carlys_currently_'s Reviews (483)

Great Big Beautiful Life

Emily Henry

3.5

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Zoulfa Katouh

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad 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

Hijab Butch Blues

Lamya H

5.0

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

Salt to the Sea

Ruta Sepetys

3.0

dark emotional informative sad tense fast-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: Complicated

Sunrise On The Reaping

Suzanne Collins

5.0

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth

3.5

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

The Lion Women of Tehran

Marjan Kamali

4.5

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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: Yes

This is exactly the type of historical fiction that I love to read because it teaches me about times/places I know little about. Learning about Iran's turbulent history through the eyes of women was an opportunity and a reading experience I will cherish. I know I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. The themes of trust, privilege, perseverance, resistance, motherhood, and feminism are woven seamlessly together while portraying a beautiful relationship between two friends. If this doesn't inspire you to learn (and think) more about the world outside of your own, I don't know what will.