Reviews by betweentheshelves

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betweentheshelves

I Can't Even Think Straight

Dean Atta

4.0

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

This was a quick read, with some fun connections to Atta's other books! I always appreciate when novels in verse are read by their authors, it makes the story more immersive. For that reason, I'd definitely recommend the audiobook for this one!

Kai is struggling to figure out his feelings for his best friend, especially when that best friend doesn't want to come out. There's a great secondary cast of characters in addition to Kai, which really pulls you into the story. If you like novels in verse about crushes and identity, definitely check this one out!

Content Warnings

Eliza, from Scratch

Sophia Lee

4.0

emotional lighthearted medium-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

Well, this was adorable. Eliza is such a relatable main character, especially when she has to pivot from her original plans. Lee captures that senior year feeling of being unsure of what's coming next, second-guessing your choices along the way. I especially liked the way Lee highlights the way friendships can evolve. All around, just a lovely book!

When Love Gives You Lemons

Steven Salvatore

4.0

emotional 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

This was an all around fun read, especially as we start heading into warm weather. It's got a lot of rom-com feel good moments, as well as a deeper emotional core as the two main characters try to figure out what their future is going to look like. Plus, it's set in Italy, and there are some great descriptions of food!

Content Warnings

The Corruption of Hollis Brown

K. Ancrum

5.0

dark emotional medium-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

What a strange book. But like, in a good way? It was written in a way that I couldn't put down. Ancrum's writing style is good for that, with the short chapters and strong cast of characters. Event a character who technically doesn't have their own body. If you like your thrillers with a side of weird, definitely check this one out!

Content Warnings

Holy Terrors

Margaret Owen

4.0

adventurous emotional funny 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

Not a bad ending to this series, honestly! I think it combined some of the best aspects of the previous two books. You can see the emotional growth in Vanja and Emeric, even if Vanja makes some questionable decisions. If you like your fantasies with morally grey leads (who might accidentally start a cult at one point), this is definitely the series for you!

Content Warnings

The Meadowbrook Murders

Jessica Goodman

3.0

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was just okay for me. It didn't have as much suspense for me as some of Goodman's other books have had. It's also marketed as dark academia, but it's more just a murder mystery set at a boarding school. At times, even with different narrators, both of the main characters kind of blurred together as well. It's a quick read, though, if you're looking for a quick mystery!

Content Warnings

Run Away with Me

Brian Selznick

4.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

While I don't think this is a book that a lot of teenagers will necessarily be drawn to, it's a lovely, quiet kind of story that leaves you thinking. I really enjoyed the fact that the story was end-capped by Selznick's signature artwork. It both helps set the tone of the story and leaves you with the impression of Danny and Angelo.

The prose is focused on a lot of different stories, specifically that Angelo is telling Danny. There's also a bit of a mystery that parallels Angelo and Danny's own story. I'm not quite sure who I would recommend this book to, but it is a lovely story.

A Catalog of Burnt Objects

Shana Youngdahl

4.0

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: Yes

The way this includes people's stories about the fire interwoven throughout the book was a great choice for how to tell this story. It shows how devastating wildfires can be, and how suddenly people can lose everything. While the wildfire is at the center of the story, it's also a story of learning how to move forward after trauma and figuring out what the future might hold.

Be warned, this is definitely an emotional story, which I should have known because it was blurbed by Jeff Zentner. If you're looking for a complex story about grief, dealing with natural disasters, and finding strength in community.

Content Warnings

Say a Little Prayer

Jenna Voris

4.5

emotional funny hopeful 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

This book was the perfect blend of humor and emotion, with a great cast of characters that add to the overall story. It's about community and coming together, even when you're hurting. It's about finding the courage to be yourself. It's about healing from emotional trauma. Plus, it will make for a great summer read!

Content Warnings

Dear Manny

Nic Stone

5.0

emotional reflective 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

This book rounds out an important YA trilogy looking at racims in the United States, especially as it relates to power. Stone took a risk with this story, focusing Jared, who you might remember from the previous books. We get to see him working to be better, but still making mistakes. I think that's one of the most important take aways from this book. No one is ever going to be perfect right away, but all that's important is that you keep trying to make yourself better.

Content Warnings

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