zarelaeda's reviews
262 reviews

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

I don't know if I have the words to express how emotional this book made me, but let me try. I don't follow celebrity news very much, so most of this book was a surprise for me. This was a story of a woman who suffered abuse her whole life and wasn't allowed to keep it private. Always in the public eye, constantly scrutinized and hounded by the world... My heart goes out to any celebrity who is forced to live this life and I think it's a big part of why I avoid celebrity news and gossip. She is a stronger woman than I am and I love how open and honest she was about her experiences. 

It's Women's History Month and this was an excellent book to start with.

Scepters & Scrolls by S.R. Meadows

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

Lovers at the Museum: A Short Story by Isabel Allende

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

As someone who only saw the movie as a child and never read the book, reading it now as an adult this made me both nostalgic and endeared to the book. It's, at it's core, a fun, simple story of a child rising up out of a tragic situation and making a new family at the loss of his own. 

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Angela Davis is never not relevant and this collection of her speeches proves how in 2024 we are still discussing and debating these topics. Shining light on the occupation of Palestine (still ongoing), critical of Obama and the policies in acted under his presidency, exploring how the Ferguson protests created a movement that mirrors some of the movements she was involved in 30 years prior. This is an excellent read for people wanting to expand their views and learn about current Black History from someone who not only lived it, but was involved in it.

Keep Me Close by R.M. Virtues

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

The choke hold this book series has on me is astounding and I want nothing more from these books. They are perfection. Flawed characters, enemies to lovers, and safe, sane, consensual sex are my favorite troupes. 

Irene's Cunt by Louis Aragon

slow-paced

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

1.0

Well, I can mark French erotica off my lost of weird books I've read. 

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Updated Edition) by Anthony Bourdain

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

2.0

Unsure if truly enjoyed it or if I was just happy to listen to Anthony tell me about his cooking adventures. Either way, I'll consider it good. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World by Seán Hewitt, Luke Edward Hall

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Although I was familiar with the majority of these passages, the history and thought behind each selection added layers I hadn't before considered or thought of. New light brought some of these stories into a world I had never considered before. Coupled with the beautiful artwork, this is a great addition to any Classic collection and to anyone who enjoys reading queer history.