zayzay2's reviews
35 reviews

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

4.75

I have so much to say but all I'll say here is the author did a good job at showing a complex character, we usually hear stories of victims being perfect and always being taken advantage. For this story Vanessa believed she had the power to consent and played a role in it, realistically we know no 15 yr old has that much power nor consent in the eyes of the law and morality. She gave us a character who was different and was not the 'perfect' victim which I enjoyed, I like to see different types of victims and especially from her point of view made it so much better, he's would be sexual only and we know it. There's a quote that was said that describes the book so well, when she find out Taylor spoke out and she's asked to speak on stain she says I wonder how the public will react when they realise I'm not perfect and I essentially was involved. We as the reader know regardless of how forward or how much she wanted stain YOUR A CHILD, and that quote was what the book was about for me directing the idea that yes she may think she is also to blame but in reality she is not and he's 100% to blame which she realises in the end thankfully. Confronting the idea that there is no perfect victim, just because she wanted to be the stain does not mean that stain is less to blame she was groomed and he was an adult and knew what was doing. The idea that women do not need to be perfect to be believed and protect from abusers and pedophiles, that schools should be more aware of teacher/student interactions and put safety in place for students. 

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

emotional informative reflective 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

4.75

It took me a while to finish this book, I started and was going strong but I started university and couldn't read at my normal pace. So I tried my hardest even on days I was tired to read so I would finish this book by September, I knew what this book was about since I read the back of the book and my sister read it before me and recommended it to me. I loved the book as It taught me history I did not know about, I knew black women in America were going through this but not to this extent, i did not know the details and this books shed a light to that for me as I am not from American. I loved the sisters relationship, the grandma was also a likeable character. Civil was an interesting character, she was dealing with the fact that she had an abortion, also the fact that she gave shot to the girls she didn't know what for. What I am proud of is she trusted her gut most people do as they're told and not ask questions due to being a new nurse, she asked questions risked everything (even though I know she's privileged) she still stood on business. I loved ty as he was present throughout all this, yes he did expect answers but at a certain point he stopped asking and was just there for her and I respected that and showed true and raw love. I really wasn't expecting them to win the case, when they give us the 2016 chapter it shows she didn't talk to a lot of the people so I assumed they lost the case, so when they won I was shocked and really pleased. I honestly thought you are suing the government that is not something you see everyday and even today 2024 it is hard to find justice, so I was pleased this book had some light. It showed us that if we want to see change in this world we first have to take the steps and not expect things to change on their own, we should stand up for each other and what's right even with the consequences. I did get annoyed at civil at time when she acted like the girls mother but then again I understand there was a lot of love but also guilt in her as well as her unresolved feelings from the abortion. I enjoyed the last couple chapters as she was showing us what she learnt, not to make the same mistake again and try and save anyone but rather give advice and support and not to fix everything. Loved how she reconnected with everyone at the end, she really did find her found family, loved the last couple paged where she asked to meet ty. was waiting for that as there was still a lot of unsaid things and there's still love there. Overall it was educational, emotional but also heartwarming to see a community come together and fight for what's right. 

Beach Read by Emily Henry
Did not finish book.

I think I was in a reading slump and I couldn't get out of it by reading this book, it didn't work and due to that I didn't like this book. I've heard great things about the author Emily Henry but this was the first book of her I read was sad I didn't like it, I think if I read it in a different mood I would really enjoy it. I want to read more of her books so I will be giving her books another go, I will re-read another time and we will see what I think then. 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Did not finish book.

This book was everywhere when I wanted to read easy books for me to get into reading, I bought it because of the hype and people saying it was really good. I just didn't like the reading style, I couldn't get into maybe I was in a reading slump but after discussing with others they said they didn't like it either so maybe it's not the reading slump and is just simply I didn't like it. 

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Did not finish book.

Another pollen hoover book, like I said I bought 4 of her books at once since it was easy to read and I was a beginner and I regret it. I wasted money and only finished 1 of her books, I just couldn't get into this book, it confused me with the time line and I just couldn't do it. 

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Did not finish book.

I read one Collin hoover and my mistake was buying 4 books of her books without researching about her, this was the beginning of my reading journey and all my information and recommendations came from TikTok. I couldn't get into the book as it felt very cliché and after seeing people quote some of this book I'm glad I didn't finish it, I only read a few chapters and couldn't get into it. 

Purity by Skyler Mason
Did not finish book.

I only remember some bits about this book, it was about virginity was I was interested to read. It did not go the way I thought, it was very much I found someone to lose my virginity to about I will 'give them this special thing' even though the man didn't deserve her in my opinion. It had a lot of concepts of purity culture which I hate and felt weird and judgment at times, it also felt the guy was really into the aspect of her being a virgin which I found disgusting and icky. That's all I remember and it's no from me. 

The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent
Did not finish book.

I remember reading this years ago, it was about stalking and obsession and I usually don't mind that I find it interesting. But this book didn't do it the way I enjoyed, I just couldn't finish it and I will not be re-reading it. 

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

I just couldn't finish this book, sometime it's good to admit this book might be great for others but was just not for me. Loved the writing style and the siblings relationship, as well their connection. Maybe I'll re-read another time when mentally I'm ready for this book, wasn't bad at all maybe it's not for me or it wasn't the right time. we shall see. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I'm very late reading this book, I know everyone has either read this book or watched the movie or both. Finally read it, honestly I have not heard anything about the plot of this book or the movie. So I went in knowing nothing at all, all I was told by my sister who read it and watched the movie was 'it is sad' which I love sad books. It defo is a book I will remember for a long time, the reason for 5 stars is due to Charlie some what reminding me of myself in he's way of thinking or he's outlook on things. It made me empathise with him as I also saw myself as a strong kid, even thought I'm an adult now I see a lot traces of Charlies to myself. He's extremely smart, awkward, thinks ALOT, does't really know how to make friends or interact, hasn't been in relationships, loves reading and knowing new things, doesn't read social cues and is overall an innocent individual who I loved dearly. The way this book was written was quite fast paced I read half of the book in one sitting which is rare for me, I was hocked for hours just reading away. The ending and the reveal was so shocking I didn't see it coming, my sister kept saying the ending is sad which I thought met maybe someone will get into a car accident but I was not expecting this. I feel so bad for him, but looking back that makes sense because the therapist kept asking him about he's childhood and he didn't understand why. We know as adults a lot of our personality or the way we are is due to childhood whether it's negative or positive. I love that he has great circle of friends, I felt very sad for him when they stopped talking to him but I thought he would commit suicide but I'm glad he didn't. I loved what sam said to Charlie before she left about him being here and not just being there for people and actually doing what he wants, I always felt Charlie was very passive just lived, thought a lot and was always there fore people but never actually for himself or was ever passionate about something or someone in life. He wasn't really living and I think that talk something clicked for him, that was a scene that really recenated with me personally. I was very happy with the ending him coming to terms with life and having loved ones around him, he really has people around him compare to the begging of the book. Will defo re-read in a few years!