watson_my_shelf's reviews
604 reviews

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin

fast-paced

4.25

I really appreciate Curtis sharing his story as a Chinese American gay boy growing up in the Detroit area. This is not a typical memoir, where we usually expect lots of drama (or trauma) and big life events. This is focused on the life of a boy who was trying to figure out who he is while constantly experiencing racism and othering all around him. I loved getting to see how Curtis' perspectives and beliefs changed as he hit different life milestones and experienced the world.  

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

I am not usually for magical realism, but it is really well done here! I enjoyed the quirky characters, funny side characters, and the fact the MC is opening a flower shop. 

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I really wanted to love this book, but it did not hit for me. Charmaine's writing is beautiful. But. The story was trying to go in too many directions at once I felt like. I enjoy a multi-POV book, but this one was too confusing for me. Especially since I did on audio. I was not invested in the jar that held so much importance - I wanted more details on others aspects of the story. 

Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business by Roxane Gay

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I really enjoyed this as an audiobook. I don't think I would have sat down and read it cover to cover as a physical book, but the audio held my attention. There were several of Roxane's articles that I had not read. I did not agree with all of the opinions, but still have so much respect for Roxane. 

Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove

informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

This was very informational. The narrative was great, but the history felt more textbook than I was expecting. Still good and I learned a lot!

Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstrom

emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was good but not something I’d recommend to everyone. There is a lot of addiction (main character is struggling with alcohol). I thought the writing was good and liked the overall plot, but the execution wasn’t there for me. I found all of the characters to be annoying. 

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

4.0

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

4.75

LOVE! I love a quirky messy main character. I didn’t like Miles at first but he snuck up on me - I loved him by the end. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

4.5

Late to the party on this one but I loved! I love the format of the storytelling and unraveling Monique and Evelyn’s stories. 

Everyone Knows You Go Home by Natalia Sylvester

4.25

A really well written book about migrant experiences, showing how seeking a new life often means leaving family and home behind. The ending left me hanging and I would have loved a tad more closure, but still an excellent book