titalindaslibrary's reviews
467 reviews

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham

challenging reflective slow-paced

2.0

While Thien’s story was interesting, the overall tone and storyline was strongly led by a romanticized viewpoint of “the American dream” that believes and helps uphold a completely broken, racist system. That and the art style wasn’t my favorite, making this one a miss for me.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

challenging funny 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

3.25

 Listen, if I didn't absolutely hate Mal for the first 75% of this book, this might have been a higher rating. But I just can't forgive her for that "crazy" comment, PHEW! Sawyer did nothing but be perfect the whole time. Literally loved EVERY ONE else in this book besides the main character and POV we experience the story through lmao. As someone wise once said on TikTok, "Your feelings are always valid, but your behavior is not. You need to be accountable for what you do because of those feelings." 

I do think the last quarter of this book concluded and wrapped up all those messy feelings well, but GOOODDDDD. I do not have the patience for all this teenage angst anymore. 

The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Love this art style (it reminds me of Over the Garden Wall!) and brought to my attention an old Breton folktale I would never have learned about otherwise.

The Loneliness Files by Athena Dixon

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I’ve never listened to someone describe the different facets of loneliness I’ve experience all my life, but Athena gave it words. And ultimately, she made me feel less lonely because of it. A wonderful read on audio, I’m curious to secure a physical copy for myself for future rereads. I feel like I’d get more out of it. 

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

I fear if I force myself into finishing this I will enter a reading slump. I’ll pick this up when I’m in a better mood for it, but it’s just so boring to me rn 

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

Well this was a delightful coming-of-age story with some of my favorite art! So sweet 🥹

Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

4.5

This book is so full of tenderness and love, it felt like a hug to my soul 🥹

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

challenging emotional hopeful sad slow-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

I don't care that she "loved her", I want to fight Norma's/Ruthie's kidnapper.

This was a slow but tender reflection on intergenerational trauma and the different masks that racism can wear. Whether it's violent or subtle, the wounds it can create runs deep. 

I did find it difficult at time to read Joe's perspective, as his walk down memory lane reveal a descent into alcoholism and an incident of domestic abuse. The depiction of Norma's complicated relationship with her mother was done with nuance, and at the end when the secret is revealed, I felt all the confused anger Norma felt as my own. My rage might have been a little more clearcut, but that's because I only experienced her life via a 300+ page book and not the decades she spent in a lie. 

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I do enjoy the way Holly writes contemporary fairy fantasies, and that skill is evident in this book. However I was dying for more Oak and Wren! Not enough interactions between them. The pacing dragged at times too, so this ended up in the mid range for me. Definitely loved seeing peeks of Cardan and Jude!! 

Ghost Roast by Shawneé Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

Absolutely loved this one!