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bookswithlee's Reviews (669)
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
✨reading across Africa challenge✨
3.5 stars
In the country of men follows a young 9 year old boy as he attempts to navigate issues within the adult world surrounding him. I found the story to be challenging, yet beautifully written from a child perspective
I appreciated the authors ability to offer a window into the life of those who experienced the political tranny that occurred in Libby. It helped to shine some light on something that I truly had no knowledge of until reading this story.
I will say that this book has some triggering content that is not for everyone, so be sure to check content warning before deciding to pick this book up.
I enjoyed the beginning, and it got slow in the middle; however it does pick up towards the end. The ending felt like somewhat of a cliff hanger, but I’m not mad at it.
Overall I enjoyed this story, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
3.5 stars
In the country of men follows a young 9 year old boy as he attempts to navigate issues within the adult world surrounding him. I found the story to be challenging, yet beautifully written from a child perspective
I appreciated the authors ability to offer a window into the life of those who experienced the political tranny that occurred in Libby. It helped to shine some light on something that I truly had no knowledge of until reading this story.
I will say that this book has some triggering content that is not for everyone, so be sure to check content warning before deciding to pick this book up.
I enjoyed the beginning, and it got slow in the middle; however it does pick up towards the end. The ending felt like somewhat of a cliff hanger, but I’m not mad at it.
Overall I enjoyed this story, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, War
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
decided to read the book after I saw it on Peter reviews books on YouTube. I typically enjoy the books he recommends, but this one was just okay for me.
What I enjoyed:
- great hook (although it falls flat in this book). I love the idea of having to choose between crashing a plane or saving your family. That alone had me so intrigued
-it has me on the edge of my seat waiting for what was up next as thrillers should
-predictable but in a good way
What I didn’t like as much:
- book left a lot of questions unanswered and the motivate behind the antagonist seemed weak
- some popular tropes were used that I find to be over used (the guy you least expect it to be is the bad guy, the guy you think is bad is good..etc)
- the ending
Overall this is a really easy read and it read more like a movie than it did a book. I believe this one will be adapted into a film. This is one rare occasion where I believe the film will fair better than the book.
What I enjoyed:
- great hook (although it falls flat in this book). I love the idea of having to choose between crashing a plane or saving your family. That alone had me so intrigued
-it has me on the edge of my seat waiting for what was up next as thrillers should
-predictable but in a good way
What I didn’t like as much:
- book left a lot of questions unanswered and the motivate behind the antagonist seemed weak
- some popular tropes were used that I find to be over used (the guy you least expect it to be is the bad guy, the guy you think is bad is good..etc)
- the ending
Overall this is a really easy read and it read more like a movie than it did a book. I believe this one will be adapted into a film. This is one rare occasion where I believe the film will fair better than the book.
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
I had heigh hopes for this book and at times it exceeded expectations, while at other times it felt a bit underdeveloped.
This story continues to follow Tabitha who is now pregnant. We watch as she continues to find her identity through all the new hurdles in her life. We also get a twist at the beginning of the story, which is important to the story moving forward.
Let’s start with what I loved:
- I loved how relatable the characters felt. I felt like I was apart of the friend group and got invested in tabby’s story.
- As a Black woman I found myself relating to many of Tabitha struggles. Especially those related to her appearance
- I like how easy of a read this was. It’s very digestible with some light and fluffy moments
Here’s what I didn’t particularly enjoy:
- the ending seemed to happen out of nowhere
- The ending was very predictable and typical
- There was a comment made about Tabitha thinking the love interest didn’t think she was “strong enough” for natural birth. Anyone who has children is strong no matter how the baby is born and that was never addressed. There were other things surrounding birthing that I didn’t particularly like.
Overall I still would like to read book 3 as I’m just hoping this book just has second book syndrome and it can only get better from here. I still enjoyed this book and would recommend for others for the positive elements listed earlier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Grief, Pregnancy
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book via audiobook and I found it to be enjoyable.
At the start of the story I felt like I was invested in the story, but as I listened more it started to drag on a bit. In the middle I felt as though there was information added that wasn’t necessary and I just felt bored to be honest.
I’m giving this books 3 stars because towards the end it begin to pick up again, but I was not satisfied with how it ended.
This was a disappointing read, but not terrible. Definitely not the authors best work.
At the start of the story I felt like I was invested in the story, but as I listened more it started to drag on a bit. In the middle I felt as though there was information added that wasn’t necessary and I just felt bored to be honest.
I’m giving this books 3 stars because towards the end it begin to pick up again, but I was not satisfied with how it ended.
This was a disappointing read, but not terrible. Definitely not the authors best work.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars.
I listened to this book on audio and would recommend others listen as well. It’s a full cast and it really brought the story to life for me.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this story; however, I feel as though I was able to predict the ending somewhat. I also want to recognize that this is a YA book and was not necessary written with me in mind as I am not within this age range.
With that being said, I enjoyed this story. I finished listening in one day and I can’t wait to listen to the next book!
I listened to this book on audio and would recommend others listen as well. It’s a full cast and it really brought the story to life for me.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this story; however, I feel as though I was able to predict the ending somewhat. I also want to recognize that this is a YA book and was not necessary written with me in mind as I am not within this age range.
With that being said, I enjoyed this story. I finished listening in one day and I can’t wait to listen to the next book!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️ Reading Across Africa Challenge ⭐️
This was the first book of my reading across Africa challenge this year and it did not disappoint. I went into this book completely blind. Not knowing anything about the content only that it was written by an Algerian author with a bit of a “thriller” feel. I loved basically everything about it and could not put it down!
This book follows our main character whose wife is a suicide bomber. He goes on a quest to try to understand why his middle class wife would abandon her life to participate in this type of “‘mission”.
In addition, through the story you learn not only about some political dynamics of the area, but also what motivates an individual to become a suicide bomber. This book offered a perspective that I had never thought about prior to reading this book
I also want to recognize that this is a work of fiction, so that much of what I read should be taken with that in mind. Not every book is meant to teach the reader something, but I truly felt as though I may have learned a bit more about another culture than what I knew going into this story.
I will be reading more from this author in the future
This was the first book of my reading across Africa challenge this year and it did not disappoint. I went into this book completely blind. Not knowing anything about the content only that it was written by an Algerian author with a bit of a “thriller” feel. I loved basically everything about it and could not put it down!
This book follows our main character whose wife is a suicide bomber. He goes on a quest to try to understand why his middle class wife would abandon her life to participate in this type of “‘mission”.
In addition, through the story you learn not only about some political dynamics of the area, but also what motivates an individual to become a suicide bomber. This book offered a perspective that I had never thought about prior to reading this book
I also want to recognize that this is a work of fiction, so that much of what I read should be taken with that in mind. Not every book is meant to teach the reader something, but I truly felt as though I may have learned a bit more about another culture than what I knew going into this story.
I will be reading more from this author in the future
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Islamophobia, Murder, War
Moderate: Police brutality
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
So many times during this book I wanted to cry. I in fact had to put in down for a week to give myself time to process some of the intense trauma the main character experienced. I am not myself from Niagara; however, much of the intergenerational trauma triggered my own experience in this area.
Similar to that of the main character I found myself fighting for better in my life. I always wanted more, but never had access to the resources that many others have growing up. However, through all the struggles, I am now an educated Black Woman. With not just one, but 3 college degrees. The fight didn’t stop there. I continue to fight every day for not only my own children but for all children from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. I believe everyone should have access to everything they need.
Reading this reminded me not only of my own struggles but the perseverance and resilience that helped me to become the person I am today. I am the girl with the louding voice and I’m not afraid to say it. This was a beautifully written story. They detailed not only the struggles of a young woman, but how she continued to fight even when she felt like she no longer had the strength to go on. I loved everything about this story and it will go down as one of my all time favorite reads
Similar to that of the main character I found myself fighting for better in my life. I always wanted more, but never had access to the resources that many others have growing up. However, through all the struggles, I am now an educated Black Woman. With not just one, but 3 college degrees. The fight didn’t stop there. I continue to fight every day for not only my own children but for all children from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. I believe everyone should have access to everything they need.
Reading this reminded me not only of my own struggles but the perseverance and resilience that helped me to become the person I am today. I am the girl with the louding voice and I’m not afraid to say it. This was a beautifully written story. They detailed not only the struggles of a young woman, but how she continued to fight even when she felt like she no longer had the strength to go on. I loved everything about this story and it will go down as one of my all time favorite reads
