thegr8estangell's reviews
646 reviews

The Fireman and the Flirt by A.J. Truman

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

This was fun! I’m not read to leave this town yet so I’m definitely going to go read the teacher series. There must be something in the water in Sourwood bc all these daddies figuring out they’re bi is a running theme. Overall I liked this one. It was cute. Needs more chubby guys tho. Good book!

The Barkeep and the Bro by A.J. Truman

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

Okay. I liked this one the most so far. Omg it was so cute! I love them. I didn’t know there’s ANOTHER series with the gay teachers! I’m definitely going to read it. They’re adorable. All of them. I love this town. These friends. The ending threw me for a loop! But overall this is the strongest one in the series so 

The Mayor and the Mystery Man by A.J. Truman

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

This one was really slow at the beginning but by the end? I was hooked. Dusty’s reasoning on going from being a 98% straight guy to an eager, insatiable bottom so quickly was shoddy. But, if that’s what floats his boat, float on. I love this little town. It’s adorable. I wish I could live there. 

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

informative sad fast-paced

4.25

These were powerful. And sad? I feel sadness for the victims of America’s brutality. 

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

The back half of this book is heavy. I really enjoy his writing style. It’s very easy to understand and gets his point across in ways that make you think. I like how he explained why he changed his mind on Israel and why he changed his mind on Palestine. He grew as a person as he wrote this book. 

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

adventurous lighthearted fast-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

4.25

This was fun and relaxed. I liked it. 

Squire by Nadia Shammas

reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

This was interesting! I liked the art style. I think the story wasn’t long enough. And they were too young. I think the characters should’ve been just a bit older. But the story was good! I liked it overall. 

The Will of the Many by James Islington

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Wow. That was amazing. I loved it. That ending? What the FUCK is going on?! 

Blackouts by Justin Torres

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Heady, literary fiction isn’t my cup of tea usually. But this one has pictures so I thought, why not? And I’m glad I did because it was good. It was strange and weird in a good way. Very unique. The author is an excellent storyteller. I enjoyed it. I think knowing who was talking when would’ve helped me a lot. I had to go back and reread parts bc I couldn’t tell who was talking. Overall it was good, I can see why it won its awards. 

The Free People's Village by Sim Kern

reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This was an interesting read. Some parts were super corny and cringe and really hard to read bc of the 2nd hand embarrassment. I get the message the author was going for, but I don’t think their actual writing chops are that strong. It was just, eh?

Like their ideologies were so hamfisted into the book that it was annoying at points. It was very “here is what I learned and you should do this too bc I say so” and not a lot of exploration of the ideologies. I do, however, want to read the assata Shakur autobiography now. I knew of her but I didn’t know there was a book.

The main character didn’t grow though? Like by the end I fully wanted her to use her lessons and knowledge and do something serious but in the end she was still just a coward. Idk it disappointed me.