and meeting all different types of people...including some that are interested in his band...and might possibly want to sign them. Rai soon learns that all the money and Glamour isn't what he imagined, especially after meeting Amy. Is he willing to risk everything including losing his family?

I really enjoyed this book and want to thank the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 

Pigeon-Blood Red by Ed Duncan

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

Pigeon-Blood Red was an emotionally and heart racing crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is my first Ed Duncan novel and I will say, I love his style of writing and I will definitely be reading more of his work. 

The story focuses on Rico, Rico is a hitman (the way I see it)for a Chicago gangster named Litvack. Litvack has asked Rico to hold a beautiful Pigeon-Blood Red necklace; worth a lot of money. After the necklace lands in the hands of someone who it doesn't belong to, Rico has to figure out a way to get it back from the thief. Not only that, but he's also dealing with another score he has to handle. Confused by everything and also dealing with his own personal issues, Rico soon realizes how things take a turn for the worse. 

It so happens more people get involved into Rico's mess, and he's given orders to take them out as well. Rico's conscience gets the best of him and he starts questioning if this is all a big coincidence or is there something else going on? I do have to say that I was really invested in Rico. I wouldn't mind seeing him in another book...who knows...we might get it. Huge thanks to Book Publicity Services and Ed Duncan for reaching out to gift me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Legend of Halloween by Onur Tukel, David Gordon Green

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

FINALLY I got this beauty in the mail after waiting for so long....well...it’s my husband’s but what’s his is mine too so 😝. I absolutely adored this book. The illustrations are so beautiful and I love how dark and sinister the rhyming is. 
I truly appreciate this beautiful book being made. Great job David Gordon Green and Onur Tukel.