thespicylemon's reviews
282 reviews

The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan

3.0

So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed with It) by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

informative lighthearted medium-paced

I don’t rate non fiction books but this is a must read for any Mean Girls fan. The detail about the pre and post production of the movie was very interesting to read. I also liked how the author gave a lot of attention to the lesser known characters who really made the movie iconic. I enjoyed this book because I find the process of movie making very interesting. I did think it got a bit boring when she started talking about life for the cast after the movie and the Broadway play, but this was still a solid read.

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

A cute and sweet book that’s the perfect beach or poolside read. It seems a little unrealistic to fall so hard for someone after only spending three days with them but as someone who’s been there done that, I understand all of Chani’s anger and heartbreak. I loved the structure of the book and the flashbacks between now and then. I’ll definitely be picking up Susanna’s second book! 

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

lighthearted relaxing 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

3.0

Kind of boring, not what I was expecting but passed the time during my flight. 

Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome by Megan Gail Coles

reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Emma by Jane Austen

slow-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

4.0

Moms by Yeong-shin Ma

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh

informative inspiring fast-paced

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I thought this book had an interesting concept and beautiful prose. However, I thought the character development was a little weak and it fed into a lot of typical YA tropes.

I actually don’t mind that there was an ambiguous ending or that not everything was tied up in a nice little bow. I do wish there was more information about the Tox. I feel like the author tried to cram a lot of information into the last 30 pages when she had 350 pages to more subtly explain things. I also think that the writing could have created a bit more intrigue and mystery than it did.

Overall it was a quick read but nothing really special in my opinion. I probably won’t be reading it ever again and I’m glad I got it from the library and didn’t spend my money on it.