bookishaddictions's Reviews (310)

If you are looking for a book to help you talk to your children (ages 9-12) about the Holocaust, this is an age-appropriate way to begin the conversation. Number the Stars helps show the atrocities of WW2 from a child’s perspective, so this may make the history of it all easier for a child to comprehend. Although the Holocaust was now more than 70 years ago, hatred is still very much alive today; it is critical that we teach our children about the cruelties of humanities’ past so we can ideally prevent it from occurring again. Our main character, Annemarie, is a prime example of courage; she acknowledges her fear as she helps protect her friend Ellen, but she does what she believes is right anyway. This story is perfect for introducing your child(ren) or students to the darker side of history and encouraging the values we need in society (courage, love, and perseverance). 

Educators: I recommend pairing this book with a unit about WW2 and/or Danish culture. Encourage students to engage in higher-order thinking by taking their learning beyond the book 💡

Their story is hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful. The Dirt details Mötley Crüe’s rise to fame as well as the band’s end. There were so many moments that I found myself actually laughing out loud, and yet, they could have me ready to scream or cry the next moment. The Crüe men convey the sense of wildness and adventure so well that the feeling is almost tangible. I loved that they did not hide their darkest moments in an attempt to make themselves look like better men; they acknowledge the pain they have caused themselves and others. Each member explains some of the past traumas and experiences they went through that made them the men they are- but they also admit that they weren’t always able to overcome those moments in life. The most heartbreaking moment of all was Vince’s chapter about Skylar; seeing her little chubby cheeks in combination with learning of the hell she went through left me ready to cry. I can’t begin to imagine the depths of pain and helplessness in that situation. After reading each members’ stories, it is no wonder that they all come off a tad bit crazy; it was also likely partially why their music was so great. I do warn that there is an abundance of sex and chaos, and enough drugs to make you wonder if *you* are the only sober one left (I can bet that the story is more fun though if you’re not). Readers, approach with caution- this book is not for the sensitive or weak-of-heart ⚠️

If you enjoy romance novels and the “normal girl meets super star” trope, you’ll love this one. I received a copy of Pink & Country via BookSirens, and I wasn’t disappointed. The story follows April, a spunky pink haired writer, and Carter, a super hot country star. Their story is sexy, fun, and will put you through emotional hell periodically. This book would be a solid match for fans of @annatodd’s After series. I found myself rooting for the characters throughout the novel, and I didn’t want to put the my Kindle down. My only complaint was a the frequent references to genitals and use of names while speaking; it’s possible this only bothered me though because people don’t speak that way where I live. The book was pretty solid otherwise.

If you are a parent or teacher that works with “problem” children, this is a must read. Greene uses his educational experience and research to introduce the Collaborative and Proactive Strategies (CPS) model. He will give you ways to work with challenging children (and these tips can be used with adults too) rather than constantly having to tell them what they should be doing or disciplining them. Greene’s goal is to solve the problems before they begin- children’s misbehavior is a symptom of lacking skills, but the behaviors are not the problem themselves. Greene is essentially coming up with a way to cure the child issues rather than educators continuing to just putting a band aid on them. I’m not normally into professional development books, but Greene had my interest. I especially like that we get to follow the story of one teacher’s struggle with “challenging” kids to help reinforce the concepts learned in each chapter. Greene will really challenge you to reconsider the way you see the classroom if you give this book a go. I can’t wait to try this in my own classroom. There is so much more I could say about this book, but I’ll leave it at this: get to reading 🤪

So I won this one a while back from the @goodreads giveaways… I’m not quite sure why I finished this one. The novella follows two couples and their children as they attempt to pull riches from an abandoned mine located in a Congolese jungle. The overall plot has some potential, but the POV killed the story for me. The narrator speaks directly to the audience repeatedly, and said narrator is quite pompous and irritated the hell out of me. The writing style was also a bit odd to me, as it came off like the writer was trying way too hard. I hate posting negative reviews, but I have limited positive thoughts on this 132 page story. I liked the idea of people opening a mine and unleash something evil; I just didn’t like the way the story was executed. I really hope someone else enjoys this more than I did though, as it did get some positive comments on Goodreads’ review section. I don’t have much else to say without just being mean, so I’m going to go ahead and cut the review off here 😬🥴

This one is emotionally going to stick with me for quite a while. This is the ultimate story of breaking family cycles; Lily finds herself facing painful truths, falling in love, and trying to continue growing as a person. Ryle (a gorgeous neurosurgeon) has some serious problems of his own. The two are left to navigate their pasts and determine how it will affect their future. Hoover once again dished a story that is sexy, dangerous, and downright emotional. I loved every minute of this, although there were moments I thought Hoover was trying to rip my heart out. I wasn’t *as* invested as I was with Verity, but this is definitely a close second. This is a story for the people with childhood traumas and complicated relationships that need to remember that it’s okay to not be okay. 

I could never determine if I wanted to kiss my husband or if I wanted to cry, so forewarn your partner when you choose to give this book a chance 😬

I am still wondering if it’s Ryle like Kyle or Ryle like Riley though 🤪🥴

I snagged this book as an ARC from @netgalley , although it’s now been out for a while. I typically love historical fiction, especially WW2 novels. This one just didn’t suck me in though. 

I loved the concept of learning about Hedy Lamarr, as her inventions have had quite the impact on us all today; I even loved the idea of learning about one of the female scientists (Judy Jenkins) involved in the Manhattan Project. There is nothing inherently wrong with the book; it has the love interest, real life problems, plus some extreme drama- it just wasn’t my favorite. I did appreciate that they demonstrate just how chaotic working within the sciences during a war time is, as my family has heard plenty of stories from two relatives that were involved with the Manhattan Project themselves. This story displayed beautifully the conflicting emotions that arise during war, especially within people that are find themselves being asked to invent anything intended to help stop the war. I will admit though that I found myself unable to really relate with Hedy and Judy, though they deal with some situations that we still face (failing marriages, sexism within the science field, etc.). ✈️

If you love historical fiction or war literature, I would recommend giving this one a shot. There’s a good chance you’ll be more into this story than I was 🤷🏼‍♀️

I bought this title by itself and again as a series bundle quite a while ago. I wish I would have read this one sooner! I found myself rooting for Feyah every step of the way. I had this idea in my head that it was going to be similar to Beauty and the Beast, but it definitely surpassed my expectations. I loved the concepts of faeries as both good and evil, and that humans are no different. I found her character extremely relatable, and Tamlin warmed my heart. I will admit that I found myself thinking about this book quite often, and I never wanted to put it down once I picked it up. The writing is strong, the story is compelling, and the characters are believable. I haven’t been very into series reads lately, but I’m already two chapters into the next book and loving it. If you liked The Hunger Games and Beauty and the Beast, you’ll love this! 

This one gives me all of the vibes of playing clue. We know where someone was hurt, but not the “who” or with what. After Stephen Aston decides to marry 34-year-old; this notably comes as a shock to his daughters Tully and Rachel (who are barely older than her). Hepworth will take you for a ride that begins at the first meeting with daddy’s wife-to-be until the post-wedding chaos begins. Rachel and Tully are shockingly relatable despite their unique personalities. Heather, the new fiancée, is charming and just a little bit broken. These women will keep you on your toes, and the plot will leave you guessing. I do warn that the ending is somewhat ambiguous, so this book is not for readers that need a clear cut ending. Overall, I’m glad I had the chance to read this one! 

I chose this ARC since I enjoyed Alcott’s Little Women. This reimagining of LW brings the characters to life in a unique way- they are now navigating life during WW2. Jo, still our lovable tomboy, finds herself going to work in the factories building military equipment. Amy  enlists in the Red Cross, while Meg stays home and tries to better her local community. Each mourns Beth, as she only has a voice in this novel via poems. The characters got to be portrayed as deeper and more relatable in this version of the story, and the setting made the story a little more easy to follow. With four perspectives and four authors, each character clearly has their own attitudes and beliefs. The March girls are still strong, independent, and bold. I loved getting to follow the characters along for the journey, especially since we miss most of Amy’s in the original Little Women. The authors bring the passion, anger, and desperation of the sisters to life in a way that Alcott did not. If you love historical fiction and woman-centered stories, this one is worth your time!