whatchareadingheather's reviews
704 reviews

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I think this needed to choose between a time-travel mystery or a time-travel romance because I honestly wasn't a fan of all three elements in the same book. I do think that the author has a beautiful writing style so I'll most likely give another one of their books a chance.

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

challenging emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This had everything that I wanted for a queer romance that also has a focus on a culture that is strongly against queerness (in this case Iranian culture). This is perfect for fans of 'Last Night At The Telegraph Club and ‘A Woman Is No Man.’

X-Men: The Wedding Special (2024) #1 by Kieron Gillen, Michael Bartolo

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Half star deduction because Iceman's side quest REALLY didn't need to be included and was literally just shoehorned into this one-shot to sell his series. Otherwise, I thought this was a solid look into Mystique and Destiny's long-term love and it was a nice touch to have Chris Clarmont's interview and a relationship timeline included.

Witch Baby by Francesca Lia Block

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.75

Given everything that's going on in the United States right now and with reading comprehension continuously going down the drain, I feel like this is pretty darn relevant book that can be used to show people the below list in some of the easiest ways possible and from multiple perspectives: 

- queerness
- immigration
- blended families
- adoption/fostering
- alternative means of conception 
- racism

14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

Keeps you on your toes while also tugging at your heartstrings (specifically for those who have lost loved ones).

Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.25

Overall, I enjoyed the story itself and I think that this book would make a really fun horror film. I think this could have used an extra editing sesh to streamline the pacing because it meandered after the first third of the book, but I could also completely picture this in a script format working really well.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

challenging emotional sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

Definitely one that probably would have been better to read in a visual format, but definitely glad that I was finally able to read this since I’ve previously seen the original movie. Now I just need to watch the musical adaptation.

One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry

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? It's complicated

4.5

Considering this is a short story, Lucinda Berry 1000% sucks you into the story and the lives of her characters. I do understand the reasoning for the abrupt ending and I hope there's a sequel on the way for this one.

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.25

So crazy to think about how much HASN'T changed regarding toxic masculinity and the threats upon the LGBTQ+ community considering this was published in the FIFTIES. A bit slow moving, but definitely still a relevant piece of literature.

A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan

dark mysterious tense 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

3.0

Holy whiplash! Honestly, I feel like I got 2 completely different books and actually enjoyed the more grounded aspects in the first half of the book as opposed to the supernatural-y elements of the second half of the book. If this was just the first half of the book with an actual ending this would have gotten 5 stars from me.